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Where do you set aside the money you’re saving for retirement? If you’re like many Americans, you save for retirement primarily through an employer’s retirement plan, according to Pew Research.1 Unfortunately, less than one-half of private sector employers sponsor retirement plans. Firms that have plans tend to be large.1 In part, that may be because of a misperception among smaller employers. Many small companies think sponsoring a retirement plan is too expensive. However, 45 percent [...]

If someone tells you older people need less sleep than younger people do, don’t believe it. Older Americans need about eight hours of sleep, just like everybody else. What’s different is quality sleep is harder to come by as you age. There are a lot of reasons for it and you may be affected by more than one.1If someone tells you older people need less sleep than younger people do, don’t believe it. Older [...]

It’s no secret healthcare costs are going up. Medical expenses have been steadily increasing for years. In 2007, costs were up almost 12 percent. However, the rate of increase slowed to 6 percent during the past five years and that trend is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, according to a June 2018 report from PwC. While single-digit increases are an improvement, ever-rising costs are a concern for those who have to foot the [...]

On St. Patrick’s Day, it’s okay to celebrate even if you’re not Irish. St. Patrick himself wasn’t Irish. As we celebrate, we would like to share some of our favorite facts and tidbits about St. Patrick’s Day:1 • St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish national holiday with banks, stores, and businesses closing for the day. • Shamrocks are the national flower/emblem of Ireland. • The color of St. Patrick’s Day was originally blue. • [...]

How many password-protected accounts do you have? If you keep mental inventory, use a password manager, or have a written record of your passwords (which is not recommended by anyone), take a quick count. You’re likely to find you may have some or all of the below types of accounts: • Email accounts • Online bank accounts • Online brokerage accounts • Online shopping accounts • Online bill paying • Social media accounts • [...]

Valentine’s Day means different things to different people. Some welcome Valentine’s Day as a time for romance, while others see it as an opportunity to cherish friends and family. No matter how it’s celebrated, Valentine’s Day spending gives the U.S. economy a boost. See what you know about this heartfelt holiday by taking our Valentine’s Day quiz.1 1. How much did the National Retail Federation (NRF) estimate Americans spent on Valentine’s Day last year?1 [...]

Whether you own a house or rent an apartment, building a smart home is easier than it has ever been. Homeowners and renters can purchase kits that integrate specific smart items or they can select smart home products, such as light bulbs, crockpots, coffee makers, thermostats, vacuums, ovens, doorbells, mailboxes, window shades, and security cameras. After downloading the appropriate apps, anyone can connect everything together through a Wi-Fi network.1, 2 Smart digital assistants (SDAs) [...]

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation establishing the third Monday of January as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.1 Dr. King, who is remembered for his powerful oratory and transformative ideas, once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”2 To honor Dr. King, many people choose to make this day a day of service. Service work helps others and helping others makes us happier. Time.com wrote, “Experiments show evidence [...]

Bella. Coco. Charlie. Lucy. Max. No matter the name, many pets are considered to be members of the family, providing companionship, protection, and unconditional love. The pet-owner relationship has some powerful benefits, which may explain why pet ownership has been on the rise in the United States and around the world. Thirty years ago, just about one-half of American households owned pets. Last year, almost 70 percent did.1, 2 The prevalence of pets is [...]

It’s only January, but you may want to jumpstart your 2018 taxes since there are a slew of new regulations that may affect you. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 goes into effect this year so make sure you understand how tax reform may affect your 2018 taxes. Take a deep breath and read about some of the ways tax deductions and credits have changed. While the changes may be daunting, [...]