Just when you think you’ve got your retirement savings on autopilot, wham, a new tax bill comes along to change your plans. Today, I’m focusing on the changes in catch-up contributions to employer retirement plans brought on by OBBRA (the 2025 tax bill). The following does not apply to Individual Retirement Accounts (Traditional, SEP, Roth,…
Yep, I’m doing the work so you can look good to your sweetie on what is probably the most fraught made-up holiday on the calendar. Save time (and money!) by learning from others’ mistakes. “After five years of gas station flowers, I finally told my husband to stop getting me gifts on Valentine’s Day. There…
Okay, we all know (even though many of you have tried anyway) that jumping in and out of the stock market to avoid bad years and only participate in the good times doesn’t work. That’s not my hot take. My big epiphany is WHY market timing doesn’t work. Here it is: You are trying to…
Today’s blog is a quick reminder of the savings limits for retirement accounts in 2026. Adjust your payroll deductions and savings plans accordingly. 401(k), 403(b), 457, and TSP plans: Annual contribution limit: $24,500 (up from $23,500 in 2025). Catch-up (age 50+): $8,000 (up from $7,500). Total possible (age 50+): $32,500. Special catch-up for ages 60–63: $11,250 (unchanged from 2025). Traditional and Roth IRAs: Annual contribution limit: $7,500 (up…
Sure, sure, we all want to save more money in 2026. But, as the iconic Cyndi Lauper sings, girls (and guys) just wanna have fun! What’s good for your pocket and the environment? Keeping used gear in the hands (and on the feet) of people instead of in landfills. Read on, Intrepid Adventurer, for resources:…
Curious about what your friends and neighbors are thinking about when it comes to money? Look no further than the top internet searches to take the public temperature about money worries. Inflation and cost of living questions Budgeting, saving, and “how to manage money” Credit cards, debt payoff, and loans Student loans. 4million Google searches…
Happy New Year! Riding the wave of peace on earth and good will toward your bank accounts, here are three New Year’s Money Resolutions I would love to see people make and some ideas about how to keep them. Right-size your emergency fund. First, what is a reasonable goal to have in safe money? Three…
This blog is going out on Christmas day, so it’s likely never to be read. So, rather than give you life-changing financial advice that will drift to the bottom of the unread-holiday-email pile, how about some suggestions for holiday entertainment? My comments are after the scores. Jingling All The Way… Meet Me in St. Louis…
Thanks to an anonymous alert reader for this update on potentially higher umbrella policy premiums. Our intrepid investigator passed along this information from her agent. “State Farm told me it’s because Colorado law has increased the cap to $1.5 million on non-economic damages for lawsuits starting January 2025 (up from the approximately $600K previous cap)…
Little kids aren’t the only ones that are traumatized by Elf on the Shelf this time of year. We grownups can feel Self-Loathing on the Shelf at year-end if our financial goals weren’t met. How did it go this year? Did you… Build an emergency fund of 3-6 months’ expenses set aside in a non-retirement…
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