You can save diligently, earn respectable investment returns, and still make financial decisions that cost you substantially over time. Investment performance is only one piece of a successful financial life. Taxes matter. So does when you claim Social Security. The amount of cash you hold matters. Insurance decisions, retirement spending, college savings, and the types of accounts you own can all change what your wealth ultimately allows you to do. Those decisions rarely exi

Fed Raises Rates Federal Reserve Raises Rates For First Time In Three Years On Wednesday, September 16, the Federal Reserve decided unanimously to raise interest rates for the first time in three years, bringing the benchmark rate to between 3.75% and 4%. It is believed an additional rate hike could come later this year. The decision was made in response to higher inflation, driven in part by the ongoing war with Iran (NBC). Stocks fell after the announcement, and President T

Real estate has created significant wealth for generations of investors. But one of its biggest psychological advantages can also make it easy to underestimate its risks. Unlike a stock or bond, real estate is tangible. You can visit it. Walk through it. Improve it. Rent it. And because you are not shown a constantly changing market price every trading day, it can sometimes feel more stable than investments in the public markets. That does not necessarily make it safer. Real