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☆ How much money Americans in their 40s saved in 2023—and 3 strategies to save more
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

In your 40s, you're likely hitting your peak earning years and beginning to seriously evaluate your strategy for saving, whether it's for retirement or your children's future. In 2023, Americans in their 40s managed to save over $6,930, according to data from New York Life. While that's lower than the $8,911 people in this age group aimed to save last year, it still puts them second on the list of age groups who managed to save the most in 2023. "It could be kids activities, it could be child care, or it could be college, all those areas take a lot of people's cash flow." Here are three tips from Cheng on how people in their 40s can save more this year.

Persons: Marguerita Cheng, Cheng Organizations: New York Locations: New

☆ If you’re investing in the AI theme for the long haul, here’s how to pick the winners
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-20 | by ( Samantha Subin | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Artificial intelligence has shaken up the investing landscape since the groundbreaking launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. Since then, investors have poured money into all things related to AI as they hunt for the next big winners. AI is poised to be a central theme as the technology transitions from early-stage winners to second-stage adopters. When it comes to chip stocks, Schleif also recommends taking a look at government grants. She highlighted the Global X Robotics and Artificial Intelligence ETF (BOTZ) , the First Trust Nasdaq AI and Robotics ETF (ROBT) and the Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (AIQ).

Persons: Tesla, Nvidia —, Jay Woods, Carol Schleif, Schleif, Joe Biden, Nancy Tengler, Marguerita Cheng, BMO's Organizations: ChatGPT, Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Big Tech, Nasdaq, Freedom Capital, BMO Family Office, Samsung Electronics, Intel, Investors, Tengler, IBM, Blue, Global Wealth, Robotics, Intelligence, Technology Locations: Texas, Gaithersburg , Maryland

☆ The No. 1 mistake people in their 50s make with their money, according to a CFP—and how to fix it
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Annie Probert | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

You might feel like your life, retirement savings and finances are set in stone at this age. But this mindset can be one of the biggest financial mistakes you make in your 50s, says Autumn Knutson, certified financial planner and founder of Styled Wealth. Here are three smart decisions to make with your money in your 50s, according to three certified financial planners. Secure long-term care insuranceAs you inch closer to retirement, your 50s are a good time to consider long-term care insurance, says Andrew Fincher, a CFP and financial advisor at VLP Financial Advisors. Separate from health insurance and Medicare, long-term care insurance covers expenses that often arise in your later years, such as assisted living care and at-home care.

Persons: —, Andrew Fincher, Fincher, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng Organizations: Financial, Blue Ocean, Fidelity Investments

☆ With interest rates expected to be higher for longer, here's what to do with your cash
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

That means those saving cash in money market funds and Treasury bills can expect to see their rates stay higher for longer. The annualized seven-day yield on the Crane 100 list of the 100 largest taxable money funds is currently 5.13%. The appetite for money market funds is evident in the record amount of cash pouring into the products. Last week, there was $6.11 trillion sitting in money market funds, according to the Investment Company Institute , up from $5.87 trillion in mid-December. Then there are moderate risk investors with longer time horizons, which Vanguard surveys show are the majority of investors, he said.

Persons: They've, Peter Crane, Shelly Antoniewicz, Marguerita Cheng, you'll, Cheng, Roth, Barry Glassman, Glassman, he's, Roger Aliaga, Diaz, Vanguard's, Cash, Aliaga Organizations: Federal, Crane, Investment Company Institute, Blue, Global, CNBC, Wealth, Treasury, Vanguard

☆ This move could help protect your portfolio from volatility as stocks trade near their highs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

There's a party happening in stocks in 2024, and though investors may be reluctant, it could be time to think of taking a few chips off the table. My portfolio has recovered [from 2022],'" said Marguerita Cheng, certified financial planner and CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth in Gaithersburg, Maryland. "I tell people we're not selling everything, but we need to give the portfolio the TLC it deserves – this is the fine-tuning of your portfolio," she added. Be tax aware: Investors may be wary of selling highly appreciated holdings within their taxable accounts, which can incur levies on capital gains. Cheng of Blue Ocean has been turning toward dividend payers, as well as small and midcap stocks.

Persons: There's, they're, Marguerita Cheng, it's, Morningstar, Carla Adams, –, Sean Lovison, Cheng, Russell, Matson, – that's, It's, Jon Ulin Organizations: Nasdaq, Dow Jones, Netflix, Blue, Global Wealth, CNBC's, CFP, Ametrine, Investors, redeploy, Pfizer, Micron Technology, Holdings, Federal Reserve, Ulin, Wealth Management Locations: Gaithersburg , Maryland, Lake Orion , Michigan, Moorestown , New Jersey, SDVY, Boise, Boca Raton , Florida

☆ This tax-smart charitable donation strategy is like 'hitting two birds with one stone,' advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The strategy, known as qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs, allows retirees to transfer money from an individual retirement account to an eligible nonprofit organization. "It's like hitting two birds with one stone," said certified financial planner Sean Lovison, founder of Philadelphia-area Purpose Built Financial Services. If you're age 70½ or older, you can use a QCD to donate up to $100,000 for 2023. How QCDs provide a tax breakSince 2018, there's been a higher standard deduction, which makes it tougher to claim a tax break for charitable gifts. If you're age 73 or older, QCDs can also cover your required minimum distributions, which otherwise would have boosted income, experts say.

Persons: there's, Sean Lovison, Marguerita Cheng, Kevin Brady, aren't, Ольга Носова Organizations: Blue, Global Wealth, CNBC's, Social Security, Wealthspire Advisors Locations: Philadelphia, Gaithersburg , Maryland, New York

I asked financial planners where I could invest my money other than the stock market. Early last year, when I finally decided to invest some of the cash sitting idle in my high-yield savings account, I turned to the stock market. I've come a long way since then, optimizing my stock market strategy to include studying earnings reports and being more strategic with my picks. Real estateA good amount of my friends have turned to real estate investing over the past few years. "You can invest in real estate through REITs — Real Estate Investment Trusts — which pool together investor money to purchase, and sometimes operate, different forms of property.

Persons: —, Jason Dall'Acqua, Carolyn Yun, Privately, Yun, Get, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng Organizations: Service, Investment, SEC, Venture Locations: REITs —

ETFs are a wrapper for individual assets such as stocks and bonds, similar to mutual funds. However, many ETFs have better tax efficiency and lower expense ratios than mutual funds, driving many investors to make the switch. "ETFs have come a long way over the past 15 to 20 years," said certified financial planner Barry Glassman, founder and president of Glassman Wealth Services in McLean, Virginia. In 2022, investors sold more than $900 billion from mutual funds and poured roughly $600 billion into ETFs, according to Morningstar data. The most attractive feature of an ETF is that most don't distribute capital gains at the end of the year.

Persons: Barry Glassman, " Glassman, Cathy Curtis, Marguerita Cheng, Kamila Elliott, Cheng Organizations: Wealth, CNBC's, Morningstar, CNBC's FA Council, Curtis Financial, Blue, Global Wealth, Wealth Partners Locations: McLean , Virginia, Oakland , California, California, Gaithersburg , Maryland, Atlanta

☆ Around 30% of young people want to retire as millionaires—and over half are confident they can do it
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Young Americans are setting lofty retirement goals — and they're confident that they'll reach them. To figure out how much you may need in retirement, start by using CNBC Make It's retirement calculator. Regardless of their savings goal, most workers are confident they'll be able to save enough to retire comfortably. Your savings rate is the percentage of your pre-tax income that you put toward a retirement savings account such as a 401(k) or a Roth IRA. Ideally, you should aim for a retirement savings rate of 15%, including any employer match, according to Fidelity.

Persons: —, Zers, Bankrate, Xers, Roth, Marguerita Cheng, DON'T Organizations: Fidelity, CNBC, Blue, Wealth Locations: Bankrate, U.S, — Florida

☆ All smoke and no FIRE: Early retirees open up about the struggles of ditching their paychecks in exchange for freedom and the new ways they're generating extra income
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Laila Maidan | Kathleen Elkins | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

Members pose questions from how to save and invest to how to raise a family while on the path to early retirement. Early retirement doesn't mean never working againBut the FIRE movement can be more smoke than fire. Think about what's important to you and what you want your lifestyle in early retirement to look like, Cheng said. One message he shares with his community is that early retirement may not be the ultimate finish line for everyone. He also started coaching high school tennis and grew his online blog that offers tips on early retirement.

Persons: Rachel Covert, Isaac Mizrahi, Covert, That's, subreddit, Gwendolyn Merz, Merz, She'd, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, It's, Michael Quan, Quan, Winnie Jiang, Sam Dogen, Dogen, Sam Dogen Dogen, Shan Fu, Fu, I'm Organizations: Financial Independence, Social Security, Lean FIRE, FIRE, Fortune, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Credit Suisse, Millennials Locations: NerdWallet, New York City, Mexico, Portugal, Asia

☆ Has climate change made utilities a risky bet? What income investors need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The wildfires in Maui are just the latest example of severe weather and the peril facing utilities. However, investors can pick up about 4% yield on stocks that have dividends that are considered safe, which makes them attractive to investors seeking income. Climate change's impact Climate change is altering not only the Earth's temperature, but also precipitation patterns, said Zachary Zobel, risk associate director at Woodwell Climate Research Center. Climate change could impact utilities in other areas, like sustaining damage during hurricanes and floods. "You don't have to just rely on just one sector to get dividend income," said Cheng.

Persons: hasn't, Michael Lonegan, Neil Kalton, Kalton, Zachary Zobel, Zobel, Berkshire Hathaway, PacificCorp, Wells Fargo's Kalton, it's, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, — CNBC's Michael Bloom Organizations: Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, Electric, NBC News, Evercore ISI, Wall Street, Wells, Wells Fargo Securities, FEMA, Woodwell Climate Research Center, Gas & Electric, Blue, Global, CNBC, & $ Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Wells Fargo, California, Berkshire

☆ Here's how much Americans in their 40s have in their 401(k)s
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

People in their 40s may not be saving enough for retirement. Ideally, you should aim to have around three times your pre-tax salary saved for retirement by the time you enter your 40s in order to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement, according to Fidelity Investments. This means if you're in your 40s and earn $60,000 annually, you should aim to have around $180,000 already saved for retirement, for example. Median weekly earnings for Americans ages 45 to 54 is $1,239 or about $59,472 annually. Here are two retirement saving tips to keep in mind.

Persons: haven't, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng Organizations: Fidelity Investments, CNBC, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Blue

☆ Term life insurance is often best, financial advisors say — but most people buy another kind
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Supersizer | E+ | Getty ImagesHow term and permanent life insurance differLife insurance is a form of financial protection that pays money to beneficiaries, such as kids or a spouse, if a policyholder dies. Term insurance only pays out a death benefit during a specified term, perhaps 10, 20 or 30 years. By contrast, permanent insurance policies — such as whole life and universal life — offer continuous coverage until the policyholder dies. Most people just need term insurance. Carolyn McClanahan founder of Life Planning PartnersSome shoppers buy permanent life insurance for the cash value, thinking they can borrow against that cash value or use it as a retirement savings account.

Persons: They're, Marguerita Cheng, McClanahan, Carolyn McClanahan Organizations: Planning Locations: Gaithersburg , Maryland

☆ Here's how much Americans in their 30s have in their 401(k)s
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Instead, keep this key number in mind: your retirement savings rate, which is the percentage of your income you're contributing to your 401(k). As a younger worker, time is on your side when it comes to saving for retirement, Cheng says. If you're in your 30s, your income is likely to increase as you get older, which can allow you to make larger contributions to your retirement savings over time. 1 best piece of advice for regular investors, do's and don'ts and three key investing principles into a clear and simple guidebook. CHECK OUT: Here’s how much Americans have in their 401(k)s at every age

Persons: Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, Warren Buffett Organizations: Fidelity Investments, CNBC, Blue, Wealth, Fidelity

The interest rate on your savings account is influenced by what the Federal Reserve does. When the Federal Reserve raises rates, the interest rate on your savings account tends to go up, too. The interest rate on a high-yield savings account fluctuates and isn't fixed. This means if you open an high-yield savings account, its normal to see the interest rate go up or down over time. If the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, savings interest rates will usually drop.

Persons: —, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, they've, you've Organizations: Federal, Federal Reserve, Service, CFP, RICP, Blue, Global Wealth, FDIC

☆ After SVB and Signature failures, what small businesses should look for when choosing a bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Employees stand outside of the shuttered Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) headquarters on March 10, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. The same holds true for customers of Signature Bank, which was shut down by regulators Sunday. Yet they now need to find another place to keep their money — and they and other small firms may fear a similar calamity elsewhere. For starters, the message is that when a bank fails, customer deposits will be covered for an unlimited amount, Boneparth said. FDIC coverage may be enough for some firmsAdditionally, for some small businesses, the FDIC coverage at their bank should be sufficient.

☆ Employers can use this retirement perk as a ‘stepping stone’ to a 401(k), says advisor
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Visualspace | E+ | Getty ImagesSmall business owners today may feel they're getting pulled in two directions: stuck between wanting to offer a retirement benefit to their workers but feeling unable to afford costs associated with a 401(k) plan. But entrepreneurs scared by the affordability of maintaining a 401(k) plan can instead consider an alternative workplace retirement plan known as a SIMPLE IRA, said Marguerita Cheng, a certified financial planner based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The plans — formally known as a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees — don't carry the startup and operating costs of a "conventional" retirement plan, according to the IRS. watch nowEmployers are more pressured these days to offer a retirement benefit to stay competitive in a hot labor market, Cheng said. SIMPLE IRAs are also "a great stepping stone" to a 401(k) in the future, if an employer wants to make their offering more "robust," she said.

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☆ How to afford the big price tag of your lifetime 'bucket list'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-21 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The 36-year-old public relations professional has an opportunity to check something off his life 'bucket list': Seeing his favorite band, Metallica, play live. Whether Beyonce tickets, Super Bowl weekends or dream vacations after years of COVID restrictions, our bucket lists carry big price tags that seem to be rising every year. So how can we fund our bucket lists, without being totally irresponsible? One solution for this is to save for your bucket list item in a separate account. “There is one item I see on bucket lists that is actually getting less expensive – education,” says Brandon Welch, an investment advisor in La Mesa, California.

☆ It's time to boost 401(k) contributions for 2023: 'You're smart to jump on this,' says advisor
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you're eager to boost your retirement savings, there's good news for 2023: higher 401(k) contribution limits. And now is the time to adjust your deferrals, financial experts say. You can funnel $22,500 into your 401(k), 403(b) and other such plans for 2023, up from the $20,500 limit in 2022. "Most people set [401(k) contributions] once and never look back." If you aim to max out 401(k) contributions for 2023, it may pay off to start early, as spreading it out may be easier than contributing more later in the year.

☆ 3 lesser-known ways to trim your 2022 tax bill or boost your refund before year-end
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

"It's always exciting to reap the rewards of hard work by getting a year-end bonus," said Lisa Greene-Lewis, a CPA and tax expert with TurboTax. However, by receiving the money in January, you may reduce 2022 income without waiting too long for the funds, assuming your company allows it, she said. Prepay future medical expenses for a deductionIt's not easy to claim the medical expense deduction. For 2022, there's a tax break for unreimbursed medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. Of course, you'll need to project your adjusted gross income, total itemized deductions and tally your previous 2022 medical expenses first.

Instead, it may be a good time to make adjustments to your portfolio or take some tax losses. For those with a long enough time horizon of five- or 10 years, or more, the sell-off could be an opportunity to buy the right stocks at a discount. Finding shelter For those worried about risk, stability can be found in the Treasury market. You might consider putting some of your holdings in Treasury bills, Treasury notes or Series I savings bonds. You can also get exposure to the Treasury market without owning the actual securities through a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund.

With ongoing stock market volatility, high inflation and interest rate hikes, many wonder if we're heading for a prolonged economic downturn. "I think we have to be defensive," said certified financial planner Ivory Johnson, founder of Delancey Wealth Management in Washington, D.C. While it's impossible to predict exactly what will happen, financial advisors are preparing clients for whatever may be on the horizon. But Johnson has already warned clients about the possibility of more volatility, pointing to the Fed's rate hikes. There may be 'good opportunities'While Baker doesn't suggest major changes, there may be "good opportunities" — such as real estate — amid relatively high inflation due to yield and appreciation, he said.

Prepaid debit cards or gift cards are easy ways to send money to someone without a bank account. You can also easily send money online through a virtual wallet or payment app. Prepaid debit cards serve as common tool for sending money since they are easily activated and work similarly to regular debit cards. If you are looking for a more traditional way of sending money, Cheng notes you can get a money order instead. If you'd also like to help an unbanked person find a bank account, here are a few resources you may share:

Persons: Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, Venmo, you'll, You'll, you'd Organizations: Service, FDIC, CFP, Blue, PayPal, Venmo, Western, Apple, Samsung Locations: Wall, Silicon, Western Union

If you don't have a lot of experience with banking, here are four tips you should know before spending another penny. Marguerita Cheng, a financial planner at Blue Ocean Global Wealth, says opening up a second bank account may be a good option. "Even when you're in school, if it is appropriate for you to open another account, you're not doing anything to disrespect your parents. When you're deciding which bank account to open, Cheng advises Gen Z to be wary of CDs. You'll want to pay attention to monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and out-of-network transaction fees, which are some of the most common charges.

Persons: Gen, you've, Marguerita Cheng, Cheng, Gen Z Organizations: Service Locations: Wall, Silicon

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