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However, I was raised in a household where it was deeply ingrained that we were to be generous and help others at all costs. While I do want to help my family, this messaging isn't conducive to tucking funds away for Future Me and putting my own financial needs and goals top of mind. By taking care of your financial needs, you'll be in a much better place to care for your loved ones. Depending on your situation, you not only need to know your wants and needs, but you also might need to know your family's wants and needs. If you want help with your financial situation and juggling your needs and your family's needs, consider working with a financial advisor.

Persons: I've, churchgoers, Thao Truong, Truong, you'll, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, Morton Wealth, Budget, Foundation, Financial Locations: Los Angeles, Vietnam

☆ As retirement looms, many Gen Xers are still playing catch-up
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Genna Contino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

About half, or 48%, of Gen Xers say they won't have enough money to enjoy their retirement, a 2024 report from global asset management company Natixis Investment Managers found. Gen X is typically defined as those born between 1965 and 1980. "I think where it's very stressful for [Gen X] is being sandwiched in that tug of war, saving for their retirement as well as helping aging parents," said Marguerita Cheng, a certified financial planner and Gen X mother. Gen X is the first generation of U.S. workers to come of age with 401(k) plans as their primary retirement vehicle after employers largely shifted away from traditional pensions in the 1980s. As retirement approaches, Gen X is feeling the financial squeeze — but financial planners say there are still ways to maximize your savings.

Persons: Gen Xers, they'll, Gen, Marguerita Cheng, Cherry, Cheng Organizations: Natixis Investment, Preston D, Blue, Wealth, CNBC, CoreData Research

☆ Home equity is near a record high. Tapping it may be tricky due to high interest rates
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( Greg Iacurci | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

But tapping it may be tough due to high interest rates, according to financial advisors. Reverse mortgageA reverse mortgage is a way for older Americans to tap their home equity. A reverse mortgage is likely best for people who have much of their wealth tied up in their home, advisors said. A home equity conversion mortgage (HECM) is the most common type of reverse mortgage, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. watch nowA reverse mortgage is available as a lump sum, line of credit or monthly installment.

Persons: Selma Hepp, Hepp, Lee Baker, Atlanta . Baker, Kamila Elliott, Grace Cary, Elliott, Baker, Alexander Spatari, Cash Organizations: Getty, Apex Financial Services, Collective Wealth Partners, Consumer Financial, Bureau Locations: Cultura, Atlanta .

☆ 36% of Americans think real estate is the best long-term investment. Here's the easiest way to get started
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Some Americans believe that real estate is the best long-term investment. If you're among them, real estate investment trusts, or REITs, might be the easiest way to tap the market. About 36% of surveyed Americans ranked real estate as the top long-term investment, more than cited stocks or mutual funds (22%), gold (18%), and savings accounts or certificates of deposits (13%), according to a recent survey by Gallup, a global analytics and advisory firm. A REIT is a publicly traded company that invests in different types of income-producing residential or commercial real estate. In many cases, you can buy shares of publicly traded REITs like you would a stock, or shares of a REIT mutual fund or exchange-traded fund.

Persons: Stacy Francis, Francis Organizations: Gallup, Finance, Francis Financial, CNBC Financial Locations: New York City

☆ You could lose money by maxing out your 401(k) plan early — unless it has this special feature
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

But you can lose money by maxing out your 401(k) too early in the year — unless the plan has a special feature. Most 401(k) plans offer an employer match, which uses a formula to deposit extra money into the account, based on your deferrals. Typically, you must contribute at least a certain percentage of income each paycheck to receive the year's full employer match. However, some 401(k) plans offer a "true-up," or additional deposit of the remaining employer match, for employees who max out contributions before the end of the year. It's typically most common in bigger plans, experts say.

Persons: maxing, Tommy Lucas, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo Organizations: Finance, Investor, America's Locations: Orlando , Florida

☆ I'm 43 and have a teenager and a baby. I stopped saving for college to pay for diapers and formula.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Kelly Burch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Ian is a typical teenager who would rather be playing video games with his friends than interacting with a baby. Even though I'm a Certified Financial Planner, the process of updating our finances has been intense, and it's not over yet. I stopped contributing to Ian's college savingsEach month, I spend about $600 to $900 on diapers, formula, and other baby essentials. Plus, Ian already has a well-funded 529, although he'll still be applying for financial aid for college. I've learned that financial plans need to be fluidLife doesn't always turn out how we think it should.

Persons: Sophoan Prak, Ian, Kosal, Allie, it's, he'll, I've Organizations: Service, Vanguard, Business

☆ ‘Not all debt needs to be paid off as soon as possible,’ says CFP—what to focus on first
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Cheyenne Devon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

A little over 40% of Americans would consider themselves financially successful if they were able to clear their debt, according to a recent Bankrate survey. That number includes mortgage debt, car loans, student loan debt and credit card debt. "Not all debt needs to be paid off as soon as possible," she tells CNBC Make It. For each debt, include the name of your lender, your outstanding balance, the minimum payment, any due dates and the interest rate. And the interest rate for federal student loans ranges from 5.5% to 8.05%, per the Department of Education.

Persons: isn't, Avani Ramnani, Francis, Ramnani, Matt Schulz, Louis Organizations: New York Federal Reserve, Francis Financial, CNBC, Federal Reserve Bank of St, of Education

☆ If you have this much money in your 401(k), you're doing better than most—here's how to save even more
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Still, when you're saving for something that's decades away, such as retirement, it's easy to feel like you're not doing enough or that you're falling behind without some context. Even if you're not doing as well as you'd like, you may be doing better than most. "Automating savings ensures consistency and discipline, making it easier to stick to your retirement savings goals." It's "essentially free money that can significantly boost your retirement savings," says Basso. "Don't treat your retirement savings like Vegas and go all in on something.

Persons: you've, Ashton Lawrence, Alyson Basso, Basso, couldn't, Andrew Herzog Organizations: Fidelity, Mariner Wealth Advisors, Hayden Wealth Management, CNBC Locations: Greenville , South Carolina, Middleton , Massachusetts, Plano , Texas, Vegas

☆ The generation that may never retire: Why some millennials are behind on savings — and how they can catch up
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | William Edwards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +14 min

However, the average millennial reported roughly $63,000 in retirement savings so far. While millennials will need more money to retire comfortably, many are far away from the savings milestone experts suggest. What's more, the future of the US Social Security system is uncertain, and longer expected lifespans — while a positive development — will require more retirement savings. How to figure out how much retirement savings you needTiffany Bell, a 36-year-old business management professional based in Houston, didn't always take retirement savings seriously. How millennials can get their retirement savings back on trackWhile some millennials are struggling financially, it's not all doom and gloom when it comes to their retirement prospects.

Persons: Nathaniel Hudson, Hartman, millennials, Tiffany Bell, didn't, Bell, she's, they're, Chris Chen, Chen, Judi Leahy, it's, Leahy, NerdWallet, Bell —, —, X, What's, Nilay Gandhi, Roth, Rita Assaf, Assaf, Gandhi Organizations: Business, Northwestern Mutual, Pew, US Social Security, Fidelity, Financial, Citi, Wealth Management, Vanguard, Big, CFP, Roth IRA, Fidelity Investments, Savings, Hudson Locations: Portland, Houston, New York, Montana

☆ Roth conversions are up in 2024 — but it's not always a 'slam dunk,' accountant says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Roth individual retirement account conversions are up in 2024 — but there are key things to know before converting funds, experts say. There was a 44% year-over-year increase in the number of Roth conversions during the first quarter of 2024, according to data from Fidelity Investments. Roth conversions transfer pretax or nondeductible individual retirement account funds to a Roth IRA, which provides future tax-free growth. However, "it isn't a slam dunk for everyone" because it takes time for tax-free growth to exceed your upfront tax bill, said Marianela Collado, a certified financial planner and CEO of Tobias Financial Advisors in Plantation, Florida. Here’s how much you can saveInvestors need "sufficient assets" outside of retirement accounts to cover the upfront tax bill, warned Collado, who is also a certified public accountant.

Persons: Roth, Marianela Collado, Collado, You'll Organizations: Fidelity Investments, Roth IRA, Financial, Finance, Medicare Locations: Plantation , Florida

☆ 1 in 3 millennials, Gen Zers plan to tap into retirement savings to buy a home. They 'really shouldn't,' advisor says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Ana Teresa Solá | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Some young retirement savers say they might raid their 401(k) accounts to buy a home. To compare, only 25% of Gen X homebuyers and 16% of baby boomers plan to withdraw retirement funds for a home. "You really, really, really, really shouldn't be taking out your retirement for a house," said Stacy Francis, a certified financial planner and president and CEO of Francis Financial in New York City. Generally, early withdrawals from retirement accounts can trigger taxes and a 10% penalty, unless the account owner meets a listed exception. For both individual retirement accounts and 401(k)s, qualifying first-time homebuyers may be able to take up to $10,000 penalty-free.

Persons: Zers, X homebuyers, Stacy Francis, Roth, Francis Organizations: Real, BMO Financial Group, BMO, Francis Financial, Finance, CNBC Locations: Millennials, New York City

☆ This investment account offers 'rare triple-tax benefits' that are easily overlooked—and you can contribute even more next year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Health savings accounts are vastly underused as a retirement investment tool by people who have them, even though thousands of dollars can be invested every year. Crucially, HSA funds aren't strictly limited to medical expenses, since they can be withdrawn for any reason after age 65 without triggering a 20% penalty on non-medical expenses. In effect, HSAs are potent retirement investment accounts, too. But despite the benefits, only about 13% of people invest the funds in their HSAs, according to recent data from the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Here's a look at how HSAs work and why you might want to invest the funds in that account.

Persons: Ben Smith Organizations: IRS, Research Institute Locations: Milwaukee

☆ Creating an income-producing portfolio
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A lot goes into creating and managing an income-producing portfolio that works for you. Knowing your expenses will give you a good sense of the income you’ll need. Ways to generate incomeTake the income you think you’ll need and subtract from that the income you expect. For example, if you need $65,000 a year but will only bring in $40,000, you’ll need to generate the other $25,000. • For money you’ll need in three to five years, use short-term corporate bonds as well as longer-term CDs.

Persons: it’s, Will, David Seufer, you’ll, Marguerita Cheng, ”, David Edmisten, Edmisten, Cheng, ” Seufer, “, ” Edmisten, Seufer, they’re, ” Cheng Organizations: New, New York CNN, Gravitas, Social Security, Blue, ” Capital, Social Locations: New York

☆ Warren Buffett thinks taxes are on the way up. Why selling stocks in advance may not be a good call
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

That's because the amount of money that's converted is subject to ordinary income tax – which can be as high as 37%. Even for those who are taxed at a lower rate, a sufficiently large conversion might bump them into a higher tax bracket. Long-term capital gains taxes have three tiers, depending on an investor's income: 0%, 15% and 20%. In a higher tax environment, "tax loss harvesting will become more important, and doing it in a performance-neutral way," said Jerrod Pearce, a certified financial planner and partner at Creative Planning in Overland Park, Kansas. Don't sell highly appreciated assets to generate cash if you're donating to charity.

Persons: Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway, Buffett, Trump, Tim Steffen, Baird, Roth, Steffen, that's, Jerrod Pearce Organizations: Creative Planning, Mutual Locations: Berkshire, Washington, Overland Park , Kansas

☆ Is it time to rethink the 4% retirement withdrawal rule? Experts weigh in
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

TIAA has launched a new metric to show why the 4% rule combined with an annuity can provide a higher amount of income than just using the 4% rule alone. For example, if a retiree has $1 million in total savings, the 4% rule would provide them with $40,000 in their first year of retirement. That is based on the combined income of the annuity and a 4% withdrawal on the remaining $666,667 portfolio. The first-year withdrawal of the annuity strategy — $52,667 versus $40,000 — is 32% higher and $1,056 more per month than just using the 4% rule. When withdrawal rates may be higherThe 4% rule has its blind spots when applied to today's retirees, according to recent research from Blanchett.

Persons: TIAA, Benjamin Goodman, Colin Gerrety, Goodman, Blanchett, Morningstar Organizations: Istock, Getty, Social Security, TIAA Institute, Wealth, Inflation Protection Securities, Security Locations: Corner , Virginia

☆ Your home sale could trigger capital gains taxes. Here's how to calculate your bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

You can reduce your home sale profit by adding often-forgotten costs and fees to your basis, which minimizes your capital gains tax liability. For example, you can start by tacking on fees and closing costs from the purchase and sale of the home, according to the IRS. The average closing cost nationwide is $4,243, according to a report from Assurance, but fees vary widely. That includes your real estate commissions and closing costs. The 'best way' to reduce capital gains taxesYou can further increase your home's basis by tacking on the cost of eligible upgrades, experts say.

Persons: Thomas Scanlon, Raymond James, Scanlon, tacking, Paul Fenner Organizations: Westend61, tacking, Tamma Locations: Manchester , Connecticut, New York, California, Commerce Township , Michigan

☆ You just heard your college-bound child is getting less aid than you hoped. Now what?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Jeanne Sahadi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —The good news is your child got into college and is preparing to enroll this fall. The bad news is that you’ve just learned the aid package your child’s school is offering is much smaller than you’d hoped. Over four years of college, students can take out a total of up to $27,000. “That’s cash-flow friendly while your child is in college,” Walker said. Also, Bogardus suggests checking to see if your state offers a tuition aid plan or subsidized loan rates for educational expenses.

Persons: you’ve, sobering, ”, Beth Walker, “, ” Walker, they’ve, Joseph Bogardus, it’s, Bogardus, Skip, Walker, you’ll Organizations: New, New York CNN, College Board, Center for College Planning Solutions, College, ”, Stafford, PLUS Locations: New York, New England, Stafford

☆ Money market funds yielding more than 5% won’t last. Where to deploy idle cash instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Money market funds' siren song has become a little louder: With the timing of Federal Reserve rate cuts shaky, yields on cash are still hot – for now. Here's how to decide where and when to redeploy some of your idle cash into fixed income. Taxes are also a key consideration as you build out your fixed income sleeve. Interest income from Treasurys, meanwhile, is subject to federal income tax but exempt from state and local taxes. A gradual entry toward fixed income You don't have to build out your fixed income allocation in one day.

Persons: Rob Williams, Charles Schwab, Ashton Lawrence, Lawrence, Williams Organizations: Mariner Wealth Advisors, Mutual Locations: Greenville , South Carolina, Treasurys, New York , New Jersey, California

☆ These bond funds offering yields upward of 5% could take off as Fed policy becomes uncertain
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Darla Mercado | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

That shakiness around when the cuts are coming, as well as the expectation that rates could remain higher for longer creates an opportunity for active managers. Rick Rieder, BlackRock's global chief investment officer of fixed income, told CNBC in a phone interview. Indeed, core bond funds were among the winners in the 2008 crisis. For starters, they should think about the role they want a given bond fund to play within their portfolio: Is it to offset equity risk or to boost returns? "You're not investing in bond funds to shoot the lights out and build your wealth pile," said Morningstar's Jacobson.

Persons: Rick Rieder, Rieder, Eric Jacobson, Morningstar, John Croke ,, Morningstar's Jacobson, Jaime Quinones, they're, Quinones Organizations: Federal Reserve, Barclays, Bank of America, Citigroup, CNBC, Bloomberg, SEC, Morningstar, Vanguard, Stockade Wealth Management, Mutual Locations: Marlboro , N.J

For Love & Money is a weekly Business Insider column answering relationship and money questions. This week, a recently widowed reader isn't sure what changes to make to their financial plan. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form. Since my wife's death, I have found myself single for the first time in 48 years, and I'm looking at a very large income tax liability in 2024 and after. Write to For Love & Money using this Google form .

Persons: —, I'm, I've, Justin Rush, Rush, you'd, you've, it's, doesn't Organizations: Service, Security, Rush

☆ This 401(k) match change could have 'unintended consequences' at tax time, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

If you've opted into your employer's Roth 401(k) after-tax matching contributions this year, it could trigger a tax surprise without proper planning, experts say. Enacted in 2022, Secure 2.0 ushered in sweeping changes for retirement savers, including the option for employers to offer 401(k) matches in Roth accounts. Previously Roth 401(k) matches went into pretax accounts. However, those new matching Roth contributions could have "unintended consequences" at tax time, according to Tommy Lucas, a certified financial planner and enrolled agent at Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo in Orlando, Florida. More from Personal Finance:IRS aims to more than double its audit rate on wealthiest taxpayersHere are three ways to lower your credit card annual percentage rate, experts sayWhy your financial advisor may not give you the best Social Security advice

Persons: you've, Roth, Tommy Lucas, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo Organizations: of America, Finance Locations: Orlando , Florida

☆ Why your financial advisor may not give you the best Social Security claiming advice
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Ascentxmedia | E+ | Getty ImagesMany people claim Social Security retirement benefits at the earliest possible claiming age of 62. Yet recent research finds working with a financial professional does not necessarily encourage individuals to claim Social Security at later ages. Why it pays to wait to claim Social SecurityWhen Social Security retirement beneficiaries claim at age 62, their benefits are permanently reduced. As the Social Security full retirement age moves to age 67, benefits available at age 62 are even further reduced. Delaying Social Security benefits is so valuable not only because of the increase to benefits, but also the annual cost-of-living adjustments tied to inflation.

Persons: David Blanchett, Jason Fichtner, Center —, " Blanchett, Fichtner, Joe Elsasser, Elsasser, they've, Blanchett Organizations: Getty, Social, Social Security, DC Solutions, Center

☆ How to save for retirement if your company doesn't offer a 401(k)
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Mike Winters | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Even if your employer doesn't offer a 401(k) plan, it shouldn't stop you from getting the most out of your retirement savings. You have other tax-advantaged options available to save for the future, including individual retirement accounts, Roth IRAs or health savings accounts — all of which can help your money grow. However, only about 11% of Americans max out their 401(k) contributions. If you don't have an employer retirement plan like a 401(k), all of those contributions are tax deductible. And unlike traditional IRAs, you don't have to take minimum distributions at any point.

Persons: Roth, Justin Rucci, Roth IRAs Roth, Alyson Basso Locations: Newport Beach , California, Middleton , Massachusetts

☆ How one nonprofit is turning to AI to help boost women's financial literacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

One women-focused nonprofit has launched a new way to help them get faster answers to their queries through the use of an online AI chatbot. The organization, Savvy Ladies, was founded more than 20 years ago by Stacy Francis, a certified financial planner and president and CEO of Francis Financial in New York City. After seeing her grandmother stay in an abusive situation because she lacked financial resources, Francis created the nonprofit with the goal of helping other women avoid similar situations. watch nowThe new chatbot — provided through Microsoft Copilot — allows visitors to the Savvy Ladies website to type in their financial questions and receive immediate answers curated from the website's content written by CFPs and other financial professionals. Investors are more likely to trust advice from generative AI tools than from social media, according to a survey released last year from the CFP Board, a professional organization representing professional financial planners.

Persons: Stacy Francis, Francis, CFPs, Judy Herbst, Michael Roberts, William H, Lawrence, Roberts Organizations: Francis Financial, Microsoft, CNBC's FA, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, CFP Locations: New York City, CNBC's

☆ 'You can live like a king' by retiring in Europe, says CFP—but make these 3 moves first
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-28 | by ( Ryan Ermey | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"If you have that money in southern Italy, you can live like a king, including renting or purchasing a property." If you're hoping to retire in style while keeping costs low, a European retirement may be right for you. That's true for luxury vacation hotspots such as Lake Como and Saint-Tropez, though you may not find what you're looking for in those places anyway. So they have beaches, a walkable town, restaurants, bars, trains — they live on the main line," Sikes says. "There are zero restrictions on Americans buying property in Italy or France," Sikes tells CNBC Make It.

Persons: Tommy Sikes, Sikes Organizations: CNBC, European Union Locations: France, Italy, United States, U.S, York, Los Angeles, Europe, Paris, Rome, Milan, Como, Saint, Ireland, Cyprus

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