Dear Penny: I’m Disabled, Married and Nearing Retirement. How Can I Maximize My Social Security Benefits?

Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges Im 60, divorced and disabled. Hes 59 and will retire from his job in November. I suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident a few months before leaving him. I get SSDI, about $1,000 per month, plus $300 for my child, age 9. My husband covers everything else, including savings, which are all in his name. My health is better than my husbands, and we both expect Ill outlive him....

September 5, 2024 · 1 min · 177 words · Paul Drake

How to Change Your Estate Plan After Your Spouse Dies

Nobody lives forever, but death isnt the most pleasant topic. But even if youre among the1 in 3 Americanswho have a will, your work isnt done. Its important to regularly revisit your documents and change your estate plan to reflect your current circumstances. This is especially important after a spouse dies. But a spouses death can be complicated. These tips will help you tackle the task, one step at a time, when the worst happens....

September 5, 2024 · 2 min · 282 words · Lori Sanchez

September 2024 Class Action Settlements Involve TaxAct, Nationwide Vision and Bosch Home Appliances

Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you. According to the class action lawsuit, RealPage sent monthly statements that included balances for unlawful administrative fees. Getty Images The deadline tosubmit a claimwith the settlement is Sept. 2, 2024. Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit claim Boschs microwaves and ovens were defective due to subpar control panels. Plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit claim Conduent and Comerica mishandled fraud claims from Direct Express cardholders....

September 5, 2024 · 2 min · 389 words · Dr. Philip Bailey

5 Money Moves to Make When Starting a New Job

Do you have a new job? Or are you on the hunt for one? Are you struggling to cope with financial stress? First, take a deep breath. Then, take a look at our roundup ofresources to help you manage your stress and your money. 5 Money Moves When Starting a New Job 1. Check outthis article on how to roll over your old 401(k)when you leave a job. Generally, plans with lower premiums will have higher copayments or higher deductibles....

September 4, 2024 · 2 min · 248 words · Rebekah Gilbert

Here’s How to Negotiate Rent in an Out-Of-Control Market

Lets face it: Rent is out of control. There is some good news, though. Still, those figures are astronomical. Check out these nine tips toscore an apartmentin a hot real estate market. Tip No. 1 — Clean up your credit. Here are the nuts and bolts of doing just that, even in these dizzying times. Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To? We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up....

September 4, 2024 · 2 min · 393 words · Todd Sanders

Starting a New Job? Here’s How to Tell if Your New 401(k) Plan Sucks

Otherwise, youre simply missing out on freemoneyyou could accumulate in compound interest and employer contributions. Turns out like most things involving your finances its not totally cut-and-dry. Retirement planning is complicated, and many people just dont have the tools to navigate it. Getty Images Fortunately, some people do. Which questions should you ask? Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you....

September 4, 2024 · 3 min · 636 words · Michael Alvarado

Take All the Time Off You Want: The Pros and Cons of Jobs With Unlimited PTO

It sounds like a dream. Take time off work whenever you need it. But how does unlimited PTO work? More and more job descriptions boast unlimited paid time off (PTO)as a benefit. Sick days, vacation, bereavement and other leave types are all lumped into one bucket. Theres no cap on the number of PTO days you’ve got the option to take. If unlimited paid time off sounds too good to be true, it sort of is....

September 4, 2024 · 2 min · 303 words · Nicole Miller

7 Things You Need to Know About How to Get a New Job in 2025

Oh, and embrace the idea of hybrid work if you havent already. Heard of These Money-Making Hacks? Ready to find out how some folks effortlessly earn the big bucks? Millions of Americans ignorethese easy tipsthat could have you padding your wallet in no time. Need Quick Cash While Youre In-Between Jobs? Some of our favorite ways to make easy money can help. If youre not a people person, a sales job might be drudgery for you....

September 3, 2024 · 3 min · 440 words · Jonathan Ramos

Budgeting Basics: 10 Popular Budgeting Methods That Might Work for You

Its an awful feeling to wonder where all your money went at the end of the month. Even worse is wondering how all your money is gone when you still have a week left until payday. But there isnt just one way to budget money. Getty Images Budgeting styles vary considerably. (These days, there are even apps! We likeQuicken Simplifi.) What works for you will depend on your goals and how you prefer to track your finances....

September 3, 2024 · 7 min · 1385 words · Kevin Phillips

Get Paid to Take Selfies, Record Videos, or Review Products

Most of us could use a little extra cash each month, right? A totally free platform calledclickworkerwill pay you to. Youll need a smartphone with a good-quality camera and an eye for detail. There are lots of tasks to choose from, and signup shouldnt take more than 5 minutes. Typical jobs include: Easy peasy, right? The point is youre getting paid totap into your inner creativity and have fun! The more tasks you complete, the more you might earn....

August 29, 2024 · 1 min · 116 words · Mary Reyes

Save Money on Movies, Music and More With These Free Library Apps

The public library graduated from being simply a repository of books decades ago. Today,the public libraryis plugged into the virtual world in many ways, including free library apps. Do you want to stream music, movies and audiobooks? Many public libraries have partnered with mobile apps like Hoopla (pictured) to offer free streaming music, movies, audiobooks and e-books. Chris Zuppa/The Penny Hoarder Check out a hundred magazines? Learn a new skill?...

August 29, 2024 · 3 min · 580 words · Luke Castro

8 Free (or Cheap) Things Community Colleges Offer You Never Knew About

Going to community college is a surefire way to save money earning a degree. How much money?Try $15,000, on average. So, were all clear on how community college helps with saving money on your education. But wait, theres more! In other words, they exist to provide enrichment, learning and life tools for anyone who wants them. And some of them are free or cheap. Need Some Quick Cash? If youre looking to boost your income this month, weve got just the thing for you....

August 28, 2024 · 2 min · 323 words · Haley Jones

Beyond Books: 27 Unusual Things You Can Borrow From Libraries

Gone are the days of staid book-filled libraries. Sure, the book thing is still a theme, but public libraries are so much more thanjust books. Libraries aim to improve access to information and provide education for everyone in their community. Getty Images Book learnin on how to become a carpenter or play the guitar can only take you so far. To truly master these crafts, you need hands-on experience with tools and instruments....

August 28, 2024 · 6 min · 1077 words · James Ortiz