Smart Money Links 4U

By the time you turn 40, you are more than aware of the importance of saving for retirement. In fact, it might seem like every magazine and personal finance website, and even chats with friends raise the issue. The problem is that some of the advice out there is less than helpful, and sometimes downright depressing, because it will tell you that you should have started saving in your 20s. This can lead to a vicious cycle, in which (slightly) older people feel guilty for not planning sooner for retirement, and end up ignoring the issue. This is a particular problem for women, because according to the U.S. Department of Labor, women are likely to work part-time jobs that don’t offer a retirement plan of some kind. And even if they are working full time, women tend to invest more conservatively than men. And unlike men, they tend to have about twenty years of retirement. The truth, however, is that there are plenty of people who only start saving in their 40s, and go on to have a comf...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . No wonder doctors get paid the big bucks – have you seen what they bill your insurance after a visit? $600 to listen to your lungs and peek into your ear canal is nuts. If you have insurance, you might end up only paying a $50 copay. But if you have a high deductible, or no coverage at all, you could be stuck with a discounted rate of “only” $400.  If you had known how much your visit would cost, you might have skipped your appointment, right? Having to choose between taking care of your body and going into debt just doesn’t seem right.  The good news is you don’t have to choose. A website called Sesame makes it possible to save a ton of money on your doctor’s visit. You can find a doctor online — or in your area — and know exactly how much you’ll pay without involving insurance (hint: it’s going...

If you’ve been out of work and can’t pay rent, the end of the federal moratorium on evictions is guaranteed to dredge up a ton of stress. But now’s not the time to bury your head in the sand. By exercising your negotiation muscle, you may be able to strike a deal with your landlord that prevents the worst-case scenario: getting kicked out of your home. Negotiating a Deal With Your Landlord If You Can’t Pay Rent When you think you can’t pay rent for the upcoming month, it’s best to talk to your landlord sooner rather than later. Even if you’ve been letting late payment notices stack up, coming to a fair agreement with your landlord can help alleviate some of that financial stress. Here’s what you should do. First, Know Your Rights Matt Koz, finance director for the Tenant Resource Center in Madison, Wisc., recommends that renters do their due diligence to research the eviction laws in their area and see if their city, county or state has a moratorium on eviction proceedings durin...

Some of the links in this post are from our sponsors. We provide you with accurate, reliable information. Learn more about how we make money and select our advertising partners . So, you’re looking for a new bank account. You’ve got several factors to consider — ATM access, interest rates, monthly fees, minimum balances, mobile app reviews, and more. Another factor to consider: bank promotions. These are cash bonuses you can earn when opening a new checking or savings account with a bank or credit union during the promotion window, meeting any specific criteria and keeping the account open at least long enough to earn the extra cash. While a savings or checking bonus shouldn’t be your top reason to choose a bank, don’t rule it out entirely. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to fund your shiny new account with some extra cash? Many banks offer such sign-up bonuses, but often, these bonuses aren’t advertised, meaning finding the best bank account bonuses can be tricky. That’s why we di...

It’s tough to make any meaningful return on your savings right now. But you probably already knew that. Interest rates for bank savings accounts —  you do have a savings account, right? — have been notoriously low for years. Don’t expect these low rates to change anytime soon, either: In a recent statement , the Federal Reserve announced plans to keep interest rates low until certain economic conditions have been reached. At this moment, the average interest rates paid on checking and savings accounts are 0.15% and 0.73%, according to BankAround . And the biggest banks often offer worse rates. In fact, if you put $5,000 in a regular Bank of America savings account (0.01%), in a year, you’ll only have collected 50 cents in interest. So, what are your options for making more money on your money? Check Out High-Yield Savings Accounts High-yield or high-interest savings accounts are a vehicle for you to save money you don’t use for everyday expenses. For example, you might open...

The benefits of marriage don’t stop at love and companionship. In some situations, marriage can result in more Social Security. If you stay married for at least 10 years, those benefits can last even if you get divorced. But the rules for marriage and Social Security get complicated. Here are seven things married couples can’t afford not to know. 7 Social Security Rules Every Married Couple Should Know You don’t automatically get more Social Security benefits just because you’re married. Many, if not most, people will get the biggest benefit by claiming on their own record. But if your work history is limited and you marry someone who earns significantly more money than you do, you may get more Social Security by claiming spousal benefits. Here’s how it works. 1. You can get up to 50% of your spouse’s full benefit. The maximum spousal benefit is 50% of your spouse’s primary insurance amount. That’s the benefit they’ll qualify for once they’re full retirement age, which is 67 fo...