Author: troyashbacher

Key Takeaways Settling in an affordable state can help you stretch pension, Social Security, and retirement account dollars. Mississippi ranks as a top state for retirees, given its combined monthly housing, food, and transportation costs.Virginia, meanwhile, offers a low monthly cost of living with high average annual retirement incomes.Other top states for stretching retirement dollars include New Mexico, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas. Many retirees struggle with financial instability. In fact, nearly half (45%) of households headed by those 60 and older don’t make enough income to cover basic living expenses, and 80% couldn’t weather a serious financial emergency “without falling into…

Stock futures edged lower Thursday after President Donald Trump signed a funding bill to end the longest federal shutdown in U.S. history.  Futures associated with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked down 0.1% after the blue-chip index set an intraday high and closed above 48000 for the first time Wednesday. Those affiliated with the tech-heavy Nasdaq and benchmark S&P 500 were a respective 0.3% and 0.2% lower. Late Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to fund the federal government until Jan. 30 and end the record 43-day shutdown, which President Trump then signed into law. The shutdown delayed paychecks for federal workers, held…

Today only, Target has select Threshold furniture on sale for 30% off.  There are nightstands, ottomans, console tables, chairs and so much more.   The prices aren’t a steal in my opinion but these are really lovely pieces and the sale is worth checking out.   You can click here to take a look.  

The holidays are a fun yet hectic time of the year. It isn’t just a busy time for us: Insurance companies are also hustling to review and process claims.Why? Holiday gatherings bring their share of increased risks. The National Fire Protection Association reported a nearly 400% increase in house fires during Thanksgiving. Add in inclement weather, guests visiting, porch pirates and other risks, and you have a busy season for insurance companies.As such, taking some time to peril-proof your home can make your holidays safer and memorable, without needing to call your insurance company. Here are some common hazards to…

Context Managed Care Models. For more than three decades, states have increased their reliance on managed care delivery systems with the aim of improving access to certain services, enhancing care coordination and management, and making future costs more predictable. Across the states, there is wide variation in the populations required to enroll in managed care, the services covered (or “carved in”), and the quality and performance incentives and penalties employed. Most states contract with risk-based managed care organizations (MCOs) that cover a comprehensive set of benefits (acute care services and sometimes long-term care), but many also contract with limited benefit prepaid health plans…

Life, at times, presents everyone with changes that can be disorienting.But perhaps few changes are as sudden and jolting as when you retire, and after decades of saving money in a retirement account, it’s time to begin spending those dollars you dedicated so much time and effort to accumulating.In my experience as a financial professional, this mindset shift from savings mode to spending mode makes some people downright nervous. From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. CLICK FOR FREE ISSUE Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of…

Think about all of the people on your holiday gift list. Now, think about how much all those gifts are going to cost you. Are you starting to sweat a little bit? If gift shopping feels like a bigger financial burden this year, you’re not alone. Chalk it up to “giftflation.”“Giftflation” refers to the rising cost of gift giving, fueled by inflation and the growing pressure to give.Shoppers are getting a strong dose of sticker shock this year.Sweeping tariffs have hit popular gift categories, such as apparel, household goods and appliances. It’s no surprise that many holiday shoppers (74%) expect…

We’ve all heard the line: “Retirement is a marathon, not a sprint.” It sounds reasonable on the surface.  You’ve got 20, maybe 30 years ahead of you.  Take it slow.  Pace yourself. You’ve got all the time in the world. But after seven years of living this retirement life, I’ve realized something important: We’re better off living retirement as a sprint. I ran a marathon during my running years (3 Hours, 56 Minutes), and I know what a marathon entails.  Start slow, pace yourself, save it for the end. As I reflect on the past seven years, I’ve realized that’s…

Michael Burry, the provocative fund manager whose bets against the housing market were chronicled in “The Big Short,” is closing his hedge fund, a securities filing shows.

Key Takeaways If your rent increases, you may think buying is the way to save, but interest rates and housing costs are critical factors.Staying in one place for at least five to seven years often makes homeownership more advantageous.If both renting and buying feel unaffordable, strategies like shared housing, relocating, or negotiating your salary can help. With average rent prices climbing nearly 28% over the past five years, many renters across the country are wondering if homeownership might be the smarter financial move. The answer isn’t exactly straightforward, according to Kirk Reagan, owner of High Flight Financial. “There are too…