17 Top Retirement Planning Courses 2025: Pick Right, Live Well
A recent survey found that 20 percent of Americans above the age of 50 have no retirement savings, and more than half are worried they will not have enough money…
How Retirees Can Achieve Financial Stability and Build an Emergency Fund
Retirement marks a significant life transition—one filled with opportunities to enjoy the fruits of decades of hard work. However, it also brings unique financial challenges. With income often limited to…
401(k) Vesting Explained: Don’t Leave Your Free Money Behind
In 2024, the average employer 401(k) match reached $3,500 annually, yet an estimated 23% of employees forfeit their match by leaving jobs before becoming fully vested. That's nearly $800 million…
Smart Savings Strategy: Multiple Retirement Accounts
Smart Savings Strategy: Multiple Retirement Accounts Consider that, if you have an annual income in the range of $65,000 to $70,000, proper structuring of your retirement accounts can easily save…
Are CDs a Smart Choice for Retirement Planning?
That’s the power of compounding. And it doesn’t even need you to make high-stakes investments. Certificates of deposit (CDs) combine the power of compounding with guaranteed returns, offering a secure…
Using Roth Conversions to Get the Most Out of Your Retirement Savings
Even the best-laid retirement plans can unravel when faced with unexpected tax burdens. Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are a prime example, forcing retirees to withdraw significant sums from their traditional…
Retiring in Scottsdale AZ: Pros, Cons, Costs & More 2024
You're teeing off at a world-class golf course as the sun rises over the Sonoran Desert, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. Is this a vacation fantasy…
4 Acts to Unlock Early Financial Independence and Living Your Life
You're probably living your life in "3 Acts"---so were we. (This may sound a bit esoteric right now, but just bear with me.) When we finally realized that life was…
Retiring to Jupiter FL? 13 Facts to Know Before You Go
Jupiter, Florida: where golf courses outnumber traffic lights, and the Atlantic Ocean serves as your morning coffee backdrop. Tellingly, IRS data shows Jupiter's population growing 1.5 times faster than it's…
Asset Protection Strategies: How to Safeguard Your Wealth
What do we mean when we say "Asset Protection"? To answer that, we first need to understand to what “assets” we are actually referring. Over the course of your life,…
Retiring to Winter Haven: Pros, Cons & Costs in 2024
Imagine reeling in a trophy bass on a misty morning, then unwinding with lakeside yoga at sunset - not on vacation, but every day of your retirement. In Winter Haven,…
Solo 401k vs SEP IRA: Best Retirement Plan for Self-Employed
Self-employment can offer an excellent work-life balance, as well as other freedoms and lifestyle benefits! Hahaha...wasn't that funny. Seriously though, self-employment will likely be the cause of you working 80…
Retiring in Panama City Beach FL? What You Should Know 2024
Sipping a margarita while watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico sounds dreamy, yet it's absolutely real for retirees in Panama City Beach. But here's the million-dollar question:…
Why Retirees Love Greenville, SC (And Why You Might Not)
Picture this: You're strolling down a charming Main Street, sipping locally roasted coffee, while the Blue Ridge Mountains paint a stunning backdrop. Welcome to Greenville, SC - a retiree's paradise…
MPI Account: The Golden Retirement Plan or Risky Gamble?
An MPI (Maximum Premium Indexing) account combines life insurance and a retirement plan. It's pitched as having the ability to compound your wealth at a higher-than-average rate while protecting your…
Big Picture Investing 101: Why You Should Care in 2024
If you have been poking around my blog, you’ve probably figured out that my ultimate goal is to help you reach some version of "financial independence" (or even just plain…
Personal Budget Categories: How to Decide +Free Template (GSheets & Excel)
Do you want to maximize your income and invest your savings in order to increase your net worth and maybe even retire early? Well then, it all starts with a…
Retiring in Flagstaff AZ: Pros, Cons, Costs & More, 2024
Would you be surprised to find that Americans looking for retirement destinations search for Flagstaff, Arizona, more than 33,000 times each year? (2024 Semrush search volume data) That’s not a…
Best Time to Get Life Insurance by Age: Rates Analyzed
Life Insurance Rates By Age was written for Playlouder by a contributing author. Please note that contributing opinions are that of the author. They are not always in strict alignment…
Personal Bookkeeping Mastery: Budgeting, Tracking, Tools, and Techniques
According to a survey published in 2024 by leading financial analyst The Motley Fool, nearly 91 million Americans say that they’d have a hard time raising $400 in a pinch.…
Easy Steps for Successful Retirement Planning in Today’s Changing Financial World
Easy Steps for Successful Retirement Planning in Today’s Changing Financial World was written by Nirav Shah and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Nirav Shah is a neurologist and served…
How to Save for Retirement (9 Practical Tips)
Retirement is a well-deserved period that brings an opportunity to loosen up after a busy career. However, this dream can turn into a nightmare without proper financial planning. Here are…
Understanding Reverse Mortgages for Seniors
Understanding Reverse Mortgages for Seniors was written by Linda Meltzer and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Linda is the founder of The Cents of Money, a personal finance blog,…
What Is A Pension Plan? A Comprehensive Guide to Retirement Security
Retirement planning is critical to ensuring financial stability in our golden years. Among the various retirement options available, a pension plan is a reliable and valuable tool for securing a…
11 Best Tips for Talking To Aging Parents About Their Retirement and Finances
Talking to aging parents about death and their estate can be very hard, but it is a fact of life unless you predecease them. A worried Internet forum member asked…
Cheap Retirement Countries: 10 Countries Where You Can Retire With $2,000 per Month
Cheap Retirement Countries: 10 Countries Where You Can Retire With $2,000 per Month was written by Jen Barnett and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Jen is the co-founder of Expatsi,…
Unlocking the Benefits of Annuities: How to Create Financial Stability in Retirement
Unlocking the Benefits of Annuities: How to Create Financial Stability in Retirement was written for Playlouder by a contributing author. Please note that contributing opinions are that of the author.…
10 Awesome Retirement Gift Ideas for Your Loved Ones
Retirement can be a bittersweet time and an excellent opportunity to show your appreciation and gratitude to your favorite retiree. Whether they’ve been working hard in the corporate world or…
The Financial Planning Process: Your Route to Financial Independence!
The financial planning process is all about "planning" for your retirement far before your arrival there. You need to think of retirement as a destination. I like to call it…
Margin Investing & The FIRE Movement – Can They Coexist?
Margin Investing & The FIRE Movement - Can They Coexist? was written for Playlouder by a Cristina Par. Please note that contributing opinions are that of the author. They are…
What Is a Trust Fund and How It Works
You may have heard the term "trust fund" thrown around regarding estate planning. But what is a trust fund, and how does it work? Let's break down the basics of…
Understanding Your Social Security Full Retirement Age and Making Informed Decisions
Understanding Your Social Security Full Retirement Age and Making Informed Decisions was written by Chris Alarcon and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Chris is the driving force behind Financially…
How To Build Wealth at Any Age
How To Build Wealth at Any Age was written by Ben Hoffman and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. Please note that contributing opinions…
How to Make Your Money Work for You: 7 Modern Methods for Investing in “The Market”
You work hard for your money – but does your money work hard for you? No one wants to work until they die, right?If you feel like you never have…
A Robo Advisor Comparison: Can A.I. Get You to the Promised Land?!
I wanted to create a distilled robo-advisor comparison for you to check out. Mainly because they are cool, but also because they are (potentially) a great step closer to financial…
Why You Should Add Strategic Tax Diversification to Your Retirement Portfolio
Have you ever considered the possibility that you may earn a higher income after you retire than you have now? It sounds crazy, I know, but it’s not as uncommon…
Retirement Quotes To Help You Live Happy After Retirement
Retirement Quotes To Help You Live Happy After Retirement was written by Chris Alarcon and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Chris is the driving force behind Financially Well Off…
Get Ahead With These Retirement Planning Tips for 2023
Is it too early to start working on your retirement plan? Is it too late? What factors should you consider when planning for your retirement? And where do you even…
4 Investment Accounts That Can Advance Your Financial Goals
4 Investment Accounts That Can Advance Your Financial Goals was written by Linda Meltzer and originally appeared on Savoteur. Linda is the founder of The Cents of Money, a personal…
Dave Ramsey Baby Steps to Build Wealth – Do They Really Work?
Dave Ramsey Baby Steps to Build Wealth - Do They Really Work? was written by Chloe McQeen and originally appeared on Hello Sensible. Chloe is the creator behind It’s Not Your…
10 Best Vanguard Index Funds To Buy This Year
10 Best Vanguard Index Funds To Buy This Year was written by Marjolein Dilven and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. Marjolein is the founder of Radical FIRE. She has a…
Leaving Your Job? Don’t Forget to Pack Your 401k
Leaving Your Job? Don’t Forget to Pack Your 401k was written by Dori Zinn and originally appeared on Young and the Invested. It has been republished with permission. Advertiser Disclosure “The…
The 5 Best States To Retire (And 5 Worst)
The 5 Best States To Retire (And 5 Worst) was written by John Dealbreuin and originally appeared on Savoteur. John came from a third-world country to the US with only…
What is The Infinite Banking Concept? Pros and Cons
You know what’s worse than being broke? Feeling like your money isn't working as hard as you do. Many of us are fed up with the limitations of traditional banking,…
How to Write a Resignation Letter: A Simple Step by Step Guide
How to Write a Resignation Letter: A Simple Step by Step Guide was written by Amanda Kay and originally appeared on Savoteur. Amanda Kay, Employment Specialist and founder of My…
Retirement Gifts for Women: Our List of the 60 Best
Retirement Gifts for Women: Our List of the 60 Best was written by Linda Meltzer and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. Back in…
Mega Backdoor Roth IRA: Is It Really Mega?
Mega Backdoor Roth IRA: Is It Really Mega? was written by Theresa Bedford and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. The Mega Backdoor Roth…
Roth IRA vs. 401(k): Which Is The Better Option?
Roth IRA vs. 401(k) was written by Mike Zaccardi and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. The Roth IRA and 401(k) are two of…
No Income Tax States: Who Benefits From Living in One
No Income Tax States was written by Riley Adams and originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks. It has been republished with permission. Everyone wants to have lower taxes. Taxes are…
Here Are 40 of the Best Jobs for Retirees
The Best Jobs for Retirees was written by Linda Meltzer of The Cents of Money. It originally appeared on Your Money Geek and has been republished with permission. Are you…
What is An Annuity (and How Annuities Work!)
Imagine getting paid $1000 every month for the rest of your life. You don't need to work for it and you can spend it however you want. Sounds like a…
Can I Work and Collect Social Security
Can I Work and Collect Social Security was written by Brian Thorp, and originally appeared you Your Money Geek. It has been republished with permission. Around 64% of Americans have…
Should You Plan on Working Past Retirement?
Working past retirement may sound contradictory. I mean, it isn't really retirement if you have to work, is it? But there are actually some pretty solid reasons to work during…
What Is a Self-Directed IRA Real Estate Investment (and Should You Do It)?
Why would you buy real estate in your IRA? The biggest benefit of a self-directed IRA real estate investment is the awesome opportunity for your money to grow...tax-deferred! Be it…
What Is a Self-Directed 401k?
Will you have enough money in retirement? The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that only 43% of United States workers participate in a retirement savings plan. This survey was actually specific…
What is a Dividend and Why Would You Invest in Dividend Stocks?
Dividends can be a very valuable part of your investment portfolio. They can reduce your overall portfolio risk, increase your profits, and offer tax advantages. But what are dividends? And…
8 Proven & Practical Ways to Catch-Up With Your Retirement Savings Contributions
This is a guest post written for playlouder.com by Rick Pendykoski, the owner of Self Directed Retirement Plans LLC, a retirement planning firm based in Goodyear, AZ. Rick has over…
The Benefits of a Financial Advisor for Your Investing Future
Want to jump into the world of investing, but don't have the time to learn all there is to know? Well then, you might appreciate the benefits of a financial…
How Our (Semi-ish) Early Retirement Aspirations Grew from a Spark to a FI/RE
Way back in 2012, a younger Joe and I were hanging out and talking about our eventual retirement (as all young people do) and possibly even early retirement. We were…