savings

As families return home from vacation and children go back to school, many popular travel spots get less crowded in autumn. Peak season rates at hotels and resorts come to an end, and off-season packages and deals abound. At the same time, winter weather hasn’t hit yet and you can enjoy crisp fall days and colorful autumn leaves in much of the Northern hemisphere.

Like many people whose personal financial picture includes work income, home ownership, bank accounts, credit cards, investment accounts, kids, travel, hobbies, retirement savings, and more, you might find it hard to keep track of every cent that comes in and goes out on daily basis.

In a recent survey by JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy, only 26 percent of those between the ages of 13-21 said that they had been taught how to manage money. Yet, when they turn 18, kids are signing contracts for student loans, opening credit card accounts, and in many instances, living away from home with little financial guidance available.

You can legally contribute to a Roth IRA until age 70½, and maybe even older if new legislation passes Congress. But should you?

Most consumers typically have both a credit card and a debit card. Of course, the biggest difference between the two is that a debit card will immediately take money out of your bank account when used, unlike a credit card, which will pay for the purchase and later add the amount of the transaction to your monthly statement.

But are there any other differences between the two?

As summer draws to a close, are you getting ready to send a kid off to college? They’ll surely be getting a good education in the classroom, but you want to make sure they pick up some life skills as well. Here are some of the best tips for college students to develop their financial savvy:

Are you thinking you’d like to Age in Place? Downsize into a cozy retirement community? What if you need to transition to assisted living or long-term care? There are many options for retirement housing, and it can be hard to decide what’s the best place for you and your spouse as you face the future.

You think back fondly on those halcyon collegiate days--studying in the quad, late-night pizza, tailgating for the big game, dorm living, tossing your graduation cap in the air...beyond the lifelong friends and the parties and fun, college helped you get to where you are today.

Jennifer was in her mid-40s, having worked her way up to a middle-management position at one of the world’s biggest software companies. She had a six-figure salary, stock options, generous benefits, and by all measures, a pretty good life.

There are many ways that we support our favorite charitable causes. However, one of the most beneficial ways to support a favorite charity now and into perpetuity is through planned giving.