Author: Smart Wealthhabits

Smart Wealthhabits shares practical insights on personal finance, wealth building, and small business strategies to help readers make smarter financial decisions and achieve long-term financial success.

Krainik/Getty Images/iStockphoto Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearsHelping you become richer trusted by millions of readers Although you can start collecting Social Security as early as age 62, waiting until age 70 can maximize your benefit and allow it to reach the highest possible amount. According to the SSA, “If…

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How long does it take to make friends in retirement?gettyMost investors understand that wealth grows over time. What fewer people appreciate is that friendships do, too, and the returns on that investment can be just as consequential as those for a fulfilling retirement.As a money manager and retirement researcher, I spend a lot of time analyzing what separates the happiest retirees from those who struggle. The answer is not always a larger portfolio. This often reaches the community. The data is clear, the anecdotal evidence from retirees I have studied is consistent, and yet it is one of the most…

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FCA is recalling more than 12,000 Ram trucks in the U.S. due to problems with the vehicles’ headlamp assemblies, which could increase the risk of crashes. According to a July 1 recall report published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, the headlamps may experience “intermittent parking lamp and daytime running light illumination.” Federal motor vehicle safety standards require that parking lamps and daytime running lights remain on continuously when activated. According to the recall report, parking lamps and daytime running lights that inadvertently turn off or flicker can increase the chance of a crash. The 12,592 affected 2026…

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Bread Financial Holdings recently reported quarterly revenue of US$1.21 billion and net profit of US$181 million, along with favorable analyst updates from Bank of America Securities, UBS and Barclays. Beyond core profits, the company’s much larger average earnings surprises in recent quarters and the positive Earnings ESP are focusing on how it outperformed expectations. We’ll now examine how this pattern of outperformance and upbeat analyst commentary shapes the current investment narrative for Bread Financial. Today’s best AI stocks may be ahead of giants like Nvidia and Microsoft. Find the next big opportunity with 16 small AI-focused companies with strong growth…

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The Cyclospora outbreak has sickened hundreds, possibly thousands, of Americans with long-lasting parasitic infections, and eating out presents a unique challenge for those who want to avoid it. While experts have tips for preparing meals at home, dining out means letting someone else do the prep work, including washing produce and cooking food to the right temperature. “Consumers, whether they’re at home or at a restaurant, are going to have to be a little more cautious and, frankly, paranoid,” food safety attorney Bill Marler told USA TODAY. As someone who has represented people battling the disease said, “It’s not pleasant,…

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How long does it take to make friends in retirement?gettyMost investors understand that wealth grows over time. What fewer people appreciate is that friendships do, too, and the returns on that investment can be just as consequential as those for a fulfilling retirement.As a money manager and retirement researcher, I spend a lot of time analyzing what separates the happiest retirees from those who struggle. The answer is not always a larger portfolio. This often reaches the community. The data is clear, the anecdotal evidence from retirees I have studied is consistent, and yet it is one of the most…

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Stellantis / © 2025 Stellantis Commitment to our readers The GOBankingRates editorial team is committed to providing you with unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methods to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our review methodology for products and services. 20 yearsHelping you become richer trusted by millions of readers Baby Boomers expect to get what they pay for, especially when it comes to cars. The car buying process may have changed over the years, but there are still some rules…

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© M. Hahn / Shutterstock.com The stock screener sorted by current yield misses one of the most powerful earnings stories in the market. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT ) now pays $0.91 per quarter, up from $0.08 per quarter in 2005. Visa (NYSE:V) recently paid $0.67 per quarter, and its annual dividend now totals $2.68. Those stocks don’t look like high-yield investments today. This is the point. The conversation about replacing salaries with dividend income usually starts in the wrong place: today’s yield. Set a goal of $80,000 in annual passive income, and the arithmetic immediately pushes investors toward the biggest payouts…

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Even if your diet is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, cyclosporiasis outbreaks are increasing across the country, which may raise concerns about what to eat. This disease, caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora catenensis, is usually spread through contaminated food and causes unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Luckily, there are still ways to get your favorite green vegetables, whether by washing properly, cooking or swapping out for frozen or canned options. Here’s what to know. How to clean your product during cyclosporiasis To reduce the risk of cyclosporiasis, health officials suggest avoiding pre-washed bagged salads…

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