Author: Smart Wealthhabits

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…

© 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…

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…

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…

AsiaVision/Getty Images 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 Budgeting on a fixed income can be challenging, but millions of retirees do it successfully every year. To help you plan for retirement, GOBankingRates spoke to Dianne P., a 68-year-old retired teacher, who shared…

© George Rudy / Shutterstock.com an investor who bought Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT | msft price prediction) paid closer to $50 per share compared to $45 ten years ago. Based on Microsoft’s current $0.91 quarterly payout, those shares now pay a dividend of $3.64 per year. This is a yield of about 7% on cost, even though the stock’s current yield is about 1%. The early yield helped, but the dividend growth did most of the work. This is a benefit available to investors who do not yet need a portfolio paycheck. The job is not to maximize today’s yield. It…

Kali9 / iStock.com 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 There are several changes to Social Security for 2026. While those weren’t major changes, they could still impact how much the 70 million people who receive benefits take home, according to Social Security…

© George Rudy / Shutterstock.com an investor who bought Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT | msft price prediction) paid closer to $50 per share compared to $45 ten years ago. Based on Microsoft’s current $0.91 quarterly payout, those shares now pay a dividend of $3.64 per year. This is a yield of about 7% on cost, even though the stock’s current yield is about 1%. The early yield helped, but the dividend growth did most of the work. This is a benefit available to investors who do not yet need a portfolio paycheck. The job is not to maximize today’s yield. It…

Best Buy has recalled thousands of Insignia front control gas ranges, warning consumers that the appliances are a fire hazard and can cause serious injury. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall after Best Buy said the affected gas ranges could be turned on inadvertently by people or pets. The company has received one report of a knob being activated by accidental contact, but no injuries have been reported, according to the recall notice. The recall affects approximately 3,820 Insignia Front Control gas ranges sold in the United States, as well as an additional 700 units sold in…

© George Rudy / Shutterstock.com an investor who bought Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT | msft price prediction) paid closer to $50 per share compared to $45 ten years ago. Based on Microsoft’s current $0.91 quarterly payout, those shares now pay a dividend of $3.64 per year. This is a yield of about 7% on cost, even though the stock’s current yield is about 1%. The early yield helped, but the dividend growth did most of the work. This is a benefit available to investors who do not yet need a portfolio paycheck. The job is not to maximize today’s yield. It…