Author: Smart Wealthhabits

Social Security is a topic that affects every American at some point. Yet one aspect of it is still often considered taboo: claiming Social Security benefits on a former spouse’s record even after remarriage. In fact, for a person married to someone who has had a previous marriage, it may be uncomfortable to even talk to their spouse about this type of situation. So it’s not surprising that Joan R. contacted us about such a situation. He asked Money Talks News: “My husband was married to his first wife for 10 years. His ex-wife remarried and has since been divorced…

Amid an increasingly fragmented and complex global landscape, ultra-high-net-worth clients are rethinking how they manage wealth, business and inheritance across different jurisdictions and generations. The rise of Asia as a hub of wealth creation and entrepreneurship is reshaping the way ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients and households deploy capital, especially as they look to fast-growing economies and new investment opportunities. Attracted by the region’s diverse markets and long-term growth opportunities, wealthy families from Europe, the Middle East and the United States have turned to Asia to establish a second base, deepening their involvement not only through investment but also as a gateway…

When I was 60 and had been running Money Talks News for about 25 years, I had a long conversation with a guy I’ll call Bob. He sold his small business at the age of 58 and felt that was enough to retire. Bob had good savings, a paid-off house, and a clear plan. Then his wife raised the cost of the family’s health insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace. “Stacey, this is a four-digit number,” he told me on the phone. “Per month. We didn’t even think about it. We just assumed that health insurance would be……

Spotify Technology SA (NYSE:SPOT) Set ambitious financial targets by 2030 and announced new product initiatives at its investor day, which received a positive response from UBS analysts. The company outlined mid-teens constant-currency revenue compound annual growth rates with a gross margin target of 35-40% and operating margin above 20% by 2030, rising to 32% and 13%, respectively, in 2025. UBS noted that the targets largely came ahead of Street consensus, with the firm projecting revenue growth of 14% versus Street estimates of 12% and gross margin of 37% versus Street estimates of 36%. Management said growth will be driven by…

Hocus-Focus/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 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers Cryptocurrencies have changed the way Americans think about money, investing, and the future of finance. According to Bridger Pennington, host of the Investment Fund Secrets show, this is due to new regulations, large institutional…

When it released its quarterly results, NVIDIA (NVDA 1.86%) Surprised investors by announcing a 2,400% increase in its dividend, and increased its quarterly payout from $0.01 per share to $0.25 per share. he takes semiconductor stocks Dividend yield 0.4%. While the yield on it is less than half S&P 500This is in line with yields on other mega-cap stocks Nasdaq 100. The index, of which Nvidia is the largest component, yields 0.4%. This ETF was geared towards Nvidia’s surprise dividend increase. Image Source: Getty Images. An interesting footnote about Nvidia’s enhancements. dividend The situation is such that many dividend exchange-traded…

Uri Yerochov / 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 The last decade of the 20th century produced coins that even today modern numismatic enthusiasts spend three, four and even five-figure sums to acquire. The U.S. Mint produced collector coins and error…

Many Americans can only dream of investing $1.5 million to supplement their Social Security benefits — and even that much may not guarantee lifelong financial security, depending on where you live. A new GOBankingRates analysis highlights how costs vary dramatically across the country. In the most expensive state, a $1.5 million retirement fund will be depleted almost three times faster than in the least expensive state. To calculate how long $1.5 million could last in each state, GOBankingRates blended data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Social Security Administration and the Missouri Center for Economic Research and Information. Also…

AGNC (AGNC 0.54%)one of the largest mortgage real estate investment trust (mREITs) in the US, pays a forward dividend yield of 14.1%. That huge dividend often gets a lot of attention based on income Investors, but is it a stable long-term investment? Let’s review its net interest spread and why this metric matters more than its dividend yield. How does AGNC make money? As an MREIT, AGNC purchases only mortgages and mortgage-backed securities (MBS). To reduce its risk, AGNC allocates 89% of its $94.7 billion portfolio to agency MBS assets, which are backed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie…

Heat gain or loss through windows accounts for 25% to 30% of our home heating and cooling energy use. Cracked windows in your home are another common problem that causes high utility bills and inconsistent indoor temperatures. Both factors force your home’s HVAC system to work overtime to maintain comfortable temperatures, increasing energy costs. If done correctly, switching to energy-efficient windows can solve these costly problems. The USA TODAY team created this guide to explain what makes a window energy-efficient and what to look for when making a purchase that fits your home, climate and budget. What makes a window…