Author: Smart Wealthhabits

A clogged drain or a dripping faucet may not seem like a big deal, but if left unchecked, these small problems can turn into costly disasters. SupplyHouse, a nationwide online supplier of plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical supplies, surveyed 1,001 U.S. homeowners to learn more about their plumbing and HVAC repair habits. What did they find? Homeowners are more likely to delay home repairs, especially when cost is a concern. Still, waiting to make those repairs can cost more than double the cost of making the repairs in the first week. Here’s why delaying home repairs, especially HVAC and plumbing,…

US President Donald Trump during the signing of an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 in Washington, DC, US. Shaun Thew | Bloomberg | getty imagesPresident Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to seize Iran’s oil infrastructure, including its main export terminal Kharg Island, “in the not-too-distant future.” Trump said in a Truth Social post that the US military will attack Iran “very strongly” tonight after completing a round of airstrikes on Wednesday. The president threatened to take “complete control” of Iran’s oil and gas markets, as the US did in Venezuela…

Tesla CEO Elon Musk holds a mobile phone as he attends a state banquet with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on May 14, 2026. Ivan Vucchi | reutersIran will consider all of Elon Musk’s companies in the Middle East, including SpaceX’s Starlink internet service, as military targets as it retaliates against the US, Iranian state media outlet Fars reported on Thursday.According to a translated post on Fars’ Telegram page, Iran is targeting “all interests related to economic holdings managed by Elon Musk in West Asia”, including…

© Fizzcase / Shutterstock.com An annual income of $35,000 is roughly equal to the Social Security benefits many retired couples receive each year. It’s also about what a $1 million portfolio can generate when invested dividend growth Names like Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ | jnj price prediction), Coca Cola (NYSE:KO), Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG), and broad dividend ETFs. The interesting question is not about initial income. This is what will happen to that $35,000 over the next 15 years if the underlying dividend continues to grow. Then you suddenly find that you’re making more than the average HR specialist in…

Sasirin Pamai/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 When you think of tax breaks for seniors, Social Security and retirement accounts probably come to mind first. But beyond the basics, there are some lesser-known tax rules that can help older adults…

Amazon Executive Chairman Jeff Bezos recently started an economic conversation by arguing that the federal government should delete Income taxes for the bottom half of American earners. Speaking during a televised interview on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” the billionaire said the lowest-earning half of the population contributes about 3% of total federal income tax revenues. Bezos said the money collected from working-class individuals is relatively insignificant to the federal budget, but makes a difference to the household finances of ordinary families. Rather than draining money from tight household budgets, he suggested that eliminating this tax obligation would give low-income workers a…

For decades, retirement planning has centered on a simple idea: save as much money as possible and hope it lasts. Yet as millions of Americans become less confident about their financial future, one wealth management executive believes many are overlooking a far more important step.Michael Cherney, head of Citizens Wealth Management, says retirement planning should start with a question that many people never fully answer. What do you really want retirement to look like? His comments come at a time when retirement confidence is declining across America. according to 2026 retirement confidence survey From the Employee Benefit Research Institute, the…

ज़र्जन्तिटोनिवी / 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 It’s easy to put off retirement planning, even if you’re within a decade of that date. However, strengthening your retirement planning doesn’t require a complicated strategy. A few strong moves in a single…

Is social media moving towards pay-to-play? More creators are increasing posts, organic reach is decreasing, and working with algorithms seems harder than ever. But does this really mean you have to pay just for looks? Or is the situation being misunderstood? This post breaks it down. Let’s join in. What is paid social media? Paid social media is a way to increase organic reach by promoting individual social media posts. This is a technique that social media creators and brands alike can use to try to beat algorithms by paying to have their content reach more users on social media.…

Retirement may seem like a distant goal when you’re focused on meeting current expenses, building a career, or supporting your family. However, the financial decisions you make today can have a significant impact on your quality of life after you stop working.Many people believe they have plenty of time to plan for retirement, only to realize they have missed valuable years of wealth creation. From ignoring inflation to relying too much on a single investment option, a few mistakes can quietly derail long-term financial goals. Understanding these common pitfalls early can help you build a stronger retirement fund and achieve…