Author: Smart Wealthhabits

Social Security becomes available at age 62 for most Americans. Not surprisingly, this is the most popular age to claim retirement benefits. Hey: it’s money. But is 62 the best age to claim Social Security? You can find hundreds of articles on that question, and the answer is not clear. If you take Social Security earlier, you get bigger checks. Each year you wait, until age 70, the checks get larger. Do the math, however, and you’ll see solid evidence for waiting until age 70 to take Social Security. The reason for this is simple human longevity: An average American…

Attendees listen to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) speak at a “Citizens Only Vote” bus tour rally on passing the SAVE Act in Upper Senate Park outside the U.S. Capitol on September 10, 2025 in Washington, DC.Kent Nishimura | Getty Images News | getty imagesAs Senate Republicans prepare to vote on the Save America Act this week, Democrats are opposing voter-ID legislation strongly supported by President Donald Trump.While House Republicans passed a version of the bill in February, mostly along party lines, they still need 60 votes in the Senate to bypass the filibuster. With only a 53-47 majority, Senate Republicans…

Forecasters widely expect the Federal Reserve to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged at the conclusion of its two-day meeting on March 18, as policymakers assess the economic impact of the ongoing war with Iran. Apart from the United States going to war, little has happened since the Federal Open Market Committee held rates steady at its target range of 3.5% to 3.75% at its last meeting in January after three cuts late last year. The January and February jobs reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics sent mixed signals about the labor market, with January showing better-than-expected growth and…

frankreporter/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 Is 2026 the year you vowed to make your side big? Although you may have the right goals, there are a lot of mistakes and mistakes to avoid when growing your yet-to-be full-time job.…

©Shutterstock.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 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers When people reach retirement age, they typically shift their financial focus from accumulating wealth to preserving it. In recent years, the trend has leaned more toward safe, income-producing assets that provide a hedge against inflation…

Australian Business NetworkIt’s rare to find a self-made millionaire by age 20, as it usually takes decades to build true wealth. But it’s the early years of adulthood that can put people on the path to wealth faster than others.The biggest wealth-building asset people in their 20s have is time. Combine this with the power of compound interest, and even small financial sacrifices made young can grow your money many times over throughout your lifetime.If a 20-year-old has invested $10,000 tech company nvidia A decade ago, that outlay would be worth more than $2.5 million today. Sure, this would require…

Michaela/Shutterstock.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 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers “Snowbirds” who migrate from cold climates to warm climates in the winter have long been in the United States, with many coming from Canada or most northern US states. Many people are retiring and moving…

Try your hand at this one-question quiz: How long is a 65-year-old American woman likely to live? A) About 17 years and up to the age of 82 B) About 22 more years, up to the age of 87 C) approximately 27 years and up to the age of 92 According to a new report from the TIAA Institute, the research arm of the financial services nonprofit, only one-third of us know the correct answer, which is B. The survey found that longevity literacy is low among American adults, and this lack of knowledge has a serious impact on our…

LordHenryWoton / 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 yearshelp you get rich trusted by millions of readers Retiring between the ages of 62 and 67 is an easy task for many people. You’ve saved and planned, and you’re finally ready to enjoy the freedom you’ve worked decades to earn. However,…

Despite the fact that most Americans struggle with affordability challenges, the market for homes over $10 million is growing. “Even as the broader U.S. housing (market) marked the third consecutive year of soft home sales, the story of ultra-luxury homes is taking a different turn,” said Mike Simonsen, chief economist at Compass. a press release. “As record gains in the stock market and major liquidity events turn money on paper into real purchasing power, activity at the top of the housing market increases. This dynamic explains why ultra-luxury sales surged in 2025 and spread across metros.” As for Americans buying…