Posts by Lauren Perez, CEPF®
401(k)
How Does 401(k) Matching Work?
One of the easiest ways to save for retirement is to contribute to your 401(k). Set up through your employer, a 401(k) allows you to set aside a certain amount of each paycheck before income taxes apply. Sometimes, your employer… read more…
Tax Filing
Tax Refund Schedule 2025
If you’re like most people, you dread tax season. But if you’re expecting a tax refund, you may have something to look forward to. Most people will get their tax refund within three weeks of filing, but it varies based… read more…
Retirement
How to Buy Stocks: A Step-by-Step Guide
Investing provides a great opportunity to grow your money for future goals, like retirement. But getting into the stock market isn’t a one-and-done deal. It requires research and upkeep to make sure your investments continue to perform well. Investing in… read more…
Tax Filing
What Is Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI)?
The IRS uses your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) to determine whether you qualify for important tax benefits like deducting contributions from your individual retirement account (IRA) and making contributions to your Roth IRA. Many taxpayers consult a financial advisor to… read more…
Mortgage
What Is the VA Funding Fee for 2024?
A VA loan could be a great financing option for a veteran looking to become a homeowner. These loans often give active and former service members the opportunity to buy homes without making a down payment or paying for mortgage… read more…
Roth & Traditional IRAs
What Is a Gold IRA?
A gold IRA is one way to save for retirement. As its name suggests, instead of stocks or bonds, it holds gold in the form of bars, coins and bullion. It can also hold other precious metals like platinum and silver.… read more…
Retirement Planning
Best Places to Retire in Alaska
Perhaps the generic portrait of a retiree lounging on a beach isn’t quite your thing. Instead, you might be considering going in the opposite direction and living in Alaska for retirement. In addition to the state’s abundant natural beauty, you’ll also enjoy a relatively low tax burden. We crunched the numbers to figure out the best… read more…
Retirement Planning
The Best Places to Retire in Ohio
Thinking of retiring in Ohio? Many cities in the Buckeye State are ideal for retirees, with low tax burdens, a high percentage of senior residents and plenty of access to recreation and a healthcare. We crunched the numbers to figure out the best places to retire in Ohio. How We Determined the Best Places to… read more…
Retirement Planning
Best Places to Retire in New York
A retirement in the Empire State doesn’t have to mean shelling out all your retirement savings for a tiny apartment. You’ll find all the best places to retire in New York in Long Island, north of the city or way upstate. And while you do have to watch out for New York taxes, the upside… read more…
Retirement Planning
The Best Places to Retire in Maryland
Thinking of retiring in Maryland? You’ll find plenty of company in the following cities and towns, which generally have large populations of senior citizens living there. You’ll also have the peace of mind of being near ample medical facilities. Where Maryland falls short, however, is its relatively high tax burden rates. This means you might need… read more…
Retirement Planning
10 Best Places to Retire in Nevada
If you’re looking for a tax-friendly retirement, Nevada is one of the places to be. In fact, the state has no taxes on income or Social Security benefits. Withdrawals from retirement accounts and public and private pension income are also… read more…
Retirement
eOption Brokerage Review
eOption is an easy-to-use online brokerage that is designed to offer affordable trading options. The brokerage can be a good option for those wanting frequent but affordable trading options for typical stocks and funds. We’ll cover all of the most… read more…
Investing
Vanguard Brokerage Review
Vanguard is one of the leading brokerage firms in the United States, with about $7.2 trillion in global assets under management from over 30+ million investors in 200+ markets. The brokerage firm has a unique ownership structure and its funds… read more…
Investment Taxes
Donating Stock to Charity
Charitable donations often take the form of food drives, clothing donations and giving cash to a nonprofit. But did you know you could also donate stocks directly to charity? While you could always sell your stocks and donate the proceeds,… read more…
Investing
E*TRADE Review
A big name in the investment and day-trading worlds, E*TRADE offers a wide variety of investments and platforms to trade them. Originally founded in 1982 as TradePlus, the company made its first online trade the following year and relaunched as… read more…
Retirement
How to Build Wealth in Your 30s
When you hit your 30s, it’s time to start building wealth and getting serious about money, which may have been an afterthought last decade. Getting your finances in order can include everything from ramping up your retirement savings to grappling with your… read more…
Bank Reviews & Comparisons
Discover Bank vs. Ally Bank
If you’re looking for the highest savings interest rates the industry can offer, you’ll want to turn to an online bank. Without the maintenance costs of physical branches, online banks can offer the most competitive rates – not only on savings… read more…
Retirement Planning
How to Invest in Retirement
A big part of your financial health relies on saving enough for retirement, from maximizing your 401(k) contributions to growing your other investment portfolios. But what happens to your investments once you reach retirement? Of course, finally reaching your golden… read more…
Retirement Planning
How Do I Know If I’m Ready to Retire?
It isn’t always entirely clear when we’re supposed to retire. The reality is that everyone’s situation is different. Some people have the means to retire early while others have to work their whole lives. To know exactly when you’ll be… read more…
Retirement Planning
Best Places to Retire in Idaho
Retiring in Idaho is a great option for those seeking an active retirement. Because many of the cities given below lie along the Snake River or rest near a National Park, they offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. There’s still lots to do in Idaho even if the active lifestyle isn’t for you. Plus,… read more…
Insights
How to Retire in Spain
If there’s nothing keeping you in the U.S., why not retire abroad? You have a ton of options from the standard destination of Mexico to a colder retirement in Iceland. Somewhere in between those is Spain, which offers both great… read more…
Retirement Planning
Best Places to Retire in Georgia
If retirement in Florida seems a little too overwhelming for you, consider a retirement in Georgia instead. As Florida’s northern neighbor, Georgia offers easy access to the popular beaches and attractions that draw so many other retirees while maintaining enough distance. Plus, Georgia contains a number of its own cities that will set you up… read more…
Retirement Planning
Best Places to Retire in Washington
Most people envision retirement as relaxing on a bright beach without a care in the world. But if retiring along sunny shores isn’t quite your thing, consider a retirement in Washington state. Many of the best cities to retire in Washington give you access to beautiful bay views with the cooler weather of the Pacific… read more…
Banking Basics
How to Close a Bank Account
Closing your bank account may seem simple at first glance. However, there are a number of steps to follow and actions to take to close your account properly. Following the correct process will help you avoid unnecessary charges, fees and complications. We’ll walk you through the process from beginning to end and provide tips of… read more…
Banking Basics
How Long Should You Keep Bank Statements?
It seems we always end up with a stack of paper documents lying around. This is still true even with the major shift to mobile and online banking. But how long do we really need to keep those bank statements… read more…