Inflation Tops Retirement Worries for Americans

Inflation Tops Retirement Worries for Americans, but Financial Advisors Disagree

Gabrielle Olya   Mon, December 8, 2025   GOBankingRates

Planning for retirement means preparing for risks that could derail your financial security — but Americans and financial advisors don’t agree on what those risks are. A new report from the Alliance for Lifetime Income reveals a surprising disconnect that may be putting long-term security in jeopardy.

According to average Americans and their advisors, here’s a look at the biggest retirement risks.

Why Americans Fear Inflation Most

According to the report, consumers’ No. 1 concern when it comes to retirement is inflation, with 63% seeing this as a retirement risk. However, advisors don’t list inflation as a top risk at all. Instead, they see the biggest retirement risks as outliving savings (56%) and market volatility (51%).

“Despite the obvious disconnect, both are right for different reasons,” said Cyrus Bamji, chief strategy and communications officer at the Alliance for Lifetime Income. “Consumers and advisors emphasize different risks because they feel, experience and understand them from different perspectives.”

Bamji noted that consumers feel inflation directly in their day-to-day lives and expenses, so to them, higher prices become the most immediate and tangible threat.

“It’s emotionally charged, and we’ve been living through it for almost four years now,” he said. “Unfortunately, research shows that most people underestimate how long they’ll live, which makes inflation feel like the dominant, immediate worry rather than a long-term planning issue.”

What Advisors See as the Real Retirement Risks

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inflation-tops-retirement-worries-americans-161207155.html

Why Financial Advisors Are Updating Retirement Advice

Why Financial Advisors Are Updating Retirement Advice Here's What It Means for You

Jordyn Bradley   Mon, December 8, 2025   Investopedia

Key Takeaways

• Two-thirds of financial advisors are changing their retirement investment advice for clients due to a volatile market and economic uncertainty, according to a new report from Alliance for Lifetime Income.

• Financial advisors are changing their recommendations based on inflation, Social Security and Medicare uncertainty, and cost-of-living concerns.

• Advisors recommend considering their withdrawal strategy and evaluating assets they may not have incorporated.

A volatile market and economic uncertainty have led financial advisors to shift how they're helping clients make decisions.

Two-thirds of financial advisors are changing their retirement investment advice for clients, according to a new report from Alliance for Lifetime Income released Thursday.

“Rising inflation, uncertainty around Social Security and Medicare, and overall cost-of-living concerns have led us to adjust both the conversations we’re having and the strategies we’re recommending,” said Nathan Sebesta, a certified financial planner.

Advisors say clients should consider their withdrawal strategy and look to create buffers against volatility. Sebesta said he has even encouraged his clients to consider a phased retirement or part-time work to create more stability amid all the uncertainty.

“In many cases, we’re helping clients rethink retirement altogether,” Sebesta said.

Sequence Risks Are Top of Mind

He also said he is having more conversations with clients about building cash buffers and revisiting allocation models to reduce sequence risk.

Sequence risk, or sequence-of-returns risk, is the risk that the timing of withdrawals from a retirement account can negatively impact an investor’s overall return. When you retire, you begin regularly withdrawing money instead of contributing new money to your account. In bull markets, these withdrawals are partly offset by new gains, but bear markets don’t see new gains.

While sequence risk is largely a matter of luck, it’s essential to remember these things when planning to retire, financial advisors said. Retirees who strictly rely on their portfolio to live off of in retirement might feel the brunt of a bear market, which could lead to making decisions to alter their retirement plan.

Because there is so much that isn’t predictable when it comes to retirement saving, Scott Bishop, another certified financial planner, said there isn’t one-size-fits-all advice. His advice has had to adjust, though. In order for them to create a sustainable plan, clients need to lock down two important details, he said.

“There is no ‘regiment number’ or ‘withdrawal rate’ that will be relevant if they don’t know how much they both need to spend and then want to spend on top of that,” said Bishop.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/why-financial-advisors-updating-retirement-225140273.html

How Old Is Too Old To Buy a House?

How Old Is Too Old To Buy a House?

Sarah Sharkey  Tue, December 9, 2025  GOBankingRates

Buying a house is a major financial decision. And for older homebuyers, the decision to purchase a new home comes with extra significance. While you’re never too old to buy a house, age can play a significant role in determining if the purchase is the best move for your finances.

From mortgage eligibility to long-term financial planning, the decision to purchase property in your 50s, 60s, or beyond depends on your unique circumstances. GOBankingRates reached out to the experts for their insights on whether you’re ever too old to buy a house, and what factors middle-aged and senior homebuyers should consider before making this major investment.

Older Buyers Should Take the Time To Think Things Through

Personal finance expert Suze Orman doesn’t think age should preclude a buyer from making a home purchase, but she does recommend taking the time to think about it carefully. Buying a home at any age only makes sense if you can afford it financially.

In Orman’s opinion, being able to afford a home purchase means the ability to put down at least 20% while holding onto a robust emergency fund. She also suggests not dipping too far into your retirement nest egg to cover the costs and choosing a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage.

Future Needs Become Especially Important

If buying a home later in life, it must meet your current and future living needs. Of course, this applies to the financial principles of not spending down too much of your retirement savings to make this purchase. But it also applies to the physical realities of aging.

“Retirees often come down to Florida dreaming of palm trees and a golf cart lifestyle, but they sometimes jump into a purchase without thinking a few years ahead,” said Jessica Robinson, co-owner of Family Nest North Central Florida, a company that helps families navigate transition periods, like aging.

“I once had a sweet couple buy a two-story home in a gorgeous 55+ community, but after a year, those stairs became a daily hassle and they ended up selling,” she continued. “That’s why I always tell my clients to try and think five to 10 years out when they’re buying a house.”

Before moving forward with a home purchase, make sure it is likely to fit your future needs.

Keep Maintenance in Mind

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/old-too-old-buy-house-210212907.html

20 Life Traps That Are So, So, Sooooo Easy To Fall Into

20 Life Traps That Are So, So, Sooooo Easy To Fall Into, But Should Be Avoided At ALL COSTS

Jake Farrington  Sun, November 9, 2025   BuzzFeed

In our culture, we don't really respect our elders enough, despite hearing that phrase over and over growing up. While I think people of every generation have something to teach each other, young or old, it's undeniable that people with more life experience have wisdom to impart on those just getting started.

Recently, Reddit user Otherwise-Body-7721 asked, "What's a 'trap' in life that no one warns young people about, but absolutely should?" I found a lot of wisdom in this thread, and had to share some of the best advice from people who have lived to tell their tales.

1. "Don't become so focused on achievement that you forget to enjoy life."  —u/Klutzy_Dirt_923

"I had a roommate for a bit in my 20s. He tied his self-worth to his job performance. He'd come home sad or angry that his project wasn't moving quickly enough. We were at a bar together once, and I heard him crash and burn with a girl who seemed interested because he kept being self-deprecating and complaining about his job instead of talking about anything interesting he did.

Too many people put their self-worth in their job/achievements rather than seeing that as a financial means to support the life they want."  —u/dishonourableaccount

2. "Credit card debt. It's amazing how quickly debt can build, and as a young person, you assume you'll just pay it off. In reality, if you're not careful, suddenly it's overwhelming!"  —u/Riesroshi

3. "There are a lot of people around me who just never travel and work themselves to death. It's pretty sad. Even a weekend getaway to a state park or something does wonders for resetting how you feel mentally. They say they will travel when they're retired, but you don't know if you'll be here, and your health will certainly be worse than now if you are."  —u/Puzzleheaded-Owl7664

4. "Don't be in a rush to settle down. I'm 30 and I’ve seen many people settling down with the wrong person, and their partners slowly erode their enjoyment of life."  —u/Critical_Dot6979

"Even worse? Having babies with them. I have a friend who openly admits she regrets having kids with her husband."  —u/Any_Difficulty_6817

"Your partner's problems can ruin your life. And falling in love makes it really hard to objectively look at how serious those problems may be."  —u/Outrageous-9859

5. "Fiber is love, fiber is life."   —u/Pleasant_Scar9811

6. "For me, one of the biggest traps is social media, especially apps like TikTok or Instagram. They mess with your dopamine, your attention span, your self-esteem, and even your relationships. It’s so easy to block, unfollow, or replace people the moment there’s conflict or disagreement, instead of learning to communicate, commit, and work through things.

There’s also an overload of opinions and advice out there; it can leave you confused or disconnected from your own judgment. I’m still hooked on it myself, and I can see both the good and the bad sides. But it’s such a massive influence on young people’s lives now and not always in a healthy way." —u/Curious-0ne

7. "Lifestyle creep! You get a raise and immediately upgrade your apartment or your car, locking yourself into a higher cost of living forever! No one tells you that saving your raise is the only way to get free!" —u/Wrong-Election1997

"We qualified for a mortgage four times higher than what I wanted. I refused to spend that much. I love our home, and it's now worth over six times what I paid. I refused the 'lifestyle creep'. We all have a choice."  —u/thegeeksshallinherit

8. "Don't feel like you have to have it all figured out. At 40, I am winging it as much as I did when I was 16. I assumed adults felt more put-together, but I’m still waiting for that to actually happen. I remember my parents turning 40 and having a big 'over the hill' party with all sorts of senior props. I celebrated my 40th earlier this year with a week at Disney. Definitely still just an oversized child here."  —u/Hi_NOT_the_problem

9. "I had a boss give me the good advice of ‘don’t be good at what you don’t want to do.’ Unfortunately, I received that advice late and wasted some years doing things that weren’t interesting or challenging.

There’s nothing wrong with knowing how to do jobs you don’t want (in fact, it can be a very good thing), but sometimes you may want to hide some of that talent from management and potential employers to avoid getting pigeon-holed. If you make yourself irreplaceable with skills you don’t enjoy utilizing, you will find that management has almost no incentive to promote you."   —u/Boxcars4Peace

10. "Finally being able to afford 'the good version' of something, only to realize you're now too scared to actually use it. My fancy towels were 'for guests' who don't exist. My nice pans were 'for special occasions.' My entire adult life became a museum of things I was terrified to ruin."  —u/Kitchen-Fan6343

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/older-people-warning-younger-people-011602549.html

How Rich People Respond to Financial Turbulence

How Rich People Respond to Financial Turbulence, According to Robert Kiyosaki

Rebekah Evans   Tue, December 2, 2025   GOBankingRates

In everyone’s life, a little financial stress is bound to happen. The difference between what you do and what rich people do is one of the reasons they are rich and you are not, according to money guru Robert Kiyosaki.

The best-selling author of “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” outlined in a blog post, “3 Reasons Why You Are So Stressed About Money (and How to Deal with Financial Turbulence),” how rich people respond to bad fiscal times.

During choppy periods, here is how rich people respond to financial turbulence, according to Kiyosaki.

Bad Financial Advice

Kiyosaki noted that oftentimes we can make ourselves sick, worried about doing the wrong thing with our money or not doing enough of the right thing to cultivate our wealth. Chances are that we’ve heard some wisdom that was not so sage, causing us to panic or make a hasty decision that puts our financials in jeopardy.

Rich people, however, learn to take advice, as well as start to parcel out what does not work for them. For example, Kiyosaki pointed out that lots of us are told we need high-paying jobs in order to be successful, while rich people start companies, make investments and never worry about being an employee for anyone.

Losing Control of Money

You might have access to a bank and put your paycheck into an account, but what are you doing with your money after that? Even more important: Can you do anything or is the power over your money tied up with someone else or some institution? Are you able to generate income on your own or tied to a job that gives you a salary?

TO READ MORE: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/rich-people-respond-financial-turbulence-185505090.html

Some Thoughts on Silver’s All Time High

Some Thoughts on Silver’s All Time High

Notes From the Field By James Hickman (Simon Black)   December 3, 2025

The ancient people of Uruk— who lived in modern-day southern Iraq more than 5,000 years ago— didn’t seem terribly interested in bequeathing colorful stories of their civilization to history.

Rather than memorialize abundant tales of their immense works, or chisel countless tablets embellishing stories of their military victories, the main artifacts they left behind to modern historians are rather mundane market accounts and grain prices.

It would be as if the only thing to be locked into a time capsule from our own era were the stock section of the Wall Street Journal. It would hardly be a reasonable description of our time.

Nevertheless, the ancient scribes of Uruk went to great lengths to record financial and commercial transactions. And one of the things we can see from their civilization is that they used silver (and NOT gold) as the primary medium of exchange.

It’s interesting to note that they did not bother minting coins. Rather, silver was weighed in bulk— the unit of measurement eventually becoming the shekel, around 8.3 grams— and then traded for grain.

(Just imagine paying for your groceries by piling a bunch of scrap and raw silver onto a scale.)

Gold was obviously a well-known commodity and considered extremely valuable... but far too rare to be used as everyday money. So silver remained the dominant financial standard for thousands of years.

Even by the time of the ancient Greeks, and then subsequently the Roman Republic, silver coins (the Greek drachma and Roman denarius) were the primary currencies of those civilizations.

But by then there was a bi-metallic system... a fixed ‘exchange rate’ that governments set between gold and silver.

In ancient Babylon during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, for example, cuneiform tablets show silver being exchanged for gold at a ratio of 10 to 1.

A few decades later, in the 6th century BC, King Croesus of Lydia minted the first standardized gold and silver coins, setting an official exchange rate—again, roughly 10 to 1.

The Persians under Darius the Great fixed it at 13 to 1. The Romans under Julius Caesar set it at 12 to 1.

Even as recently as 1792, the newly formed United States established a silver-to-gold ratio of 15 to 1 in the very first Coinage Act.

It wasn’t until the late 20th century—when postwar Bretton Woods gold standard was fully abandoned—that this ratio between gold and silver was finally left to the market. Since then it’s ranged from about 25:1… all the way up to 120:1.

Right now it’s somewhere in the middle of that modern range— around 73:1... and the ratio has been falling fast, primarily because silver has been on an absolute tear.

This is pretty crazy when you think about it; gold has skyrocketed this year. But silver is up even more.

And there are a lot of people who focus very heavily on this silver-to-gold ratio and believe that it will inevitably fall to its historic average of roughly 50:1. Still others think that the ratio will fall even further to 15:1, where it was originally set by Congress in 1792.

This would mean $85+ silver, or even $250+ silver.

But here’s the problem: the gold/silver ratio is meaningless. There’s no law or financial regulation requiring the ratio to be at a certain level. Just because it has historically hovered around 50:1 doesn’t mean it can’t go to 5,000:1.

Instead, in order to understand either metal’s trajectory, we should look at supply and demand.

This is why we’ve been so bullish on gold; for the past three years, central bank demand for gold has been soaring, primarily because foreign countries have been rapidly and aggressively diversifying their US dollar holdings.

And for a sovereign government, gold makes a lot of sense. It’s portable. Universally recognized. It’s a traditional strategic reserve asset.

And most importantly, unlike US government bonds or even IMF “Strategic Drawing Rights”, gold isn’t controlled by anyone... no other government, central bank, or supranational institution.

So there’s zero counterparty risk, i.e. no country has to be worried about being sanctioned or frozen out of its own gold bullion holdings.

This trend of foreign governments and central banks buying massive quantities of  gold has sent the metal to its all-time high. And that extra demand has been more than enough to offset weakening gold demand in the jewelry sector.

Moreover, as we regularly argue, this trend is not going away anytime soon. As long as the US fiscal situation remains dismal, foreign countries will continue diversifying out of the dollar.

Silver, on the other hand, does not have such a strong long-term catalyst.

Central banks aren’t buying it; the market is far too small, and silver far too cheap. Foreign countries can much more easily buy $100 billion worth of gold. They just can’t do that with silver.

We’ve predicted in the past that silver would likely follow gold’s run-up— NOT because it shares the same monetary fundamentals, but because investor psychology.

Obviously there’s no telling how far this speculation can go; investors could potentially push silver prices much, much higher from here.

But without that same long-term institutional demand from central banks, silver's trajectory is much harder to predict... and to justify.

It’s also noteworthy that more than half of silver demand comes from industrial applications such as solar panels, electric vehicles, 5G infrastructure, semiconductors, and medical technologies.

According to the Silver Institute, industrial demand for silver hit an all-time high of 680.5 million ounces in 2024, the fourth straight year of growth in that category.

Importantly, total silver demand has consistently outpaced supply. The global silver market ran a structural deficit in both 2023 and 2024, meaning more silver was consumed than produced.

This created an obvious catalyst for higher silver prices.

But it’s important to understand that industrial demand is not the same as central bank demand.

When central banks buy gold, they aren’t trying to time the market or flip it for a profit. They’re diversifying reserves. It’s a long-term, strategic shift—motivated by growing mistrust in the US dollar.

In short, central banks buy gold irrespective of price.

But silver doesn’t have that kind of anchor. Industrial demand is highly cyclical. It depends on global manufacturing activity, tech infrastructure, energy-sector spending, and overall economic health.

In an economic slowdown, much of that industrial demand could dry up quickly.

If the AI bubble bursts and data centers downsize, silver demand slows. If the “green energy” push implodes, and people decide they don’t want—or can’t afford—electric vehicles and solar panels, silver demand drops.

Jewelry demand, though smaller than industrial, faces the same problem. It’s sensitive to consumer spending.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that the silver price is going to fall. I’m saying that it’s important to understand the differences.

With gold, foreign central banks are a clear and obvious long-term driver of demand. Silver demand, on the other hand, is being driven by speculation and highly volatile (and unpredictable) global economic factors.

And I think it’s important to be clear-eyed about the differences.

 To your freedom,     James Hickman   Co-Founder, Schiff Sovereign LLC

https://www.schiffsovereign.com/trends/some-thoughts-on-silvers-all-time-high-153993/?inf_contact_key=c283cc76def72d7f9afe99847a20b2322294a318289bad97137125bd69e8bd38 

The 13 Travel Scams Every American Tourist Falls For

The 13 Travel Scams Every American Tourist Falls For (Don’t Be Next)

Vasilija Mrakovic   Tue, December 2, 2025   Guessing Headlights

Every year, millions of Americans venture abroad with optimism, curiosity, and the belief that most people they meet will be helpful or at least harmless. And while that’s often true, seasoned travelers know that the world also has its fair share of tricksters who see tourists as easy paydays.

These scammers aren’t relying on brute force or intimidation, they specialize in subtlety, charm, and psychological pressure. Most scams don’t feel like scams when they start. Instead, they unfold as small acts of kindness, unexpected conveniences, or friendly gestures that slowly shift into uncomfortable, costly situations. By the time most travelers realize what’s happened, the money is gone, the scammer has vanished, and the embarrassment sets in.

Travel scams persist because they exploit universal human instincts: the desire to be polite, the fear of causing a scene, the assumption that strangers are telling the truth, and the belief that we understand a situation better than we actually do. Americans in particular are vulnerable because many come from service-oriented environments where helpers, attendants, and guides are common and expected.

When a stranger steps in saying, “Let me help” or “I know a shortcut,” it feels natural to accept, but in many destinations, this is the exact moment the trap is set. Recognizing these tactics in advance can help you navigate unfamiliar streets with confidence, avoid unnecessary stress, and keep your trip focused on what truly matters, experiencing the world, not funding its scammers.

The “Overly Helpful” Stranger

In major tourist hubs, an overly friendly local may approach you the moment you look confused, offering to help you buy metro tickets, decipher a map, or find a hotel. They present themselves as a good Samaritan who simply loves helping visitors.

Their real goal is much less noble: they want money, or access to your belongings, or a chance to guide you somewhere that benefits them financially. These scammers know that most Americans don’t want to seem rude by refusing help, especially when language barriers are involved, so they step in with confidence and urgency.

As soon as they start “helping,” they position themselves close to your wallet or phone, often leaning over you or taking control of your screen. Sometimes they push you through the process so quickly that you barely have time to think. And if they don’t pickpocket you directly, they may claim a tip afterward, insisting you owe them for their “service.” They may even guilt-trip you in public, making the situation uncomfortable enough that paying just feels easier.

The safest approach is simple: decline unsolicited help politely but firmly. If you truly need assistance, seek out uniformed staff, official kiosks, or other travelers rather than anyone approaching you first. Real helpers don’t chase down tourists, scammers do.

The Fake Taxi

Fake taxis thrive in chaotic transit zones: airports, train stations, ferry terminals, and crowded tourist attractions. Drivers approach you before you reach the official taxi queue, offering “cheap,” “fast,” or “private” rides. They may look legitimate, but once you’re inside, everything changes. There’s no meter, no receipt, and suddenly the price is triple the normal fare. Some drivers even demand payment upfront or refuse to let you exit without paying an inflated fee.

These operators target Americans because many assume ride prices abroad are similar to U.S. costs, so when a driver quotes $40 for a 10-minute ride, travelers don’t immediately question it. When people are jet-lagged or disoriented, they’re especially vulnerable to these pitches. And because the scammer approaches you assertively and confidently, it feels awkward to refuse, making the con even more effective.

The only safe rule is to avoid anyone who initiates contact. Use official taxis, rideshare apps, or taxi stands clearly marked by the city. A legitimate taxi never has to chase customers down.

The Friendship Bracelet Trap

This scam is common in Europe’s busiest plazas. A vendor approaches with a smile, speaking quickly and warmly, and before you can react, they’re tying a colorful bracelet around your wrist. They insist it’s free, a symbol of friendship, peace, or luck. But as soon as it’s tied securely, everything changes. They demand money, sometimes loudly or aggressively, and refuse to let you walk away.

Americans fall for this trick because it feels rude to pull away when someone reaches for your hand, especially when the person seems harmless or charming. The scam works because it involves physical contact; once the bracelet is tied, removing it is nearly impossible without scissors, making most tourists feel obligated to pay just to avoid confrontation. Some scammers even work in groups, surrounding the target to pressure them further.

To avoid this trap, keep your hands close to your body when approached by street vendors and walk with purpose. Never allow anyone to tie, place, or hand you anything you didn’t request, if it’s “free,” it’s not.

“Let Me Take Your Photo!”

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/13-travel-scams-every-american-183048923.html

Why America Is A Nation Of Miserable Millionaires Who Don't 'Feel Rich'

Why America Is A Nation Of Miserable Millionaires Who Don't 'Feel Rich'

Vawn Himmelsbach   Tue, December 2, 2025   Moneywise

So, you’ve hit that money milestone you were aiming for. The one where you thought you’d finally feel wealthy. But you don’t — and in fact you’re as stressed and depressed as ever. Why?

There’s no one number you can hit that upgrades you from middle-class to wealthy. Being rich is “a subjective experience,” says Charles Chaffin, co-founder of the Financial Psychology Institute (1).

And according to recent research, some people never get much happier when they reach financial security — no matter how much money they make.

Wealth And Well-Being Depend On Mindset

No matter how much money we have, some of us may never feel wealthy. For instance, only a third of millionaires (32%) consider themselves wealthy, according to a survey by Northwestern Mutual (2).

One reason is that people who become millionaires are often “money vigilant,” according to Chaffin. This means they’re constantly keeping track of how much money is moving in and out of their accounts — and they never feel truly secure with the amount they have (1).

Money vigilance is one of four money scripts people fall into, according to a framework created by psychologist Brad Klontz. He describes these scripts as unconscious sets of beliefs about money that shape our financial behavior. They’re typically formed in childhood and can be passed down from generation to generation. While the outcomes from adopting the script of money vigilance can be good — like being a disciplined saver — they can also prevent you from enjoying your wealth (3).

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/even-millionaires-dont-feel-wealthy-100702714.html

Half of Americans Are Worried About This Threat to Their Paychecks

Half of Americans Are Worried About This Threat to Their Paychecks: 4 Things You Can Do

Marc Guberti   Mon, December 1, 2025   GOBankingRates

One of the biggest fears Americans have is getting laid off. This “layoff anxiety” trend affects one-third of Americans, according to Clarify Capital. Anxiety is higher among remote workers, with 40% of them worrying about losing their jobs compared to 20% of in-office workers.

It has gotten to the point where 69% of Americans would be happy to stay in the same job and avoid career growth if it led to more job security. The PNC 2025 Financial Wellness in the Workplace Report found that 67% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, so there isn’t much financial wiggle room in the event of a layoff.

Although many people dread getting laid off, it’s a scenario that you should prepare for in case it happens. These are some of the ways you can prepare for that scenario, minimize its impact on your finances and rebound quickly.

Create an Emergency Savings Account

Developing good financial discipline is critical for reducing your career stress and feeling more confident about challenges that come your way. Having more money in the bank can give you peace of mind and more time to get back on your feet if you get laid off.

Putting money into an emergency savings account each month is a great starting point. Ideally, this fund should cover six to 12 months of your living expenses. Accelerating your emergency savings account’s growth will require cutting your expenses.

While you don’t want to get rid of necessary expenses, you may find opportunities to trim costs if you have never created a budget. Unused subscriptions and impulsive purchases are good places to start if you want to reduce costs without downgrading your lifestyle.

Develop New Skills

The more skills you develop, the more desirable you are in the marketplace. Working on high-income skills like mastering AI tools each weekend can introduce you to more job opportunities. Then, as you apply for jobs, you will feel more in control, since you won’t feel like all of your income depends on one employer.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/articles/half-americans-worried-threat-paychecks-155505788.html

Don't Put These 5 Assets In A Living Trust

Don't Put These 5 Assets In A Living Trust. How To Help Your Kids Bypass Probate When You Die

Moneywise   Mon, December 1, 2025

If you will, allow us to present the hypothetical case of Pete Moneywise, a married, 78-year-old father of three who wants to get his financial affairs in order before his passing.

Though he exists only within the confines of this article, his situation reflects what countless people of retirement age face as they draft their wills and create their trusts.

“I hate probate,” Pete tells us in an exclusive interview. (What else did you expect? We created him.) “I went through it when my father died, and my family spent the next year talking to lawyers, trying to get things squared away.”

He shares how the probate process caused tension between his siblings. He also harbored frustration over one unanswerable question: “Why didn’t Dad create a living trust? It would’ve made things so much simpler.”

Credit Pete for now following his own advice. He has set up a living trust. Now, he must decide what, if anything, to leave out of it. He has done the homework for you: Here are five things to consider as you structure your living trust.

Probate explained

Back to living trusts and the reasons they’re better than a long and drawn-out probate process.

Unfortunately, many folks don’t even know what “probate” means until they’re in the thick of it.

Sometimes, not always, when a person dies — even if they left a will — a legal process called probate ensues. Probate is required to validate the will, name an executor to administer the estate if there isn’t one, pay off liabilities, and then distribute the remaining assets to heirs.

The process can take years, requiring piles of paperwork and ongoing legal fees.

For instance, after Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July, reports began surfacing that his $220 million estate would face hefty inheritance taxes and a lengthy probate process. According to estate planning attorney Gideon Alper at Alper Law, “If Ozzy’s assets were left in trust, his family could inherit faster and privately.”

In Pete’s case, a trust could have helped his family avoid probate, protect their privacy, and minimize estate taxes when his father died. A trust is a document that allows you to keep control of your money and property and designate who receives it once you die.

Consider life insurance for added peace of mind

Before we get into living trusts, it’s worth looking at an even simpler way to help your children live more comfortably after you pass.

TO READ MORE:  https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dont-put-5-assets-living-131500131.html

What Most People Don’t Know About Selling Gold For Cash

What Most People Don’t Know About Selling Gold For Cash

The more you know, the better your gold payout — and the less likely you’ll fall for lowball offers or hidden fees.

Wealthy Single Mommy  Wed, October 29, 2025

Gold price keep hitting record highs — could not be a better time to sell.

Selling gold sounds simple: take your jewelry or coins to a buyer and walk out with cash. But like most “easy money” situations, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Gold buying is one of those industries where small bits of knowledge can make a big difference. The more you know, the better your payout — and the less likely you’ll fall for lowball offers or hidden fees.

1. The price is negotiable

Don’t accept the first offer you hear. Most gold buyers start low — often 20–40% under what they’re willing to pay. Ask, “Is that your best price?” and mention you’re getting multiple quotes. Just like in any negotiation, confidence pays — literally. Be prepared to walk away.

2. The “spot price” isn’t what you’ll get

The gold price you see on financial websites — known as the spot price — is for pure 24K gold in bulk. Most jewelry is 10K to 18K, meaning it’s mixed with other metals. You’ll only be paid for the percentage of gold in your piece.

3. Weight and purity determine your payout

Reputable buyers test your items using acid or X-ray equipment. Always watch the test and ask for the results in writing. Some unscrupulous buyers will “downgrade” purity to pay less.

If you’re unsure about what you have, get a quick appraisal from a local jeweler before you sell.

4. Gold teeth and dental crowns have real value

Yes — dental gold is typically 16K to 22K and can be sold for scrap. Refiners or specialized buyers will pay by weight, though they may deduct a small amount for extraction. A tooth can fetch $300 and a bridge $1,200.

5. Electronics contain gold, too

Old circuit boards, phones, and CPUs have trace amounts of gold. It’s not worth much in small batches, but if you have bulk electronics — especially old computer parts — you may have hidden cash sitting in storage.

6. What you’ll get from gold changes every day

Before heading out, check the live gold price per gram at trusted sites like Kitco or JM Bullion. Knowing the market rate keeps you from being shortchanged.

7. Gold in your ring is probably worth more than the diamond

Most gold and jewelry buyers are only interested in diamond of .3 carat weight or more and even larger diamonds have dramatically decreased in value in recent years. Sometimes even smaller diamonds of very high quality can bring in less than $50.

Many people are surprised to learn that while resale value of lab-grown diamonds or cubic zirconia is $0 or close, the gold setting is always valuable — especially now.

8. Gold in jewelry is probably worth more than the gemstone

Unless your ring or necklace has an unusually large and high-quality ruby, sapphire, emerald or other gemstone, it probably worthless — no matter how much you paid for it, or how much you love it. However, the gold setting is absolutely worth its weight in gold.

TO READ MORE:  https://www.yahoo.com/creators/lifestyle/story/what-most-people-dont-know-about-selling-gold-for-cash-162602378.html