Your guide for retirement news, insights, and resources
Protecting Your Biggest Investment: The Realities of Homeowners Insurance
On Oct 28th of last year, we published an issue on insurance and it was all about protecting ourselves…but what about our homes? Ideally, homeowners insurance is your safety net, shielding you from life’s unexpected disasters. Yet, ask anyone who’s had to file a claim, and you’ll often hear a story of frustration, denial, or…
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The Money Talk: Guiding Your Children Through Career and Education Choices
In today’s rapidly evolving job market, having honest conversations with your children about career choices and financial independence has never been more crucial. As parents, we want to set our kids up for success, but the traditional path of “go to college, get a good job” may not be the best advice for everyone. Let’s…
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Understanding Cryptocurrency: A Primer for Conservative Investors
After spending January exploring the fundamentals of financial planning – from estate planning to choosing your professional team, and diving deep into ETFs and mutual funds – we now face a topic we’ve been hesitant to address: cryptocurrency. As your guide to financial literacy, we believe it’s time to tackle this subject, not because we’re…
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Investment Coaching Scams
Investing can feel overwhelming, which is why some turn to coaching programs for guidance. But not all offers are what they seem. Scammers often prey on your desire for financial success, promising secrets to wealth through investment strategies – only to leave you with empty pockets. Investment coaching scams have become increasingly prevalent in today’s…
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The Art of Letting Go: How Simplifying Can Boost Your Retirement Well-Being
When it comes to retirement planning, most of the focus is on saving money, maximizing investments, and preparing for the future. But what about simplifying your life now? Decluttering both physical and mental spaces can significantly reduce stress and improve your focus, giving you the clarity to align your decisions with what truly matters for…
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DIY or Delegate? How to Decide Which Financial Tasks to Take On Yourself
There’s a lot of buzz about taking control of your finances – and for good reason. Knowledge is power, and being hands-on with your money can save you time and fees. But not everything should be a do-it-yourself project. Here’s how to decide what’s worth tackling solo and when it’s smarter to call in the…
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The Emotional Side of Estate Planning: Passing Down Values Alongside Your Assets
By now, you’ve seen how estate planning can save your loved ones from unnecessary headaches and keep your hard-earned money where you want it. But let’s face it: while the financial side of things is critical estate planning is also about something bigger. It’s your chance to leave behind more than just money – it’s…
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The Hidden Costs of Poor Planning: Titling of Assets and Avoiding Probate Pitfalls
So, you’ve got a will, maybe even a trust, and you’re feeling good about your estate plan. But here’s the thing: how your assets are titled can completely derail even the best-laid plans. This part of estate planning doesn’t get much attention, but it’s one of the most critical steps if you want to avoid…
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Charity Scams – Giving Safely as the Year Ends
The holiday season is a time of generosity, with many of us eager to support causes close to our hearts. Unfortunately, it’s also a prime time for scammers to exploit this goodwill. Fake charities and fraudulent campaigns spike at year-end, preying on the uptick in donations. Here’s how to protect yourself while ensuring your contributions…
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The Science of Slow: Why Rushing Less Could Be Your Secret Superpower
For most of your life, rushing probably felt like the default. Deadlines, meetings, family obligations—it’s a constant sprint to keep up. But retirement offers something unique: the opportunity to slow down. The challenge? Many retirees find it surprisingly hard to shift gears. Consider the wisdom of the turtle: a creature celebrated across cultures for its…
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Who’s Actually Moving the Market?
If you’ve ever watched the market jump or crash and thought, “Who decided that?”, you’re not alone. It’s easy to assume it’s a crowd of everyday investors, each clicking “buy” or “sell” on their phones. But the truth is, retail traders (people trading their own money) make up a small slice of the action. Most…
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What on Earth is Market Volatility?
If you’ve ever checked your investment account and felt like you were on a rollercoaster, congratulations: you’ve experienced market volatility. But what does that even mean? In simple terms, volatility refers to how much and how quickly prices of stocks (or other investments) move up and down. A calm, steady market has low volatility. A…
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Navigating the Financial Squeeze: The Realities of the Sandwich Generation
“Sometimes, carrying on, just carrying on, is the superhuman achievement.” – Albert Camus Life has a way of throwing curveballs just as you start feeling like you have things under control – building your career, saving for retirement, having a family and so on – but at some point, you suddenly find yourself responsible for…
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Inflation-Protected Securities: Should You Consider TIPS?
Inflation eats away at your money, whether you notice it or not. One year, your grocery bill is manageable; the next, you’re wondering if you accidentally bought caviar. Enter TIPS (Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities) – bonds designed to keep up with rising prices. Sounds great, right? Well, not so fast. Let’s break down what they are,…
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Understanding Yield Curves: What They Signal for Your Portfolio
Let’s talk about the yield curve – no, we’re not talking about traffic signs. But just like a real yield sign tells you to slow down and pay attention, the yield curve can signal when the economy might be heading for a rough patch Yield curves are one of the most reliable economic indicators, often…
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Economics 101: What Actually Matters for Your Wallet
When you hear terms like inflation, recession, or GDP, it can feel overwhelming. But these indicators aren’t just abstract numbers; they shape the cost of living, wage growth, and even the interest you pay on loans. Here’s a closer look at these key economic concepts: Inflation: Beyond the CPI Inflation measures the rate at which…
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How Do My Skills Transfer? Making a Career Shift After a Layoff
Losing a job can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. Even more frustrating is hearing that companies are desperate for workers while you’re struggling to get interviews. If the job market is so strong, why is it so hard to find a new role? The answer isn’t always about your…
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Building an Emergency Fund: Your Financial Safety Net
Life is unpredictable. A sudden job loss, medical emergency, or unexpected home repair can throw even the best financial plans off track. That’s why having an emergency fund isn’t just a good idea – it’s essential. An emergency fund provides a financial cushion that helps you cover unexpected expenses without relying on debt or disrupting…
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The Power of Expense Tracking: Navigating Financial Uncertainty
Financial uncertainty is a fact of life. Whether it’s rising costs, job instability, or unexpected expenses, economic shifts can happen anytime. The good news? You have more control than you think. One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to gain financial clarity is by tracking your expenses. At first, tracking expenses might seem tedious…
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Making Sense of Your Tax World: A Guide for Every Stage
Get Our Complete Tax Season Playbook: Ready to master your tax planning? Subscribe now to access our comprehensive 12-chapter Tax Season Playbook, your complete guide to making tax-smart financial decisions: https://myretirementnetwork.com/subscribe Once you receive your welcome email from [email protected] simply reply with ‘Send Tax Guide” and we’ll make sure to reply with your private link…
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Fear-Based Scams: How Market Panics Create Easy Targets
When markets get shaky, emotions run high – and scammers know it. Fear, confusion, and a sense of urgency are exactly the conditions fraudsters look for. During volatile markets, scam activity often surges because people are more vulnerable. They’re scared about losing money and looking for quick solutions or safer alternatives. That’s when the predators…
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Financial Stress is Real: How to Stay Calm When Markets Get Wild
If you’ve ever felt your chest tighten after seeing the stock market drop, or caught yourself refreshing financial news like it’s breaking bad news, you’re not alone. Market swings don’t just affect your portfolio. They affect your mood, your sleep, and even your sense of safety. Why Market Swings Trigger Anxiety Money is emotional. It’s…
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Federal Employees in the Sandwich Generation – What You Can Do Now
For federal employees balancing the responsibilities of both aging parents and children, financial uncertainty can make an already difficult situation even more challenging. With recent workforce reductions and shifting benefits, many are reevaluating their financial plans while juggling caregiving duties. This is a massive adjustment because caring for a parent in and of itself presents…
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The Future of the G Fund: Should Federal Employees Stay or Move Their Money?
The G Fund has long been the Thrift Savings Plan’s (TSP) safest investment option, offering federal employees stability, no risk to principal, and returns tied to special-issue U.S. Treasury securities. But as economic policies shift and the government looks for ways to cut costs, federal employees are asking an important question: Will the government reduce…
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Job Searching in the Nonprofit Sector – A New Path for Federal Employees
With mass layoffs hitting federal employees, the private sector isn’t the only option – nonprofits are actively hiring and many federal skills translate well. If you’re looking for meaningful work that aligns with public service experience, here’s how to get started. Why Nonprofits Make Sense for Former Feds Where to Apply – Specific Resources If…
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Financial Fear vs. Financial Frenzy: Managing Money Without Losing Your Mind
Money is emotional. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just trying to keep up with bills, financial decisions are rarely just about numbers. Fear can make us freeze, while frenzy can push us into impulsive decisions. So how do you manage your money with a steady hand without getting consumed by worry or making reckless…
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What to Do with Your TSP If You Leave Federal Service: Navigating Uncertainty Without Panicking
Mass layoffs, agency restructuring, and talk of government-wide cost-cutting have left many wondering: Is my TSP safe? Should I move my money? What happens if I do nothing? There’s no sign that the government will seize or change existing TSP balances, but the sheer uncertainty is making a lot of people uneasy. If you’re asking…
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Bargain or Bust? Beware of Fake Deals
In today’s digital landscape, scam artists have long exploited consumers’ search for savings. With evolving tactics and increasingly sophisticated online schemes, they continue to prey on anyone seeking a bargain. From fake online retailers to counterfeit goods and deceptive membership offers, here’s what you need to know – and how you can protect yourself. “Discount…
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Managing Stress Amid Job Insecurity
Job insecurity can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. The uncertainty of when or if a paycheck will come, the fear of falling behind financially, and the emotional toll of feeling undervalued or overlooked can create overwhelming anxiety. While the stress of job loss or career uncertainty is real, managing it effectively…
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Federal Workers: Exploring the Shift to Contractor Roles
The recent federal workforce reductions have left many dedicated public servants facing uncertainty about their future career paths. While these layoffs are primarily aimed at reducing government size and spending, there is ongoing speculation about whether more government services will be outsourced to private contractors. If this happens, private firms may seek individuals with federal…
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