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The Science of Slow: Why Rushing Less Could Be Your Secret Superpower

12/30/2024

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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Learning to Say ‘No’ in Retirement: The Hidden Key to Happiness

12/23/2024

Retirement is often seen as a time of endless freedom, but for many, it can quickly become a whirlwind of commitments. Babysit the grandkids? Sure. Volunteer for that committee? Of course. Help a friend move? Why not? The reality is that saying “yes” to everything can leave retirees drained, overwhelmed, and far from the happiness…

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Porch Pirates and Fake Delivery Notifications – Securing Your Holiday Gifts

12/23/2024

The convenience of online shopping makes holiday preparation easier, but it also opens the door to porch pirates and delivery scams. Here’s how to outsmart them this season. Porch piracy spikes during the holidays when thieves take advantage of unattended deliveries. A single stolen package can ruin the joy of gift-giving and cost you hundreds…

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Gift Card Scams – Don’t Let Scammers Steal Your Holiday Cheer

12/16/2024

Gift cards are a favorite holiday gift, but they’re also a favorite tool for scammers. Every year, thousands of people lose money to fraudsters who use clever tricks to steal from unsuspecting buyers. Let’s break down how these scams work and how you can protect yourself. How Gift Card Scams HappenScammers often impersonate someone you…

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The Weight of Worry: Managing Stress as Retirement Approaches

12/16/2024

Retirement: a word that conjures dreams of freedom, relaxation, and fulfillment—but also an undercurrent of uncertainty. For many nearing this milestone, worry becomes a persistent companion. Will my money last? How will I fill my days? What happens if my health declines? These concerns are more than fleeting thoughts; they can evolve into chronic stressors…

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Prioritizing Health in Your Financial Planning: Building a Secure and Healthy Future

12/02/2024

When people think about financial planning, they often focus on saving and investing for retirement. Yet, health-related expenses are a major part of financial security, especially in retirement. By prioritizing health within your financial plan, you can reduce long-term costs, protect your retirement funds, and enjoy a well-rounded approach to securing your future. Why Health…

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Romance Fraud: A Costly Love Affair

11/25/2024

When it comes to scams, few are as emotionally devastating and financially ruinous as romance fraud. It’s a deceptive trap set by criminals who exploit feelings of affection, trust, and loneliness to steal from victims. While the promise of love can make people feel safe, romance fraud is becoming a growing concern, especially in the…

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Navigating Loneliness During the Holidays

11/25/2024

The first holiday card arrives in your mailbox – another picture-perfect family in matching sweaters. Your social media feed fills with office party photos and family reunion videos. And something in your chest tightens, because this year, your holiday season looks different. Whether by circumstance, distance, or loss, you’re facing these celebratory weeks alone. If…

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Teaching Money Skills to the Next Generation

11/18/2024

Teaching kids about money is one of the most valuable life skills parents can pass on. Financial literacy can start at home in a way that’s approachable and even fun. This guide shares practical tips and modern tools to introduce money skills at different stages, helping children and teens develop habits that can lead to…

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Assessing Your Risk: Are You Vulnerable to Investment Scams?

11/11/2024

Investment scams are nothing new but there are some tools that you can use to assess your vulnerability to falling for one. FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) has created two simple quizzes you can take so let’s explore how you can use them to better understand your own risk—and ultimately safeguard your financial future. The…

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What ‘Stay the Course’ Really Means for Long-Term Investors During Market Volatility

04/28/2025

“Stay the course” – the simple phrase that gets tossed around every time the market tanks can feel useless if you don’t know what it really means or why someone’s saying it. It often sounds like someone trying to get out of a conversation they don’t want to have. It feels dismissive, like they can…

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Who’s Actually Moving the Market?

04/21/2025

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?

04/14/2025

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

04/07/2025

“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?

03/31/2025

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

03/24/2025

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

03/17/2025

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

03/10/2025

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

03/03/2025

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

03/03/2025

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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When Do Financial Professionals Actually Take Action During Market Drops?

04/28/2025

Now that we’ve clarified when “stay the course” applies and why it’s used, let’s look at the other side of the coin: when to take action. Even in the best of times, financial plans evolve. A solid plan needs to be flexible and sometimes that means making changes. Financial professionals don’t sit idle through every…

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Fear-Based Scams: How Market Panics Create Easy Targets

04/21/2025

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

04/14/2025

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

04/07/2025

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?

03/31/2025

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

03/24/2025

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

03/24/2025

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

03/17/2025

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

03/17/2025

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

03/10/2025

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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