Your guide for retirement news, insights, and resources

Economic Deep Dive: Do the Jobs Numbers Even Mean Anything?

03/10/2025

If you’ve ever read a news report saying “Unemployment is at a record low!” while also hearing about waves of layoffs, you might wonder: Which is true? The reality is that official job numbers don’t always reflect what’s happening in the real economy. A low unemployment rate doesn’t mean everyone is thriving, just like rising…

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Managing Debt: Strategies for Turbulent Times

03/03/2025

Debt can be a powerful financial tool when managed well, but in times of economic uncertainty, it can also become a major source of stress. Whether it’s rising interest rates, job instability, or unexpected expenses, having a solid plan for managing debt is crucial to staying financially stable. By taking control of your debt now,…

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Don’t Get Duped: How to Recognize and Avoid Tax Scams

02/24/2025

Tax season is here, and while most of us are busy gathering W-2s and crunching numbers, scammers are hard at work too. Every year, thousands of people fall victim to tax scams that drain bank accounts, steal identities, and create a whirlwind of stress. Let’s break down the most common tax scams, how they work,…

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Reverse Mortgages: A Viable Option or a Risky Bet?

02/17/2025

A reverse mortgage can seem like a lifeline offering access to much-needed cash during retirement. However, understanding the benefits, drawbacks, and potential pitfalls is crucial before deciding if this option aligns with your financial goals. The Basics: How Reverse Mortgages Work Reverse mortgages offer a way to convert home equity into cash without monthly mortgage…

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Protecting Your Biggest Investment: The Realities of Homeowners Insurance

02/17/2025

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

02/10/2025

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

02/03/2025

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

01/27/2025

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

01/20/2025

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

01/13/2025

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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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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Making Sense of Your Tax World: A Guide for Every Stage

02/24/2025

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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The Ownership Illusion: Is Homeownership Still the American Dream?

02/17/2025

Owning a home has long been a cornerstone of the American Dream, and recent surveys show that sentiment hasn’t changed. According to Realtor.com and Bankrate, homeownership remains a top priority for many Americans. Even those who anticipate challenges in achieving it still view owning a home as a key marker of success and an essential…

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Smart Strategies for Education Funding: Unlocking the Benefits of 529 Plans and Tackling the True Costs of College

02/10/2025

Planning your child’s education is a pivotal financial milestone, and with college costs continually rising, having a solid strategy is more important than ever. While grants, scholarships, and student loans can help bridge the gap, these options are often uncertain and difficult to plan for in advance. This guide focuses on the key savings tools…

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2025 Market Outlook: Putting Your Financial Knowledge to Work

02/03/2025

Now that we’re a month into 2025, we can begin to see how the year is taking shape and evaluate the major forecasts with fresh eyes. Over the past few weeks, we’ve explored the fundamentals of financial literacy – from understanding different types of investment accounts to breaking down various asset classes and investment strategies.…

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Understanding Investment Fees: What You’re Paying For and Why It Matters

01/27/2025

When it comes to investing, fees might not be the most exciting topic, but they’re one of the most important. We keep talking about keeping fees low and leaning toward ETFs – but in the end that is a personal decision as mutual funds do come with some added benefits. So in order to arm…

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Your Investment Starter Pack: Essentials and First Steps

01/27/2025

Starting your investment journey might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. With a clear plan and the right approach, you can set yourself up for long-term success. Over the last two weeks, we’ve covered the importance of building the right financial team and understanding your investment account options. Now, it’s time to take…

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Where to Start: Choosing the Right Account for Your Investments

01/20/2025

For many people, the hardest part of investing is simply figuring out where to begin. After all, understanding ETFs and mutual funds is one thing, but knowing where to hold those investments is another challenge altogether. Let’s break down the basics of different types of investment accounts to help you understand how they work and…

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Social Security False Reporting: An Indirect Hit

Social Security False Reporting: An Indirect Hit

08/27/2024

Back in June, rumors starting running rampant that there would be a $600 social security increase. While potentially very exciting, this turned out to also be very FALSE. The rumor spread quickly, resulting in the Social Security Administration’s phone lines being inundated with more than 463,000 calls in a single day. This incident highlights a…

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TSP Death Benefits – What Your Beneficiaries Need to Know

TSP Death Benefits – What Your Beneficiaries Need to Know

08/27/2024

Last week, we discussed the importance of ensuring your beneficiary designations are in order. Let’s continue and talk about what beneficiaries need to know and what they need to do. Trigger warning – this information is detailed and may be difficult to process. Keep a few things in mind as you read: Let’s dive in……

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The Study of JOY, Part 2

08/19/2024

Last week we discussed the basis for finding happiness in our relationships and what that means in retirement. When you consider the relationships we have during our working lives and how structured they are, retirement is a huge change. Suddenly, we are without our colleagues on a daily basis, interacting with people a lot less.…

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TSP Death Benefits – PLEASE Check Your Beneficiaries

TSP Death Benefits – PLEASE Check Your Beneficiaries

08/19/2024

No one wants to think about planning for death – but sadly this is a reality that we must face and the better organized we are for those we leave behind, the better off they will be. No one wants to leave their spouse, kids, or any beneficiary with a mess. So today let’s start…

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The TSP Mutual Fund Window

08/12/2024

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) introduced additional investment options back in June of 2022 that left many with mixed feelings. This feature, allowing folks to choose from thousands of mutual funds, comes with its own set of challenges. Participants face contribution limits, additional fees, a vast array of options, and minimal guidance – essentially presenting…

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The Study Of JOY

08/12/2024

In 1938 scientists began a study to track the health of its participants over a long period of time to try to figure out what makes people healthy and happy. The study continues to this day, of course adding new participants (including the offspring of the OGs!). So what does this Harvard Study of Adult…

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JUNK Fees

08/05/2024

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking companies to task to make sure you aren’t getting taken to the cleaners. Their plan is to save you billion$. To start, note that there is nothing wrong or illegal about adding fees to a service – the issue is that they are not being properly disclosed. Since they are…

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Coordinating FEHB and Medicare: What Federal Employees Need to Know

Coordinating FEHB and Medicare: What Federal Employees Need to Know

08/05/2024

Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) is a comprehensive health insurance program for federal employees, retirees, and their families. As federal employees approach retirement age, they often face questions about how their FEHB coverage will interact with Medicare. This coordination can be complex and often leads to confusion. While this won’t be our last discussion on…

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