Budgeting & Spending

Budgeting, especially for the future can be tricky. Find articles below to help you reduce your spending, save more, understand inflation, know how much you can spend, strategize for emergencies and more.

Your household budget is a foundation of your financial wellness. When working, ideally you are spending less than you are earning and are able to save the balance. When you are retired, you need to be able to plan to spend less over your lifetime than your retirement income and savings withdrawals allow.

Read More

Explore content

average retirement spending

Average Retirement Spending: Will You Spend More or Less Once You Retire and How Does that Compare to Other Retirees?

Average retirement spending for those over 65 is $48,872 a year. See average spending in specific categories and how to project your own needs.

March 7, 2024
retirement expenses

9 Tips for Estimating Retirement Expenses: You Need to Get this Right!

If you want a secure retirement, you need to go about estimating retirement expenses. Get 9 great tips for succeeding at this difficult task.

January 31, 2024
best financial planning tools

The 5 Best Financial Planning Tools Online: Go Beyond Budgeting

Whether you are interested in budgeting, monitoring your finances, or making better financial decisions, find a financial planning tool that fits your goals.

November 12, 2023
year end tax tips

12 Year-End Tax Planning Strategies to Keep More 2023 Money and Prepare for Future Wealth

These 12 year-end tax tips for retirement will help you minimize your 2023 taxes and reduce future tax bills.

November 2, 2023
IRMAA

Medicare Surcharges (IRMAA): How the Wealthier Pay MORE for Coverage

Are you wealthy? You may be paying extra for Medicare. Find out why and how to reduce your IRMAA – Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

October 17, 2023
audit expenses

Audit Your Spending: 5 Ways to Review Your Expenses to Ensure Your Desired Financial Outcomes

Explore 5 categories of expenses and get get tips for auditing your spending to better achieve your near- and long-term goals.

October 12, 2023
is college worth the cost

Economic Viewpoint: Is College Still Worth the Cost of Tuition?

Are college costs worth it? A degree promises higher earnings, but not always more lifetime wealth.

September 14, 2023
compound interest

Compound Interest and Saving as Much as You Can as Early as You Can: Magical Secrets to Building Real Wealth

Building wealth can seem like it will take a miracle. Compound interest (especially if you start early) might just be the magic you seek.

July 5, 2023
good debt and bad debt

Good Debt and Bad Debt: A Quick Guide to Wise Use of Borrowing for Financial Success

Debt isn’t necessarily terrible. Good debt helps you get ahead. Bad debt puts you in a hole. Understand the differences for better financial outcomes.

July 4, 2023
financial basics

Financial Basics: A Guide to the Habits and Strategies of Spending, Saving, and Investing for a Secure Future

Mastering the financial basics is doable by anyone at any age. Here is a simple guide. Steps to take at 20, 25, 45, or even 55 to get and stay on track to a secure future.

June 1, 2023
how to get out of debt

How to Get Out of Debt: 12 Ways to Reduce this Expense for a More Secure Future

Debt levels have climbed to an all time high. Reducing this financial burden is a very worthy goal. Not sure how to get out of debt? You have options. Use this article to get motivated and find a way to approach your debt that feels right for you and your priorities. There are quite a…

May 23, 2023
gain financial control

Trying to Gain Financial Control? Here are 4 Straightforward Steps to Feeling Better About Your Money

You don’t need to feel overwhelmed by financial stress. Here are 4 straightforward steps to help you gain financial control.

May 20, 2023
ways to budget

14 Ways to Budget: Find the Best Method for Your Personality and Goals

Budgeting doesn’t have to be awful. We’ll help you find a way to budget that helps you with your financial goals and suits your personality.

May 18, 2023
why budget

Why Budgeting Matters: 8 Reasons to Adopt This Foundational Financial Habit

Why budget? Budgeting can improve your short-term and long-term finances as well as your emotional well being.

May 18, 2023
what is a recession

What is a Recession?

What is a recession? The good news? Well, recession isn’t always so bad and you probably won’t know are in one until after it’s over.

April 13, 2023

18 of the Most Important Lessons from Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) Influencers

Some people retire in their 20s and 30s. What’s the secret? Here are top lessons from the most popular financial independence influencers.

March 30, 2023
retirement taxes

Go Beyond Tax Filing and Plan to Pay Less in the Future with These 25 Tax Planning Tips

Planning for the future should involve strategizing to minimize taxes. Explore 25 tips to help you plan, do retirement tax filings, and save money.

March 16, 2023
debt ceiling

What is the Debt Ceiling Crisis and 8 Ways to Prepare for Possible Fallout

Understand the basics of the federal debt ceiling and how to prepare for the X date and the financial fallout that may follow.

January 19, 2023
retirement costs

10 Major Retirement Costs Overlooked by a Many Americans

Underestimating expenses is a good way to run out of money. Learn about commonly overlooked retirement expenses. You’ll be surprised by #1.

September 22, 2022

The “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” and What it Means for Your Retirement

Learn how the “Inflation Reduction Act of 2022” may improve your retirement? (Reduced healthcare costs and inflation reduction.)

July 28, 2022
pre retirement income

Can You Live Happily in Retirement With Just 66% of Your Work Income? (Yes! Most Do)

Research suggests that average annual retirement income for retirees is far less than what they earned before retirement. And, it’s not a problem!

July 7, 2022
Managing Money in Retirement

10 Great Tips for Managing Money in Retirement

In some ways managing money in retirement will be easier and in other ways it will be harder. Here are 10 tips for getting it right.

July 7, 2022
stagflation

Stagflation: When Inflation Meets Stagnation and What to Do About It

Stagflation is a future possibility. Discover how we might prevent it and what to do if it happens. Read now…

June 9, 2022
does money buy happiness

11 Ways Money Really Can Buy Happiness

They were wrong. The answer to the question does money buy happens is… yes! In fact, the research is overwhelming. And, there are actually multiple ways to spend to increase happiness. Here are 11 ways to spend money to buy happiness. The following 11 tips are valuable whether you are 75, 65, 55 or 15!…

June 9, 2022

NewRetirement Planner

Take financial wellness into your own hands and do it yourself retirement planning: easy, comprehensive, reliable.