Scammers are evolving faster than ever, and seniors have become their primary target. In 2024 alone, older Americans lost over $3.4 billion to fraud—a staggering increase driven by two particularly insidious schemes: Medicare and Medicaid fraud that weaponizes healthcare confusion, and Bitcoin ATM scams that exploit urgency and fear. These aren't the clumsy phone scams of yesterday. Today's criminals use sophisticated caller ID spoofing to appear as legitimate government agencies, deploy AI-generated voices that sound remarkably authentic, and employ psychological manipulation tactics refined through thousands of successful thefts. What makes these scams especially dangerous is how they prey on trust—trust in Medicare, trust in law enforcement, and trust in technology that many seniors didn't grow up with. But knowledge is power, and understanding how these scams work is your first line of defense.
Do you need to adjust your savings rates to account for new contribution limit increases? Double check to make sure you’re not missing out on the new opportunity to save more, plus a tax law change that sweetens your charitable donations!
A classic Southern dish traditionally eaten on New Year's Day for good luck. The black-eyed peas represent good luck, pork represents prosperity and greens (often served alongside) represent wealth.
Every January, millions of people set ambitious New Year's resolutions, only to abandon them by February. Studies show that approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. The problem isn't lack of willpower—it's the approach itself.
Traditional resolutions are often vague, all-or-nothing, and disconnected from our daily lives. Here are evidence-based alternatives that create lasting change.
Retirement might seem distant when you're in your fifties, but the decade leading up to your golden years is actually the most critical time for retirement preparation. Whether you're 55 and just starting to think seriously about retirement or already deep into your planning, this comprehensive 10-year countdown checklist will help ensure you're ready for this major life transition.
There's a lot of confusion around Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare, and for good reason. Making contributions to your HSA after you're no longer eligible can lead to tax penalties and can be a headache to correct. Read on for what you need to know if you’re contributing to your HSA and preparing to enroll in Medicare.
When we hear the term estate planning, we often think of wills or maybe a financial to-do list for the later stages of life. But estate planning is about more than just deciding who gets what—it's about protecting your legacy, ensuring your loved ones are cared for and keeping your financial life in order no matter what the future holds.
The transition to college marks a major milestone—not just for students, but for families as a whole. As fall approaches and college move-in dates creep closer, parents are navigating an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) season of change. Whether your child is heading off for their first year or returning for another semester, there are important financial and logistical steps to take now that can set your family up for a smoother, more confident transition.
As parents, one of the most valuable lessons we can pass on to our children is how to manage money wisely. While saving and budgeting are foundational, understanding and building credit is often overlooked — yet it's key to long-term financial success. Helping your child establish a line of credit early (and responsibly) can give them a powerful head start when it comes to qualifying for loans, renting apartments, or even landing certain jobs.
