What required minimum distributions are, when they begin, how they are calculated, the penalties for missing them, strategies to manage the tax impact, and how recent law changes affect your planning.
Why disability insurance is statistically more important than life insurance for most working adults, what the different types of coverage provide, how much you need, and how to obtain it affordably.
A framework for setting financial goals that are specific enough to plan for, prioritizing when resources are limited, and creating the saving and investment structures that translate goals into outcomes.
The differences between money market accounts and savings accounts, when a money market account makes sense, what minimum balance requirements mean for your effective yield, and how to evaluate rates.
The framework for deciding whether pre-tax traditional or after-tax Roth contributions make more sense for your situation, how current vs. future tax rates drive the decision, and strategies for different income scenarios.
What bonds are, how they generate returns, the key concepts of yield, duration, and credit quality, how bonds behave during different market conditions, and how they fit within a balanced portfolio.
A section-by-section guide to reading your credit report, what each element means for your score, how to identify errors, and the exact process for disputing inaccurate information.
A detailed comparison of the retirement account options available to small business owners and self-employed individuals — contribution limits, setup requirements, employee coverage rules, and which fits different situations.
How CDs work, the different types available, when they outperform savings accounts, how to use CD laddering to maintain liquidity, and what to watch for in the fine print.
Which bills are negotiable and which are not, the specific scripts that get results with cable, insurance, phone, and medical providers, and how to systematically cut hundreds from your monthly overhead.