Financial Independence

It wasn’t until the early 20th century that workers’ compensation laws gained momentum in state legislatures across the U.S. Before then, workers often had no recourse when they were injured in factories, railroads, offices, farms, and more. Today, even with stricter safety regulations across industries, workers’ compensation laws continue to offer important protections such as paying for medical costs and lost wages when employees are hurt or fall ill. Nurses and personal care aides account for nearly 15% of reported workers’ comp cases, but injuries and illnesses can … Read more

Are you an impulsive or a careful shopper? Do you plan your purchases or whip out your credit card on a whim? Your answers to these questions will make you see whether or not you have financial discipline.  Children usually resort to tears or tantrums when they do not get what they want. Fortunately, we all generally outgrow that stage, growing up into more mature and disciplined adults.  When it comes to personal finances, such self-control is especially important.  Knowing how to handle money matters is considered a … Read more

There are, quite literally, hundreds of thousands of people in the US who say they provide financial advice. These financial professionals and their firms loosely use the terms financial planner and financial advisor (interchangeably spelled adviser), among other titles you may see, including wealth manager, financial consultant, or financial analyst. Sadly, many financial professionals at these companies are little more than salespeople peddling proprietary financial products like insurance policies, high-cost mutual funds, and annuities. You can usually find competent financial advisors at all wealth management firms; The problem … Read more

Filling a Void There is no national education requirement for financial literacy in the US, leaving many Americans under-informed on topics such as saving, budgeting, and smart spending. Americans looking to fill this void are turning to the internet to source financial info, but obviously, some sources are better than others. (You should really check out On the Money and SoFi Learn!) In particular, TikTok has become a go-to source for personal finance tips. (You can even follow SoFi on TikTok! ) Textbook TikTok A staggering 80% of Americans aged 18 … Read more

Trying to pay off credit card debt is daunting if you carry significant balances, but it is possible. Paying off this debt entirely is challenging and will take work and time. Taking a glance at credit card statistics, you’ll realize you’re far from being alone: Since the pandemic, strong consumer spending has resulted in surging debt levels, especially on credit cards, and if left unpaid, become quite toxic to your finances. It is more important than ever to learn to pay off credit card debt. Why Paying Off Your Credit Card … Read more

Retirement offers the chance to travel, spend time with family, indulge in hobbies, and lead the lifestyle of your dreams. While retirement can result in stress, anxiety, and sadness, it can also serve as a reward. Suppose you’ve done your retirement planning and retirement savings ahead of time. In that case, your post-retirement work can be rewarding and enjoyable – even at an old age! Below are different retirement quotes, whether you’re the retiree or one of your favorite coworkers. What To Say to Colleagues When You Are Retiring Many … Read more

Understanding assets and liabilities is pertinent to achieving financial success.  Assets, like real estate, appreciate and help you make extra money. On the other hand, liabilities do the opposite and drain your wallet. Let’s cover these in detail so you can avoid financial pitfalls. Assets Versus Liabilities Your accounts payable balance sheets will include all assets and all liabilities. Although liabilities take money away from the investor, they’re not all bad. Well-managed debts can help increase revenues. Take a business with no website or office, for example. With … Read more

Coming out of one of the most volatile years on record for the stock market, investors are looking for ways to take back some control over their investments—especially the savings they’re putting away for retirement. Stacker analyzed common retirement savings best practices from sources including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the Securities and Exchange Commission, along with reports from reputable news and financial institutions, so that you don’t have to. Think of these suggestions as a kind of spring cleaning for your finances. Much like other important … Read more

Financial freedom might seem out of reach while staring up at a mountain of debt, but no one appears at the top of Mt. Everest. You get there one step at a time. “Right now, many Americans are a medical emergency or a natural disaster away from bankruptcy,” says Debt.com chairman Howard Dvorkin, CPA. “Their finances are so precarious, any income disruption or debt addition would push them over a cliff.” You’ll be much more successful if you have a thorough attack plan for your debt. Once you … Read more