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Everyone refers to 529 plans as college savings plans for kids. And that’s how they started out. But these tax-advantaged plans have evolved into so much more. You can benefit from your own 529 plan. Whether or not you’re in school right now. Even if you don’t have kids and never plan to. If you think you might ever want to get more education… if you’re current profession requires continuing education… if you’re thinking about […]
Do you prefer shopping for daily essentials on a budget? If you use an Electronic Benefit Transfer or EBT card, you’ll be amazed to know the range of purchasable items extends beyond the basic bread and butter. While EBT cards are commonly used for food assistance through programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), you can buy some surprising things with EBT. Here are some of the surprising things you can buy with EBT. What Is EBT? Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is a government program in the U.S. that provides eligible low-income families and individuals with funds for purchasing food. It’s a system allowing recipients of government assistance benefits to access funds electronically. Qualified individuals will receive an EBT card instead of paper food stamps or checks. The card functions similarly to a debit card. What Are Some Surprising Things You Can Buy With EBT? Here’s an exciting list of things your EBT card can help you get. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables You read that right! EBT isn’t only for canned or boxed items; EBT can be used to purchase a wide variety of fresh produce, helping you maintain a healthy diet. So you can stock up on a colorful array of fresh fruits and vegetables, from crisp apples to juicy tomatoes, making it much easier to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet. The next time you want to grab a healthy snack or prepare a fresh salad, your EBT card covers you. Seeds and Plants This one will truly surprise you: In some states, you can use EBT to buy seeds and plants for growing your food at home. Those with a green thumb wanting to grow their vegetables and herbs will be delighted. The satisfaction of harvesting your produce is unlike any other. Organic Foods There’s a common misconception that EBT doesn’t cover organic items. Contrary to popular belief, you can use your EBT card to purchase organic products as long as they’re eligible under the program guidelines. So yes, you can opt for healthier, pesticide-free options with your EBT card. Farmers’ Market Purchases Supporting local farmers while putting fresh, locally-grown produce on your table goes hand-in-hand when you use EBT, which is now accepted in many farmers’ markets. Not only do you get fresh, seasonal goodies, but there’s also the contentment of supporting your local farming community. Note: Some community-supported agriculture programs (CSAs) also accept EBT payments. CSAs provide subscribers with regular deliveries of locally-grown produce throughout the growing season. Online Grocery Shopping Digital trends have also affected EBT, and some states with pilot programs allow EBT users to order groceries online. Some online retailers accept EBT payments for eligible food items. Some Live Seafood This has got to be one of the craziest yet surprising things you can buy with EBT. If you’re in the mood for some lobster or crab, you can pick up live ones in many places with your EBT card. While this may seem extravagant, this option allows you to enjoy
Too many seniors are receiving termination letters about their Medicare Advantage plans – Shutterstock Big changes are shaking up Medicare Advantage, and many enrollees now face unexpected notices about plan terminations. Insurers have started pulling back from certain counties and states, leaving members scrambling to figure out what comes next. These changes do not always signal a crisis for beneficiaries, but they do demand fast action and smart decision-making. Healthcare coverage sits at the center […]
Your grandmother didn’t clip coupons because she was cheap. She clipped them because she understood something we’ve slowly, quietly forgotten: that money is something that needs to be guarded. Somewhere between the rise of one-click shopping and the era of subscriptions we forgot we signed up for, living frugally became deprivation which was somehting to be embarrassed about rather than proud of. But a growing number of people are digging through the old playbook, and trying to bring 12 old-fashioned frugal living tips that were standard practice a generation or two ago, and discovering they work just as well today as they ever did. Some things belong in the past. These aren’t them. Use It Up and Wear It Out This is the mindset of getting the most use possible out of what you own. As long as it’s usable and working well, keep it. Only replace when you absolutely have to. Cook at Home Making your own meals is way less expensive than going out or ordering takeout most nights. You can also make several days’ worth of meals at a time to save time later on. Preserve Fresh Foods A lot of food that doesn’t get eaten by its expiration date ends up in the trash, which is like throwing money away. Freezing, canning, jarring, smoking, and making jerky are examples of ways to preserve fresh foods so they don’t go to waste. Mend Your Clothes A hole or tear in a clothing item doesn’t always mean you need to replace it. If you can mend it, you should. Even paying someone to do it for you will cost less than a replacement. Learn how to do basic repairs and patching to keep your clothes going a little longer. Make a Regular Menu Planning meals in advance and sticking to a schedule helps with budgeting and buying the right amount of food. It also reduces the chances of wasteful, impulsive buying at the grocery store. Want to start meal planning? It’s easier than you think! Grab this free meal planner and shopping list and get your food budget under control! Repair as Much as Possible If you can repair something, do it, especially if you can do it yourself. The point at which this works against you is when the repairs cost more than a replacement. Then it’s time to get a new one. Learn how to do basic repairs yourself to help with this. Keep Appliances Simple Buying appliances like dishwashers and washing machines might be necessary in today’s world, but look for the most basic models. These basic models are a lot cheaper, and they still get the job done, and you really don’t need all those bells and whistles. Also, since they’re simpler, there’s a better chance that someone other than an expensive technician can do repairs, and they break down less frequently. No, you don’t need your fridge to connect to your phone, despite what the ads tell
Over all the years I’ve been writing this blog, Ben Carlson is among the top few writers I’ve linked to most often (Jim Dahle and Christine Benz are probably the competitors). Ben recently released a new book, which I just finished reading: Risk and Reward: How to handle market volatility and build long-term wealth. In short, it’s excellent. It would be on my short list of books to recommend to a new investor, and I […]
The Tax Planning Window There’s a window after you retire but before Social Security and RMDs kick in where your tax flexibility is at its peak. Here’s how physicians waste it, and how to use it. Your accountant will tell […]
Most retirees spend decades preparing for retirement taxes, but many never spend much time thinking about what happens to those taxes after they are gone. Early in retirement, the focus is usually on generating sustainable income and keeping taxes manageable each year. But for households likely to leave assets behind, the planning process eventually starts to shift. As the focus moves towards leaving a legacy for your loved ones, tax planning becomes more about […]
Choosing a financial planner isn’t just another decision on your list. It’s a relationship that can shape how you make financial decisions for years—sometimes decades—to come. The right fit can help you feel more clear, more confident, and more intentional with your money. The wrong fit doesn’t always fail dramatically—but it can quietly lead to second-guessing, missed opportunities, or advice that never quite feels aligned. So if you’re at the point of choosing someone, it makes sense to […]
Taking a cross-country road trip was always one of my biggest travel goals. Back in 2013, a travel companion and I finally made it happen. We drove across the country, visited several cities, attended sporting events, explored local attractions, and created memories that I still talk about today. We had no idea how much…
Most physicians plan well for their own financial future. Retirement accounts are maxed. Investment positions are building. There’s at least a working picture of what financial independence looks like. What most of us haven’t planned for is the financial weight of our parents aging. Not in the abstract sense. In the specific, arriving-faster-than-you-expected sense. The cost of care. The coordination burden. The slow financial drain that doesn’t feel like a crisis on any given Tuesday […]
Summer travel costs can rise fast once hotel rates, restaurant meals, gas, and attraction tickets start piling up. Many families want a break without coming home to a credit card bill that feels like a second vacation. The good news is that affordable summer travel still exists if you plan carefully and focus on simple … Read more
Hey everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the beautiful spring weather. It’s been a while since I posted an update. To be completely honest, blogging became much more difficult once I stopped posting every single week. There are always so many things to do around the house, and writing is much harder when I don’t stick to a strict schedule. Anyway, I promised to update my withdrawal plan, so here it is. This plan isn’t set in stone. We’ll constantly modify it to minimize taxes and respond to unforeseen circumstances. We will likely withdraw more in some years to cover “lumpy” expenses, like buying a new car. Life is full of surprises, and we’ll have to adapt as needed. Our early retirement withdrawal plan is flexible. Right now, we have almost $1 million combined in our taxable brokerage account and Treasury bonds. However, we also have changing family circumstances to navigate. Our parents are getting older and need more assistance. Because of this, we plan to move to California to be closer to Mrs. RB40’s family when our son finishes high school in 2029. As you’ll see below, this move is a massive factor in our financial timeline. (For context, I am 52.5 years old right now.) The Timeline: 2026 to 2049+ 2026 to 2028: The Early Years & Simplifying Real Estate 2026 is our first year of full retirement. Our active income will be minimal—probably around $5,000 from blogging and minor side gigs. Fortunately, Mrs. RB40 has a small pension of about $10,000 annually. More importantly, her retirement plan includes group health insurance coverage. We pay the same premium amount as we did when she was working, and it’s deducted directly from her pension. This is huge. Not having to worry about the ACA marketplace or healthcare costs gives us a lot of breathing room. Estimated Annual Expenses: ~$75,000 Active Income + Pension: ~$15,000 Passive Income (Dividends/Interest): ~$20,000 The Gap: We need to cover a shortfall of about $40,000. The Solution: Since we are moving to California in a few years, I am winding down our Portland rental real estate. We recently put our rental condo on the market. Once sold, it should generate roughly $150,000 after fees and taxes. This cash pool, combined with our other income streams, will fund the next 2 to 3 years of living expenses. Our Housing Adjustments: Currently, we live in a duplex and rent out the upstairs unit. However, I’ve asked our tenant to move out in 2027. RB40Jr is a teenager now and needs more space. One bathroom doesn’t cut it anymore. Mrs. RB40 also wants more room since she is home full-time. We will use the next few years to live comfortably in the whole property while fixing it up to get it ready for sale. It’s a big win that we resisted upsizing for 15 years. Most families expand their housing when they have kids. Note on a lumpy expense: I may purchase a new car