When it comes to planning for retirement, even high‑net‑worth individuals sometimes overlook the basics. For anyone hoping to model their approach after the wealthy, this can make it hard to know which strategies truly matter. Knowing when to follow traditional guidance, and when to tailor it to your own situation, can make all the difference … Read more

My husband and I bought a 5-year-old vehicle 7 years ago, a particular make and model with high ratings for both reliability and owner satisfaction that holds its value well. The car has been incredibly dependable — even through a cross-country move a few years back. Recently, however, we’ve noticed an uptick in our vehicle maintenance and repair costs so we have started thinking about selling or trading it in before the transport eats up […]

Sharing an article from the NYT on 2025 Tax Changes.  A good overview, a few items have a bit more nuisance that the headline, e.g. “No Tax on Tips.”  Feels like the SALT changes will be the biggest opportunity for most filers.  I’m hopeful the charitable donations for those who don’t itemize ($1k single and $2k joint filers) will be helpful for the nonprofit world. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/business/2025-taxes-return-refund-income.html?unlocked_article_code=1.K1A.iHXT.kv9jMyWndiZh&smid=url-share Happy Tax Filing!   The post 2025 Tax Return […]

An estimated 4 million people are expected to retire this year. These retirees will be navigating retirement at a time when many are unprepared and when the retirement landscape is changing rapidly.  One of the best things to do is look at what the previous generation did and what mistakes they made, and learn what not to do. Angela Dorsey, CFP®, MBA, is a Founder and Financial Planner at Dorsey Wealth Management. She specializes in financial planning for retirement and shared the three top retirement mistakes she sees retirees make, both during and before retirement.  Moving to a Different State One of the worst mistakes I see retirees make is moving to a different state to lower their expenses. For example, moving from California to another state, you may find that the difference in your overall expenses may not be as large as you think. Real estate may be cheaper than in California, but other costs, such as utilities, need to be considered. Not Creating a Realistic Retirement Budget It’s important to create a realistic budget. In retirement, it can be easy to overspend without realizing it. Overspending, even for a short period, can shave years off the longevity of your assets. The budget doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should be something you can honestly stick to. Try tracking your expenses for a couple of months to get an idea of what you spend currently. Once you have all your costs outlined, consider if there are areas where you can cut back or items that will increase in retirement. Don’t forget to calculate your expected medical costs. Medicare costs are rising in 2026. The annual premium for Part B coverage, which provides outpatient hospital services, some home health services, durable medical equipment, and certain other services not covered by Medicare Part A, is increasing. The 2026 premium for Part B will rise to $202.90, up $17.90 from the current $185.00. Taking Social Security Too Early If you don’t need the money earlier, waiting until you are 70 is a great way to increase your payments. While eligibility to collect Social Security starts at age 62, your benefit will increase by about 8% for each year you wait until age 70. After age 70, there is no additional benefit to waiting. Read More: 5 Retirement Mistakes To Avoid for a Stable Retirement 7 Budget Hacks Every Retiree Needs To Know in 2026  6 Quirky Frugal Living Tips That Can Save You Big in 2026 Retirement Isn’t as Simple as It Looks—Here Are 3 Mistakes Boomers Make

Image source: shutterstock.com If your garden has ever looked “fine” one week and then started twisting, stalling, or producing weirdly bitter harvests the next, it’s easy to blame weather. But a growing number of gardeners are running into problems that don’t wash off and don’t compost away, especially after bringing in “free” inputs like manure, mulch, hay, or bargain soil blends. The tricky part is that the damage can show up slowly, and by the […]

Many people imagine the wealthy living nonstop excitement, but a surprising number of them rely on routines that look simple, even dull, from the outside. These steady, low‑key habits are often what help them stay focused, grounded, and successful. Recognizing that achievement doesn’t always come from flashy lifestyles can inspire anyone to build habits that … Read more

Image source: shutterstock.com The modern dinner hour is a battlefield where exhaustion often surrenders to the convenience of expensive takeout. The most effective weapon against this financial drain is a freezer stocked with pre-assembled meals that require zero thought to heat and serve. However, not all freezer meals are created equal; some suffer from texture degradation or require expensive ingredients that negate the savings. These ten meals are specifically chosen for their low cost-per-serving, their […]

TurboTax, one of my picks for the best tax prep programs, has a unique promotion currently live for this tax season where you can switch to TurboTax and file all tax forms 100% free in the TurboTax app (versus the web interface). What makes this a unique and compelling offer is that it includes all forms and any tax situation (e.g. everything covered under the “Deluxe” and “Premium” TurboTax versions). This offer excludes TurboTax Experts versions that come with live support assistance from TurboTax experts – so it’s a fully-DIY promo. You must file by Saturday, Feb. 28 for this The post Switch to TurboTax & File All Forms Free by 2/28 Promotion (+ 10% Off for Previous Users) appeared first on 20somethingfinance.com.