Andy | Saving to Invest

529 vs. Retirement: Why I Still Prioritize My 401(k) Over My Kid’s College Fund

The typical American thinks they need $1.46 million to retire comfortably — up $200,000 from just last year's estimate. Meanwhile, the average Gen X 401(k) balance sits at $222,100, and roughly 28% of Americans have nothing saved for retirement at all. Against that backdrop, I still tell parents the same…

When to Change Your Paycheck Withholding (W-4): The Life Events and Income Changes That Trigger It

Most people fill out a Form W-4 once, when they start a job, and never touch it again. That's a mistake, because a long list of ordinary life events — marriage, a new baby, a side gig, a big itemized deduction — quietly changes how much tax you actually owe…

2026-2027 Small Business Retirement Plans — Solo 401(k), SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, and ESOP

If you're self-employed or running a small business, the retirement account options available to you are frankly better than what most corporate employees get — and most people don't fully take advantage of them. I hear from a lot of small business owners who are using a regular Roth or…

Can You Afford to Start a Family in 2026? The Real Numbers and the New $1,000 Baby Bonus

Raising a child from birth to age 17 now costs a median-income family an estimated $307,000 to $310,000, according to USDA-based estimates updated for 2026 — and that figure doesn't include college. In high-cost states like Massachusetts, California, or New York, it can run $400,000 to $500,000. That's a real…

2026 Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) Exemption and Phase-Out Amounts — Why the OBBB Pulls More High Earners Back In

The 2026 AMT exemption is $90,100 for single filers and $140,200 for married couples filing jointly — but the bigger story is the phase-out. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), the income levels where the exemption starts disappearing dropped sharply to $500,000 (single) and $1,000,000 (joint), and the exemption…

Mid-Year Tax Moves to Make in 2026 (Before You Run Out of Time)

By midsummer, more than half the tax year is already locked in — but there's still enough runway to fix a withholding problem, catch a missed estimated payment, or take advantage of a credit before December 31 forces your hand. Here's what's worth reviewing right now. Check and Adjust Your…

How to Avoid Hefty Credit Card Interest and Fees in 2026 — Your Rights and Real Options

The average credit card APR is running above 21% in 2026 — over 23% on new accounts — and late fees are back up near their old highs after a court struck down the CFPB's $8 cap in 2025. Both of those facts change how much a slip-up actually costs…

2026–2027 Updates: Key Retirement Ages for 401(k), IRA, and Social Security — Milestones That Determine Your Benefits

Knowing the exact age at which something happens to your retirement accounts is more valuable than most general planning advice. Miss an RMD at 73 and you're looking at a 25% penalty. Claim Social Security two years too early and that reduction follows you for life. Here's a clear map…

2026 Capital Gains Tax Rates and 2027 Forecast — Short and Long Term, Tax Loss Harvesting, and NIIT

When you sell a capital asset — a stock, bond, cryptocurrency, real estate, or other investment — the profit (or loss) is classified as a capital gain or loss. How much you owe in tax depends on three things: what type of asset it was, how long you held it,…

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early or Invest The Extra Cash?

Many of us dream about how it would feel to not have a monthly mortgage payment. Owning your home free and clear is the aspiration of numerous homeowners. But even without – in most cases – that hefty payment leaving your checkbook every 30 days, there are actually some reasons…

Help! My Car Was Illegally Towed – How Do I Get My Towing Charge Back

I recently visited some friends for dinner at their new apartment in a large 300-unit complex. When I got back to where I'd parked, the space was empty. After a minute of panicked disbelief — was I even in the right row? — I accepted my car was gone. A…

How to Choose a Financial Advisor in 2026 — Fees, Fiduciaries, and the AI Factor

Most people still spend more time planning a vacation than choosing the person who'll steer their life savings. And the stakes compound: a 1% difference in all-in costs on a $500,000 portfolio is $5,000 a year, every year, growing with the account. The good news is that vetting an advisor…

When Will I Get My Tax Refund? 2026 Processing Times and What’s Ahead for 2027

The short answer for 2026: if you e-file with direct deposit and nothing flags your return, the IRS issues most refunds in under 21 days — and over 80% of refunds this season went out inside that window. Paper filers and paper-check refunds wait considerably longer, typically 6 to 8…

Life Insurance Rates in 2026: What You’ll Actually Pay by Age and Provider

Most people know they should have life insurance and still don't get around to buying it. Part of the reason is that nobody wants to think hard about their own death. The other part is more practical: it's not obvious how much coverage is enough, or what it should actually…