#financial-planning

#financial-planning

Growing up, everything I knew about prenups was negative . I was used to movie depictions of women getting shorted by rich, overpowering men, rap songs glamorizing unequal payouts, and my own father advising me, "If someone wants to sign a prenup, run." My father had the same logic most people do: Prenups are disrespectful, transactional, and unromantic, assuming the doom of a marriage before it even starts. Little did he know that my partner and I were committed to signing one .

It is sad, but a modicum of research shows that not signing a ticket or failing to report to the state are the simplest and most common errors to make. Can you imagine losing a lottery ticket? Then imagine what can happen if someone else snags your ticket and shows up to collect the prize. Fighting over true ownership of a lottery ticket is not a simple task, and many disputes have arisen over who owns what ticket.

Some people actually choose the lottery annuity payment rather than taking a lower lump-sum payment. Some lottery winners give most of their winnings away or buy too many new things for themselves, friends, and family. Could you imagine winning $50 million or $100 million and then being broke? Many lists have been directed at newly rich lottery winners, but surprisingly, there are few warnings for lottery winners.

A real estate business plan isn't just something you create once and forget about. It's a living document that helps you make smart decisions, stay focused on what matters and grow intentionally. Without a plan, it's easy to fall into a cycle of chasing whatever's in front of you including leads, listings, transactions without ever stopping to ask whether it's actually moving you closer to your goals. A good business plan will give you that clarity.

Families may find the benefits of 529 plans are overshadowed by considerable penalties for non-qualified withdrawals, restrictions on investment choices, and complex rules that could hinder financial planning.

An adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) is a type of home loan where the interest rate can change over time, starting with a lower introductory rate.

Inheriting a large amount of land can lead to significant financial opportunities, but it also introduces challenges in managing wealth and ensuring a successful sale.

A staggering 80% of medical bills contain errors, most of which are easily preventable.

This Redditor highlights their feelings of unease amidst a tough time in the United States due to the current political climate and job insecurity.

Most homebuyers will need to earn between $140,000 to $180,000 per year to afford a $600,000 home, depending on their credit score, existing debt, and expenses.

Angela Kinsey kept a side gig during the first two seasons of 'The Office' to prepare for uncertainty in show business, emphasizing the need to strategize for future opportunities.

"Chief business officers like certainty, whether it's certainty about revenue streams or potential costs. And right now they just are not getting it and that leads to anxiety."

A reverse mortgage, or lifetime mortgage, allows homeowners aged 55 and over to borrow against their home's equity, requiring no monthly repayments.

Spending hours at work while having a newborn at home, even with nanny support, can be challenging. Many new parents may choose to focus on family instead.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) permanently expands the federal estate tax exemption, allowing families to transfer up to $30 million tax-free without expiration.

"People who may have previously been putting off pension planning could see their auto-enrolment as a 'job done' moment, when in fact the scheme might not be the most suitable or sufficient option for their individual retirement needs."

"Higher education has not faced this level of financial uncertainty in generations," said Robert Kelchen, chair of educational leadership and policy studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, who reviewed preliminary survey data. Recent history offers one comparison—the early days of the pandemic, when uncertainty was similarly 'off the charts.' However, back then, the federal government 'quickly stepped in to provide support.' Today, by contrast, the federal government 'is causing the uncertainty.'

Anna Stopnevich creates family roadmaps in wealth management, focusing on asset structuring, beneficiary identification, and advisory bodies, while preserving family traditions.

"It's been an evolution and the recognition that student loans are here to stay, and, quite frankly, that the student loan debt crisis is real," says Stacey MacPhetres, senior director of education finance for EdAssist by Bright Horizons, which offers tuition assistance and student loan repayment benefit plans.