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1 month ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos |Charlotte Gorbold
A family friend recently told me a funny story: Their wealth manager instructed them to spend frivolously. "You have enough saved for your kids to inherit happily," the adviser said. "Start flying first class or your kids will when you're dead."Like many before them, the couple had become retirement millionaires too scared to spend. After years of frugality and careful saving, it can be difficult to realize you actually can — and maybe should — enjoy the fruits of your labor.
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1 month ago | 
kiplinger.com | Becca Van Sambeck |Alexandra Svokos
A trip is exciting. Not so exciting? The actual planning phase — especially if it's to a location you're not familiar with at all. Sure, you can do research online and ask your friends for recommendations, but there is a ton of information to sift through out there, and the logistics can be tough to crack. Enter: a travel company. Not only do tour operators take the sting out of vacation planning, they make it significantly easier once you're there, too.
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1 month ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos
I have to confess something: I didn't get my license updated to a REAL ID in time for the deadline. After the May 7 REAL ID deadline, if you don't have a REAL ID driver's license, you can't use it to go through security at airports for domestic flights. If you're like me, that means we have to take extra care before flying within the U.S.I know, I know, I had plenty of time to get it done, and there were plenty of warnings about it.
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1 month ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos |Charlotte Gorbold
The Kentucky Derby takes place this weekend, kicking off the race for the Triple Crown. For equestrian enthusiasts, it's the best time of year. But imagine you could live your best equestrian life every day of the year, buying an estate with horse-equipped facilities. You could take your horse out of boarding and give them a real home with your family.
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2 months ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos
As more and more of my family members and friends have kids, and as those kids hit milestone ages, I've been trying to strategize the best gifts for them. And, no, I'm not talking about keeping up with the latest Tickle Me Elmo trends.
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2 months ago | 
kiplinger.com | Charlotte Gorbold |Alexandra Svokos
Picture this: You're sitting at your desk, with an intricately patterned window looking out onto the streets of Philadelphia. As you think of the next line to write in your novel, you're inspired thinking of all the luminaries who passed by and may have even come in for tea. A life imbued with history and charm could be yours in a historic home.
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2 months ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos |Charlotte Gorbold
Your jaw dropped in shocked silence when Rory McIlroy's putt slithered past the hole, sending him into a sudden-death playoff against Justin Rose. You stood, too nervy to stay seated, as the men played it out, dripping in tension. And then: The elated release as McIlroy did what he came to Augusta to do and took home the green jacket. As he cried into the green in joy, you at last let out that shout you were holding in.
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2 months ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos |David Payne
Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio has been sounding off about his concerns for the global economy and global future in general, ringing alarm bells that danger's afoot. He has been saying not only are we at risk of a recession, but of more disruption as a result of certain economic policies and other factors. His comments come both online — he posted an essay to X, formerly known as Twitter, last week — and on television, as he spoke to NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday.
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2 months ago | 
kiplinger.com | Charlotte Gorbold |Alexandra Svokos
Picture this: It's the fourth of July and you're on your terrace with family and friends. The sun's just going down over the lake, the barbecue's still glowing and soon fireworks will light up the night sky, while glittering reflections play on the water. There may be a few sore heads tomorrow morning, but a dip in the pool will chase those away. Waterfront properties like the ones in this week's "Listed" are in a league of their own when it comes to entertaining.
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2 months ago | 
kiplinger.com | Alexandra Svokos
Picture this: You drive down the road from your new favorite vineyard, a case of wine that you picked up after gabbing with the owner happily jingling in the backseat. Inside your house, you open the large fridge and see that great cut of meat and fresh vegetables. It's decided, you'll have a barbecue tonight, that wine will pair perfectly, celebrating nothing other than being alive. Imagine if your time in Napa didn't have to end when vacation did?
