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5 days ago | 
money.usnews.com | Ray Frager |Elizabeth Whitehead
If you’re like me, you catch your breath when that "check engine" warning flashes on, you realize your loyal four-legged companion needs an emergency vet visit, or your orthopedist tells you it’s time to have that long-delayed knee surgery. Not only do you have to figure out the best way to tackle these everyday concerns, you also have to determine how to pay for them. For many older Americans, the answer is to slap down their credit card.
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1 week ago | 
thenewdaily.com.au | Elizabeth Whitehead
Imagine being carried into a cool, shady forest where towering karri trees are blanketed in moss and stretch 70 metres into the sky. As a vintage wooden tram hums softly along, you amble across trestle bridges spanning rivers and streams before stopping at a mesmerising cascade. It sounds like a scene from a storybook – but this is the Pemberton Tramway, hidden away in Western Australia’s tranquil south.
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1 week ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
Memorial Day marks the traditional start of the summer travel season. I got a jump on some of you this year, taking a much-needed break a couple weeks ago. The weather was spectacular and the crowds minimal at Cape San Blas on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, as is often the case during the shoulder season. But this year, according to reports, you may not find as many people traveling as usual.
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2 weeks ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
One of the biggest decisions entering into retirement is where to live. Although the majority of people stay put, those who decide to move are generally influenced by a variety of factors including nearness to family, climate, the tax situation and the all-important cost of housing. That explains why Florida, where my wife and I live, and the Carolinas have traditionally topped the list of retirement destinations as they mix affordability, a relaxed lifestyle and natural beauty.
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3 weeks ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
The first quarter of 2025 has provided those saving for retirement and others already enjoying it with some stomach-curdling drops in the stock market. In early April, the S&P 500 index suffered a two-day, 10% loss in value after President Donald Trump announced sweeping import tariffs. While those losses were somewhat recouped following a postponement of some levies, concern about tariffs continues to roil the markets. Bottom line? Volatility may be our constant companion in the coming months.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
If you’re like me, music has been an integral part of your existence, the soundtrack to your life. I grew up with vinyl, lived through cassettes and compact discs, and now enjoy creating streaming playlists for smartphones and my home stereo. And I am happy to say that performers I saw live in my youth–Joe Cocker and the group Bad Company–were among the latest inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Female vocalist Cyndi Lauper, also a personal favorite, made the cut too.
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1 month ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
For 70 years, April 15 has been the day of reckoning for most Americans who must file their returns with the Internal Revenue Service. Retirees often are told that they can expect to face lower taxes once they quit working. Like many accepted “truths,” reality is not quite so cut-and-dried. In fact, IRS data (table 1.5) show that older Americans are among the highest earners and therefore their tax burden may not necessarily be lower than their younger counterparts.
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2 months ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
There has been plenty of concerning news lately about Social Security, including reports of service disruptions and efforts to sharply reduce staff, especially at field offices, where many of the nearly 69 million recipients get their questions answered about the program. My colleagues at U.S. News have some reporting here and here that may help separate the signal from the noise.
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2 months ago | 
money.usnews.com | Tim Smart |Elizabeth Whitehead
Like many, I make use of a Medicare Advantage plan that provides additional benefits beyond the basic Medicare coverage. These plans typically offer dental and vision coverage, over-the-counter products, and other benefits. (You can use a U.S. News tool here to help identify the right plan for you.)My favorite “extra” is a gym benefit that I use two or three times a week.
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2 months ago | 
thenewdaily.com.au | Elizabeth Whitehead
With its rich culture, incredible food and beautiful scenery, Japan is an ever-popular holiday destination for Australians. Last year saw a record number of visitors to the country (over 35 million) bolstered by the weakening yen. As a result, parts of the country have been grappling with overtourism. Measures like daily visitor caps have been introduced, with the number of climbers on Mount Fuji limited to 4000 a day.
