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1 week ago | 
financebuzz.com | Sarah Sharkey |Calista Headrick
If you own a home, property taxes are an inevitable part of life. And while you may not be able to completely avoid them, there are certain individuals, like seniors, who could reduce their tax burden in retirement, thanks to property tax breaks. For some seniors, state-level property tax breaks can make a significant difference to their retirement budget. This often overlooked senior benefit could lead to big savings in your golden years.
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1 week ago | 
financebuzz.com | Sarah Sharkey |Kaitlin Milligan
Most states levy an income tax, which means residents pay such taxes at both the state and federal level. As with federal income tax rules, state regulations can change from year to year. In 2025, several states are changing their tax rules. Some of these revisions will allow you to keep more cash in your wallet, but others might result in a higher tax burden. Here are the states that are making the biggest changes to their income tax rules in 2025.
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1 week ago | 
financebuzz.com | Sarah Sharkey |Lauren Gordon
There are 71.6 million Americans who receive benefits from programs administered by the Social Security Administration.
Despite the fact that many people rely on social security for various reasons, one thing that is certain about the program is that its future is wholly uncertain. From DOGE reforms to risks of it running out, there are so many reasons why Americans are struggling to account for it in their future plans.
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1 week ago | 
yahoo.com | Sarah Sharkey
Like many condo owners in Florida, residents at the Heron Condominiums in West Kendall were expecting to receive a special assessment of some kind. The mandatory 40-year recertification inspection is the result of new regulations for condominiums in the state following the deadly 2021 condo collapse in Surfside, Florida. But when their special assessment came back for $3.48 million, the residents were aghast.
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1 week ago | 
moneywise.com | Sarah Sharkey
Expected costs put pressure on budgets Those who own condos know that some of the costs and maintenance responsibilities are outside the residents’ control. For example, this condo needs roof repairs, building repairs, waterproofing and other structural work. And, until these are completed, the buildings cannot be recertified and must bare code violation signs throughout the property.
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1 week ago | 
financebuzz.com | Sarah Sharkey |Chris Kissell
Automating savings can help you reach financial goals because you don't have to constantly remember to transfer money into investment accounts.
Recent federal legislation — in the form of the 2022 SECURE 2.0 Act — will make this process easier. Many provisions tied to the act are going into effect this year.
Here are some ways — including automation and other new features — that 401(k) plans are changing for the better, making it easier to prepare for retirement.
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1 week ago | 
gobankingrates.com | Sarah Sharkey |Amber Barkley
Commitment to Our ReadersGOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology. 20 YearsHelping You Live RicherTrusted by Millions of ReadersStock prices rise and fall over time.
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1 week ago | 
yahoo.com | Sarah Sharkey
With a new baby and two other growing boys, the price of food adds up quickly for Kandyce Thorton. “I feel like every time I go to the store I’m spending more than I should,” Thorton told News 5 Cleveland reporter Elizabeth VanMetre in a story published May 1. Don't missAnd Thorton isn’t the only one feeling the pinch. Faced with high food costs, nearly 9-in-10 Americans (88%) have changed the way they shop for groceries, according to a 2025 survey commissioned by LendingTree.
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1 week ago | 
moneywise.com | Sarah Sharkey
Shoppers are going generic One key strategy Thorton employs is opting for generic-brand products. “I try to get something similar, even if it’s generic, just to kind of keep the price down,” she said. Turns out Thorton isn’t alone in this choice. The survey published by LendingTree shows, among those who changed their shopping habits, 44% were buying more generic brands in pursuit of savings.
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2 weeks ago | 
ca.finance.yahoo.com | Sarah Sharkey
My aunt, 69, recently confessed she lost her entire $270K life savings in a romance scam. I want justice but she’s mortified and refuses to go to the police — where does she go from here? With the increasing popularity of dating apps and social media, romance scams have been on the rise in recent years. Back in 2022, approximately 70,000 Americans had reportedly been victimized in a romance scam, with the financial losses totalling around $1.3 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
