Category: Personal Finance
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Why Financial News Makes You a Worse Investor
Financial news is engineered for engagement, not returns. Here’s how the daily noise quietly degrades your decisions and what to do about it.
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Couponing is a part-time job we pretend is a hobby
Extreme couponing returns real savings, but the hourly rate often doesn’t pencil. The activity is work disguised as leisure for most people.
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Reverse mortgages are predatory, full stop
Marketing paints reverse mortgages as a tool for retirees, but the fees, terms, and outcomes tell a different story. Here’s why most homeowners should walk away.
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Real estate agents are an industry overdue for collapse
Six percent commissions survived the internet, antitrust suits, and consumer revolt. Their grip is finally weakening — here’s what comes next.
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Joint vs. separate finances: the data most couples don’t want to see
Studies show how couples manage money predicts relationship outcomes. The data on joint vs. separate accounts is more pointed than most realize.
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Legal fees are the real reason most divorces end the way they do
Divorce outcomes look like negotiated compromises. They’re more often driven by who runs out of money to pay legal fees first.
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The 8% Average Return Myth Needs to Die
Financial planners cite 8% average returns as if it’s a guarantee. The math behind the number hides risks every retiree needs to understand.
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Insurance on Expensive Items Isn’t Always Worth It
Extended warranties and item-specific insurance often charge premiums that exceed expected payouts. Here’s when the math actually favors self-insuring instead.
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Investment-Grade Gem Scams: The High-Pressure Pitch Targeting Retirees at Trade Shows
Colored gemstones marketed as appreciating assets are one of the longest-running cons. Here’s how the pitch works and why the math fails retirees.