personal finance

Debt Is a Taboo Conversation Topic

Posted on 05/20/2013 by Jeff Yeager | The Ultimate Cheapskate | Comments

Money & SavingsAs a young adult, my parents taught me to never discuss religion or politics in a social setting, especially if you know and like the other people in the room. I’ve since learned that sex is often included along with religion and politics in the trifecta of taboo polite conversation topics. Trust me, growing up 50 years ago in the farmlands of Ohio it went without saying that sex wasn’t something you talked about in public (or even in private, for that …

Thinking About Retirement Pays Off at Any Age

Posted on 06/6/2012 by Deb Silverberg | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & Savings | WorkWhen you hear the “R” word, what comes to mind? Your perspective on retirement planning depends on a lot of things, including your age bracket. If you’re 50+, you might say: “What retirement? My IRA has taken a huge hit, and now I’ll have to work way past 65.” Or, “I’m so behind I don’t even know where to start. I hope Social Security is there when I need it, but I’m worried.” A 40-something might say: “Retirement? We’re down …

Social Security for Dummies is Smart Reading

Posted on 04/17/2012 by Deb Silverberg | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & SavingsThe following is a guest post from author Jonathan Peterson, an executive communications director at AARP and a former national and financial correspondent for the Los Angeles Times. Some folks think they have a better chance of bumping into a UFO or a zombie than getting a meaningful Social Security benefit by the time they reach retirement age. No wonder some people feel that way, given all the things that are said about this hot-button program. But if you’re like most …

Take the Pay Down Your Debt Challenge

Posted on 01/2/2012 by Patti Shea | Home & Family blogger | Comments

Money & SavingsThis is a guest post by Tara Finnegan Coates, editor for money and work content on AARP.org. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions. I’m not against setting goals, but I struggle sticking with them if I don’t see results right away. I lose patience with an exercise routine or diet if I don’t see any results within a week. My clothes either need to fit better or the scale needs to be nicer. A week probably isn’t long enough, …

Tips & Tough Love for Tough Times from the Money Coach

Posted on 09/22/2011 by Deb Silverberg | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & Savings | Your LifePersonal finance expert Lynette Khalfani-Cox, a.k.a. The Money Coach, says living within your means is the best thing you can do to be financially secure. But if it’s so simple, why is it so hard? For one thing, the economy isn’t helping. Downsizing–the first of what Khalfani-Cox calls names as the 5 Ds–is all too common these days…especially if you’re over 50. Divorce, Disease, Disability and Death of a breadwinner also can be devastating. Some things are out of our control, …

Debt: This Time, It’s Personal

Posted on 07/27/2011 by Deb Silverberg | AARP Blog Author | Comments

Money & SavingsThe national debt ceiling deadline continues to dominate headlines as August 2 nears, but a recent Associated Press-GfK poll highlights debt stress of a different kind. It revealed that more than half of Americans have money worries about what they owe to creditors. Anyone else notice that debt is a four-letter word? Debt causes worry and anxiety. Debt can lead to arguments with your other half. Debt can cause relationship and family stress. If you’re single, you generally have no one but yourself to …