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Cartoon of Average Joe comparing 0.02% vs 4.5% interest rates, scratching his chin and doing math in his head.

Should I Have a High Yield Savings Account?

Cash is boring. But cash that actually earns something is interesting. That’s what high yield savings accounts (HYSAs) bring to the table: safety, liquidity, and an interest rate that beats typical brick-and-mortar bank accounts by miles. As of September 2025, there are several credible HYSA options offering meaningful returns while keeping your money liquid. Let’s […]

Should I Have a High Yield Savings Account? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, seen from behind as he knocks on a back door labeled ‘Roth,’ symbolizing the backdoor Roth IRA strategy.

What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA — and Should You Use It?

What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA? The “backdoor Roth” isn’t an official account type. It’s just a strategy the IRS currently allows that lets high earners fund a Roth IRA even if their income is too high to contribute directly. Here’s the play: Congrats — you just “backdoored” into a Roth. Why Would You Use

What Is a Backdoor Roth IRA — and Should You Use It? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, and his wife with brown hair and glasses, each holding their own piggy bank labeled Roth IRA.

Should My Spouse and I Each Have Our Own Roth IRA?

The Short Answer Yes, you and your spouse can both have your own Roth IRAs — and in most cases, you should. The IRS doesn’t care if you’re married when it comes to IRAs. They only care about your income and whether you qualify. Each spouse has their own contribution limit and their own account.

Should My Spouse and I Each Have Our Own Roth IRA? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, the midlife dad mascot, watering and filling buckets labeled 401(k) Match, HSA, IRA/Roth IRA, 401(k), and Brokerage to show the ideal order of retirement savings.

Which Retirement Buckets Should You Fill First?

A Simple Guide for the Average Person Why This Is So Confusing Pre-tax. Post-tax. 401(k). Roth. IRA. HSA. The government’s alphabet soup of accounts doesn’t exactly scream simple. For the average person, the question is: Where do I actually put my money first? Here’s the straightforward order, boiled down into plain English. Step 1: Grab

Which Retirement Buckets Should You Fill First? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, holding a paycheck stub showing ‘Retirement Match: $0.00’ with a sarcastic ‘thanks for nothing’ expression.

My Company Doesn’t Offer Any Retirement Match — What Should I Do?

First, Let’s Call It What It Is Your company’s retirement plan? A dud. No match, no “free money,” no boost to your future. You’re not alone, though. Even among employers that do offer retirement plans, the average match is only about 4.6% of pay (Investopedia). That means plenty of people are in the same boat

My Company Doesn’t Offer Any Retirement Match — What Should I Do? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, sitting at a desk holding a retirement account statement in one hand and an HSA card in the other, with an arrow graphic showing money moving from 401(k) to HSA.

Qualified HSA Funding Distribution. The HSA Trick You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Do

There’s a one-time IRS rule that lets you move money from an IRA or 401(k) into your HSA tax-free. Here’s how it works, who can do it, and whether it’s smart for you A Little-Known Move You Might’ve Missed You already know HSAs are underrated. But what if I told you there’s an IRS loophole

Qualified HSA Funding Distribution. The HSA Trick You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Do Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, standing in front of a house with a For Sale sign, holding a moving box and scratching his head, looking unsure about downsizing.

Should You Downsize Your Home After 50?

The Midlife Home Question By the time you hit your 50s, your house might feel too big, too expensive, or just too full of stuff you don’t use anymore. The kids are moving out, the stairs feel steeper, and the property taxes? Don’t get me started. So, should you downsize — or is that just

Should You Downsize Your Home After 50? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, sitting at an office desk with a business card in front of him that says ‘Who Cares,’ looking unimpressed about job titles.

Should You Still Care About Your Job Title After 50?

The Big Question When you’re younger, titles feel like trophies. Manager, Director, VP — they look shiny on a business card, and they’re proof to your family (and LinkedIn connections) that you’re climbing. But when you hit your 50s, the question changes: Does that next title actually matter, or is it just another label? Why

Should You Still Care About Your Job Title After 50? Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, sitting in a doctor’s office chair holding an HSA debit card and a retirement account statement, with a surprised expression.

HSA: The Best Retirement Account You’ve Never Used

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) aren’t just for paying today’s medical bills. Here’s why an HSA might be the most powerful retirement account in your toolbox. More Than Just a Doctor Bill Fund When most people hear “HSA,” they think: That’s the account I use when I forget how expensive an ER visit is. But the

HSA: The Best Retirement Account You’ve Never Used Read More »

Cartoon illustration of Average Joe, a midlife dad mascot, sitting at a kitchen table with tuition bills, college brochures, and a retirement account statement, scratching his head in confusion.

Can You Pay for College and Still Retire?

Should you prioritize your kid’s college tuition or your own retirement? Here’s how midlife parents can strike a balance without sinking their future. The Midlife Squeeze The kitchen table looks like a battlefield. On one side: tuition bills and college acceptance letters. On the other: your retirement account balance, not nearly as high as you

Can You Pay for College and Still Retire? Read More »

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