Where Did the Name “Roth” Come From? “Roth” isn’t just a random financial term — it’s named after Senator William Roth of Delaware, who helped create the Roth IRA in 1997. The idea was simple: give average Americans a way to save for retirement with after-tax money that could grow tax-free forever. So when you […]
What’s a Roth Account, and Why Is It So Good? Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
