Money » Viral Chatter

America’s Golden Treasures: 7 States Where Gold Abounds

July 14, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Image Credit: Viacheslav Life Studio/Shutterstock

Have you ever fantasized about finding a fortune, perhaps by stumbling upon a hidden treasure of gold? While tales of buried riches are often the stuff of legend, America’s landscape tells a true story of gold-rich grounds that continue to yield the precious metal. These states have veins thick with gold, and they might be closer than you think! Gold has left an indelible mark on American history, shaping economies and spurring wanderlust-filled rushes. Its gleam beckons to modern-day prospectors as much as it did to their forbearers. Here’s the most gold-abundant states in the U.S., where dreams of glimmering …

Living Solo in Retirement: 15 Tips for a Fulfilling Life

July 14, 2024 by Nancy Maffia

Image Credit: monkeybusiness/Deposit Photos

Are you approaching retirement age and planning to live alone? You’re not the only one. In fact, 27% of adults 60 and older in the U.S. live by themselves, according to Pew Research.1 While living solo in your golden years comes with unique challenges, it also presents an opportunity to live life on your own terms. With the right mindset and strategies, you can make the most of this exciting chapter. Here are 15 tips to help you thrive in retirement while living alone. 1. Embrace Your Independence Living alone in retirement is a chance to fully embrace your independence. …

10 Purchases That You Should Never Make with Your Debit Card

July 14, 2024 by davin

Image Credit: CITAlliance/DepositPhotos

In an age where digital transactions dominate our lives, the convenience of debit cards is undeniable. However, this convenience comes with a growing risk—debit card fraud is on the rise, with skimming alone seeing a staggering 96% increase in 2023, according to FICO, an analytics company.1 It’s more important than ever to be vigilant about how you use your debit card. Here are top purchases you should never make with your debit card to protect your finances and peace of mind. 1. Recurring Payments/Subscriptions Services like streaming platforms, gym memberships, or magazine subscriptions often rely on recurring payments. If you …

What Happened to the ‘Lost’ Confederate Gold? History’s Greatest Treasure Hunt

July 11, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What became of the vast treasure of the Confederate States of America? For over 150 years, the enigma of the lost Confederate gold has intrigued historians, treasure hunters, and storytellers alike. As the Civil War drew to a close, Jefferson Davis and his fleeing government transported a fortune in gold and valuables, but much of it vanished without a trace. This mystery continues to spark fascination and speculation and birthed a myriad theories that surround its disappearance. The Golden Departure from Richmond As the Confederate capital, Richmond, Virginia, was a hub of activity and wealth. On April 2, 1865, Confederate …

What You Need to Know about the $1K Per Month Retirement Rule

July 10, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Did you know that the median retirement savings for American households is just $87,000, despite experts recommending a nest egg of $572,000 to retire comfortably?1 This gap highlights the importance of effective retirement planning. For many, the $1,000-per-month rule offers a straightforward strategy to simplify this daunting task. What is the $1,000 Per Month Rule? The $1,000 per month rule is a financial guideline that helps retirees determine how much they need to save to ensure a steady monthly income during their golden years. Coined by Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Wes Moss, the rule suggests that for every $240,000 saved, …

12 Clever Ways to Make the Most of Your $2 Bills

July 10, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Image Credit: Vershinin89/Shutterstock

Did you know that $2 bills are the least commonly used currency in the United States? Not many new bills are made, so they are not seen as often as other dollar bills. Because these bills are rare, some people think they are not real or very valuable. But the truth is, $2 bills are still being printed and used, even though they are not as common.1 Despite their rarity, these bills can be used in all sorts of clever and creative ways. 1. Novelty Gifts These $2 bills make a fun and unique gift for birthdays, holidays, or just because. They’re …

Consultants are Charging Up to $10,000 to Help Parents Name Their Babies

July 7, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Image Credit: kryzhov/Shutterstock

Choosing a baby name is no longer a simple task. Instead of flipping through baby name books, parents can now hire baby naming consultants! These professionals research popular names, trends, and offer personalized suggestions for the perfect name. While this service used to be exclusive to the wealthy, it’s now becoming more popular. This shift is driven by parents’ desire to give their children unique and special names. However, this personalized service comes with a price tag, sometimes as high as $10,000.1 Unusual Baby Names: A Growing Trend Influencer Francesca Farago recently shared unconventional baby name options like Heart, Orca, …

15 Expenses Parents Should Stop Paying for Their Adult Children

July 6, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Image Credit: Jim_Filim/Deposit Photos

In today’s challenging economy, financial support from parents to their adult children is more prevalent than ever. Nearly half of parents still provide financial assistance to their grown-up kids.1 This support often covers substantial expenses, from housing to everyday bills, impacting parents’ own financial stability, especially their retirement savings. While it’s natural to help, continuing to cover certain costs can prevent young adults from achieving financial independence. Here are 15 expenses parents should stop paying for their adult children to foster their financial growth and responsibility. 1. Cell Phone Bills It’s one thing to keep the family plan for convenience, …

15 Social Security Benefits You Can Claim at Any Age

July 6, 2024 by Nancy Maffia

Image Credit: J.J. Gouin/Shutterstock

Social Security benefits are often thought to be exclusive to retirees, but did you know that millions of Americans, including those who aren’t of retirement age, receive various forms of Social Security support? In fact, Social Security is expected to pay more than $1 trillion in 2024 to about 68 million Americans, encompassing retirees, their survivors, and individuals with disabilities.1 Understanding these benefits can provide crucial financial assistance at any stage of life. Here are the Social Security benefits you can access regardless of your age. 1. Disability Benefits Disability benefits under the Social Security program provide crucial support for …

Credit Card Skimming Increased 77% in 2023: Here’s What to Look For

July 5, 2024 by Martha A. Lavallie

Image Credit: Cassiohabib/ShutterStock.

Recent data reveals that debit card skimming continues its relentless climb upwards here in America. For the first half of 2023, the number of compromised cards has skyrocketed 77% ¹ compared to the same period in 2022. That translates to nearly 120,000 additional unsuspecting consumers who have had their card details stolen in just six short months. What’s worse is that they are getting even more efficient, now stealing more card numbers per skimming device deployed. The average number of compromised cards per skimming incident increased 48% compared to 2022. You may have heard about skimming, but do you know …