Invest & Retire

“Investing can seem so complicated that you might shut down and do nothing about it — or feel you need to hire someone to guide you. However, it doesn’t need to be complex. You probably already have the opportunity to get started right where you work.”

Essentials

Latest Investing & Retirement

money on fire
Financial Independence, Retire Early: What You Need To Know About the ‘FIRE’ Movement Money & Credit September 6th, 2018
What would you say if we told you some people willingly deprive themselves of luxuries and save up to 70%…
Happy retirement
It’s never too late to be a happy retiree Money & Credit August 20th, 2018
Do the latest “You Should Have ___ Millions Saved For Retirement By Now” articles make you wince? You're not alone.…
Why automatic savings works: How to do it & the best ways to save
Why automatic savings works: How to do it & the best ways to save Money & Credit August 6th, 2018
Several years ago, a study done in Denmark found that automatic savings plans were more effective than tax subsidies when…
5 ways to buy stocks for free or very cheap
5 ways to buy stocks for free or very cheap Money & Credit August 6th, 2018
Coming in May 2017: Motif Investing will charge a $10 semi-annual platform fee on low-balance accounts with little trading activity.…
Here’s a new way to fund your Acorns account
Here’s a new way to fund your Acorns account Money & Credit August 6th, 2018
If you're familiar with Acorns, you probably know it's an app that lets you invest spare change and hopefully turn…
$100 bills
How to find missing money from an old 401(k) you forgot about Money & Credit July 20th, 2018
For years, money expert Clark Howard has talked about ways to find missing money from forgotten bank accounts, insurance policies,…
The best and worst states to retire to in 2018
The best and worst states to retire to in 2018 Investing & Retirement July 13th, 2018
As your golden years get closer, you may envision that you'll eventually purchase your home outright and get to settle…
702(j) plans: The “retirement plan” that needs to retire!
702(j) plans: The “retirement plan” that needs to retire! Insurance June 29th, 2018
Have you heard about the secret retirement plan called a 702(j) that the government supposedly doesn't want you to know…
Want to save money on insurance? Try bundling
Need a fiduciary to manage your money? Have them sign this document before you hire them Investing & Retirement June 20th, 2018
The fiduciary rule that would have required investment advisors to act in your best interest — not their own — when dealing…
Investment Guide: Intermediate investors
Investment Guide: Intermediate investors Investing & Retirement May 24th, 2018
Low-cost index funds can be the cornerstone of your investment portfolio As an alternative to a 'set it and forget…
Saving for retirement
The 4% Rule: Why it still makes sense for retirement Budgeting & Saving May 18th, 2018
The best rules are tried and true guidelines that have served us well over time and circumstance. But even such…
Clark’s investment guide for beginning investors
Clark’s investment guide for beginning investors Investing & Retirement May 16th, 2018
Investment guide for beginners: A look at Vanguard's target retirement funds and others If you're overwhelmed by the idea of…
Investing 101 | How to get started with $1,000 or less
Investing 101 | How to get started with $1,000 or less Commoncents May 3rd, 2018
Disclosure: Team Clark is adamant that we will never write content influenced by or paid for by an advertiser. To…
5 brilliant ways to invest an extra $500
5 brilliant ways to invest an extra $500 Money & Credit April 26th, 2018
When an extra $500 comes your way, what do you do with it? Do you put it toward debt? Head…
salt financial etf investment
Stash puts the power of investing in the palm of your hand Money & Credit February 22nd, 2018
What's standing between you and investing for your future—right now, this very minute? Is it time? Money? Knowledge? A new…
Why you need an automatic investment plan
Why you need an automatic investment plan Money & Credit February 21st, 2018
Many people want to create wealth for themselves and their families but are avoiding the step of creating an investment…
Is it smart to use retirement accounts to fund a new business?
Is it smart to use retirement accounts to fund a new business? Business & Entrepreneurs February 20th, 2018
I love helping entrepreneurs set purposeful goals for their new companies. And because they are often doing things that are…
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Stock in Your Own Employer
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Stock in Your Own Employer Money & Credit January 5th, 2018
Are you guilty of making what SmartMoney magazine once called 'The Dumbest Investment Move' in your 401(k) at work? I…
Big 3 discount investment houses go all in on robo-advising
Big 3 discount investment houses go all in on robo-advising Money & Credit January 2nd, 2018
For many years, the Big Three discount investing houses -- Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard -- operated on a simple full…
Consumers warming up to the idea of robo-advising
Consumers warming up to the idea of robo-advising Money & Credit January 2nd, 2018
Even though robo-advising is still in its infancy, we're already seeing signs that consumers are embracing the idea of getting…
Series I savings bonds and cash
Are bonds a good investment right now? Money & Credit March 24th, 2017
Bonds are under fire. This favored investment of old-money matrons and conservative investors is suddenly controversial with many investors reconsidering…
Investment Guide
Investment Guide Money & Credit March 23rd, 2017
Investing can seem so complicated that some just shut down and do nothing -- or hire a salesperson to guide…
Investment Guide
Clark Howard: How to add gold to your portfolio Money & Credit March 23rd, 2017
help Gold guide: Buying gold the Clark Smart way With worries about the value of the dollar, people are continually…
Resist the urge to borrow against your 401(k)
Resist the urge to borrow against your 401(k) Money & Credit March 22nd, 2017
Top 5 Reasons Not To Borrow From Your 401(k) Think Twice Before Taking Out a 401(k) Loan Clark's Investment Guide…
Should you borrow against your 401(k)?
Should you borrow against your 401(k)? Money & Credit March 22nd, 2017
When you borrow against your 401(k), you're borrowing from yourself and paying yourself back, right? Not so fast. Clark has…
The #1 factor for when you’ll be able to retire
The #1 factor for when you’ll be able to retire Money & Credit March 22nd, 2017
It's the #1 factor that will determine how early you can retire…or whether you'll be able to retire at all.…
How to save for healthcare and retirement at the same time
How to save for healthcare and retirement at the same time Health Insurance March 22nd, 2017
It's no secret that Clark is a fan of HSA's, or Health Savings Accounts. Although they're not for everybody, HSAs can…
How 50-somethings should plan for retirement
How 50-somethings should plan for retirement Money & Credit March 22nd, 2017
Odds are, if you are in your 50s, you have thought about retirement at one time or another. Regardless of whether this…
8 mistakes to avoid so you don’t go broke in retirement
8 mistakes to avoid so you don’t go broke in retirement Money & Credit March 22nd, 2017
After all the years you've spent building your nest egg for retirement and the hard work you've put in, you'll want…
Damage control: 5 fixes for common investment mistakes
Damage control: 5 fixes for common investment mistakes Money & Credit March 22nd, 2017
Investing is a game of large numbers. Damage control is one of the ways you can make those numbers work…