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

Here are the best and worst states to retire in 2019
The best and worst states to retire to in 2019 Investing & Retirement July 10th, 2019
When it comes to retirement destinations, many people look to settle down in sunny Florida or Arizona, but an increasing…
Retirement income
Do you know what your income streams will be in retirement? Investing & Retirement June 13th, 2019
Entering retirement can spawn feelings you may not have felt since the last day of fifth grade. No more classes!…
date for retirement circled on a calendar
Should you have multiple target date funds? Investing & Retirement June 5th, 2019
If you're confused by which target date fund to choose, you might be tempted to have multiple target date funds…
Vanguard screenshot
5 Things to Know About Investing With Vanguard Investing & Retirement May 30th, 2019
When it comes to investing, money expert Clark Howard favors investment companies that hold costs down for their customers and…
The best places to get immediate payout annuities
The best places to get immediate payout annuities Investing & Retirement May 30th, 2019
Longtime listeners know that annuities are a four-letter word in my mind. Most annuities have massive commissions and massive expenses.…
Saving money
Where to put your cash now Banks & Banking May 20th, 2019
If you've successfully managed to set up your household budget such that you have some extra money saved up for…
Fidelity Investments
7 Things to Know About Investing With Fidelity Investments Investing & Retirement May 9th, 2019
Do you invest with Fidelity Investments or are you thinking about investing with them? This popular online discount brokerage is…
Retirement
The most retirement-friendly states in 2019 Investing & Retirement April 26th, 2019
One of my favorite economic concepts is that people respond to incentives. If a product you want is on sale,…
Teen 3 jobs
How a summer job could turn you into a millionaire Money & Credit April 25th, 2019
If you're a teen or the parent of a teen reading this, we have some very compelling numbers to show…
annuity
Ask Clark: Is it still a bad idea to buy annuities? Investing & Retirement April 22nd, 2019
Insurance companies and other financial institutions love to sell annuities to deal with one of the biggest fears in many…
retirement fund
How to Maximize Your Retirement Savings in 2019 Investing & Retirement April 18th, 2019
When you're looking to save money for retirement, it's helpful to know how much cash you're allowed to stash in…
vanguard founder john bogle
Vanguard founder John C. Bogle dead at 89: Read his words of wisdom Money & Credit January 17th, 2019
If you're an investor and you own an index fund, you probably have John Clifton Bogle to thank. The legendary…
401(k) IRA Roth
Reminder: The contribution limits for your 401(k) and IRA have gone up for 2019! Money & Credit January 4th, 2019
Now that the calendar has turned you can contribute more money than ever to your retirement accounts! If you are…
How to find out about class action lawsuits - Stack of money ($100 bills)
The inventor of index funds lives by these 3 simple money rules Money & Credit December 10th, 2018
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, John Bogle, founder and former chairman of index-fund behemoth Vanguard Group,…
'retirement planning' written on a notebook with a calculator and coins
Should I roll over my 401(k) into an IRA when leaving my job? Money & Credit October 9th, 2018
Paul Simon once famously sang about "50 ways to leave your lover," but there must be 101 reasons why people…
investing mistake
The #1 mistake people make when opening an investment account Investing & Retirement October 8th, 2018
Congratulations! You've finally contributed some money to a brokerage account like an IRA or a Roth IRA so you can…
AARP’s free Social Security calculator helps you maximize your benefits
AARP’s free Social Security calculator helps you maximize your benefits Money & Credit September 20th, 2018
Trying to understand how Social Security will meet your needs down the road is a lot like looking into a…
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.…
$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…
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…
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…