Dear Dave, What exactly is the debt snowball, and why is it such an important part of your plan? -Lee Dear Lee, The debt snowball is Baby Step 2 of my plan for getting out of debt and gaining control of your finances. Specifically, it’s the part of the... Read more

By Chris Hogan Even as the economy slowly cracks the door open and tiptoes back to pre-coronavirus activity, many of you are feeling the aftershocks of our national shutdown. And since only 40% of Americans can cover a $1,000 emergency with cash, people are robbing their retirement accounts—and their... Read more

Dear Dave, I just received a formal job offer in law enforcement. I’m debt-free, single, and I’d like to move out of a roommate situation and into my own apartment. I’ll be starting out at $34,000 a year, then moving up to $38,000 after my probationary period. You have... Read more

By Anthony ONeal Okay, I get it. The last thing your teen probably wants to think about this summer is saving money for college. But let’s be real. There’s no better time. They’re free from their normal responsibilities with classes and homework. And, after spending a ton of time... Read more

Dear Dave, Last year I got a divorce. I’m 32, a teacher and a single mom. I’m on Baby Step 2 right now, and I was wondering about life insurance. My son is only two, and if something happened to me, he would go to his father. His dad... Read more

Dear Dave, We’d like to start preparing for the future, but our debt is preventing us from investing for retirement. Would it be okay to use a home equity line of credit to start investing? We were thinking the eventual returns might justify doing this. -Nick Dear Nick, No!... Read more

(StatePoint) Many Americans are feeling the effects of job loss and furloughs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For people with a chronic condition, loss of insurance coverage can create additional stress during this uncertain time. However, it’s vitally important for them to stay adherent to their medication... Read more

Dear Dave, What percentage of our income should we save for our kids’ education? We know you recommend setting aside 15 percent for retirement, but do you have a similar rule that applies to paying for college? -Andrew Dear Andrew, I don’t really have a rule, or percentage, for... Read more

By Chris Hogan In honor of Father’s Day, I want to pause, huddle up the dads out there, and give us men a quick pep talk. We have a massive opportunity to impact our children’s lives, for better or worse. I have three incredible boys, and I want to... Read more

(StatePoint) Workplace retirement plans, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457 plans, provide an important long-term savings tool for many Americans. About 55 percent of U.S. workers across public and private sectors participated in workplace retirement plans in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Internal Revenue Service annually... Read more