In 2022, Phyllis Wiseberg, a 90-year-old widow lost $20,000 when cybercriminals withdrew the money from her account. Her story, shared by the National Council on Aging, is devastating, but unfortunately not uncommon. Financial exploitation is a reality many seniors face, especially in the age of online scams. Here are actions you can take to help financially safeguard your loved ones.
We’re joining forces with our partner, trusted national nonprofit GreenPath Financial Wellness, to spotlight free resources designed to help you deepen your financial capability. “Financial Capability” has been defined by the U.S. Treasury as “the capacity, based on knowledge, skills, and access, to manage financial resources effectively.”
Building and maintaining financial capability is a distinct journey for each of us; a cycle of learning (and sometimes relearning what you thought you already knew) and a willingness to evaluate your money habits. It’s also about making informed decisions, being proactive with money management, and acknowledging your own progress along the way.
In that spirit, here are five articles, worksheets, tools, and online courses that can serve as a starting point for building your financial capability. While these resources are only available in English at this time, GreenPath provides free, one-on-one personalized financial counseling in hundreds of languages. If you have questions about any of these topics, reach out to speak with someone in the language you are most comfortable with.
Did you know that the number of family caregivers supporting older adults increased by nearly one-third between 2011 and 2022? This trend means more individuals are juggling the responsibilities of caring for both aging parents and their own children. For dual caregivers, the financial strain is overwhelming: nearly 80% of family caregivers incur out-of-pocket costs averaging $7,200 annually.
You probably know that putting together a budget is the first step in taking control of your finances, but did you know there are different ways to create a budget? Here are a few of the popular methods people use.
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and for those of us who are trying to save, celebrating properly might seem like a tall task. Fear not, because there are plenty of free or inexpensive things you can do with your significant other for a romantic date night for Valentine’s Day and all year round.
Having a regular income isn’t the only thing you need to think about when preparing for the future. Here are a few steps to take once you have that job and cash flow in order to create more security.
“Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) services have become increasingly popular, offering a tempting alternative to credit cards. A 2022 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that from 2019 to 2021, the number of BNPL loans originated in the U.S. by the five lenders it surveyed grew from 16.8 million to 180 million, highlighting how appealing these services are to consumers.
The holidays are here, bringing that familiar urge to spend a little extra on the people we love. It’s a good feeling…until the bills arrive. If you’ve ever found yourself dreading your January credit card statements, you’re not alone. With thoughtful planning, you can keep your holiday joy intact without taking on holiday debt.
Keeping your mind sharp at any age is an important part of living. Some people try word or number puzzles with success in slowing cognitive issues. Here are a few other ways you can improve or maintain a healthy memory.