Photo by Artem Podrez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/car-with-open-hood-8985969/ I love this definition by Brainly: “The metaphor “under the hood” refers to the internal workings or complexities of a system that are not immediately visible, often used in contexts like technology or mechanics. It emphasizes understanding the details that support the surface-level functionality.” I must admit, knowing what’s under […]
Were you aware that Social Security is fully transitioning to Electronic Payments? The Social Security Administration is quietly removing one of its payment options in response to an executive order passed last fall. As of June 2026, 99.6% of all claimants receive their checks this way, but more than 283,000 still receive physical checks by
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Mark your calendars! The Parent Plus student loans will undergo changes on July 1, 2026. https://www.ppsl.org/ outlines the changes for you, so you can be ready to be ready. What’s Changing? New Borrowing Limits Starting on July 1, 2026: Loss of Access to Some Affordable Repayment Plans, also starting on July 1, 2026 Image by
Happy May! Watching the trees, grass, and flowers at this time of year invites us to celebrate and notice changes all around. If you had asked me twenty years ago about topics of interest, I doubt I would have considered the elements of contingency planning I focus on today! Image by WOKANDAPIX from Pixabay Thinking
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I read two separate articles about Passports this week. They caught my attention as it is that time of year when people are talking about travel! If you’re planning summer travel and having a valid passport is a part of your plans, here are important updates for you. The demand for passports has gone up,
Traveling when we’re older happens frequently! I was surprised by a quiet regulatory update from the Social Security Administration and wanted to share it today. As of December 2025, the SSA paid benefits to approximately 75 million people, of whom about 11 million were under age 65 and receiving disability benefits, and nearly 5 million
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Inherited IRAs have been in the news of late. Whether you are planning to leave your IRA to someone or you receive someone’s IRA, planning includes understanding the legislative rules that will apply. The Secure Act of 2019 mandated that certain heirs must withdraw all money from an inherited IRA within 10 years of the original account
Keeping up with your digital life is crazy enough. What happens to your digital life after you’re gone is something to prepare for while you’re still living. Some social media accounts now provide the ability to name a “legacy contact” for their platform. PC Magazine provided information on their site, which I’m sharing today. Password
What happens to the $$ in your checking and/or savings account when you die? Many people assume their will determines this—but they’re often wrong. Access to cash in life, during illness, and after you’re gone is why I’m writing about beneficiaries for your bank account today. This question comes up often in my work with
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Tax season is officially open in the US. It’s time to gather your tax documents to prepare for your filing! If you don’t have the right paperwork, you could miss out on thousands of dollars in new savings or trigger an audit. Between the massive changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and
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