Meta’s next big move could have serious implications for both.
Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. Meta just got a massive vote of confidence from Wall Street. According to TheStreet, Piper Sandler bumped its price target from $650 to $808, betting that artificial intelligence isn’t just another tech buzzword but the…
The standard definition of net worth leaves out some common hidden assets.
When you think about your financial future, you probably picture a number: the sum of your savings, investments, and home equity, minus your debts. That’s your net worth. But here’s the problem: that number only tells part of the story. Net worth is a widely used financial metric, but it’s also a limited one. It undercounts the assets and guarantees that provide true long-term financial…
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned from years of studying personal finance, it’s this: Building wealth is less about doing all the right things and more about avoiding a few key wrong things.
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The good news is most mistakes are fixable. And the earlier you catch them, the more your money can grow.
Let’s walk through the biggest retirement savings mistakes I see — and, more importantly, how to avoid them.
The biggest advantage you have in retirement planning is time. But too many people don’t start saving until their 30s, 40s, or even later.
The earlier you start investing, the more your money has a chance to snowball thanks to compound growth.
Here’s what your savings could look like if you invest just $500 per month, assuming an 8% annual return:
| Investing Period | Future Value |
|---|---|
| 10 years | $86,919 |
| 20 years | $274,572 |
| 30 years | $679,699 |
| 40 years | $1,554,339 |
And if you invest $1,000 a month instead? You can double those numbers.
The takeaway is the sooner you start, the less you need to save later. Even small contributions add up when you give them time to grow.
If you’re late to the party, it’s not too late to show up. Yesterday might have been the best time to invest, but the second best time is today.
The internet loves a good get-rich-quick story. But in real life, slow and steady wins.
Case in point: There are now more 401(k) millionaires in the U.S. than ever before, according to Fidelity. Most of them didn’t make flashy investments. They stuck to a simple plan and let time do the heavy lifting.
Low-fee, diversified investments (like index funds and target-date funds) are the foundation for many of these long-term success stories. These funds tend to have low fees (less than 0.5% of your investment, usually) and solid long-term returns.
In fact, from 1926 through early 2025, the S&P 500 Index has returned an average of about 10% per year. If you buy an S&P 500 index fund, you’ll own a piece of all 500 companies and share in their long-term profits.
Almost all online brokers offer index and target-date funds, and they’re usually included in workplace retirement plans, too. If you’re not sure where to start, these are great options to explore.
And there’s no harm in getting a second opinion or having an expert review your retirement portfolio.
A short questionnaire from our partner, SmartAsset, helps match you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors, each legally bound to work in your best interest.
Putting all your retirement savings into taxable brokerage accounts can limit your growth.
Instead, investing through tax-advantaged retirement accounts can help your money grow much more efficiently.
If you’re earning decent income now and expect to be in a lower tax bracket later, a traditional 401(k) or IRA might give you the biggest tax break. Traditional 401(k)s and IRAs give you an upfront income tax break, but you’ll pay income tax on your future withdrawals.
But if you think your taxes will be higher in retirement — or you just prefer to take future income tax out of the equation — a Roth IRA could be the better choice. With Roth accounts, you pay taxes on the money you contribute now, but you can withdraw money tax-free later.
When it comes to retirement, bad advice can be expensive. And no advice can be even worse.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of listening to a friend, a social media influencer, or your cousin who “knows a guy.” But personal finance is, well…personal. The best plan for someone else might not be the best plan for you.
Even if you’ve been doing things on your own so far, there’s real value in having a second set of eyes on your plan — especially from someone who’s trained to spot gaps and opportunities.
The right advice can help you retire sooner, save more, and sleep better.
Our partner SmartAsset’s secure quiz matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors who have passed a rigorous vetting process.
If you’re serious about building a future you’re excited about, don’t leave it up to chance.
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We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Joel O’Leary has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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A proposed tax credit increase could help some families more than others.
Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links within this article, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend. A major spending package outlining how the government proposes to use taxpayer money was recently approved by the Senate. The bill includes an expanded child tax credit, which could mean hundreds more dollars in your…
The economy’s giving off mixed signals right now. Inflation is cooling, but not quite down to the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Interest rates are high, but cuts keep getting kicked down the road. Tariff worries continue to grow, but their overall effect is still unclear.
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Nobody quite knows what’s coming next.
That’s why July might be one of the better months to lock in a personal loan. You can get a predictable rate, consolidate debt before back-to-school and holiday expenses kick in, and not have to stress about whether lenders will tighten their standards later this year.
One of the biggest benefits of a personal loan is stability.
Unlike credit cards with variable APRs, most personal loans come with fixed interest rates and a set payoff timeline. That means your payments won’t change, even if the Fed shakes things up later this year.
Right now, the average personal loan APR is 12.65% for borrowers with good credit, according to Bankrate. That’s about half the average APR of credit cards, which sits at around 24.33%.
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of how that looks with a $10,000 loan and a five-year payback period.
| Loan | APR | Monthly Payment | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 24.33% | $289 | $7,375 |
| Personal loan | 12.65% | $226 | $3,545 |
If you’re carrying credit card balances, consolidating with a personal loan could save you thousands in interest. Compare today’s top debt consolidation loan options and see what rate you qualify for.
I track my expenses religiously, and I can tell you without a doubt the most expensive months in my household are July, August, November, and December.
Family vacations, backyard projects, kids in summer camps, etc. — it can be an expensive season for many families across the U.S.
Taking a personal loan can help you:
Some folks even use personal loans as a cash cushion heading into back-to-school season or the fall holiday blitz.
If you’re thinking about applying for a personal loan, timing can make a big difference.
Lenders tend to adjust their offers based on broader economic conditions. With potential interest rate shifts, inflation, and market volatility still on the table, loan terms could change in the months ahead.
That might mean fewer promotional rates, stricter approval criteria, or higher credit score requirements.
There’s no perfect month to borrow money. But July checks a lot of boxes with lending standards being pretty flexible (for now) and summer spending in full swing.
So if you’re planning to knock out some credit card debt, tackle a big expense, or simply lock in some stability before the financial picture potentially gets murkier, now’s a smart time to act. Find the right personal loan for your needs and lock in your rate today.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
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Do you have a bank account?
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If so, there’s a good chance you’re missing out on hundreds of dollars per year without realizing it. The average savings account pays just 0.38% APY as of June 2025, according to the FDIC. That rate will earn you just $38 in interest on a $10,000 balance over the course of one year.
The good news? You can easily earn 10 times that amount, just by moving your money — with no risk and barely any effort. Here’s how.
High-yield savings accounts (HYSAs) offer much better interest rates than traditional savings accounts. The best ones offer about 4.00% APY or higher and are also free to open and maintain.
Let’s say you open an HYSA that earns 4.40% APY. That same $10,000 from above would earn you $440 in one year in interest — an increase of more than $400 — and your money stays just as safe and accessible.
Most HYSAs are also FDIC insured (up to $250,000), just like traditional bank accounts. Because online banks save money on overhead and physical locations, they’re able to pass the savings on to you.
Want to earn more on your savings now? Open one of our favorite high-yield savings accounts today to start racking up interest.
You can start the switch by simply comparing high-yield savings accounts. Look for one with an APY of at least 3.60%, no monthly fees, no minimum balance requirements, and FDIC insurance, which protects up to $250,000 of your money in the event of bank failure.
Next, you’ll want to apply to open your new account. You’ll just need some basic personal information, your Social Security number, and possibly a small opening deposit. Most banks do a soft credit check, too, which won’t affect your credit score.
Once your new account is open, simply link it to your old savings account and transfer your funds. You don’t have to close the old account right away — just make sure you won’t be charged fees for low balances or inactivity.
You’ll also want to make sure all automatic deposits, transfers, and withdrawals are moved to your new account. I recommend reviewing your last few bank statements, making a list of everything that goes in and out of your old account — direct deposits, subscriptions, automatically paid bills, and more — and moving them to your new bank.
Once you’re up and running, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits of your new account.
Not sure where to start? Check out our full list of the top high-yield savings accounts available today.
HYSAs give you the best of both worlds: a high APY with full access to your money. You can deposit or withdraw cash anytime without penalties, unlike a certificate of deposit (CD) or other fixed-term savings options.
The bottom line is: If you’re still using a regular savings account, you’re probably missing out on hundreds of dollars in interest every year. Make the switch and start earning more cash today.
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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