Buy Side from WSJ — Expert Shopping Advice and Reviews (original) (raw)

Should My Retirement Savings Be Pretax or Posttax?

Personal FinanceShould My Retirement Savings Be Pretax or Posttax?

“I know I am supposed to save at least 10% of my income for retirement, but is that pretax or posttax?”You’re correct that a general guideline is to save at least 10% of your income for retirement—and that the figure will look ...

By Mallika Mitra

June 27, 2024

Will Filing Taxes Jointly Save Money?

Personal FinanceWill Filing Taxes Jointly Save Money?

Considering that a vast majority of couples file their taxes jointly each year, it must save them money, right? That's the conventional wisdom, but the reality is a bit more nuanced.Filing jointly tends to net couples the most ...

By E. Napoletano

June 27, 2024

The Best Loans for Bad Credit in July 2024

Personal FinanceThe Best Loans for Bad Credit in July 2024

Nearly 13% of Americans have poor credit (a FICO score below 580), according to Experian data. While many lenders will deny your application if you have bad credit, others may not. Lenders that work with people with bad credit ...

By Jessica Walrack

June 27, 2024

Your Credit Score Affects Your Car Insurance Rate—Here’s How to Save

Personal FinanceYour Credit Score Affects Your Car Insurance Rate—Here’s How to Save

Your vehicle’s make and model and your driving history all affect the car insurance premiums you’ll pay. However, there’s another factor that you may not realize impacts your rate: your credit score.In many states, car insuranc...

By Kat Tretina

June 17, 2024

Does Turning Off Your A/C When You’re Not Home Actually Save Money?

Personal FinanceDoes Turning Off Your A/C When You’re Not Home Actually Save Money?

Summer is quickly approaching, and that means high temperatures and even higher electric bills. In fact, according to a recent study, average electric costs for June through September are expected to reach $719 this year. That’...

By Aly J. Yale

June 16, 2024

The Best Compression Socks, According to Doctors, Physical Therapists and Travel Pros

WellnessThe Best Compression Socks, According to Doctors, Physical Therapists and Travel Pros

When you think of compression socks, you may picture those medical-looking garments you’ve seen at the pharmacy. But these socks, designed to stimulate blood flow and increase circulation, have a wide range of uses—and some of ...

By Rachel Chang

June 15, 2024

Why Do Lenders Keep Inviting Me to Check My Credit?

Personal FinanceWhy Do Lenders Keep Inviting Me to Check My Credit?

“Often I get invitations from credit cards or lenders to check my credit and it states ‘it won’t impact your credit.’ How is that possible?”The credit card invitations you are receiving are likely preapproved offers, where the ...

How to Use Biweekly Mortgage Payments to Pay Off Your Home Loan ASAP

Personal FinanceHow to Use Biweekly Mortgage Payments to Pay Off Your Home Loan ASAP

A simple change to when you make your mortgage payments can save you thousands of dollars—and a few years—on your mortgage obligation.Many people dream of saying goodbye to their mortgage and living debt-free. Perhaps the most ...

By Aly J. Yale

June 13, 2024

We Have $7,000 to Invest for Our Grandchild—What Should We Do With It?

Personal FinanceWe Have $7,000 to Invest for Our Grandchild—What Should We Do With It?

“My 5-year-old granddaughter received a small amount of money—$7,000—from a settlement of an estate. What would be the best way to invest this to get the maximum amount of return for her? A little background: Her father (my son...

By Chris Taylor

June 12, 2024

What the Fed’s Interest Rate Decision Means for Savers

Personal FinanceWhat the Fed’s Interest Rate Decision Means for Savers

Banks and credit unions have started slowly lowering the interest rates they pay savers amid expectations that the Federal Reserve will eventually cut a key benchmark rate. But with the central bank expected to move slowly, the...

By Steve Garmhausen

June 11, 2024