Retirement is something that most people think about, regardless of their age. Whether it’s to obsess over their savings or plan what to do during their golden years, many people spend a great deal of time thinking ahead. Most company pensions are a thing of the past, and some younger folks express skepticism that retirement benefits provided by the Social Security Administration will be sufficient (or available at all) by the time they retire. For those looking to get a head start on retirement planning, financial wellness programs can provide many valuable tools, information, and insights.

Without a health insurance plan, you could be on the hook to pay an expensive medical bill next time you visit a hospital. There’s a plan out there for everyone, so here’s a look at the types of health insurance plans to find the right one for you to avoid medical debt.

If you don’t have a good health insurance plan, now’s the time to get one.

Whether you have accrued debt from student loans, credit cards, or other means, getting out of debt can take decades of hard work. High interest rates, unexpected expenses, and low earnings can all contribute to mounting debt. Fortunately, there are some approaches that borrowers can take to minimize their debt over time. If you have recently decided to redouble your efforts and focus on reducing debt, there are a few strategies to help you determine which debts to tackle and when. 

For those who are just starting to get serious about their money, delving into personal finance education is a critical endeavor. Not everyone is exposed to finance-focused lessons in school. Many of us are expected to jump right into adulthood with very little formal education on things like loans, investing, and credit. If you are just starting your personal finance education journey, consider learning more about these three topics.

Long-term care in America is expensive, and if you’re not prepared to pay for it, you could find your hard-earned lifelong savings disappearing quickly.

Understanding long-term care costs and financial planning for eldercare is crucial for preserving wealth while you seek assistance for the activities of daily living you can longer do by yourself due to chronic illness, disability, injury or old age.

Few things in life are as exciting and intimidating as buying a home for the first time. For first-time homeowners, the process can appear incredibly overwhelming. It can seem like there are a million different tasks that need to be done in tandem, with each one ready to go before anything can proceed. However, with a little bit of research and a lot of planning and hard work, buying a home is an achievable goal for many Americans. Fortunately, there are a few basic steps that beginners can take to prepare before buying a home for the first time.

When most people intensify their financial planning efforts, career planning often falls by the wayside. Budgeting, debt reduction, and investing and saving strategies are typically the focus. However, career planning is a crucial part of preparing for your financial future. No matter how great you are at pinching pennies, a meager salary can put severe limits on the goals you are able to achieve. If you are considering your future financial plans, take some time to assess the state of your professional life. Follow these career planning tips to improve your economic outlook.

Most financial responsibilities are predictable, but you need rainy-day funds to deal with the unpredictable. Do you have enough?

Financial crises do arise, times when you must pay for something unexpectedly and immediately. A medical emergency could keep you out of work. Your car could break down. Home repairs could become immediately necessary. In the meantime, all your regular bills are still due.  Think of an emergency fund as something you build, rather than something you have. Circumstances such as these are not pleasant to consider, but they happen.

Are you prepared?

Spending habits can be deeply ingrained and hard to break — they’re called habits because they’re regular behaviors you might not consciously think about.

A big part of why we want to make (or save) money in the first place is to enjoy it. But it’s hard to save for concert tickets, travel, and other bigger purchases when all your money disappears on an average Friday night.