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Inflation Insights and Work-Arounds

Money Talk

For example, how much more you are paying for gas, utilities, and food than you did a year ago? Substitute to Save: Non-Food Items - Consider purchases of clothing, furniture, housewares, electronics, and more at thrift shops, garage sales, and online sales platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, Craigslist, Nextdoor, and eBay.

Food 278
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Mid-Year Financial Tweaks and Tasks

Money Talk

Below are ten mid-year financial tweaks and tasks: Tax-Deferred Savings Tweak - Perhaps you will get a raise on July 1. Consider completing the paperwork needed to save more money from July to December in your employer’s tax-deferred retirement savings plan. The 2023 maximum pre-tax contribution is $3,050.

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2022 Personal Finance Year in Review

Money Talk

There was a four-decade high in core inflation that excludes food and energy and inflation eclipsed strong wage gains for many workers. Inflation Impacts - Higher prices affected the following household expenses: food, restaurant meals, apartment rents, air fares, child-rearing expenses, and utility bills. in November.

Finance 244
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Ten Upsides of Inflation

Money Talk

Not surprisingly, much of the news was negative; e.g., soaring prices for food, gas, utilities, cars, insurance, and more. Marginal Tax Brackets - Income ranges in the seven marginal tax brackets ranging from 10% to 37% are inflation-based. When bracket incomes rise, people may be taxed at lower tax rates.

401(k) 246
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Financial Aspects of “Unretirement”

Money Talk

Tax on Social Security Benefits - Income from unretiring may push older taxpayers into the income range where tax is due on a portion of Social Security benefits. Tax Withholding Adjustments - Adding income from employment to what could be multiple streams of income in later life (e.g., food, gas, utilities, housing, etc.)

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Financial and Lifestyle Insights- Part 2

Money Talk

Used car prices had one of the biggest price increases in the core inflation rate, which strips out food and energy. Think Tax Efficiency - Plan ahead to pay the least amount of taxes legally due on retirement savings. Tax efficiency can have a significant impact on portfolio longevity.

Taxes 242
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Make the Most of Free Money

Money Talk

Free money does not have any work requirement, however, and is often income tax-free. 50% for a fifty cent per employee dollar saved match) and is taxed as ordinary income in retirement. Like inheritances, life insurance is generally not subject to income tax. If they didn’t discover their tax error, they would not have it.