While I bonds are not a total answer to inflation, they can play a role in at least reducing it or helping to solve it.

I bonds are an investment that benefits from inflation

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer REGION - Inflation news is almost always grim. But I bonds, a low-risk investment that flies under the radar for...
Mike Festa

Thrifty Thursdays – AARP’s fall financial series

By Mike Festa, State Director AARP Massachusetts AARP is working to ensure you have a brighter and more secure financial future. We provide free tools...
Dog Photo by Andreas-CC-BY-NC-ND-2.0.jpg

Estate planning for pets ensures your wishes are honored

By R. R. Fletcher, Contributing Writer Most people just want peace of mind―to know that the family pet will be loved and cared for after...
Boston-based attorney Marcia Wagner says apart from changing federal estate tax laws, the most important factor in estate planning may be a last will and testament.

How to avoid mistakes in estate planning

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer REGION - If you’re considering estate planning, you might be putting it off until you’re older. Keep it simple, you...
The IRS has announced an ambitious plan for improving its customer service, which gets poor reviews from many taxpayers.

IRS launches ambitious plan to improve customer service

By Debbie Spingarn, Contributing Writer REGION - When Teresa Fern, 52, of Norfolk had her social security number stolen, the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) was...
DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union), is a well-known Massachusetts-based credit union, headquartered in Marlborough. Pictured is the Solomon Pond branch in that city. Photo/Submitted

Credit unions offer an alternative to big banks for consumers

By Debbie Spingarn, Contributing Writer REGION - If you’re tired of high banking fees, long telephone hold times and poor customer service, maybe your current...
“For lower-income individuals, I would say annuities might still make sense if they don’t plan to leave a bequest,” says Gal Wettstein, senior research economist for the Boston College Center for Retirement Research.. (Photo/submitted)

Are annuities right for you?

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer REGION - For decades, people have been buying annuities for a lot of reasons that sounded positive. They are long-term...
Mike Festa

Five things to know about Social Security

By Mike Festa, AARP Massachusetts State Director Social Security is your money — you earned it through a lifetime of hard work. And like most...
With all the financial considerations of bankruptcy, one other factor is not measured in dollars and cents―the psychological impact.

Should you declare bankruptcy?

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer REGION - If you’re considering bankruptcy, there are a lot of lawyers in Massachusetts who can help. And many offer...
“Retirees are likely to see another sizable increase in their Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for their Social Security payments in 2023,” due to higher interest rates, says Susan Moore of Moore Financial Advisors in Watertown. Photo/Submitted

Higher interest rates are a double-edged sword

By Sharon Longo, Contributing Writer REGION - Having some money set aside may provide a sense of security, but many people often feel insecure when...