Here's the Money Roundup for a mid-May day. We hope you find these articles to be interesting and helpful.
Trump's big tax bill is in jeopardy. Here's why some in GOP are getting cold feet. (Dow Jones via Morningstar). Fiscal conservatives are unhappy with the "tax cuts now, spending cuts later approach." Understandably so.
Average Social Security claiming age is trending higher (Kiplinger). Fewer people are claiming Social Security benefits at age 62. (Note: The article has an unclear reference to "elimination of the earnings test." That test goes away only after one reaches Social Security's "full retirement age.")
Building a Social Security bridge (Retirement Researcher). Here are several options for generating retirement income while delaying Social Security claiming. Each has pros and cons.
Financial blind spots: The mistakes we don't know we're making (Tim Maurer, Forbes). "The thing about blind spots is that we can't see them."
Hail damage insurance claims: Is filing worth the cost and hassle? (Kiplinger). Two of our SMI staffers have found filing a hail-damage claim to be well worth it.
84-month auto loans?! (Ben Carlson, A Wealth of Common Sense). "Your financial flexibility is severely curtailed when you borrow for that long."
What Scrooge effect? Americans keep giving, despite the welfare state (Paul Mueller, The Daily Economy). "For most Americans, the tax-deductible element of charitable giving is practically irrelevant. Yet they give anyway."
From stewardship to generosity: How to cultivate a culture of giving in your church (Christian Stewardship Network). From "obligation" to "overflow."
Your comments are welcome below!
