Bedel Blog

Nine million Americans are victims of identity theft each year, are you one of them? Find out which online activity creates the highest risk for identity theft and what you can do to protect yourself and your data.

Parents, don't leave free money for your students lying around! A 2018 NerdWallet study found that eligible high school seniors left $2.6 billion worth on the table. Regardless of income or wealth, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should be the first step for any student. Read on for details on the basics, the complexities and the results.

Welcome to To Your Wealth, a simplified, weekly, personal-wealth Q&A! Sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know…Or perhaps you just have that one issue keeping you up at night. Either way, every Tuesday, we’ll be answering one of your personal finance questions, so be sure to keep those queries coming. Click on Submit a Question below, and then keep an eye out for when your question will be featured!

Looking to provide scholarship funds to your alma mater or favorite school? Gifting to a scholarship-granting organization (SGO) allows you to do just that while also realizing great tax benefits. Read on for all the details to help you put money in your alma mater’s pocket, while keeping a bit more in your own!

It’s easy for wasteful spending to go undetected, especially if you’ve developed any of these bad habits. You work hard for your paycheck, so make sure you’re spending it in the right places. We cover some of the easiest places to spend more money than you need to. Read on and then celebrate Financial Planning Month by reviewing your budget for wasted money.

In July, WeWork was one of the most talked-about IPOs in years. At that time, we noted that it was too early to say what would happen, but said: “it should be very interesting to watch it all play out.” In the span of 30 days, WeWork went from one of the most-anticipated IPOs of 2019 to an indefinitely delayed IPO and a business looking like it could be in trouble. What went wrong, and what’s next?

When a family member dies, who is responsible for their debt? The answer is, it depends. Many times the answer is no, but that is not always the case. Either way, beware of collection agencies that may try to convince you that the onus is on you. Read on for details.

Currency exchange rates around the globe are always fluctuating, including our U.S. dollar. Right now the U.S. dollar is “strong.” That’s a good thing for your wallet and the economy, right? Not necessarily. Economists can make a valid argument either way. Take a look at what determines the strength of a currency and the impact it can have.

If you’re nearing retirement age, you’re probably thinking about Medicare and the potential premiums. Did you know premiums can vary based on plan type, enrollment date and your income? You’ve worked hard for your retirement savings, make sure you’re in the know about Medicare premiums so you can avoid a costly mistake.

Any mountain climber will tell you that reaching the summit requires preparation, patience and perseverance – and the same goes for investing. Without a plan, patience, and the persistence to grow your investments despite volatility and risk, you can’t reach the “summit” of your investment plan. We explore the lessons you can learn about investing from the perspective of a mountain climber.

Disability insurance can be a confusing topic – how much coverage, which definition of disability, elimination period…But with each working adult having a 30% chance of being disabled during his/her career, it’s crucial to understand disability insurance and how it can help you make ends meet if you become disabled.

Becoming the trustee of a trust or choosing a trustee for your trust is not a decision that should be taken lightly. There are many traits you should be looking for and responsibilities you should be aware of before committing to choose or become a trustee. We’ve broken down the responsibilities, as well as what qualities a trustee should possess to help make the process a bit easier for you.