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Weekly articles on finance, policy & planning
That Travel Nursing Contract Looks Great. Here's What the Agency Isn't Telling You.
The offer lands in your inbox. $58/hour, housing stipend, meals and incidentals.It looks incredible. But two nurses working the same hospital in the same specialty can take home wildly different amounts -- because the math inside those contracts is designed to be confusing.Here's how to actually read one.
The Military Retirement Decision Worth $200,000
In 2018, the Defense Department gave service members a choice that most of them didn't fully understand.Switch to the Blended Retirement System (BRS) -- get a smaller pension but gain a TSP match. Or stay on the legacy High-3 system -- keep the full pension, get no match.Thousands made that decision in 20 minutes. Some of those decisions were worth $200,000 or more -- in the wrong direction.If you're still serving, or you're already retired and wondering what your actual monthly number is going to be, this is worth 5 minutes of your time.
The Retirement Account W-2 Workers Don't Have Access to
In 2026, a W-2 employee can contribute up to $23,500 to their 401(k).If you're self-employed with a Solo 401(k), you can contribute up to $70,000.Same tax code. Three times the shelter. Most self-employed people have no idea this exists -- or they've heard of it but haven't run the numbers.
The Teacher Pension Math Your District Never Showed You
You were told you'd have a pension. You were told it would be enough.Most teachers find out the truth around year 15 -- when it's too late to easily change course.Here's what nobody explained clearly at orientation.
Social Security Fairness Act One Year In: What Teachers Are Actually Receiving — And What To Do Next
The WEP/GPO repeal is law and payments are flowing, but not every teacher has claimed what they are owed. Here is how to check your numbers.