DEAR DAVID: LAST WEEK, you emailed me, “If you had $20,000, didn’t want to take risk and wanted the best return, how would you invest?” It’s a timeless issue, most likely first asked the day after money was invented.
You may be wondering why, besides asking where your money is currently invested, which turns out to be Bank of America at 0.2%, I haven’t asked about your risk tolerance, current financial situation and future financial needs.

I PASSED ON MANY activities when I was younger because I didn’t think I could do them. I simply didn’t have a great deal of self-confidence. It was only after I had some accomplishments to my name that my attitude changed and I became bolder in my efforts.
Along the way, a saying I came across helped me overcome my lack of self-confidence. It’s attributed to Henry Ford, the father of the first broadly affordable mass-produced American automobile,

PEOPLE DEBATE JUST about everything in personal finance. Among these arguments: how best to measure risk. Partisans on this topic tend to fall into one of two camps.
In the first group are those who believe risk can be distilled down to a single number. For these folks, the most common numerical yardstick is portfolio volatility—that is, the degree to which a portfolio’s price bounces around from year to year. Portfolios exhibiting lower volatility are deemed safer.

GRIEF IS A HEAVY cloak, but when it’s entangled with the financial fallout of a loved one passing without a will, the weight can become unbearable. This was my reality when my mother passed away unexpectedly. There were no clear instructions, no designated beneficiaries, just a confusing mess of assets and debts that threatened to drown me in a sea of paperwork and emotional turmoil.
The Intricacies of Intestacy. Since Mom didn’t have a will,

AS RETIREMENT approaches, one of the pivotal decisions many individuals face is when to start claiming Social Security benefits. It’s a choice that carries significant implications for financial security in the later stages of life. While the full retirement age (FRA) for Social Security benefits is typically between 66 and 67, many opt to claim benefits as early as age 62. This was the case for my husband and me, and our decision was guided by a blend of personal circumstances and financial considerations.

RETIREMENT. THE GOLDEN years. A time for travel, relaxation, and maybe a move to a quaint, low-maintenance condo. At least, that’s the image often portrayed. But for us, retirement wasn’t about shrinking our lives. We decided against the downsizing trend, opting to stay put in our familiar home filled with memories. Here’s why we chose comfort over perceived practicality:
The Heart of Our History. Our house isn’t just bricks and mortar; it’s a chronicle of our lives.

IN THE DYNAMIC AND often volatile world of investing, simplicity can be a powerful ally. While the allure of complex strategies and exotic investments may seem appealing, many investors find themselves overwhelmed and underperforming as a result. Enter the three-fund portfolio—a straightforward, diversified approach that offers numerous benefits to investors of all levels. In this article, we delve into why investors should embrace this minimalist strategy and explore specific index funds that can help build a robust portfolio.

THE GLINT OF a polished mahogany desk, the thrill of a closing handshake—that’s the image they paint of being a financial advisor. But for many of us starting out, the reality was a cramped cubicle and the relentless pressure to churn out variable annuity sales. For five years, I was a cog in that machine, and let me tell you, the shine wears off fast.
The Allure of the Annuity. Fresh out of college,

MONEY MAY NOT BUY happiness directly, but it can certainly be a powerful tool for creating a more fulfilling life. The key lies in spending strategically, focusing on experiences and investments that nurture well-being rather than fleeting pleasures. Here are five smart ways to leverage your finances for a happier you:
1. Invest in Experiences, Not Things. Research shows that experiences bring us more long-term joy than material possessions. Think about it: The thrill of a weekend getaway with friends or the excitement of learning a new skill likely linger in your memory far longer than the satisfaction of a new gadget.

THE GOLDEN YEARS of life are often heralded as a time of relaxation and freedom, but for many, this period brings with it the daunting complexities of health care management. My journey through the labyrinth of Medicare Advantage and the elusive Medigap plan is a testament to the challenges faced by countless seniors across the nation.
The Allure of Medicare Advantage. Initially, the promise of Medicare Advantage seemed like a beacon of hope.

COULD HUMBLEDOLLAR be replaced by a website chock-full of articles created using artificial intelligence? The short answer: It would be remarkably easy—and I fear readers wouldn’t object, especially if they didn’t know how the articles were generated.
To show what’s possible, I requested eight personal-finance articles from three freely available artificial intelligence (AI) tools, ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot. The first of those articles is published today, with the other seven appearing over the next four days.

LIFE HAS A CURIOUS way of presenting us with unexpected opportunities for growth and learning. For me, one such moment occurred during an ordinary workday when I found myself trapped in an elevator with none other than Jack Bogle, the iconic figure in the world of finance and founder of Vanguard Group. Little did I know that this unforeseen predicament would lead to a profound exchange of ideas and invaluable investment lessons.
The day had started like any other,

I’VE NEVER BEEN MUCH of a collector. As a kid, I tried collecting comic books for a short time. I found that, after I read them, I had little use for them. I stored the comic books in an open box in my closet, where their translucent sleeves attracted a thick blanket of dust but little interest.
Later in life, I started a small wine collection. I didn’t get too far. It turns out I drank the wine at a rate far quicker than I acquired new vintages.

THOSE WHO REGULARLY read posts on Bogleheads.org—and I’m guessing a good chunk of HumbleDollar readers do—know that the Bogleheads’ philosophy is to:

Never time the markets.
Buy only broad-market index funds via either mutual funds or exchange-traded funds.
Invest 25% to 75% of a portfolio in stocks using such funds, with the rest in bonds, and thereafter rebalance as needed. How big a percentage should you put in stocks? That’s based on risk tolerance.

I’VE BEEN WRITING FOR and reading HumbleDollar for more than six years.

I’m struck by the number of articles and comments that talk about things like divorce, job loss, health issues, adverse financial events and caring for elderly parents.

When articles discuss such experiences, the pieces are typically well read, with numerous comments, including many expressing empathy. The amount of personal information shared is amazing. No doubt readers can relate to many of these events.