Money Talks

We’ve got some personal finance statistics to share with you today. We hope by learning these facts you can change your life or help someone you care about change theirs. Our data comes from Morningstar. Their website says:Morningstar has been empowering investors since 1984 through research.https://www.morningstar.com/companyDiscussion:COVID rates in MississippiInflation talkways to gather finanical informationThe Earnings Gap - why?Retirement fundsImportance of savings

IRAs and Roth IRAs- what are the rules if you need to withdraw money? How do you set one up? What’s the difference between the 2 anyway?What about an inherited IRA or RMDs?What about the new rules concerning RMDs – required minimum distributions?Why do we have RMDs?Who takes them?When do you have to take them?Is there a special time of the year to take them?What can you do or what can you NOT do with the funds?Calls:RMD to a charityinherited IRAwhat to do with an old employers 401KSIMPLE IRAs: Savings Incentive Match PLan for Employeesemail difference between IRA and 401K RMDlimit to contributionshow kids learn money skills http://moneytalks.mpbonline.org/episodes/money-talks-kids-learning https://mscee.org/money and taxes

It’s less than 6 months before the gift giving holidays at the end of the year. Time to remind ourselves to not go into holiday debt. We’ve got some tips to discuss between your personal finance questions.Discussion:child tax credit - different amounts depending on age of child and income. IT'S AN ADVANCE CHILD TAX CREDIT ON TAX RETURN. If you want to "opt out" go to https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/advance-child-tax-credit-payments-in-202110 tips for avoiding holiday debt:1) Start with a firm budget for the holidays. Include gifts, decorations, travel, Christmas cards and even stamps. What did you spend last year? What are you comfortable spending this year?2) Make a gift list and stick to it. Keep track of your spending.3) Pay in cash. Studies have shown that consumers spend less when paying cash. 4) Pay off current credit card debt before adding additional charges.5) If you’re crafty, start now making gifts.6) Start tucking away a portion of each paycheck into a holiday fund now. 7) Sell some items for extra cash. 8) Use your card’s rewards points or cash rewards for holiday shopping.9) Set expectations for the gift exchange. 10) Book holiday travel early.https://www.forbes.com/sites/billhardekopf/2020/11/17/10-tips-to-avoid-credit-card-debt-during-the-holidays/https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/how-to/how-to-avoid-holiday-debthttps://www.biblemoneymatters.com/begin-preparing-now-for-christmas-expenses-to-avoid-holiday-debt/https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/five-step-spending-plan-avoid-holiday-debt/