With $930,000 in her 401(k), Diane could withdraw $37,200 each year before taxes. The problem is, she will have to live off that alone until she can start claiming Social Security benefits.To avoid this problem, many retirees use a common retirement budgeting tactic — the 4% rule — to ensure there’s enough money from their retirement accounts when making withdrawals, even when adjusted for inflation.For example, since Diane can’t claim Social Security benefits yet, the $930,000 in her 401(k) needs to be tru ...

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Companies, Inc. will announce its fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings on February 26, 2026, followed by a conference call to discuss the results [1]. Group 1: Company Overview - Rocket Companies is a Detroit-based fintech platform that includes mortgage, real estate, title, and personal finance businesses [3]. - The company operates several brands, including Rocket Mortgage, Redfin, Mr. Cooper, Rocket Close, Rocket Money, and Rocket Loans [3]. Group 2: Data and Insights - Rocket Companies utilizes insights from over 160 million client calls annually and manages 30 petabytes of data [4]. - The company aims to be a leader in AI-driven homeownership solutions [4]. Group 3: Client Satisfaction - Rocket Mortgage has been ranked 1 in client satisfaction for primary mortgage origination and servicing by J.D. Power a total of 23 times, the highest among mortgage lenders [4].

If managing a budget feels overwhelming to you, apps like Rocket Money can simplify the process.A surefire way to increase the odds you’ll make a list and actually stick to it is by preparing a budget.What they all have in common is the steadfastness to invest in the long term and stick with it. They’re also methodical shoppers: 85% of respondents use a grocery list. Nearly a third (28%) always stick to their list, while 57% sort of stick with it.They might not work at high-paying jobs, but Ramsey’s survey ...

Core Insights - The article emphasizes the role of AI in helping consumers achieve their financial resolutions for 2026, with over half of consumers reportedly using AI for financial advice or information, and 13% using it daily for banking and financial services [1][2]. Group 1: AI Applications for Financial Management - AI can assist in transforming vague financial goals into clear, actionable plans, enabling users to set realistic and measurable targets [3][4]. - Consumers can utilize AI to identify and cancel unused subscriptions, with the average U.S. adult spending $1,080 annually on subscriptions, including nearly $200 on those that are unused [4][5]. - AI tools can facilitate bill negotiations, allowing users to save on monthly expenses by drafting communication or negotiating on their behalf [6][7]. Group 2: Smart Spending and Savings Automation - AI-powered shopping tools can help consumers shop smarter by finding the best prices, setting alerts, and tracking price histories [8][9]. - Automating savings decisions through AI can alleviate decision fatigue, allowing users to establish rules for transferring funds to savings after bills are paid [10][12].

Core Viewpoint - Rocket Companies is leveraging smart technology and deep data analytics to simplify the mortgage application process and personal finance management, currently holding a market capitalization of approximately $49 billion [1]. Company Overview - Based in Detroit, Rocket has established itself as a disruptor in the homebuying and personal finance sectors, with Rocket Mortgage being one of the largest retail mortgage lenders in the U.S. The company also operates Rocket Homes, Rocket Loans, and Rocket Money, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for buyers and sellers [2]. Stock Performance - Rocket Companies (RKT) has seen significant stock performance, with shares rising nearly 10% recently, reaching a three-year high as mortgage stocks rallied. The stock has increased by 125.49% over the past 52 weeks and 69.44% over the last six months, driven by optimism surrounding the housing market [3][6]. Market Dynamics - The U.S. housing market has faced challenges with high rates and inflated prices, but recent developments, including a proposal for government purchases of mortgage-backed securities, have shifted market sentiment [5][4]. Financial Performance - In Q3, Rocket Companies reported revenue of $1.61 billion, a 148% year-over-year increase, with adjusted EPS of $0.07, slightly below last year's $0.08 but above Wall Street's expectation of $0.04. Mortgage origination volumes rose to $32.4 billion, marking a 13.7% annual increase [10][11][12]. Servicing Portfolio - Rocket's servicing portfolio totaled $613 billion in unpaid principal balance, generating approximately $1.7 billion in recurring servicing fee income annually, providing financial stability [13]. Technological Advancements - The company has introduced AI-driven tools to enhance efficiency for loan officers and brokers, improving underwriting processes and lead management [14]. Analyst Outlook - Analysts have mixed views on Rocket's future, with expectations of a profit decline in fiscal 2025 but a projected EPS growth of 928.6% in fiscal 2026. JPMorgan has resumed coverage with a "Neutral" rating and a $24 price target, acknowledging the potential for new revenue streams from recent acquisitions [15][17][18]. Consensus Rating - Wall Street analysts have upgraded RKT stock to a consensus "Moderate Buy," with five analysts suggesting a "Strong Buy" and nine maintaining a "Hold" rating. The stock has surpassed the average price target of $21.50, with a potential upside indicated by Jefferies' target of $25 [19].

Mortgage Market Overview - Mortgage rates remain high, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.2% as of Dec. 24, despite a drop of three basis points from previous levels [2] - The Federal Open Market Committee has cut interest rates three times this year, but mortgage rates do not necessarily follow these cuts [1][2] Company Performance - Rocket Companies (RKT) has significantly outperformed its peers, with a stock gain of 72.42% this year compared to the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLF) which gained 14.47% [3] - The company has a market capitalization of $40.85 billion and has seen a stock increase of 74.91% over the past 52 weeks and 36.53% over the past six months [6][7] Strategic Moves - Rocket Companies has made strategic acquisitions, including Redfin and Mr. Cooper Group, creating a vertically integrated platform that enhances its operations [4] - The company leverages technology and data analytics to streamline the home purchase process, providing transparent and efficient solutions [6]

Core Insights - The article discusses the financial challenges faced by individuals, particularly focusing on a 73-year-old Arizona resident, Robin, who has no 401(k) and over $12,000 in student loan debt while considering buying a home in the next three years [1][2]. Financial Strategies - Dave Ramsey suggests that Robin should cash in on a universal life insurance policy to pay down her student loan faster and maximize her down payment savings afterward, advocating for a frugal lifestyle [3]. - The article highlights that 60% of baby boomers aged 61 to 65 are not on track to have enough money for retirement, indicating a broader issue within this demographic [3]. Budgeting and Financial Management - The article emphasizes the importance of budgeting as a first step in managing finances, recommending tools like Rocket Money to track income and expenditures effectively [6]. - It suggests that small habits, such as cutting unnecessary costs and redirecting savings into retirement funds, can lead to significant improvements over time [7]. - Rocket Money offers both free and premium features to assist users in managing their finances, including subscription tracking and automated savings [8].

Core Insights - The discussion highlights the disparity in rewards within capitalism, emphasizing that while some careers are highly rewarded, others, like teaching and nursing, are not [2][4] - Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger advocate for a fair tax system that supports those who are less advantaged in the capitalist framework [3][4] - Munger stresses the importance of practical steps towards achieving financial success rather than merely wishing for wealth [4] Group 1: Capitalism and Wealth Disparity - The capitalist system rewards certain skills significantly more than others, leading to economic disparity [2][4] - Munger and Buffett acknowledge the need for a taxation system that supports those who do not benefit as much from capitalism [3] Group 2: Financial Strategies for Achieving Wealth - A strong saving and investing strategy is essential for individuals to achieve millionaire status, regardless of their starting point [1] - Budgeting is crucial for understanding spending habits and enabling investment [7] - Automating investments into low-cost index funds is recommended as a strategy for consistent wealth accumulation [10][11] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Investing in real estate can be made easier through platforms like Arrived, which allows for fractional ownership without the burdens of being a landlord [15][17] - Tools like Rocket Money can help individuals manage their finances more effectively by tracking expenses and negotiating bills [8][9]

shayjo21/TikTok Moneywise and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. A mom on TikTok has gone viral for her stance on getting a second job to survive as inflation burns holes in Americans’ bank accounts. The TikTok creator by the name of @shayjo21, or simply Shay, posted a now-viral video with the caption: “$100,000 a year is the new $50,000 a year #fixitjesus.” In the clip — which was viewed more than 1.7 million times and amassed over 207,000 likes and 6 ...

Core Insights - The wealth gap between baby boomers and younger generations continues to widen, with boomers benefiting from rising homeownership and asset accumulation, particularly in stocks [2][5][8] - Younger Americans face significant financial challenges, including high student debt, rising living costs, and stagnant wage growth, which hinder their ability to save and invest [4][9][11] Group 1: Baby Boomers' Wealth Accumulation - Homeownership among older Americans increased significantly from 1983 to 2022, with boomers owning more homes and benefiting from rising property values [1] - By 2022, boomers' stock investments had surged, capturing decades of market gains that younger households missed [2] - Many boomers have paid off their homes and seen substantial growth in their retirement accounts, allowing them to draw on Social Security and Medicare benefits [5][6] Group 2: Challenges for Younger Generations - Young Americans are burdened with increasing student debt and high living costs, which consume their income before they can save [4][11] - Despite some improvements in net worth, the financial gap with boomers remains significant, with younger generations feeling the strain of high mortgage debt and rising expenses [3][8] - The median home price has escalated from approximately $195,000 in 1980 to $422,400 in 2025, making homeownership more challenging for younger buyers [12] Group 3: Financial Strategies for Younger Generations - Younger individuals are encouraged to automate savings and take advantage of employer 401(k) matching to build wealth over time [15][19] - Investing in low-cost index funds or ETFs is recommended as a long-term strategy to benefit from market growth [20] - Utilizing budgeting tools and financial advisors can help younger Americans manage their finances more effectively and work towards closing the wealth gap [13][24]