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Do you ever find yourself tapping Buy Now at the end of a stressful day? In the moment, this small purchase may feel like a harmless act of self-care. But if you zoom out, you might see you’re moving away from self-care—and your financial goals—instead.

Q: Major disasters, like floods and fires, seem to be occurring more frequently. Should I consider buying disaster insurance to cover my home and valuables?

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings program designed to help families prepare for future education expenses. Named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, these plans have transformed the way families save and pay for college. In addition to tax benefits, 529 plans offer diverse investment options, allow funds to be used for a wide range of expenses—including college costs, trade schools, and K-12 tuition—and can reduce the impact of personal savings on financial aid eligibility.

When developing your estate plan, you can do well by doing good. Leaving money to charity rewards you in many ways. It gives you a sense of personal satisfaction, and it can save you money in estate taxes.

Estate planning is an iterative process organizing finances and belongings. Each estate plan varies depending on your unique situation. It reflects the complexity of your financial life, building on early foundations as complexity layers. Estate planning can ensure that transfer of property aligns with your wishes during life and after death. It can also mitigate costly expenses like estate tax and probate fees. Always consult an estate planning attorney to draft documents relevant to your specific situation.

Social Security is funded through payroll taxes, known as the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). While working, you contribute a portion of your earnings (7.65 percent) up to the taxable wage base and your employer also contributes (7.65 percent). The taxable wage base is the maximum amount of income subject to Social Security taxes.

High achievers tend to have a hard time making the jump to retirement. Here, learn how to decide when is the right time to stop working.

Kristi Schooley says if she ever writes an autobiography, the title will be this: It’s Never Too Late to Correct Course.