8 Urban Myths of Personal Finance
Don't believe everything you hear about your money.
Myth: You don't have to start saving for retirement until age 40.
Truth: The sooner you start saving and investing, the better.
Myth: Only rich people get tax breaks.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Truth: The tax code offers savings for middle- and working-class taxpayers for starting a family, education, home buying and retirement saving.
Myth: Gold is the best investment you can make.
Truth: A diversified portfolio will shine brighter.
Myth: Social Security won't be around when you retire.
Truth: It will evaporate by 2034 if nothing changes, but incoming money from payroll taxes will still be enough to support about 75% of promised benefits.
Myth: Free trade deals are bad for America.
Truth: Trade and international commerce creates as many (if not more) higher-paying jobs, especially in the services industries, as it destroys.
Myth: Tapping your 401(k) is a great way to borrow money.
Truth: The hit to your nest egg may be greater -- and last longer -- than you think.
Myth: Credit cards are best to be avoided.
Truth: Used smartly, a credit card will help you build a solid credit history and boost your credit score.
Myth: Only rich people need a will.
Truth: Everybody should have a will, even if only to spell out funeral and burial wishes.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

-
Stocks Keep Climbing as Fed Meeting Nears: Stock Market TodayA stale inflation report and improving consumer sentiment did little to shift expectations for a rate cut next week.
-
Your End of Year Insurance Coverage Review ChecklistStop paying for insurance you don't need and close coverage gaps you didn't know about with this year-end insurance review.
-
Crypto Trends to Watch in 2026Cryptocurrency is still less than 20 years old, but it remains a fast-moving (and also maturing) market. Here are the crypto trends to watch for in 2026.
-
10 Retirement Tax Plan Moves to Make Before December 31Retirement Taxes Proactively reviewing your health coverage, RMDs and IRAs can lower retirement taxes in 2025 and 2026. Here’s how.
-
The Rubber Duck Rule of Retirement Tax PlanningRetirement Taxes How can you identify gaps and hidden assumptions in your tax plan for retirement? The solution may be stranger than you think.
-
Money for Your Kids? Three Ways Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Your Child's FinancesTax Tips The Trump tax bill could help your child with future education and homebuying costs. Here’s how.
-
Key 2025 Tax Changes for Parents in Trump's MegabillTax Changes Are you a parent? The so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ (OBBB) impacts several key tax incentives that can affect your family this year and beyond.
-
What Does Medicare Not Cover? Eight Things You Should KnowMedicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
-
Estate Planning Checklist: 13 Smart Movesretirement Follow this estate planning checklist for you (and your heirs) to hold on to more of your hard-earned money.
-
Should You Rent in Retirement?Making Your Money Last Renting isn't right for all retirees, but it does offer flexibility, and it frees up cash.
-
How to Benefit From Rising Interest RatesFinancial Planning Savers will get the best rates from top-yielding savings and money market deposit accounts at online banks.