Planning Your Own Retirement? 4 Things to Know | AARP Travel Deals | Hidden Homeownership Costs

4 Things DIY Retirement Planners Need to Know | Do You Know What These Bond Fund Yields Mean? | California Supreme Court Won't Let Voters Decide Tax Hikes Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( June 26, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] Top Story [] [4 Things DIY Retirement Planners Need to Know]( [4 Things DIY Retirement Planners Need to Know]( (Getty Images) Have you been building your retirement plan by yourself, without the help of an adviser? While saving is a huge part of retirement planning, tax efficiency and estate planning can be just as important, especially once you actually retire. Retirement planner Joe Schmitz Jr. has [four things DIY retirement planners should know](. [] Investing Strategy [] [Do You Know What These Bond Fund Yields Mean?]( [Do You Know What These Bond Fund Yields Mean?]( (Getty Images) What's a 30-day SEC yield? A trailing 12-month yield? A yield to maturity? The array of bond fund yields can be confusing for investors trying to add a fund to their portfolio. Kiplinger senior associate editor Nellie Huang explains [what each measure says about an income fund](. Note that a bond fund's yield is just one piece of the puzzle when you're considering an investment in the fund. Investors should also understand the fund's investment objective, fees and expenses, overall credit quality, potential risk of default on debt, and sensitivity to interest rates. [How to Increase Cash Flow with 1031 Exchange]( Turn underperforming rentals into profitable assets with a 1031 Exchange DST. Invest in managed properties for higher income and growth. DSTs offer 5-8% returns and up to 30% tax savings. A $1M investment could yield about $318,000 in tax savings. [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] Smart Tax-Planning [] [California Supreme Court Won't Let Voters Decide Tax Hikes]( [California Supreme Court Won't Let Voters Decide Tax Hikes]( (Getty Images) The California Supreme Court blocked a measure that would have limited future state and local tax increases from appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot this fall. See what their rationale was, and [what this means for California taxes]( going forward. [] Real Estate [] [The Hidden Costs of Homeownership]( [The Hidden Costs of Homeownership]( (Getty Images) The cost of buying and owning a home goes well beyond just your expected mortgage payment - as you probably are already all too aware. What do those extra costs typically add up to? Find out the average cost of owning and maintaining a home, and [what makes up the hidden costs of homeownership](. Knowing these figures can also help if you're helping a loved one decide whether to buy or rent their next home. [7 Secrets About Hiring a Financial Advisor]( Working with a financial advisor can be a crucial part of any healthy retirement plan. But choosing the wrong one could wreak havoc. Check out these 7 secrets comfortable retirees know about hiring an advisor, so you can work to potentially save years of stress. [See the list]( ADVERTISEMENT Featured Content Sponsored Content from Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine [Build wealth. Cut taxes. Retire rich.]( Get a [FREE ISSUE]( of Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine, and save up to 74% to subscribe. Includes special issues such as Investing Outlook, Retirement Planning, Mutual Fund Roundup, and Guide to ETFs. Count on Kiplinger for trustworthy help to make more money, keep more of the money you make, and live a financially secure life. [CLICK HERE]( [] Travel [] [AARP Deals and Tips For Travel]( Use these AARP travel deals during your next vacation to save on hotels and rental cars. [Read More]( [] Investing Basics [] [What Chipotle Stock's 50-for-1 Split Means for Investors]( Chipotle Mexican Grill has given long-term investors plenty to cheer about. And the burrito chain's latest move could encourage a new crop of folks to look CMG's way. [Read More]( [5 Things to Know When Building a Retirement Plan]( Just like a movie, a comprehensive retirement income plan incorporates the ebb and flow of cash flows, ensuring your assets align with your living expenses throughout retirement. To build an effective plan, start with these five essential steps. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. Kiplinger is a trusted provider of unbiased financial advice, objective business and economic forecasts, and practical help to millions of business professionals, investors, and individuals seeking to make more profitable decisions with their money. 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