ICYMI: Where to Find The 25 Cheapest Places to Live, How to Save Money on Estate Planning, How to Write a Fraud-Proof Check

And, how to set a wedding budget with your family. Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( September 6, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Instagram ]( [Youtube]( [SIGN UP](format=multipart) ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] INTRODUCTION [] [Stepping Into Wedding Budgets]( In the early days of reality TV, a breakout hit was a show called Bridezillas. It initially followed wealthy brides with long lists of expensive demands. The show ultimately devolved into featuring moody, demanding brides with wedding tastes far beyond their budgets. One thing was inescapable — poor communication and unrealistic expectations cause stress and strife for the engaged couple and their families. Kiplinger personal finance writer Emma Patch offers [guidelines to help parents and the happy couple have productive and realistic conversations about wedding budgets]( that will help everyone start off on the right foot. I’d like to know what you think about who should pay for a wedding. Should it be the sole responsibility of the engaged couple or should parents be expected to contribute all or some of the budget? Please cast your vote below and read next Friday’s edition of A Step Ahead for the results. I hope you enjoy catching up on some of Kiplinger’s most popular articles this weekend. - Donna LeValley, personal finance writer [] Should parents be responsible for their children’s wedding expenses? [Vote]( [No, children should plan a wedding they can afford and learn how to live within their means.]( [Vote]( [Yes, if parents can afford to help. No one should take on debt or deplete retirement accounts to finance a party.]( [Vote]( [Yes, parents should expect to pay the majority of the expenses. It's part of being a parent.]( [Top 5 Wealth Management Firms in the US]( If you're looking for help with wealth management, retirement, or tax planning, finding the top financial advisor in the United States means choosing between thousands of options. Check out the list of top 5 firms in the US for individual investors. [See the list]( ADVERTISEMENT [] PLACES TO LIVE [] [The 25 Cheapest Places to Live]( [The 25 Cheapest Places to Live]( (Getty Images) The housing market is poised to perk up [when mortgage rates fall](. That also means the competition for homes won’t be easing until the backlog of aspiring buyers is satisfied and settled in their new homes. If you are retired or have a remote job, you can cast a wider net and consider more possible places to live than those tethered to their jobs. I have a list of the [25 cheapest cities to live in the U.S](. where housing is reasonably priced and affordable by most standards. Many communities also offer bargains on utilities and transportation. [] SAVVY ESTATE PLANNING [] [How to Save Money on Estate Planning]( [How to Save Money on Estate Planning]( (Getty Images) Everyone needs an estate plan. It doesn’t need to be fancy or include complex documents or trusts. Estate planning is a way to protect yourself and your family while you are alive. Planning for temporary or permanent incapacity will allow you to speak for yourself when you’re infirmed. If costs are a concern, here are some [tips for how the average person can save money on estate plans]( and related attorney fees. [Start investing in minutes]( With automated tools like portfolio rebalancing and dividend reinvestment, Betterment helps make investing easy for you, and a total grind for your money. [Learn More]( ADVERTISEMENT [] BANKING SAFETY [] [How to Write a Fraud-Proof Check]( [How to Write a Fraud-Proof Check]( (Getty Images) Although [some retailers]( have stopped accepting checks, 61% of Americans still write them to pay bills and give gifts. Unfortunately, fraudsters and scammers have found clever ways to alter the names and amounts on checks you've written. Here are some [simple steps you can use]( to prevent scammers from misappropriating your money. [Overly Invested in Equities? Consider This Alternative]( Generate attractive tax-advantaged income and long-term capital appreciation that provides diversification away from the broader stock market. The CRE Income Fund pays an annual 10% dividend yield and is a long-term strategy that returns over $25,000 for every $10,000 invested and compounded annually over the next ten years. [READ MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] OTHER KIPLINGER ARTICLES WE THINK YOU'LL ENJOY [] [What Is the Sahm rule, and what does it mean?]( The Sahm rule was created in 2019 by economist Claudia Sahm, who sought to build a recession indicator that would not be dependent on the whims of committees or politics. This will be the first significant test of the Sahm rule under relatively normal circumstances. [Costco raises membership fees for first time since 2017]( Costco's new membership fees are in effect as of September. Here's what you need to know. [Kiplinger Energy Outlook: Relief at the gas pump this Labor Day and After]( While still high, gas prices have been easing, and should fall a bit more. [Sign Up for Kiplinger's Free Tax Tips E-Newsletter for Money-Saving Tax Planning and]([Compliance Advice]( 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. Our [flagship publications]( include [Kiplinger Personal Finance]( magazine, [The Kiplinger Letter]( [The Kiplinger Tax Letter]( [Kiplinger Retirement Report]( and [Kiplinger Investing for Income.]( All are regarded as the leading publications in their respective fields. Every day, millions of readers rely on our [free e-newsletters]( for help on everything from getting the best rate on a mortgage or car loan, to managing their businesses in an uncertain world, avoiding an IRS audit, building wealth for a secure retirement, or investing wisely in any kind of market. Now it’s your turn to reap all the rewards Kiplinger has to offer. Visit [Kiplinger.com](, your gateway to all of the above and much more. Check in any time for our latest advice on how to make more money, and keep more of the money you make. Stay right on the money, with Kiplinger. [Sign Up](format=multipart) | [Print Publications]( | [Unsubscribe]( [Privacy Policy]( | [Cookies Policy]( | [Terms and Conditions]( CONTACT US: [FEEDBACK](concat('mailto:',$brief_feedback_email)) | [ADVERTISE]( [Future]( Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036