Division of Extension
During your life you may own many items, known as assets, that are important to you. One of the most valuable assets you can own is a home. According to some estimates, in 2024, the typical value of a home in Wisconsin is over $300,000. Given this high value, it is important to think about […]
Planning for the end of life may be challenging and very emotional. Thinking about issues like end-of-life health decisions and what should happen to items you own after your death can be complicated. One tool that can help with these issues is a will. A will is a document that gives directions about what to […]
In the past, if you wanted to pay your bills, give money to a friend or family member, or buy something from a store, you needed to use cash or write a paper check. Now, instead of using cash or a paper check, you can pay bills and send money to others through mobile apps. […]
A family hits a benefit cliff when a small income increase makes them ineligible for public benefits they had been receiving (UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty). Many public benefits programs in Wisconsin have “benefits cliffs.” It is important for participants in these programs to be aware of benefits cliffs as they make financial and […]
Retirement planning can help you prepare for your long-term financial needs. To successfully plan for retirement, it is important to understand the accounts that can be used. You may have several options to save for retirement including accounts offered by your employer, often called employer-sponsored retirement plans, and individual retirement accounts. You may be able […]
Financial planning involves thinking about all areas of your finances and building a plan to reach your financial goals. Financial planning can help you live the life you want as you plan for the future. However, it is difficult to know everything about budgeting, saving, credit, managing debt, insurance, investing, and other financial topics. To […]
Three banks, Signature Bank, First Republic Bank, and Silicon Valley Bank failed in the first 4 months of 2023. Because of these bank failures, many people worried about the safety of their money in bank or credit union accounts. First, it is important to know that no customer at these banks lost money thanks to […]
Saving receipts, paystubs, tax forms, and other documents can be important. But it can be challenging to know which documents to save, how long to keep them, and which papers to throw away. This information sheet provides tips on documents you should save, how to save documents, and how to throw documents away. Documents to […]
As you continue to pay your mortgage you will obtain more equity in your home or own it outright. Depending on your situation, over time your retirement accounts may decrease as your expenses increase. If this happens, you may consider selling your home to get income. While this can be a good option, you also […]
