Raising Financially Independent Children

All parents want to give their kids the things they missed out on growing up. We surveyed over 2,000 adults in the U.S.—half of which we sourced from the general population and half from our community of Quicken users—to get a closer look at how parents are talking to their kids about money and the impact of their own early financial education (or lack thereof). 

What Is Vesting and How Does It Work in a Retirement Plan?

Many companies offer an employer-sponsored , such as a 401(k) or 403(b), and match a portion of their employees’ contributions. The company match is often referred to as free money, and it’s a great perk. But if you’re starting a new job, you’ll want to review the plan’s vesting schedule—the rate at which the company’s contributions become yours to keep. 

What Is Adjusted Gross Income?

What is adjusted gross income? You’ve heard the term, of course. Perhaps your accountant mentions it in passing whenever you get your taxes done, or you recognize it as a line item on your annual tax returns. But without context, it’s hard to understand just how important it is. 

What Is Disposable Income?

The term “disposable income” is something of a misnomer. It sounds like fun money, but it’s quite the opposite. Also known as disposable personal income (DPI) or “take-home pay,” , is the amount of money available after taxes and other employee deductions have been taken out of your paycheck. It’s not truly “disposable” because it has to cover your family’s most essential needs each month.