The Just-Married Money Plan: References

On By eddyjoemdIn Uncategorized

The following are the references to The Just-Married Money Plan.

Step 1: Open the Money Conversation

  1. Weber, D. M., Lavner, J. A., & Beach, S. R. H. (2023). Couples’ communication quality differs by topic. Journal of Family Psychology, 37(6), 909–919. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001111.
  2. Klontz, B. T., & Britt, S. L. (2012). How clients’ money scripts predict their financial behaviors. Journal of Financial Planning, 25(11), 33–43. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2150192
  3. Saxey, M. T., Lucier-Greer, M., Adler-Baeder, F., & LeBaron-Black, A. B. (2025). A psychometric evaluation of the Couples’ Financial Communication Scale: Findings and implications from two large, diverse samples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 46, 93–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-024-09977-5.
  4. Ford, M. R., Goetz, J. W., Archuleta, K. L., Hargrove, C. M., & Gale, J. (2025). Development of the Couple Financial Conflict Scale: A pilot study. Journal of Financial Therapy, 16(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.4148/1944-9771.1398.
  5. American Psychological Association. (2024). Stress in America 2024. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america.
  6. Fidelity Viewpoints. (2025, October 17). Tips for couples: Improving money talks. Fidelity Investments. https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/communication-tips-couples
  7. O’Brien, P. (2025, April 3). Love and money: How couples manage their finances in the first year of marriage. SoFi Research. https://www.sofi.com/research/love-and-money-newlywed-finances-survey/.
  8. National Endowment for Financial Education. (2018, February 14). Financial infidelity survey (Harris Poll). https://www.nefe.org/news/2018/02/celebrate-relationships-but-beware-of-financial-infideltiy.aspx.

Step 2: Identify Your Money Personalities & Financial History

  1. Klontz, B., Britt, S. L., Mentzer, J., & Klontz, T. (2011). Money beliefs and financial behaviors: Development of the Klontz Money Script Inventory. Journal of Financial Therapy, 2(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/jft.v2i1.451.
  2. LeBaron, A. B., Curran, M. A., Parrott, E., Ahn, S. Y., Serido, J., & Shim, S. (2021). Financial socialization: A decade in review. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 42, 529–540. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-020-09736-2.
  3. Britt, S. L., Klontz, B. T., & Tatzel, M. (2017, May). Tightwads and spenders: Predicting financial conflict in couple relationships. Journal of Financial Planning. https://www.financialplanningassociation.org/article/journal/may17-tightwads-and-spenders-predicting-financial-conflict-couple-relationships/.
  4. Marquit, M., & Ashburn, D. (2024). 5 money personality types & financial tips for each. Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.britannica.com/money/money-personality-type
  5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2024, December 18). How do I get and keep a good credit score? Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-and-keep-a-good-credit-score-en-318/
  6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2023, December 21). What is a credit score? Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315/
  7. AnnualCreditReport.com. (n.d.). Review your credit report. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.annualcreditreport.com
  8. Federal Trade Commission. (2024, January 4). You now have permanent access to free weekly credit reports. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/you-now-have-permanent-access-free-weekly-credit-reports/
  9. Internal Revenue Service. (2024, December). Publication 555: Community property. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p555/

Step 3: Establish Your Financial Baseline

  1. Papp, L. M., Cummings, E. M., & Goeke-Morey, M. C. (2013). For richer, for poorer: Money as a topic of marital conflict in the home. Family Relations, 62(4), 597-610. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12034
  2. Fannie Mae. (2025). Selling Guide B3-6-02: Debt-to-income ratios. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-6-02/debt-income-ratios.
  3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2024). Single family housing policy handbook (HUD 4000.1). Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/sfh/handbook_4000-1.
  4. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2024). FHA underwriting: Compensating factors (policy guidance). Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing.
  5. Internal Revenue Service. (2025, August 17). Collection of taxes in community property states. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.irs.gov/irm/part25/irm_25-018-004
  6. AnnualCreditReport.com. (n.d.). Review your credit report. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.annualcreditreport.com/.
  7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2024). Disputing errors on your credit report. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/disputing-errors-on-your-credit-report/.
  8. Federal Trade Commission. (2024). Credit freezes: How they work. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts/.
  9. Federal Trade Commission. (2024). Fraud alerts. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts/.
  10. 10.Fidelity Investments. (2018). 2018 Couples & Money Study. Fidelity Investments. https://www.fidelity.com/bin-public/060_www_fidelity_com/documents/about-fidelity/couples-and-money-study.pdf

Step 4: Build a Budget & Control Spending

  1. Chiang, Y., & Dueholm, M. (2024, May 19). Which U.S. households have credit card debt? Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. https://www.stlouisfed.org/on-the-economy/2024/may/which-us-households-have-credit-card-debt
  2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2019, June 5). Budgeting: How to create a budget and stick with it. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/budgeting-how-to-create-a-budget-and-stick-with-it/.
  3. CNBC. (2019, December 25). Consumers overspend by $7,400 a year. Here are weekly trouble spots. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/26/consumers-overspend-by-7400-a-year-here-are-weekly-trouble-spots.html
  4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2024). My savings rule to live by. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/documents/5152/cfpb_worksheet_my-savings-rule-to-live-by.pdf
  5. Forbes Advisor. (2024, August 14). What is the 50/30/20 rule? https://www.forbes.com/advisor/banking/guide-to-50-30-20-budget/
  6. Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Tax Withholding Estimator. Retrieved January 15, 2026, from https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator
  7. Internal Revenue Service. (2025, September 12). About Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4
  8. Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Getting in and out of free trials, auto-renewals, and negative option subscriptions. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/getting-out-free-trials-auto-renewals-negative-option-subscriptions/.
  9. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2022, October 28). Your Money, Your Goals: Tools and worksheets. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/your-money-your-goals/

Step 5: Decide How to Combine Finances

  1. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2024, May 29). Joint accounts: Deposit insurance coverage. https://www.fdic.gov/financial-institution-employees-guide-deposit-insurance/joint-accounts/.
  2. National Credit Union Administration. (2025, May 20). Share insurance coverage. https://ncua.gov/consumers/share-insurance-coverage/.
  3. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2024, May 14). Your insured deposits (brochure). https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/brochures/insured-deposits/.
  4. O’Brien, P. (2025, April 3). Love and money: How couples manage their finances in the first year of marriage. SoFi Research. https://www.sofi.com/research/love-and-money-newlywed-finances-survey/.
  5. 6 Meridian. (2025, June 25). Wealthy hearts: A guide to financial unity as a couple. https://6meridian.com/2025/06/wealthy-hearts-a-guide-to-financial-unity-as-a-couple/.
  6. 6 Meridian. (2025, June 30). When one earns more: Navigating money talks in unequal-income relationships. https://6meridian.com/2025/06/unequal-income-relationships/.
  7. District Capital Management. (2023, January 31). How to combine finances after marriage (4 key steps). https://districtcapitalmanagement.com/combine-finances-after-marriage/.
  8. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2024, February 5). Do joint credit card accounts with my spouse affect my credit score? https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/do-joint-credit-card-accounts-with-my-spouse-affect-my-credit-score-en-1289/.
  9. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2024, December 18). How do I get and keep a good credit score? https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-and-keep-a-good-credit-score-en-318/.
  10. 10.Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 555 (12/2024), community property. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p555.

Step 6: Build an Emergency Fund & Automated Savings

  1. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). An essential guide to building an emergency fund. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/an-essential-guide-to-building-an-emergency-fund/.
  2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2020). Your Money, Your Goals toolkit. https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_your-money-your-goals_financial-empowerment_toolkit.pdf/.
  3. Vanguard. (2025). Emergency fund: Why you need one. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/emergency-fund/why-you-need-one
  4. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (July 17, 2020). Evidence-based strategies to build emergency savings. https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_evidence-based-strategies-build-emergency-savings_report_2020-07.pdf/.
  5. U.S. Bank. (n.d.). How to manage your self-employment income. Retrieved June 1, 2026, from https://www.usbank.com/wealth-management/financial-perspectives/financial-planning/managing-self-employment-income.html
  6. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (April 1, 2024). Your insured deposits (brochure). https://www.fdic.gov/deposit-insurance/your-insured-deposits-brochure-english.pdf/.
  7. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (May 29, 2024). Joint accounts, deposit insurance coverage. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.fdic.gov/financial-institution-employees-guide-deposit-insurance/joint-accounts/.
  8. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (n.d.). Electronic Deposit Insurance Estimator (EDIE). Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://edie.fdic.gov/.
  9. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (n.d.). Mutual funds and ETFs: A guide for investors. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.sec.gov/about/reports-publications/investor-publications/introduction_mutual_funds/.
  10. 10.U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. (July 12, 2023). Money market fund reforms (Final Rule, Rel. No. 33-11211). https://www.sec.gov/files/rules/final/2023/33-11211.pdf/.
  11. 11.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (August 26, 2019). Looking for an easy way to save money? Make it automatic. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/looking-easy-way-save-money-make-it-automatic/.
  12. 12.Antonides, G., de Groot, I. M., & van Raaij, W. F. (2011). Mental budgeting and the management of household finance. Journal of Economic Psychology, 32(4), 546–555. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2011.04.001

Step 7: Set Up Day-to-Day Money Management & Roles

  1. O’Brien, P. (2025, April 3). Love and money: How couples manage their finances in the first year of marriage. SoFi Research. https://www.sofi.com/research/love-and-money-newlywed-finances-survey/.
  2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Ask CFPB). How do automatic payments from a bank account work? Last reviewed Sep 05, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-automatic-payments-from-a-bank-account-work-en-2021/
  3. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Understanding Deposit Insurance: Ownership Categories & Coverage (incl. Joint Accounts). Retrieved 2025. https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance
  4. National Credit Union Administration. Share Insurance Overview (incl. Joint Accounts). Retrieved 2025. https://mycreditunion.gov/insuring-your-money
  5. Dew, J., LeBaron, A. B., & Allsop, D. B. (2023). When couples fight about money, what do they fight about? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075221142604
  6. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Ask CFPB). What is my liability for unauthorized credit-card charges? Updated Nov 30, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-my-liability-for-unauthorized-credit-card-charges-en-5/
  7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Ask CFPB). What is my liability for unauthorized debit-card charges? Updated Oct 19, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-my-liability-for-unauthorized-debit-card-charges-en-14/
  8. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Understand Your Credit Score: keep balances low; many experts advise ≤30%. Updated Jun 4, 2025. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/understand-your-credit-score/
  9. Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Recordkeeping (Publication 583). https://www.irs.gov/publications/p583
  10. 10.Federal Trade Commission. Free Weekly Credit Reports at AnnualCreditReport.com. 2023–2025. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/09/credit-reports-are-now-free-every-week
  11. 11.Federal Trade Commission. Get a Credit Freeze to Stop Identity Thieves. Sept 10, 2025. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2025/09/get-credit-freeze-stop-identity-thieves

Step 8: Develop Strategies for Debt Repayment

  1. Johns Hopkins Federal Credit Union. (2022, May 6). Secured vs. unsecured personal loans. https://www.jhfcu.org/news/blog/lending/2022/05/06/secured-vs.-unsecured-personal-loans
  2. Kettle, K. L., Trudel, R., Blanchard, S. J., & Häubl, G. (2016). Repayment concentration and consumer motivation to get out of debt. Journal of Consumer Research, 43(3), 460–477. https://doi.org/10.1093/jcr/ucw030.
  3. Rick, S., Cryder, C. E., & Loewenstein, G. (2008). Tightwads and spendthrifts. Journal of Consumer Research, 34(6), 767–782. https://doi.org/10.1086/523285.
  4. National Foundation for Credit Counseling. (2024). Are DMPs a good option for me? https://www.neomed.edu/wp-content/uploads/OHECC/Are-DMPs-a-Good-Option-For-Me.pdf
  5. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2014). You could still end up paying interest on a zero percent interest credit card offer. https://consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/you-could-still-end-up-paying-interest-on-a-zero-percent-interest-credit-card-offer/ 
  6. NerdWallet. (2025). How do 0% APR credit cards work? https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/learn/facts-about-zero-percent-apr-credit-cards
  7. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). 12 CFR §1026.53—Allocation of payments (Regulation Z) (retrieved November 2025). https://consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/53/
  8. Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 936: Home mortgage interest deduction. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p936
  9. U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). How to consolidate your federal student loans (retrieved November 2025). https://studentaid.gov/app/launchConsolidation.action
  10. 10.U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). How marriage affects your federal student loan payments and forgiveness (retrieved November 2025). https://studentaid.gov/help-center/answers/article/married-IDR-PSLF-filing-separately
  11. 11.U.S. Department of Education. (2025). IDR plan court actions: Impact on borrowers (retrieved November 2025). https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/idr-plan-update
  12. 12.LegalClarity Team. (July 3, 2025). If I marry someone with debt, does it become mine? LegalClarity. https://legalclarity.org/if-i-marry-someone-with-debt-does-it-become-mine/
  13. 13.Internal Revenue Service. (August 18, 2025). Collection of taxes in community property states (IRM 25.18.4). https://www.irs.gov/irm/part25/irm_25-018-004
  14. 14.U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). About Loan Simulator (retrieved November 2025). https://studentaid.gov/loan-simulator
  15. 15.Fannie Mae. (2025). Selling Guide B3-6-02: Debt-to-Income Ratios. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-6-02/debt-to-income-ratios
  16. 16.Fair Isaac Corporation. (n.d.). What is payment history? (retrieved November 2025). https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-scores/payment-history
  17. 17.Fair Isaac Corporation. (n.d.). Amounts owed and credit utilization (retrieved November 2025). https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/credit-scores/amount-of-debt
  18. 18.Fair Isaac Corporation. (n.d.). How to improve your FICO Scores (retrieved November 2025). https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/improve-your-credit-score
  19. 19.Federal Trade Commission. (September 22, 2023). You now have permanent access to free weekly credit reports. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/09/you-now-have-permanent-access-free-weekly-credit-reports
  20. 20.Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Credit freezes (retrieved November 2025). https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-frauds-alerts
  21. 21.DebtWave Credit Counseling. (2021). How successful is a DMP? 2016 to 2020 outcomes. https://debtwave.org/how-successful-is-a-debt-management-program-dmp/
  22. 22.Consumer Credit Counseling Service. (2019). Debt management program overview. https://www.ccsww.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/DMP_Overview.pdf
  23. 23.Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Publication 4681: Canceled Debts, Foreclosures, Repossessions, and Abandonments. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.irs.gov/publications/p4681
  24. 24.U.S. Courts. (n.d.). Bankruptcy Basics: Chapter 7 & Discharge (retrieved November 2025). https://www.uscourts.gov/court-programs/bankruptcy/bankruptcy-basics
  25. 25.Fannie Mae. (2025). Significant derogatory credit events: waiting periods and re-establishing credit. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-5.3-07/significant-derogatory-credit-events-waiting-periods-and-re-establishing-credit
  26. 26.Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Loans from your retirement plan (IRC §72(p)) (retrieved November 2025). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-loans
  27. 27.Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Notice 2024-55, SECURE 2.0: Emergency personal expense, disaster, and domestic-abuse distributions. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-24-55.pdf

Step 9: Understand & Build Credit Together

  1. Fair Isaac Corporation. (n.d.). What’s in my FICO Scores? Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/whats-in-your-credit-score.
  2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2024, December 18). How do I get and keep a good credit score? https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-do-i-get-and-keep-a-good-credit-score-en-318/.
  3. Fair Isaac Corporation. (July 5, 2023). How to rate shop and minimize the impact to your FICO Score. https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog/rate-shop.
  4. VantageScore. (December 8, 2023). Thinking about applying for a loan? Shop around to find the best offer. https://vantagescore.com/resources/knowledge-center/thinking-about-applying-for-a-loan-shop-around-to-find-the-best-offer.
  5. Internal Revenue Service. (May 3, 2023). Internal Revenue Manual 25.18.1: Basic Principles of Community Property Law. https://www.irs.gov/irm/part25/irm_25-018-001.
  6. Fair Isaac Corporation. (February 9, 2022). What should my credit utilization ratio be? https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog/credit-utilization-be.
  7. Federal Trade Commission. (2024, January 4). You now have permanent access to free weekly credit reports. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/you-now-have-permanent-access-free-weekly-credit-reports.
  8. Fair Isaac Corporation. (n.d.). How credit actions impact FICO Scores. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/faq/affects-of-credit-actions.
  9. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2021). Building and maintaining your credit. https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_build-and-maintain-credit_webinar-slides_2021-04.pdf.
  10. 10.AnnualCreditReport.com. (2025). Filing a dispute (Free weekly online reports). Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.annualcreditreport.com/filingADispute.action.
  11. 11.Fair Isaac Corporation. (n.d.). How do authorized user accounts impact the FICO Score? Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/faq/scores/authorized-user.
  12. 12.USA.gov. (2025, November 13). How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit report. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.usa.gov/credit-freeze.
  13. 13.Federal Trade Commission. (2025). Credit freezes and fraud alerts: Help protect your identity. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts.
  14. 14.Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). What to know about prescreened offers for credit and insurance. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/what-know-about-prescreened-offers-credit-insurance.
  15. 15.Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). IdentityTheft.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.identitytheft.gov/.
  16. 16.12 C.F.R.  1022.43. (2025). Direct disputes. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2025-title12-vol8/pdf/CFR-2025-title12-vol8-sec1022-43.pdf.
  17. 17.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2025, September 19). How long does it take to repair an error on a credit report? https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-long-does-it-take-to-repair-an-error-on-a-credit-report-en-1339/.
  18. 18.Experian. (2025). How long do closed accounts stay on your credit report? https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/when-are-closed-accounts-deleted/.
  19. 19.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Office of Research. (2020, July 13). Targeting credit builder loans. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/data-research/research-reports/targeting-credit-builder-loans/.
  20. 20.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Experian RentBureau. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/consumer-reporting-companies/companies-list/experian-rent-bureau/.
  21. 21.Fair Isaac Corporation. (2021, September 24). FICO Fact: Do FICO Scores consider telco and utility data? https://www.fico.com/blogs/fico-fact-do-fico-scores-consider-telco-and-utility-data.
  22. 22.Federal Housing Finance Agency. (2025, July 15). Credit scores (model transition). Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.fhfa.gov/policy/credit-scores.

Step 10: Plan for Retirement & Investments

  1. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Benefits for spouses. (retrieved January 24, 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/oact/quickcalc/spouse.html
  2. Social Security Administration. (July 24, 2017). RS 00202.001: Definitions and requirements for spouse benefits. Program Operations Manual System. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0300202001
  3. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). Survivor benefits. (retrieved January 24, 2026). https://www.ssa.gov/survivor
  4. Internal Revenue Service. (November 13, 2025). 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026, IRA limit increases to $7,500 (IR-2025-111). https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/401k-limit-increases-to-24500-for-2026-ira-limit-increases-to-7500
  5. Internal Revenue Service. (September 2014). Notice 2014-54: Guidance on allocation of after-tax amounts to rollovers. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-14-54.pdf
  6. Internal Revenue Service. (January 2025). Publication 590-A: Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590a
  7. Internal Revenue Service. (November 2025). Notice 2025-67: 2026 amounts relating to retirement plans and IRAs, as adjusted for changes in cost-of-living. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-67.pdf
  8. Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). SEP contribution limits (including grandfathered SARSEPs). (retrieved January 24, 2026). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/sep-contribution-limits-including-grandfathered-sarseps
  9. Internal Revenue Service. (May 2025). Rev. Proc. 2025-19: 2026 inflation adjusted amounts for HSAs. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-19.pdf
  10. 10.Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Retirement plan and IRA required minimum distributions (RMDs): FAQs. (retrieved January 14, 2026). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plan-and-ira-required-minimum-distributions-faqs
  11. 11.Thaler, R. H., & Benartzi, S. (January 2004). Save More Tomorrow™: Using behavioral economics to increase employee saving. Journal of Political Economy, 112(S1), S164–S187. https://doi.org/10.1086/380085
  12. 12.J.P. Morgan Asset Management. (2025). Guide to retirement: Staying invested and missing the best days. https://am.jpmorgan.com/us/en/asset-management/adv/insights/retirement-insights/guide-to-retirement-us.pdf
  13. 13.Nareit. (2025). How to form a REIT. https://www.reit.com/what-reit/how-form-reit

Step 11: File Taxes & Maximize Tax Benefits

  1. Internal Revenue Service. (2026, May 28). One, Big, Beautiful Bill provisions. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-provisions
  2. Internal Revenue Service. (October 9, 2025). Rev. Proc. 2025-32. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf
  3. Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 502: Medical and dental expenses. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p502
  4. Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 547: Casualties, disasters, and thefts. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p547
  5. Internal Revenue Service. (December 2024). Publication 555: Community Property. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p555
  6. Internal Revenue Service. (September 15, 2025). Topic No. 560: Additional Medicare Tax. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc560
  7. Internal Revenue Service. (July 1, 2025). Net Investment Income Tax. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/net-investment-income-tax
  8. Internal Revenue Service. (November 18, 2025). Child Tax Credit. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/child-tax-credit
  9. Internal Revenue Service. (September 4, 2025). American Opportunity Tax Credit. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/american-opportunity-tax-credit
  10. 10.Internal Revenue Service. (August 21, 2025). Lifetime Learning Credit. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/llc
  11. 11.Internal Revenue Service. (August 26, 2025). Retirement Savings Contributions Credit (Saver’s Credit). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-savings-contributions-credit-savers-credit
  12. 12.Internal Revenue Service. (October 2025). Earned Income Tax Credit parameters for tax year 2025. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit
  13. 13.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Residential Clean Energy Credit. https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit
  14. 14.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Form W-4 and instructions. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-4
  15. 15.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Tax Withholding Estimator. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.irs.gov/individuals/tax-withholding-estimator
  16. 16.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Publication 505: Tax withholding and estimated tax. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.irs.gov/
  17. 17.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Rev. Proc. 2025-19: 2026 inflation adjusted amounts for HSAs. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-26-05.pdf
  18. 18.Internal Revenue Service. (September 22, 2025). Retirement topics: IRA contribution limits (spousal IRA rules). https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits
  19. 19.Internal Revenue Service. (November 7, 2025). Notice 2025-67 (retirement plan limitations for 2026, including IRA limits and QCD inflation adjustment). https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-publ/irb25-49.pdf
  20. 20.Internal Revenue Service. (June 29, 2025). How long should I keep records? https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/how-long-should-i-keep-records
  21. 21.Internal Revenue Service. (September 11, 2025). Topic No. 305: Recordkeeping. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc305
  22. 22.Internal Revenue Service. (September 15, 2025). Choosing a tax professional. https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/choosing-a-tax-professional
  23. 23.Internal Revenue Service. (March 26, 2025). Enrolled agent information. https://www.irs.gov/tax-professionals/enrolled-agents/enrolled-agent-information
  24. 24.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://irs.treasury.gov/rpo/rpo.jsf
  25. 25.Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Publication 501: Dependents, standard deduction, and filing information. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p501
  26. 26.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Payment plans and installment agreements. https://www.irs.gov/payments/payment-plans-installment-agreements
  27. 27.Internal Revenue Service. (2024). Form 8379: Injured Spouse Allocation, and Form 8857: Request for Innocent Spouse Relief. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8379.pdf; https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f8857.pdf
  28. 28.Internal Revenue Service. (December 2024). Instructions for Form 8283. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8283.pdf

Step 12: Review Insurance Coverage & Benefits

  1. KFF. (October 22, 2025). Annual family premiums for employer coverage rise 6% in 2025, nearing $27,000; workers’ contributions rise 7%. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/press-release/annual-family-premiums-2025/.
  2. Social Security Administration. (2024). Social Security basic facts. https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/basicfact-alt.pdf.
  3. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Special enrollment periods: Marriage. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.healthcare.gov/screener/marriage/.
  4. U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. (n.d.). Special enrollment rights under HIPAA. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/hipaa/consumer-information/special-enrollment-rights.
  5. HealthCare.gov. (2025). What Marketplace plans cover: Out-of-pocket maximums. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/out-of-pocket-costs/.
  6. Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Rev. Proc. 2025-19: 2026 inflation adjusted amounts for Health Savings Accounts and excepted benefit HRAs. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-19.pdf.
  7. Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Rev. Proc. 2025-32: 2026 inflation adjustments, health FSA limit and carryover. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-25-32.pdf.
  8. Internal Revenue Service. (2026). Publication 15-B: Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b.
  9. Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Publication 503: Child and Dependent Care Expenses. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p503.
  10. 10.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Publication 969: Health Savings Accounts and Other Tax-Favored Health Plans. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p969.
  11. 11.LIMRA & Life Happens. (2024). 2024 Insurance Barometer Study. https://www.limra.com/en/research/research-abstracts/2024-insurance-barometer/.
  12. 12.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Publication 525: Taxable and Nontaxable Income. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p525.
  13. 13.The Zebra. (2025). Car insurance rates by marital status. https://www.thezebra.com/auto-insurance/research/marital-status/.
  14. 14.Insurance Information Institute. (n.d.). Bundling home and auto insurance. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.iii.org/article/insurance-bundling.
  15. 15.Insurance Information Institute. (n.d.). How to save money on your car insurance. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.iii.org/article/how-to-save-money-on-your-car-insurance.
  16. 16.Consumer Reports. (August 21, 2025). Car insurance telematics: Pros and cons. https://www.consumerreports.org/money/car-insurance/car-insurance-telematics-pros-and-cons-a5869096072/.
  17. 17.Insurance Information Institute. (n.d.). What is an umbrella liability policy? (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.iii.org/article/what-umbrella-liability.
  18. 18.American Dental Association. (2024). Dental benefits: An introduction. https://www.ada.org/-/media/project/ada-organization/ada/ada-org/files/resources/practice/dental-insurance/dental_benefits_an_introduction_final.pdf.
  19. 19.VSP. (n.d.). Plan basics and typical allowances. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.vsp.com/vision-insurance/vision-plans/plan-basics.
  20. 20.American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance. (2025). 2025 LTC insurance price index. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://www.aaltci.org/long-term-care-insurance/learning-center/ltc-insurance-costs-2025.php.
  21. 21.Federal Trade Commission. (2025). Credit freezes and fraud alerts. (retrieved January 5, 2026), from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/credit-freezes-and-fraud-alerts.

Step 13: Prepare for Major Purchases

  1. Fannie Mae. (2025, April 2). B3-6-02: Debt-to-Income Ratios. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-6-02/debt-income-ratios.
  2. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (n.d.). How can FHA help me buy a home? Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://answers.hud.gov/FHA/s/article/How-can-FHA-help-me-buy-a-home
  3. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (April 1, 2024). Your insured deposits. https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/brochures/insured-deposits/
  4. National Credit Union Administration. (2025). Share insurance. MyCreditUnion.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://mycreditunion.gov/protect-your-money/share-insurance
  5. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2025). Deposit insurance. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance
  6. Iowa Department of Revenue. (2024–2025). First-Time Homebuyer Savings Account program materials. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://revenue.iowa.gov/taxes/tax-guidance/tax-credits-deductions-exemption/first-time-homebuyers-savings-account.
  7. Colorado Department of Revenue. (April 15, 2025). Income Tax Topic: First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account subtraction. https://tax.colorado.gov/income-tax-topics-first-time-home-buyer-savings-account-subtraction.
  8. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (December 12, 2024). Consider whether it’s the right time for you to buy. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/owning-a-home/prepare/consider-whether-its-the-right-time-for-you-to-buy/.
  9. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (May 2, 2017). Making the decision to rent or buy. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/making-decision-rent-or-buy/.
  10. 10.Federal Trade Commission. (2022). Financing or leasing a car. https://consumer.ftc.gov/financing-or-leasing-car.
  11. 11.Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2003). Vehicle leasing resource: FAQs. https://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/leasing/resource/faq.htm.
  12. 12.Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2003). End-of-lease wear-and-tear charges. https://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/leasing/resource/consider/endclosed_info8.htm.
  13. 13.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (2025). Take control of your auto loan. https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_auto_loan_guide.pdf.
  14. 14.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (March 12, 2024). What is GAP insurance? https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-guaranteed-asset-protection-gap-insurance-en-797/.
  15. 15.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (February 2, 2024). Deferred-interest and 0% promotions. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/i-got-a-credit-card-promising-no-interest-for-a-purchase-if-i-pay-in-full-within-12-months-how-does-this-work-en-40/.
  16. 16.Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Warranties: Consumer advice. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/warranties.
  17. 17.Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Extended warranties and service contracts. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/extended-warranties-service-contracts.
  18. 18.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (September 25, 2025). What is a grace period for a credit card? https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-grace-period-for-a-credit-card-en-47/.
  19. 19.Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). 12 CFR §1026.54: Limitations on the imposition of finance charges. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/rules-policy/regulations/1026/54/.
  20. 20.Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Using credit cards and disputing charges. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/using-credit-cards-and-disputing-charges

Step 14: Family Planning, Leave, & Childcare

  1. Winger, A., Rae, M., & Cox, C. (2025, September 9). Health costs associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and infant care. Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/health-costs-associated-with-pregnancy-childbirth-and-postpartum-care/
  2. FAIR Health, Inc. (2024). Cost of giving birth. https://www.fairhealth.org/fh-trackers/cost-of-giving-birth
  3. U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. (n.d.). Avoid surprise healthcare expenses: What you need to know about the No Surprises Act. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/about-ebsa/our-activities/resource-center/publications/avoid-surprise-healthcare-expenses
  4. Gen Y Planning. (2024). Baby steps to financial success: A new parents money guide. https://genyplanning.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Baby-Steps-to-Financial-Success-A-New-Parents-Money-Guide.pdf
  5. Health Resources & Services Administration. (n.d.). Women’s preventive services guidelines. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.hrsa.gov/womens-guidelines
  6. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Breastfeeding benefits. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/breastfeeding-benefits/
  7. Lino, M., Kuczynski, K., Rodriguez, N., & Schap, T. (2017). Expenditures on children by families, 2015 (Miscellaneous Publication No. 1528-2015). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion. https://fns-prod.azureedge.us/sites/default/files/resource-files/crc2015-march2017.pdf
  8. U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. (n.d.). The employee’s guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla
  9. National Conference of State Legislatures. (2025). State paid family and medical leave. https://www.ncsl.org/
  10. 10.State of New Jersey. (n.d.). Temporary Disability Insurance: Pregnancy and childbirth. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://myleavebenefits.nj.gov/
  11. 11.Child Care Aware of America. (2024). The U.S. and the high price of child care 2024. https://www.childcareaware.org/
  12. 12.U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). National Database of Childcare Prices. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/featured-childcare
  13. 13.Social Security Administration. (2026). Household workers. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10021.pdf
  14. 14.Internal Revenue Service. (2026). Publication 15-B: Employer’s tax guide to fringe benefits. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b 
  15. 15.Internal Revenue Service. (September 12, 2025). Topic No. 313: Qualified tuition programs (529 plans). https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc313 
  16. 16.U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. (2025-2026). 2026-27 FAFSA form. (retrieved January 6, 2026). https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/2026-27-fafsa-form.pdf 
  17. 17.Internal Revenue Service. (September 4, 2025). 529 plans: Questions and answers. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/529-plans-questions-and-answers 
  18. 18.Internal Revenue Service. (October 9, 2025). IRS releases tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026, including amendments from the One Big Beautiful Bill. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-releases-tax-inflation-adjustments-for-tax-year-2026-including-amendments-from-the-one-big-beautiful-bill 
  19. 19.Internal Revenue Service. (January 2, 2025). Frequently asked questions on gift taxes. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes
  20. 20.AICPA. (July 1, 2024). A retirement savings head start: 529-to-Roth rollovers. https://www.thetaxadviser.com/issues/2024/jul/a-retirement-savings-head-start-529-to-roth-rollovers/
  21. 21.U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration. (n.d.). HIPAA special enrollment rights (adding a child). (retrieved January 6, 2026). https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa 
  22. 22.HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Having a baby qualifies you for a special enrollment period (60 days). (retrieved January 6, 2026). https://www.healthcare.gov/ 
  23. 23.Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Adoption credit. (retrieved June 6, 2026). https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/adoption-credit

Step 15: Estate Planning & Survivor Benefits

  1. California Probate Code §10810. (n.d.). In FindLaw. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://codes.findlaw.com/ca/probate-code/prob-sect-10810/
  2. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Managing someone else’s money: Help for agents under a power of attorney. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/managing-someone-elses-money/
  3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. (n.d.). Disclosures to family and friends, 45 CFR 164.510(b). (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/faq/disclosures-to-family-and-friends/index.html
  4. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights. (n.d.). Individuals’ right of access to health information. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/guidance/access/index.html
  5. Uniform Law Commission. (n.d.). Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act, Revised (RUFADAA). (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.uniformlaws.org/committees/community-home?CommunityKey=f7237fc4-74c2-4728-81c6-b39a91ecdf22
  6. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2025). Employees’ Guide to Deposit Insurance: Trust accounts. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.fdic.gov/financial-institution-employees-guide-deposit-insurance/trust-accounts
  7. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2025). Your insured deposits (brochure). (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.fdic.gov/resources/deposit-insurance/brochures/insured-deposits
  8. 26 U.S.C. §1014. Basis of property acquired from a decedent (including community-property rule). (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/1014
  9. Internal Revenue Service. (December 2024). Publication 555: Community Property. https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p555.pdf
  10. 10.Internal Revenue Service. (February 18, 2025). Publication 551: Basis of Assets (Rev. December 2024). https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p551.pdf
  11. 11.Genworth & CareScout. (2024). Cost of Care Survey: 2024 results (press release). https://investor.genworth.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/982/genworth-and-carescout-release-cost-of-care-survey-results
  12. 12.CareScout. (2024). Cost of care. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.carescout.com/cost-of-care
  13. 13.EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases. (2023). What you should know about buying life insurance. https://everyfuture.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/What-You-Should-Know-About-Buying-Life-Insurance.pdf
  14. 14.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). What’s new, estate and gift tax. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/whats-new-estate-and-gift-tax
  15. 15.Internal Revenue Service. (September 2025). Instructions for Form 706. https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i706
  16. 16.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Gifts & inheritances, frequently asked questions (annual exclusion amounts). (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-gift-taxes
  17. 17.Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Estate tax FAQs, Portability. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/frequently-asked-questions-on-estate-taxes
  18. Internal Revenue Service. (2025). About Form 4768, Application for Extension of Time to File a Return and/or Pay U.S. Estate (and GST) Taxes. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-4768
  19. Internal Revenue Service. (2025). Publication 590-B: Distributions from Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs). https://www.irs.gov/publications/p590b
  20. Social Security Administration. (2024). Survivors benefits (EN-05-10084). https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10084.pdf
  21. Social Security Administration. (n.d.). What you could get from survivor benefits. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.ssa.gov/survivor/amount
  22. Social Security Administration, Office of the Chief Actuary. (n.d.). Types of beneficiaries. (retrieved January 6, 2026), from https://www.ssa.gov/oact/progdata/types.html

Step 16: Plan Careers & Education

  1. Bureau of Economic Analysis. (December 11, 2025). Regional price parities by state and metro area. https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.bls.gov/oes/
  3. Internal Revenue Service. (January 2, 2025). Topic no. 455, Moving expenses for members of the Armed Forces. https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc455
  4. Internal Revenue Service. (January 15, 2025). Instructions for Form 8863 (2025). https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/i8863.pdf
  5. Internal Revenue Service. (December 18, 2024). Educational assistance programs (IRC §127), FAQs and Pub. 15-B. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p15b
  6. Internal Revenue Service. (January 28, 2025). Publication 970, Tax Benefits for Education. https://www.irs.gov/publications/p970
  7. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Education pays, earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment. (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm
  8. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Employment Projections, overview. (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.bls.gov/emp/
  9. U.S. Small Business Administration. (n.d.). Write your business plan. (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/plan-your-business/write-your-business-plan
  10. Internal Revenue Service. (n.d.). Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center. (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center
  11. Internal Revenue Service. (January 3, 2025). About Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals. https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-1040-es
  12. Internal Revenue Service. (November 21, 2025). IRS issues FAQs on Form 1099-K threshold under the One Big Beautiful Bill, dollar limit reverts to $20,000. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-issues-faqs-on-form-1099-k-threshold-under-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-dollar-limit-reverts-to-20000
  13. Internal Revenue Service. (January 8, 2025). Single-member limited liability companies. https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/single-member-limited-liability-companies
  14. Internal Revenue Service. (October 4, 2002). Rev. Proc. 2002-69 (community-property spouse-owned entities). https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-02-69.pdf
  15. Internal Revenue Service. (January 9, 2025). Election for married couples, Qualified joint venture (QJV). https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/election-for-married-couples-unincorporated-businesses
  16. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. (March 26, 2025). Beneficial ownership information reporting requirement, revision and deadline extension (interim final rule), and BOI program page. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/03/26/2025-05199 ; https://www.fincen.gov/boi
  17. HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Special enrollment periods, losing coverage gives you 60 days to enroll. (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/
  18. U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Unemployment Insurance, how to file and eligibility. (retrieved January 5, 2026). https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance

Step 17: Set Long-Term Lifestyle Goals

  1. Archuleta, K. L., Burr, E. A., Dale, A. K., & Canale, A. (2013). Is the couple financially compatible? Journal of Financial Therapy, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.4148/jft.v4i1.1798
  2. a2zcalculators. (2025). Future value of annuity calculator. Retrieved January 5, 2026, from https://a2zcalculators.com/retail-and-discounts-calculators/future-value-of-annuity-calculator