Category: Insights

Beyond the Bottle: Creative Ways to Use Leftover Alcohol
January 5, 2025 Off

Beyond the Bottle: Creative Ways to Use Leftover Alcohol

By The Admiral Staff

The article suggests nine creative ways to utilize leftover alcohol without drinking it, perfect for those participating in Dry January or aiming to reduce alcohol consumption. These include incorporating alcohol into cooking (vodka sauces, wine pairings, beer-infused baked goods, and liquor in savory dishes), using it for household cleaning and maintenance (like polishing fixtures with beer or loosening rusty bolts), applying beer to hair as a nourishing rinse, treating red wine stains with white wine, and even employing beer as a natural slug deterrent in the

Dining on the Brink: Which Chain Restaurants Are Closing Doors?
December 5, 2024 Off

Dining on the Brink: Which Chain Restaurants Are Closing Doors?

By The Admiral Staff

Several chain restaurants are facing difficulties due to changing consumer preferences, rising costs, and lingering effects from the pandemic. In 2024, Denny’s, Hooters, Buca di Beppo, TGI Fridays, MOD Pizza, Rubio’s Coastal Grill, World of Beer, Sticky’s Finger Joint, Tijuana Flats, and BurgerFi have all announced closures or filed for bankruptcy. These closures range from 4 to 150 locations, with factors like declining revenue,

The Retirement Regrets You Can Still Fix
November 29, 2024 Off

The Retirement Regrets You Can Still Fix

By The Admiral Staff

A recent University of Pennsylvania study surveyed nearly 1,800 older Americans about their biggest financial regrets. The top five regrets were: not saving enough for retirement (57%), not purchasing long-term care insurance (40%), not working longer (37%), not investing in an annuity (33%), and claiming Social Security too early (23%). The article suggests learning from these regrets and taking action now to improve financial security, such as maximizing retirement savings, considering long-term

Navigating Required Minimum Distributions: Your Essential Guide
November 15, 2024 Off

Navigating Required Minimum Distributions: Your Essential Guide

By The Admiral Staff

Starting at age 73, individuals with traditional IRAs, 401(k)s, and similar retirement accounts are required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) annually—a portion of their savings that is subject to income tax. Failure to withdraw the required amount results in a steep 50% tax penalty. Roth IRAs are the exception, not requiring RMDs during the account holder’s lifetime. Several factors influence the RMD amount each year, including

Divorced and Wondering About Social Security? Here’s What You Need to Know.
November 5, 2024 Off

Divorced and Wondering About Social Security? Here’s What You Need to Know.

By The Admiral Staff

A reader asks if they can collect half of their ex-wife’s Social Security benefits, and if their ex could claim half of theirs. The expert clarifies that Social Security benefits are not taken from one person’s check and given to another. Spouses or former spouses may qualify for benefits based on their ex’s earnings record, but only if certain requirements are met (marriage lasting 10 years, divorced for over two years, and not currently remarried). The maximum spousal benefit