Rachel Cautero
Retirement, Investing and Budget Expert
Rachel Cautero writes on all things personal finance, from retirement savings tips to monetary policy, even how young families can best manage the financial challenges of having children. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Forbes, The Balance, LearnVest, SmartAsset, HerMoney, DailyWorth, The New York Observer, MarketWatch, Lifewire, The Local: East Village, a New York Times publication and The New York Daily News. Rachel was an Experian #CreditChat panelist and has appeared on Cheddar Life and NPR’s On Point Radio with Meghna Chakrabarti. She has a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University and a master's in journalism from New York University. Her coworkers include her one-year-old son and a very needy French bulldog.
Posts by Rachel Cautero:

The term “top 1%” is typically used to refer to people among the top 1% wealthiest Americans, as measured by either annual income or net worth. The income of those in the top 1% is many multiples above that of the average American: According to one study, in 2018 the average person in the top 1% earned an income more than 39 times that of someone in the bottom 90%. In this article we’ll discuss how to know if you fall in the top 1%, how it varies by state, and how the top 1% in the U.S. compares to the top 1% globally. Read more

So you’ve decided that a family member won’t be getting an inheritance, after all. Maybe you have an ungrateful or irresponsible family member you want to cut out of the will. Or maybe there’s someone you’ve decided to favor at the expense of other family members. Here’s what to know about the process of disinheriting an heir, including some legal considerations – such as who may be immune from being disinherited. Read more

A holographic will sounds like something high-tech, but it’s quite the opposite: A will that’s completely written by hand, specifies what property or assets, such as bonds, stocks and fund accounts, are being willed and any circumstances that recipients must meet to receive named assets. Such wills aren’t necessarily recognized in all situations, with the legal status of such wills varying by state. In this article we discuss the requirements for holographic wills, which states recognize them and the potential downfalls. Read more

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of the economy, and the government has responded with measures that focus on U.S. businesses and their employees. Individually, Americans… Read more

The global coronavirus pandemic has had a heavy impact on the American economy. With many people laid off and struggling to pay for essentials, the federal government approved the $2 trillion… Read more

The term “set it and forget it” is ubiquitous in the financial world, and with good reason. Regular contributions to your retirement accounts or investment portfolio can help keep you on the right… Read more

The process of divorce can be emotionally and financially draining. It can also be very complicated, as state laws tend to dictate who gets what property, assets and even debt in a split. Equitable… Read more

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “The more you make, the more you spend,” you’re likely already familiar with the concept of lifestyle inflation. Lifestyle inflation is when you increase your… Read more

South Dakota does not levy either an estate tax or an inheritance tax. However, there are other South Dakota inheritance laws of which residents should be aware, including rules governing intestate… Read more

North Dakota does not levy an estate tax or an inheritance tax. But North Dakota has other inheritance laws of which you should be aware, including rules concerning intestate succession, probate,… Read more

New Hampshire does not charge an inheritance or estate tax. But if you inherit an estate from someone who lived in a state that does have such taxes, you may still have to pay it. In this detailed… Read more

Montana does not charge an inheritance tax, nor does it tax the estates of decedents who were residents of the state (or who owned property within its borders). In this detailed guide of Montana’s… Read more

Hawaii is has no inheritance tax, but it is one of 12 states with an estate tax. In this detailed guide of the Aloha State’s inheritance laws, we examine this estate tax, along with other key… Read more

Like many states, Delaware does not have an inheritance or estate tax. The First State also boasts the sixth-lowest property tax in the U.S., and has no gift tax, making it a relatively tax-friendly… Read more

South Carolina does not levy an inheritance or estate tax, but like all states, it has its own unique set of laws regarding inheritance of estates. In this detailed guide of South Carolina… Read more

Nevada does not charge estate or inheritance taxes. In this detailed guide of Nevada’s inheritance laws, we break down intestate succession, probate, what makes a will valid and more. If you’d like… Read more

Michigan does not have an inheritance or estate tax, but your estate will be subject to the Wolverine State’s inheritance laws. In this detailed guide of Michigan inheritance laws, we break down… Read more

Determining when to retire can be tough. There are various factors to consider, including your financial situation, your health, and the lifestyle you wish to enjoy once you retire. While the… Read more

Missouri inheritance laws are fairly tax-friendly, as the state doesn’t have an inheritance or estate tax. You will, however, be responsible for federal inheritance taxes should the inherited estate… Read more

A wide range of studies shows the value of seniors keeping busy for their physical health, mental acuity and memory. That presents one of the few downsides of retirement: How do you keep busy when… Read more

You know how much you paid for an investment. But do you know how much it’s actually worth? While the value of most assets equates to market value, intrinsic value implies the investor’s perceived… Read more

If you’re a millennial, chances are, you don’t have a financial advisor. In fact, one survey found that just 11% of millennials regularly meet with a financial advisor, while 31% use either a robo… Read more

The term “garden leave” refers to a company’s practice of paying an employee who is leaving to stay away from work and delay seeking employment elsewhere for a period of time. They’re also usually… Read more

Divorce always presents financial issues, and that can be especially true later in life. A gray divorce refers to couples who get divorced late in life – usually after 40 years or more of marriage.… Read more

Depending on how you want to invest, $5,000 is plenty to get started with. There are a plethora of options available to you, such as adding that money to your retirement account, opening a brokerage… Read more