What happens if your investments are down just as you're heading into retirement? The nest egg you’ve been building for decades could have taken a major hit, and pulling it out now locks in that loss. The advice to delay taking Social Security as long as possible can be a good strategy for people without other savings if they are still able to work. But if you have retirement savings and no employment income, taking Social Security early can give your investments time to rebound and give you...

Witthaya Prasongsin/GettyImages; Illustration by Bankrate At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . Throughout the country, stubborn inflation has raised the overall cost of living dramatically. At the same time, the housing market remains volatile, with home prices high, inventory low and mortgage rates through the roof. When every dollar counts,...

Catherine Delahaye/Getty Images; Illustration by Hunter Newton/Bankrate At Bankrate we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation for . When you list your home for sale, scoring top dollar can be a tricky balancing act. There are so many factors to consider, from local comps to national market trends. If you’re ready to upgrade from your starter home — or just ready to...