Donna LeValley
Donna joined Kiplinger as a personal finance writer in 2023. She spent more than a decade as the contributing editor of J.K.Lasser's Your Income Tax Guide and edited state specific legal treatises at ALM Media. She has shared her expertise as a guest on Bloomberg, CNN, Fox, NPR, CNBC and many other media outlets around the nation. She is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and the University at Buffalo.
Latest articles by Donna LeValley
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15 Ways to Prepare Your Home for Winter
home There are many ways to prepare your home for winter, which will help keep you safe and warm and save on housing and utility costs.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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Holiday Travel Guide: 12 Tips for Navigating Airports
Travel From knowing the latest security rules to bypassing long lines, here are 12 tips to save your sanity at the airport this holiday.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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Where to Move Your Money Before the Next Fed Meeting
Take advantage of high savings rates before the anticipated Fed rate cut next week erodes APYs and lowers returns.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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Six Year-End Deadlines for Retirees in 2024
Here are six key end-of-year 2024 deadlines that retirees and those saving to retire won't want to miss.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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Medicare Open Enrollment Is Ending Soon
Medicare During this period each fall, you can select a new Medicare Advantage or Part D plan or switch back to original Medicare.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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Missed Medicare Open Enrollment? Here Are You Options
There are limited ways you can change your Original Medicare elections after annual open enrollment has closed.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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4 Things You Need to Know Before Applying for Social Security in 2025
Don't unnecessarily delay or reduce your Social Security benefits because you don't know all the rules and requirements.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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What’s the Best Medigap Plan?
Medicare The 10 Medigap plans offer different levels of benefits that pay for expenses not covered by original Medicare.
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
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Financial Topics You Can Safely Discuss at Thanksgiving
Forget politics! Holidays offer families a valuable opportunity to talk about their shared financial interests.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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How to Apply for Social Security Retirement Benefits
There are two ways to apply for Social Security retirement benefits.
By Donna LeValley Published
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Beware Three Medicare Open Enrollment Scams
Crooks are perfecting Medicare Open Enrollment scams to try to steal your money or personal information.
By Donna LeValley Published
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Four Reasons to Shop Before Black Friday
Smart Buying It can make financial sense to buy holiday gifts before Black Friday.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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Medicare Premiums 2024: IRMAA for Parts B and D
The income related monthly adjustment amount (IRMAA) for 2024 Medicare Part B & Part D Premiums.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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7 Things Medicare Doesn't Cover
Healthy Living on a Budget Medicare Part A and Part B leave gaps in your healthcare coverage. But Medicare Advantage has problems, too.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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SEP IRA vs. Solo 401(k): Which Is Better?
Two retirement plans, the solo 401(k) and SEP IRAs, allow small business owners and the self-employed to save up to $69,000 annually.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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SEP IRA Contribution Limits for 2024
SEP IRA A good option for small business owners, SEP IRAs allow individual annual contributions of as much as $69,000 in 2024 and $70,000 in 2025..
By Jackie Stewart Last updated
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The Benefits of I Bonds vs EE Bonds To Store Your Savings
All of the information you'll need to choose between Series I and EE savings bonds.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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10 States Where Retirees Get Smaller Social Security Raises
Geography doesn't dictate how much Social Security you will receive. However, employment opportunities, pay scale and lifetime earnings impact your monthly benefit greatly.
By Donna LeValley Published
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Boost Your Social Security Benefit Every Month You Delay
social security You don't need to wait an entire year beyond your full retirement age to earn delayed retirement credits.
By Kimberly Lankford Last updated
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Nine Things to Keep in a Home Safe
Put these valuables in a home safe, not a bank safety deposit box (or under a mattress). You'll be glad you did.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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What Is Liability Insurance and What Does It Cover?
insurance Liability insurance protects you if you injure someone else or damage their property with your car.
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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CDs vs Bonds: Which Is Better for You?
Comparing the benefits of CDs and bonds
By Donna LeValley Last updated
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The Minimum Savings You Need To Retire in All 50 States
Are you concerned you haven't saved enough for retirement? Here are the average annual expenses and minimum savings amounts needed to get by in all 50 states.
By Donna LeValley Published
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The Best Places to Retire in the World
When it comes to the best places to retire in the world, which country is at the top of the list? And where does the U.S. feature on the leaderboard? We investigate.
By Elaine Silvestrini Last updated