Kiplinger's Personal Finance - May 2026
Publisher:FutureCategory:InvestmentLanguage:EnglishFrequency:Monthly
Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting on your financial journey, Kiplinger's Personal Finance offers guidance tailored to your needs. From tips on saving for college and buying a home to optimizing your portfolio and planning for a secure retirement, the magazine equips readers with the knowledge and tools to achieve financial stability and prosperity. With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Kiplinger's Personal Finance has been a go-to resource for individuals seeking practical advice, expert insights, and valuable tips to manage their money effectively. Within the pages of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, you'll find a wealth of information on topics such as budgeting, investing, retirement planning, taxes, and much more. The magazine offers a mix of engaging articles, expert analysis, and real-life success stories, providing readers with actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of personal finance. Discover the power of Kiplinger's Personal Finance and unlock the secrets to financial success. Let the magazine be your trusted companion as you embark on a path toward financial well-being and take control of your financial future.
In this issue
Why I Invest in a 529 Plan
IN this issue, we have a generous helping of stories with a family focus. On page 66, you'll find tips to plan a vacation that family members of all generations will enjoy.
1 min
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 2026 REFUND
With record amounts expected to be returned to taxpayers this year, having a plan for the money in advance is key.
1 min
SLASH YOUR GROCERY BILLS WITH THESE HACKS
A host of tools and strategies can help you save up to 50% on some food items-without sacrificing good taste.
1 min
WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT MEDICARE CAN COST YOU
Many people are confused about important facts regarding the federal health insurance program for older adults.
1 min
WILL MOUNTING MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT SINK STOCKS?
The broad U.S. stock market showed resilience as investors mulled the potential impact of escalated conflict in the Middle East, sparked by U.S.-Israeli air strikes on Iran that commenced at the end of February.
1 min
THE KIPLINGER 25 ACTIVE MANAGERS PROVE THEIR METTLE
In a shifting market, most of our mutual fund picks did well.
1 min
SUSTAINABLE INVESTING IS IN SURVIVAL MODE
THE KIPLINGER ESG 20 UPDATE
1 min
I Have Seen This All Before
I am writing four days after the attack on Iran, and although chaotic and volatile trading days surely lie ahead, I assert that your most constructive stance is to muse about the eventual opportunities and not lose your nerve in the meantime.
1 min
A Market Guru Talks Stocks
JEREMY GRANTHAM, 87, studied economics at the University of Sheffield and attained an MBA at Harvard Business School before entering the investment field in the 1960s.
1 min
WE ADD A NEW CORE BOND FUND
KIPLINGER ETF 20 UPDATE
1 min
The Meaning of Dow 50,000
ON February 6, the Dow Jones industrial average breached 50,000 before falling back as geopolitical uncertainty took its toll.
1 min
FUNDS TO HELP CALM FRAYED NERVES
THE year so far has been a choppy one for stock investors, with one worry after another cutting into the bullish trend. Investors went into 2026 with a renewed interest in defensive stocks, which can thrive even in a slow economy.
1 min
7 SECRETS TO MAXIMIZE YOUR WEALTH
Here's what science reveals about the hidden emotions that drive financial behavior-and how you can use them to build lifelong security.
1 min
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT HOME SALE GAINS
The editor of The Kiplinger Tax Letter responds to readers asking about an exclusion that can shield a seller's profits from taxes.
1 min
Advice for Handling an Inheritance
LATELY I've been getting a lot of news releases about what's being called the Great Wealth Transfer—upwards of $124 trillion that could change hands between generations over the next 10 to 20 years. And much of that inheritance will likely end up in the hands of women—wives, daughters, siblings, granddaughters—if for no other reason than women tend to outlive men.
1 min
Find a Missing Bank Account
FOR any number of reasons, you may have lost track of a bank account. Maybe you switched banks and never closed your checking or savings account at the former institution. Or perhaps when a parent or other relative died, their account slipped under the radar.
1 min
HOW TO HELP YOUR ADULT KIDS WITHOUT HURTING YOUR RETIREMENT
Closing the Bank of Mom and Dad can be challenging- financially and emotionally. These tips pave the way.
1 min
Smart Ways to Give to Charity
THE NEW WORLD OF RETIREMENT
1 min
FOREIGN STOCKS ARE HOT: HERE'S HOW TO TRADE THEM
FOR more than a year, going global with your portfolio has meant going gangbusters—many international equity markets, in a reversal of recent history, outperformed U.S. stocks. This overseas overachievement may have you looking beyond your international funds and mulling some specific stocks beyond our borders.
1 min
Great Gifts for Graduates
Help a new grad get off on the right financial foot with these ideas.
1 min
RUN A HOME INSURANCE CHECKUP
If you don't have sufficient coverage, your out-of-pocket costs in a claim could be through the roof.
1 min
FAMILY VACATIONS FOR EVERY GENERATION
Use our guide to plan a trip the whole group– from toddlers to grandparents– will love.
1 min
