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Kiplinger’s Letter team energy forecast. Plus, the safe way to handle a massive check. Created for you@example.com | Web Version October 20, 2026 FOLLOW US: SIGN UP ⋅ WEBSITE Featured (Getty Images) A Dividend Strategy Shines for This Top iShares ETF Big dividend payouts and stock buybacks are a winning combination for the iShares Core Dividend ETF, one of Kiplinger's favorite exchange-traded funds. Read More ADVERTISEMENT Top 10 Fee-Only Financial Advisor Firms of 2026 Fee-only firms are compensated directly by clients and generally do not earn commissions from selling financial products. SmartAsset ranked the top 10 fee-only financial advisor firms of 2026 based on AUM, individual client count, age of firm, and more. See the list Retirement Why Your Retirement 'Magic Number' May Be the Wrong Target Is your retirement goal a "magic number" you think you need to be comfortable? What you need is a realistic plan based on your own life, not someone else's arbitrary benchmark, says financial executive Michael Cherny. Is Your Number Wrong? NEXT READ: The 5 Pillars of a Fulfilling Retirement In Case You Missed It (Getty Images) Kiplinger Energy Outlook: High Gas Prices Loom over Midterm Elections Ongoing disruptions to oil production and refining in the Middle East and Russia keep fuel prices elevated. But there may be a little bit of good news. Find Out More Here Tax Planning Niche Strategies to Delay or Defer Taxes on Your RMDs, Courtesy of a Financial Planner Taking Required Minimum Distributions you don't actually need can trigger a costly chain reaction, from higher capital gains taxes to spiked Medicare premiums. To help minimize this tax burden, financial planner Evan T. Beach shares three targeted strategies. Protect Your RMDs ADVERTISEMENT CD Rates That Can't Be Ignored With some CD rates climbing above 5%, now may be a good time for you to lock in your rate. Learn More > Travel (Getty Images) 5 International Destinations That Cost Less Than a New iPhone Will you look back and regret not buying the new iPhone Duo, or the memories you could have had traveling to one of these cheap, safe and culturally rich countries on five different continents? Where Will You Go? NEXT READ: 5 Fall Trips That Are Even Better After You Retire Personal Finance What to Do When You Receive a Large Check (And How to Deposit It Safely) Depositing a large check isn't always easy, as banks have different deposit policies. Here's how to make the process go smoothly. Read More ADVERTISEMENT We'll Write Your Memoir In Your Voice Preserve your life story in a beautifully crafted memoir, without writing a word. We take care of everything, from personal interviews to impeccable writing and exquisite book production. Your memoir will be written in your authentic voice, creating a timeless legacy. Call 844 399 0426 to start LEARN MORE MORE FROM KIPLINGER Don't miss our other free newsletters on everything from shopping and saving, to investing, taxes, retirement and more. Plus, get a free issue of Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine in our app. No download required! Visit the Kiplinger Store for money-saving offers to help you build wealth, cut taxes, and retire rich. And check out our corporate subscription rates for businesses and organizations. Follow Kiplinger Contact Us: Feedback | Advertise Sign Up | Print Publications | Unsubscribe Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms and Conditions When you purchase through links in our content, we may earn an affiliate commission. Future US LLC © Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10036