AARP Money Map™ VS Blueprint Income

If anyone is struggling with this now: https://moneymap.aarp.org/ is a good resource if anyone needs help with this. The basic premise is to just not pay the bill until you can settle it for less once it hits collections. Overdue medical bills cannot be sent to collections or reported to credit scoring agencies for six months, which buys you time to scrounge up money. But NEVER PAY FULL PRICE. Source: over 2 years ago

Right now, bonds are not something I recommend (or use), I use 1. Promo CD (depositaccounts.com), 2. MYGAs (blueprintincome.com), or 3. Ibonds (https://thefinancebuff.com/how-to-buy-i-bonds.html) (mostly ibonds lately). Source: about 2 years ago

You need to answer the question - when do you want the funds to be accessible to spend (on whatever)? If you've got at least 5 years, you're probably OK to put them into VTI. If you have 2-5 years, you're best off with promo CDs (depositaccounts.com) or MYGA (blueprintincome.com) . If you've got >2yrs, then just put them into a HYSA or promo rate rewards checking accounts. Source: about 2 years ago

Personally I eschew Target Date because I do not want my FI portion in Bonds, I want them in promotional CDs (depositaccounts.com), or MYGAs (blueprintincome.com), so my brokerage just has VTSAX(VTI) and VTIAX(VXUS). If you're at Fidelity I would just use the VG ETFs (VTI+VXUS). If you like the Fidelity Mutual Funds, go ahead and use those, very little difference, I think VG ETFs slightly edge them out, but that's... Source: over 2 years ago

I recommend putting your "bond" portion into promo bank/CU CDs (depositaccounts.com), or into a MYGA (blueprintincome.com), because both are earning more than bonds right now. Source: over 2 years ago

You have other options beyond a HYSA. There are Treasuries, promotional bank CDs (depositaccounts.com), MYGAs (blueprintincome.com). Source: over 2 years ago