Marisol Vega-Quintero, Author at Credit Scout

Marisol Vega-Quintero,

Marisol Vega-Quintero is a certified credit counselor and personal finance educator with over a decade of experience helping first-generation Americans navigate the U.S. credit system. She has contributed to several financial literacy nonprofits and regularly speaks at community workshops across the Southwest. At The Credit Scout, Marisol focuses on making credit fundamentals accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial starting point.

Retired couple reviewing financial documents and retirement savings plan at a kitchen table

How to Retire on $500,000: A Realistic Plan That Actually Works

A $500K portfolio plus average Social Security adds up to ~$43,500/year — enough to retire, but only if you meet four specific conditions. Here's the honest math.

Family reviewing medical bills and tax forms at a kitchen table to calculate deductible healthcare expenses

Medical Expense Deductions: The Overlooked Tax Break Most Families Qualify For

A family clearing the 7.5% AGI floor by $4,000 saves $880 in federal taxes — here's how the medical expense tax deduction works and who qualifies.

Side-by-side comparison chart of SEP IRA and Solo 401k contribution limits for self-employed individuals in 2026

SEP IRA vs Solo 401(k): Which Retirement Account Wins for the Self-Employed?

Both accounts share a $72,000 limit in 2026, but the Solo 401(k) hits that ceiling at far lower income—and adds Roth access a SEP IRA can never offer.

W-2 employee reviewing pre-tax payroll deduction options on a laptop alongside a pay stub and tax documents

How to Reduce Your Taxable Income as a W-2 Employee

Max out your 401(k) at $24,500 and HSA at $8,750 for family coverage in 2026—W-2 employees can trim thousands from adjusted gross income before a paycheck is issued.

Retiree reviewing portfolio withdrawal charts and retirement income plan at a desk

The 4% Withdrawal Rule Is Broken: What Retirees Are Using Instead

Morningstar's 2025 research puts the safe withdrawal rate at 3.9%—but flexible strategies like guardrails can support up to 5.7%. Here's what actually works now.

A single woman in her 50s reviewing retirement savings documents at a desk with a laptop and financial statements

How a Single Woman in Her 50s Can Catch Up on Retirement Savings Fast

28% of working women skipped retirement savings in 2024–25. Here's the exact order to use catch-up contributions—401(k), HSA, Social Security delay—to close the gap fast.