October, 2009
Even In Tough Times, Grandparents Can Still Help Their Grandkids Get A Good Financial Start
Though grandparents are among the millions who have taken a big hit to their portfolios in recent years, careful planning can ensure a healthy contribution to the education and financial future of their grandchildren.
September, 2009
Thinking Ahead About Inflation? Here Are A Few Ways To Protect Yourself
While the struggling economy has put a vise on inflation, many experts don’t expect things to stay that way for much longer. Why? Many economic experts fear the current level of federal spending will inevitably lead to printing more money, and that’s regarded as an inflationary solution.
September, 2009
Affording A Pet – Ways To Save And Plan
Some of the most heartbreaking news reports out of the latest recession involved the number of pets being left at animal shelters by owners who could no longer afford to keep them. If you’ve considered giving a rescue or a pedigree a home, think first about whether you can really afford to give them proper care.
September, 2009
Taking A Fresh Look At Your 401(K) Allocations
A May survey by Hewitt Associates noted that despite record losses in their 401(k) savings in 2008, individuals stuck with their 401(k) plans. However, more people dealt with their worry about investment conditions by shifting money into more conservative investments. In addition, a significant number of companies either eliminated or cut back significantly on matching employee 401(k) contributions.
August, 2009
Reverse Mortgages – What Should You And Your Parents Know Before Applying?
The number of reverse mortgages backed by the government jumped nearly 20 percent in March and April alone from the same period in 2008. At a time when seniors have seen their retirement assets depleted by market losses, tapping home equity has been a safety net. But it can be a risky one.
August, 2009
Getting Your Finances Ready For The Next Rainy Day – Or Decade
It was Benjamin Franklin who once said, “The man who achieves makes many mistakes, but he never makes the biggest mistake of all - doing nothing.”
August, 2009
Understanding Actively Managed Exchange Traded Funds
With so many investors and their advisors questioning traditional market thinking about index-based investing, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are starting to move beyond their traditional passive, index territory into more active management.
July, 2009
Re-setting the Business Exit Plan in a Tough Economy
The unpredictability of the markets and the economy has reset plenty of retirement plans, and that’s been especially true for business owners.
July, 2009
What if Your Employer Doesn’t Want You to Retire? Planning for a Second Act
The mass Baby Boomer retirement anticipated over the next 20-30 years is expected to create an overall U.S. labor shortage of 35 million workers. That’s potentially good news for future retirees who either want to work or need to work due to the recent investment downturn.
July, 2009
Even When a Spouse Dies, Debt Lives On
The death of a loved one is a paralyzing event. Many survivors find it difficult, if not impossible to start dealing with the financial afterlife of a spouse even if they’ve planned extraordinarily well.
July, 2009
Dealing With Companywide Pay and Benefits Cuts
Even as the economy shows a few glimmers of improvement, most economists expect some continuation of job, pay and benefits cuts to continue throughout the year. What can you do about these moves, even if they’re still in the rumor stage?
June, 2009
A To-Do List for Settling an Estate
The adjustment to the loss of a loved one is hard enough without the inevitable workload of settling their affairs. Even if they don’t have much in the way of assets, the process takes time – typically up to a year. It makes sense to get advice from tax, estate and financial planning experts in the preparation of an estate plan. A Certified Financial Planner™ professional in estate matters is a good choice to start the process.
June, 2009
Don’t Let Economic Troubles Threaten Your Retirement Plans
As the economy has worsened, not only have retirement funds dropped in value with the market, but also many people have been tempted to tap savings as a way to cut debt or otherwise shore up their finances after a job loss. Still more have found that employers have dropped matching contributions to shore up their own finances.
June, 2009
Top 10 Money Decisions for Today’s Incoming College Freshman
The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education reported last December that college tuition and fees increased 439 percent from 1982 to 2007 while median family income rose 147 percent. The report also noted that student borrowing has almost doubled since 1998. What’s the most worrisome statement to come from the report? If current trends continue, our country might be without an affordable higher education system in 25 years.
May, 2009
Starting a Business? In This Economy, Don’t Quit Your Day Job – Start With Good Advice
If you’ve ever fantasized about quitting your job and starting a business, you’re certainly not alone. However, it’s definitely not something to do on a whim – you’ll need time and good advice.
May, 2009
Why Financial Planning Matters in the Toughest of Times
Why enlist the services of a financial planner when your holdings are down and you’re facing a host of financial problems? Because as dark as times may seem, you’re actually giving yourself a fresh start in building a stronger financial future.
May, 2009
Be Careful When Rebalancing Your Kid’s 529 Plan Allocation
Market extremes tend to make uninformed people invest at extremes. As the market has suffered over the past nine months, families putting their college savings into 529 college savings plans have watched their stock-based holdings shrink with the market and many have run for cover.
April, 2009
How Does the Stimulus Plan Affect You? It’s Good to Get Some Advice Now
The biggest benefit from the $787.2 billion federal stimulus package will hopefully be a noticeable improvement in the nation’s economy. But on an individual level, it’s wise to check if you might be eligible for benefits in health care, education, various tax credits and housing.
April, 2009
Ways to Save Money on Health Care and Health Insurance in Troubled Times
Whether you buy your healthcare coverage through your employer or independently, you need to look at your coverage the same way cost-cutting entrepreneurs do. Buying coverage in the future won’t stop at finding the best price – what you pay increasingly will involve how well you personally manage your health.
April, 2009
Planning a Cost-Effective Job Search
Whether you’ve already cleaned out your desk or are expecting your department to be next at work for cuts, in this economy, it definitely makes sense to plan a job search before you actually have to do one. Call it a response plan.
April, 2009
Why Maintaining Your Credit Score Becomes Even More Important During the Continuing Credit Crunch
Even if borrowing loosens up a bit in 2009, you still need to do everything necessary to keep your credit score high. Fair Isaac, the company that created the FICO score, has been working on a new version of its landmark credit scoring method that might have serious consequences for you if you’re planning on borrowing for a home or establishing any other new credit in 2009.
March, 2009
Having Trouble With Your Grandkid’s Graduation Gift? Try the Gift of Tax-Advantaged Savi
It’s a few short weeks until cap and gown season begins, and for grandparents hoping to do something nice for their grandkids and something sensible for their estate, there are several options to explore.
March, 2009
The Death Tax Is Likely To Live On – High-Net Worth Individuals Might Consider a QPRT
The Obama Administration has indicated that it plans to block the estate tax from disappearing in 2010, though to offer a bit of relief, it might freeze it at the rate and exemption levels that took place this year.
March, 2009
How to Prepare For Your First Visit With a Financial Planner
If you’ve never met with a financial planner before or if it’s been years since you’ve visited one, you need to find a planner and prepare for your visit.
March, 2009
Is Your Child Headed To College Next Fall? It’s Time for a Crash Course on Borrowing and
Even if you’ve planned relatively well for your future college student’s expenses, the credit crunch and downturn in investment income for colleges have changed the game for financial aid at many schools. That means both parents and students need to approach the college financial aid scene with unprecedented caution.