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Estimating your future Social Security benefits used to be a difficult task, but not any longer. For an estimate of your projected benefits, go to www.ssa.gov/estimator. The retirement estimator gives estimates based on your…
Higher Education: College Saving and Funding Strategies
What Investment Risks Should I Know About?
Taken by itself, the word “risk” sounds negative. But broken down into what it really stands for in terms of investing, it begins to be a little more manageable. By understanding the different types…
What Stock and Bond Investing Alternatives Do I Have?
Many prudent investors may have at least some of their holdings in stocks, corporate bonds, or both. In fact, when most people think of “investing,” they think of Wall Street and the stock market.…
Monthly Market Monitor – May 2014 Recap Market Indices1 May Year-to-Date S&P 500 2.35% 4.97% Russell 3000 2.18% 4.32% MSCI EAFE 1.62% 3.78% MSCI Emerging Markets 3.49% 3.39% Barclays US Aggregate Bond 1.14% 3.87%…
Why Americans Are Eating Out Less Than Ever
Sharing meals in your home or out on the town isn’t just about eating; it’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. But whether you are a frugal home cook…
Monthly Market Monitor: November 2013 Recap Market Indices1 November Year-to-Date S&P 500 +3.05% +29.12% Russell 3000 +2.90% +30.12% MSCI EAFE +0.77% +20.97% MSCI Emerging Markets -1.46% -1.17% Barclays US Aggregate Bond -0.37% -1.47% Barclays…
Monthly Market Monitor – August 2013 Recap Market Indices1 August Year-to-Date S&P 500 -2.90% +16.15% Russell 3000 -2.79% +16.95% MSCI EAFE -1.31% +8.54% MSCI Emerging Markets -1.68% -9.94% Barclays US Aggregate Bond -0.51% -2.81%…
What Are My Retirement Plan Distribution Options?
When it comes to receiving the fruits of your labor : the money accumulated in your employer-sponsored retirement plan : you are faced with a few broad options. Should you take the payout as…
Insurance Strategies: Giving Old Life Insurance a New Purpose
Later in life : when your children are on their own, you’ve retired, or you’ve paid off your mortgage : you may think you no longer need to keep your life insurance coverage, or…
2014 Fourth Quarter Market Outlook
Is the pickup in growth for real this time? For years the pattern has been the same. At the beginning of the year forecasters acknowledged that growth has been weak but envisage a pickup…
1040 Postmortem: Making Sense of Your Taxes and Withholding
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which passed in December 2017, made fundamental changes to the U.S. tax code, and 2018 returns were the first time most taxpayers could see the practical impact…
Social Security is complex, and the details are often misunderstood even by those who are already receiving benefits. If you’re looking forward to Social Security, whether in one year or 30 years, it’s important…
Choosing and Using a College Checking Account
Attending college requires learning about many aspects of life outside the classroom, and one of those is managing a checking account. Even if your student had an account in high school, college will require…
How different types of risks can adversely affect your investments
Monthly Market Monitor – April 2015 Recap Market Indices1 April Year-to-Date S&P 500 0.96% 1.92% Russell 3000 0.45% 2.26% MSCI EAFE 4.08% 9.16% MSCI Emerging Markets 7.69% 10.10% Barclays US Aggregate Bond -0.36% 1.24%…
IPOs: Consider the Risks Behind the Hype
An initial public offering (IPO) is the first public sale of stock by a private company. Companies tend to schedule IPOs when investors are feeling good about their financial prospects and are more inclined…
Estate Taxes: Should a Trust Own Your Life Insurance?
Federal estate taxes became less of a concern for many families when the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act doubled the estate tax exemption. In 2019, a 40% tax rate applies only to taxable…
When you invest in bonds, you are investing in the debt of a government entity or a corporation. A bond is simply evidence of a debt and represents a long-term IOU. Bonds are issued…
What Is a Required Minimum Distribution?
A required minimum distribution (RMD) is the annual amount that must be withdrawn from a traditional IRA or a qualified retirement plan (such as a 401(k), 403(b), and self-employed plans) after the account owner…
Mutual funds are still king of the investment world, but investor interest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has grown quickly over the last decade. At the end of 2017, more than $3.4 trillion in assets…
A Business Plan Can Be Your Guide to Growth
Whether you’re a current business owner or a budding entrepreneur burning with the next great idea, one of the most important steps you can take on your journey to success is creating a business…
Am I Prepared for Long-Term Care Expenses?
In general, Americans are not sufficiently prepared to pay for long-term care. Many of them go through their lives simply hoping that they won’t ever need it. Unfortunately, in the event that you or…
SRI Investing: Not Just for Stocks
Sustainable, responsible, and impact (SRI) investing : also called socially responsible investing : has been around for a long time, but growing interest has moved it into the mainstream. U.S. SRI assets reached $12…
Clarifying Tax Deductions for Meals and Entertainment
Despite some initial confusion and dismay when the 2017 tax law was first passed, the IRS has confirmed that businesses can continue to write off 50% of the cost of food and beverages provided…