Uncategorized Resources

The recent market volatility has investors questioning, “Are stocks still a good investment?” It’s a good question, and one way to address this issue is to look at the recent 2007–2009 market crash. Investors who bailed out of the stock market following the significant decline and moved their money to the safety of cash would be quite disappointed to learn that the stock market, in fact,…

Given the backdrop of economic uncertainty and the rise in both life expectancy and medical costs, prospects look difficult for those facing retirement shortfalls. Fortunately, a financial advisor can show you how pulling these key levers can help your retirement nest egg last.

Work Longer: Working longer is one of the easier solutions for…

If your grandchildren are fortunate enough to have you chip in with their college costs, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you start writing checks.

The most straightforward way for a nonparent to help a student pay for college is with a cash gift. Gift tax rules in 2013 allow any individual to give another individual up to $14,000 per year ($28,000 from a couple)…

Here are some of the key strategies to consider when giving children and grandchildren a financial boost. There's no one-size-fits-all answer: The right choice for your situation will depend on how much you intend to give as well as on your grandchild's life stage and the goal of financial assistance.

Set up a UGMA/UTMA account: UGMA/UTMA accounts provide a way to save on behalf of a…

A self-directed IRA enables investors to buy into asset classes that are often outside of the purview of fund companies and brokerage firms. These investments may include non-publicly traded real estate, private equity, and partnerships and joint ventures that may exhibit radically different performance patterns than stocks and bonds, a quality that bear-market-battered investors could be…

What to do with that year-end bonus is a pressing concern because bonuses are increasingly supplanting annual pay raises as a means of rewarding employees. Here are a few ways to make the most of your bonus.

Pay Down Debt: Before you put any money into the market, consider paying off your debt. Credit-card debt, which often has a high interest rate, is a good place to start. Also,…

1. Contribute to your tax-advantaged accounts: One of the best ways to cut your tax bill is to reduce your taxable income. It is important to take advantage of any retirement-plan contributions you can make to reduce your taxable income. You can contribute $17,000 to your 401(k) plan in 2012, and those age 50 or older can save an additional $5,500. Consider…

At times it can be tempting to get caught up with the crowd and excitement when certain parts of the market soar based on a analyst report or trend. While great potential may exist, sector investing can also come with great risk.

If you take a look at the image below, you’ll notice that what is hot one year isn’t always hot the next. Interested investors should be willing to follow a…

In an uncertain market and economic environment, it pays to take advantage of all the sure things you can. A prime example is paying down any debt you have, even mortgages and other loans that some might classify as "good debt" because they carry relatively low interest rates and may offer tax deductions. By chipping away at your borrowing costs, you'll reduce the interest you owe over the…

Thinking about rolling over your 401(k)? Make sure you do your homework first.

Getting advice is easy. Just look on the internet and you’ll see opinions everywhere. But before you make any moves, you should ask yourself: “Does this advice benefit me or someone else?” This is important because your 401(k)’s performance will impact your quality of life during retirement. So it’s crucial…