Year: 2013

Whether you are a nearlywed or a newlywed, building a solid financial future will be an important step towards building a marriage that will last a lifetime. In my thirty-plus years of working with families on their personal finances, when a marriage fails, money is more often than not a contributor. By setting good habits now, you’ll […]

  Two forces are coming together to make folks who own bonds or bond funds wonder just how safe is their money. The first most notable is the $18 billion municipal bond default and bankruptcy by the city of Detroit. The second is the rising interest rates over the last few months that have negatively affected bond […]

  Reader question: I would like to ask your advice about what you recommend I do with some cash I have been holding onto. I have $150,000 in the bank in a money market bank account. I have a good bit in two separate 401k’s – one about $220,000 and the other $250,000, with about $350,000 […]

  Reader Question: I have had an (non-qualified) annuity since 1980. Not needing the income from this annuity, the interest has been added back into the account. At this time the interest far exceeds the original principal. I am retired; however, I do not need this income for daily living expenses at this time. I realize that income […]

It is estimated that over six million U.S. citizens live abroad…meaning that it’s likely that you know an American citizen whose primary residence is in a foreign country.  Reasons for choosing to live abroad are varied including job opportunity or simply the chance to experience another culture. Packing up and moving to another country is a […]

Reader Question:  My husband and I are 61 years old and I just retired last month.  We are interested in the Long-Term Care (LTC) policies that include an insurance death benefit if you don’t use it for LTC.  No one in either of our families has used LTC and we are still quite healthy.  My […]

Last week my column titled, The Money Quiz, created a bit of controversy particularly surrounding my formula for determining if you are ‘on track’ net worth wise, to becoming financially free by retirement.  Here’s what I said under point number six in the quiz: Is your net worth on track?  In order to become financially […]

 According to the recently released National Financial Capability Study, Americans are feeling much better about their current personal finances.  I’m a ‘glass half full’ kinda guy myself so I’m glad folks are feeling more optimistic about their money.  Unfortunately, I’ve noticed that along with this new-found optimism, savings rates are beginning to fall after rising […]

Last week, I began a discussion about twelve key ‘wisdoms’ for college graduates who want to thrive as they transition from college life to the business world.  If you missed last week’s column, visit the Resource Center at www.WelchGroup.com; click on ‘Links’; then ‘Stewart’s Column’. Avoid bad debt around owning a car.  I once had […]

Last week, I began a discussion about twelve key ‘wisdoms’ for college graduates who want to thrive as they transition from college life to the business world.  If you missed last week’s column, visit the Resource Center at www.WelchGroup.com; click on ‘Links’; then ‘Stewart’s Column’. Avoid bad debt around owning a car.  I once had […]