Our Commentary

You’ve often heard the old adage, "There’s no free lunch". Well, guess what– I found one. Mass Mutual Financial Group is offering a free $50,000 10-year term life policy to qualifying individuals. Founded more than 150 years ago, Mass Mutual has developed into one of the nation’s top life insurance companies. Today, it is a […]

  Over the past two weeks, I have discussed how to get the best deal whether you are buying a new car or leasing a car.  One question I am constantly asked is, “Is it smarter to purchase a car or lease one?”  There is a financial answer as well as an emotional answer to […]

Some people prefer to lease rather than own a car for a number of reasons including smaller up-front costs, smaller monthly payments and avoiding the hassles associated with selling a used car. In a lease deal, the dealer sells your car to a leasing company who, in turn, leases it back to you. Your payments […]

    Thinking of buying a new car but dreading negotiating with the salesperson? In this first of a 3-part series, I’ll give you the step-by-step process for getting the best deal on your next new car purchase.   Step 1. Review your credit history. Assuming you plan on financing your purchase, your first step […]

Convertible bonds have been the focus of numerous articles and commentary from the financial press over the past several months. What are they? Are they useful investments for the individual investor? A convertible bond is a bond issued by a publicly traded corporation that gives the bondholder the option to convert the bond to a […]

In 2001, President Bush signed a law that will eliminate all estate taxes in 2010. Unfortunately, the law contains a sunset provision that would repeal the law in 2011 causing estate taxes to be due on estates that exceed $1 million. Currently if your estate, including life insurance that you own, was less than $1.5 […]

Last year the stock market languished in negative territory for the first 10 months before breaking out. So far this year, the stock market again appears to be stalled with many Wall Street analysts prognosticating modest single digit returns for 2005. What’s an investor to do? Some investors are turning to hedge funds as a […]

Last week, I discussed the rising cost of long term care and the importance of having a plan in place. This week, I will explain what options you should look for when purchasing a policy and which are the best long term care insurers. Once you’ve decided to purchase a policy, the first step you […]

Over the past few years, you’ve undoubtedly seen numerous advertisements for Long Term Care Insurance, but you probably don’t understand these policies and how they can help you. Also, there are many misconceptions about which benefits health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid provide when long term care is needed. Basically, long term care is medical and […]

Do you or someone you know have student loans? If so, you have what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to consolidate these loans into a low interest rate while potentially extending the term over which the loans must be repaid. But you must hurry. On July 1st, rates will go up by […]