In the aftermath of the elections, our nation faces a number of unprecedented challenges both immediately and in the near future. Here’s my best guess at how they’ll play out over the next few weeks and months ahead: 1. Fiscal cliff – part 1: Automatic spending cuts. As part of the 2011 debt ceiling compromise, members […]
5 Predictions for the New Congress
10 Tips for Divorcing Couples
The ‘D’ word. It happens in about 50% of the marriages in America. The reasons for divorce varies by couple but most of the cases have at least some roots in money issues. The tendency for most couples is to run out and hire a lawyer and let them do battle for you. Before you hire the lawyer, […]
How to Invest Small Amounts of Money
Question: I am fortunate to have a six-month emergency fund but I know I must save more for my retirement. I am currently investing in my company 401k plan but know I also need to be investing more into something like a Roth as well. I don’t know anything about investing so I’ve tried reading various books […]
Children Suing Siblings Over Money
In a recent meeting with a select group of estate planning professionals, probate specialist, Peter Wright of Sirote & Permutt P.C., outlined a number of issues that increase the frequency of lawsuits after the death of a family member. Here a few of the more common areas of concern: Poor family communication. In Peter’s experience, by […]
New Middle-Class Income Tax Coming
This week is Estate Planning Week all across the nation and we want everyone to know how important it is to have a properly drawn will and accompanying estate planning documents. Ross Cohen, president of the Estate Planning Council of Birmingham, has this to say, “Estate planning is an all-important matter for every person […]
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Do taxes influence behavior? You bet! And a recent analysis by USA TODAY shows that significantly increasing the taxes of tobacco products resulted in a marked decrease in tobacco use. Early in President Obama’s first term he signed legislation that raised federal taxes on cigarettes from thirty-nine cents per pack to just over $1 with the […]
Free Financial Advice…Just for the Asking
In these times of economic chaos, people are not sure where to turn for help in navigating through the financial headwinds. Well help is just around the corner and it’s free! All across the nation, professional financial planners are celebrating Financial Planning Week by offering free advice to anyone seeking answers to their most perplexing questions. In […]
Free Financial Advice…Just for the Asking
In these times of economic chaos, people are not sure where to turn for help in navigating through the financial headwinds. Well help is just around the corner and it’s free! All across the nation, professional financial planners are celebrating Financial Planning Week by offering free advice to anyone seeking answers to their most perplexing questions. In […]
The Federal Reserve: Three Strikes…You’re Out!
Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke, just announced that the Fed will embark on yet another round of ‘quantitative easing’. Let’s call this round QE-Unknown. It’s unknown because he set no end date for the program and indicated that the Fed would purchase about $40 billion of mortgaged-backed securities on a monthly basis until such time as they, […]
40-Something Retirement Strategy
Reader Question: There seems to be lots of articles written about retirement planning for the ‘just getting started’ as well as the ‘I’m about to retire’ crowds but precious little written for the ‘I’m in my 40’s’ crowd. I am forty years old; make about $150,000 per year; have $350,000 in my 401k which I contribute […]