Most people are not aware of the Savers Tax Credit whereby the federal government will pay you for contributing to your 401k plan, IRA, Roth IRA, SEP, SIMPLE, 457, 403b or other similar retirement plans. This program is designed to encourage lower income individuals and families to invest in retirement plans so as to make […]
Uncle Sam Pays for Your 401k
Reader Asks About Blue Chip Stocks
Periodically, I answer questions directly from our readers. Here’s what’s on their minds: Question: “I am interested in investing about $100,000 in blue chip stocks. What are three stocks you’d recommend that pay good yearly dividends?” J.W. Answer: First let me make a point that you’ll want to own a minimum of ten to twenty stocks in […]
Predictions for 2012
This past year included a lot of excitement but not much progress from an economic or stock market perspective. Extraordinary events included the near shut-down of our government; the downgrading of U.S. treasuries from AAA status; the near default of Greece; as well as a highly volatile stock market that could rise or fall several […]
What Would YOU Do With $1,000?
With the holiday season finally behind us and the year of 2012 dead ahead, a reader asked me, “Stewart, What would you suggest I do with a $1,000?” You may have year-end bonus money, be expecting a tax refund or simply just have a few bucks burning a hole in your pocket. To get a broad […]
5 Steps to Success in 2012!
Since the Great Recession began in 2008, millions of Americans have been affected by the financial tsunami that has now swept across much of the world. As we consider our fate for the coming year it’s important to differentiate between ‘the’ economy and ‘our’ economy. There is very little that we can do regarding the U.S. or […]
The Christmas Gift
Today, Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and His promise of everlasting life for those who choose to follow His word. Too often we get caught up in the busyness of the holiday season and miss its true meaning. Each of us is fortunate to live in this great country where we experience […]
The Christmas Gift
Today, Christians throughout the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and His promise of everlasting life for those who choose to follow His word. Too often we get caught up in the busyness of the holiday season and miss its true meaning. Each of us is fortunate to live in this great country where we experience […]
Tis the Season of Giving
No doubt about it, December has everyone in the giving mood. People are busy buying and exchanging gifts, acknowledging friendships and the love of family members. Giving can also be smart tax planning while providing much needed support for those less fortunate in our community. Here’s a summary of the most popular ways people give and get a […]
Are Bonds Riskier Than U.S. Stocks?
Here are three questions from The Birmingham News readers: Question: Are investment grade bonds riskier than the stock market? V. F. This reader commented, “As we all know the stock market has both gyrated and gone sideways in the last decade. Yet when I seek to invest in A to BBB corporate bonds I […]
Too Big To Fail…Again
It reads like a 29,000 page conspiracy theorist novel and it took two years and the Freedom of Information Act to discover that the Federal Reserve, led by Ben Bernanke, secretly loaned the big banks more than $1.2 trillion in bail-out money on December 5, 2008. This secret lending ballooned to as much as $7.7 […]