Some things to think about this year – and every year. This is the year. You can make 2011 the year you alter your financial life for a better financial future. Let’s look at some steps you might think of taking with the goal of financial...
Is it all negative, or are there opportunities to consider because of the crisis? Many economists think a Greek default is inevitable. As we enter 4Q 2011, Greece has a debt-to-GDP ratio of about 160% (and that percentage is rising). While Greece accounts for less than...
Plan to avoid these common money blunders. A recent survey found that over 60% of women feel they are better at handling money than men are.1 However, married women sometimes find themselves in perplexing financial situations – conditions that might be avoided with a little planning...
WEEKLY QUOTE“We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves.” – John Locke WEEKLY TIP Have an elderly parent who is on too many mailing lists - and spending or...
The government still has some options to stimulate the economy. What can Washington do now to help consumers, housing and stocks? Options remain. The Obama administration and the Federal Reserve are reportedly considering two interesting tactics: one first employed 50 years ago, and another that could...
A way to “sweeten the pot” and retain executives and managers. A job that is simply too good to leave. Businesses arrange “golden handcuffs” or “golden handshakes” agreements with key managers to reward loyalty and promote retention. A golden handcuffs strategy can make a management position...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Is there anything better than to be longing for something, when you know it is within reach?” – Greta Garbo WEEKLY TIP Should your adult children ask you to help them out with business financing or a down payment on a property, refrain from saying yes until you determine...
WEEKLY QUOTE“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan WEEKLY TIP If you are presently retiring, moving or divorcing, try tracking all of your expenses for the next few weeks or months. Big life changes like these may mean big revisions to your...
More companies are offering them. Will they fix our retirement savings blues? The trend could become the norm. Human resources firm Aon Hewitt surveyed 120 large U.S. companies in 2010 and found that 60% of them automatically enrolled workers in defined contribution retirement plans such as...
Today’s yields can’t beat inflation. CD investors are effectively losing money. According to Market Rates Insight, a research firm tracking bank rates, annualized inflation has surpassed long-term certificate of deposit rates since February. In April, 12-month inflation hit 3.16% while the highest-yielding 5-year callable CD on...