WEEKLY QUOTE“Every exit is an entry somewhere else.” - Tom Stoppard WEEKLY TIP Think about making a household budget using an online spreadsheet. You can easily find or create one on the Web for free; some even have built-in calculators. WEEKLY RIDDLE What lives above a star but never...
Why are they made again and again? Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also some classic financial missteps that plague retirees. Calling them “mistakes” may be a bit harsh, as...
WEEKLY QUOTE“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Ziglar WEEKLY TIP As you retire, look at the changes in your expenses. Will your mortgage soon be paid off? What business-related expenses will disappear, and what...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.” - Aristotle WEEKLY TIP If marriage will give you a new last name, be sure to notify Social Security, your bank, and the investment and insurance companies with whom you have accounts and policies about the name change. WEEKLY RIDDLE You need to...
Seemingly insignificant charges in retirement plans can add up. So much fine print goes unread. Few people realize how significantly 401(k) account fees can impact their retirement savings efforts. AARP recently conducted a poll of 401(k) participants and the results were eye-opening: 71% incorrectly assumed that...
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...
WEEKLY QUOTE “A mistake is to commit a misunderstanding.” – Bob Dylan WEEKLY TIP As you shop for groceries, how many impulsive purchases do you make? Impulsive buying might negate the dollars you are saving through coupons and preferred customer cards. WEEKLY RIDDLE A librarian finds that pages have been ripped out of a...
Some tax consequences to remember. There are times when people really need money – and in those times, a retirement account may seem like a conveniently liquid resource to tap. What’s the harm in taking an early distribution from a tax-deferred retirement plan? Well, the tax...
How about $6? $7? When will we see relief? How high will pump prices go this summer? Many analysts think we will pay $5 a gallon for gas this summer – and some think gas will cost much more than that. On April 20, the AAA’s...
Amid all the hype and euphoria, some history is worth remembering. America’s got gold fever. Internet headlines inform you that gold settled at another record close today. Nightly news segments show you footage of excited sellers and beaming commodities traders. Radio commercials remind you that gold...