WEEKLY QUOTE“The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.” – Stephen King WEEKLY TIP Income from stock options and bonuses could put you into a higher tax bracket for 2011. If that is a problem, consider deferring that income until 2012. WEEKLY RIDDLE A sudden noise startles a gopher, an...
A closer look at the provisional income rules. Many new retirees assume that Social Security income is tax-free. That is not always the case. The Social Security Amendments of 1983 opened the door to taxes on some SSI, depending on the amount of income someone earns...
WEEKLY QUOTE“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.”– Fulton J. Sheen WEEKLY TIP Many small business owners don’t have succession plans. If you haven’t created one, now is as good a time as any to start; this will not only enable continuity, but also address possible gift, income...
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...
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“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.”– Franklin Delano Roosevelt WEEKLY TIP Consolidating your banking and money management accounts at one institution could mean fewer or lower banking fees, and maybe some perks as well. WEEKLY RIDDLE You have 9 seemingly identical cubes...
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...