Giving is one of the most personal financial decisions in our lives. First, there is the choice whether to give at all. Then, if you decide to give, there is a wide range of ways to do it, from supporting formal, organized charities to simply finding people within your personal sphere who can use a […]
Among the financial housekeeping items that are important to review periodically are the beneficiary designations on your retirement plans. Let’s examine the following hypothetical scenario that vividly illustrates why this is so important. $1.4 million IRA A husband had been previously married and had children from that earlier marriage. Before he passed away, he had […]
Does it seem to you that the stock market has been especially volatile of late? Well, it has been, and there are a number of reasons why. You can read about them in my new research report entitled, “Market Volatility—Why It’s Increasing. Steps to Take.” “Market Volatility” shares recent market statistics and pulls together a […]
If you’re still working and it seems like it’s harder than ever to accumulate money for retirement, here’s some evidence that what you’re feeling is true. The 85% rule Based on analysis compiled by the Federal Reserve and analyzed by the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College and reported in The Wall Street Journal […]
If you own a profitable business, and you plan to purchase property, vehicles or equipment for the business, you may want to act quickly. The increased section 179 expense deduction limit of $500,000 expires by the end of 2011. Also, the definitions of section 179 property will be changing after this year. What does this […]
Every year Metropolitan Life issues a report* on the costs of long-term care. Many of us are looking at such costs either for ourselves or our parents. In my case, my mom has had in-home care 24/7 for just over a year and a half, so I am seeing first hand both the practicalities of […]
In September, the Internal Revenue Service announced some relief for 2010 estates. Here are the details: The large estates of people who died in 2010 will have until January 17, 2012, to file Form 8939 and pay any estate taxes due. The special carryover basis form was previously to be due on Nov. 15. In […]
Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time looking at investment data. Which allocation strategies work well, which investment managers do a good job, how does monetary and fiscal policy affect investment results, that sort of thing. I’ve always thought the more I know about those things the better I can develop overall investment […]
They say everyone needs something to help them unwind and for me it’s racquetball. LBA_raquetballs I first learned of racquetball in 1976, when my friend Terry came home on leave from the Army and told me he’d learned this really cool game. Off we went to the local racquetball court and, wham, I was hooked. […]
Every now and then something interesting shows up in the news that catches my eye. One of those things was a report, issued several weeks ago, released by the General Accountability Office. The GAO’s purpose is to report to Congress and the President on the financial condition and issues facing the country. The particular report […]