Articles in Money Matters
The ABCs of Estate Planning
Many people share the common misconception that estate planning is something only very affluent individuals should do before they die. However, estate planning is important, even for those individuals of modest means. Planning for the …
Five Steps for Creating a Financially Healthy Young Family
Pediatrician’s phone number is programmed into your iPhone, check. Home finally childproofed, check. Hand sanitizers strategically placed everywhere you may need them, check. You’re doing everything by the book for your child, and now it’s …
Confessions of a Car Salesman
Introduction
What really goes on in the back rooms of car dealerships across America?
What does the car salesman do when he leaves you sitting in a sales office and goes to talk with his boss?
What are …
Retirement Heist': How Firms Trimmed Pensions
As companies have been moving away from traditional pension plans, they have been shifting employees to new retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, that transfer the cost — and the risk — to workers.
Companies have claimed …
Retiree Benefits for the Military Could Face Cuts
As Washington looks to squeeze savings from once-sacrosanct entitlements like Social Security and Medicare, another big social welfare system is growing as rapidly, but with far less scrutiny: the health and pension benefits of military …
For the Recently Widowed, Some Big Financial Pitfalls to Avoid
There are few more wrenching events in life than losing your spouse.
But to make matters worse, the death of a life partner also unleashes a torrent of financial tasks. And more often than not, it …
Using an Inheritance to Teach Your Problem Child a Lesson
PARENTS want to raise their children to be independent and successful and to use whatever resources they have to give their offspring a leg up in life.
But it’s sometimes difficult for parents to find the …
How Can I Invest And Be Fabulously Rich?
My experience tells me that people who want to be rich are the first ones who get taken advantage of in investment scams. Â And the same thing happens in debt relief scams. Â The thieves are …
5 Reasons to Not Borrow From 401k
If you do borrow, time is no longer your best friend Money grows over time, everyone knows that. And if you are investing regularly, time is truly your best friend. I’ll take a known statistic …
Should We Increase Taxes on the Rich
The Government is on a desperate search to put as many shekels as it can in it’s coffer. Is raising taxes on the rich the answer?
Most people don’t think so. AP conducted a poll to find …
Are Military Pensions Too 'Generous'?
It sounds like a pretty good deal: Retire at age 38 after 20 years of work and get a monthly pension of half your salary for the rest of your life. All you have to …
Need a Paying Job? 8 Ways Volunteering Can Help
Use your skills to benefit others and yourself.
Laid-off workers often become discouraged when they don’t land a new job right away. If you’re unemployed and looking for work, try channeling your angst into altruism and …
The Secret to Building Wealth Most People Ignore
One of the reasons I believe most people never succeed at reaching financial independence is because they make things too complicated. They invest in elaborate investments they don’t understand, but heard some guy on television …
Oops! I Forgot to Save for Retirement
Regardless of your age, your income or your receding hairline, it’s not too late to start retirement planning and move toward a more comfortable future.
Maybe you cared more about Woodstock than shares of stock. Or …
What's the most important thing in investing?
I think all of the elements are indispensable, but in my opinion, risk control is what separates an outstanding investor from the rest. Risk control is invisible in good times, but that doesn’t mean it …
Living Below your Means?
I’ve often discussed the concept of how to live below your means. I believe that it’s the cornerstone of living well in the financial sense, so I’ve decided to reflect on a couple of financial philosophies …
First Retire, Then Have Kids
I have a far-out idea to share with the next generation of the American middle class.
Right now, I’m speaking specifically to the young people who are finishing up a college degree, perhaps in a promising …
62 Money-Saving Tips to Help Survive Another Recession
Are we headed for a double-dip recession? Did we ever really recover from the last one? Who knows – ask ten economists and you’ll get ten different answers. What I do know is times are …
Saving on Summer Utilities Bills
Saving Money on Summer Utilities Can Save Hundreds of Dollars Each Year
There are countless methods available for lowering your energy bills and one of the best times to cut back is during the dog days …
The Low Profile Milionaire Next Door
Note: Quick read by Thomas Stanley on low profile millionaires…
A producer from ABC’s 20/20 news magazine television show once asked if I could identify neighborhoods where the millionaire next door types live. After checking my …
Teach Financial Independence
Take advantage of real-life money lessons today so that you and your children can reap the benefits in the future.
“In the past year, college savings plans may have had big losses, or a friend’s parents …
Underwater Mortgages to Skyrocket by 2011
A new report by Deutsche Bank estimates that by 2011 nearly 50 percent of U.S. home owners with mor…
Seven Money Mistakes to Avoid
1. Piling Up Debt
Using credit cards responsibly can help you build good credit so you qualify for lower interest rates on loans. But charging your cards to the max and not paying them off is …
Get real: Marriage is a business
Put aside the romantic notion that love conquers all — and pull out your calculators. Successful partnerships require a plan, a CFO (usually) and regular progress reports
By Liz Pulliam Weston
Marriage makes people richer.
Not all marriages, …
Five Basics for Building a Solid Financial Future
By RON LIEBER; Published: May 17, 2008
The stark truth about managing our money these days is that we are mostly on our own
Few employers want us aroundfor 40 years, so our income is likely to …
8 Things your financial planner won't tell you.
Literally anyone can claim to be a financial adviser. Even those with top credentials may not divulge everything you should know. Here?s how to dig up the facts on the person you’re paying for financial …
Forecast for Google Put at $600 a Share
By REUTERS
Published: January 4, 2006
The investment firm Piper Jaffray raised its price target on shares of the Internet search provider Google yesterday to $600 from $445, a 35 percent increase.
The new one-year target is the …
Don't let debt cloud your financial future
Credit: Vanguard.com
The United States is a nation of debtors. We love to buy things?even if we don’t have cash on hand to pay for them. There’s nothing wrong with wanting the good things in life. …
Retirement beneficiaries: Extremely Important
Making sure you have beneficiaries on your IRAs and other retirement accounts is essential to estate planning. The decision is important for 2 reasons: Beneficiary designations on retirement plans generally supersede any other instructions, even …
