Saving for retirement ends up being a primary goal for many people during their working years. Worrying about when and if we can retire leads to many sleepless nights. Having an idea of how much you need, and whether you’re on track, can help alleviate some of these worries.
We wrap up our three-part college savings series by taking a look at how to utilize a 529 plan to save for college. We’ve already addressed whether college savings can fit into your financial plan and how much college is going to cost. Once it’s clear that you can save for college (because your own […]
Last week, I asked you to take a hard look at your current financial situation and decide whether or not savings for your child’s college is the best use of your resources. This week our focus is on how much college costs and what it will take to get you there.
We want the best for our children. One of the most important goals for a parent is ensuring that our children are as well-equipped as possible for the challenges of their adult lives. Saving for college is a massive financial undertaking for a parent. In order to be successful, you need to use the right […]
I’m sure most people who have made it to our website have a general understanding of the differences between a Traditional IRA and Roth IRA. With a Traditional IRA, you get a tax deduction in the year you make the contribution, then pay taxes when you withdraw the money. In a Roth IRA, you do not […]
In most cases, a budget (your cash flows) forms the bedrock of your financial plans. A budget is one of the most effective ways to begin tackling your financial life. Unfortunately, there are some negative connotations to the idea of budgeting. You might imagine a friend saying “I can’t go out to eat, I’m on […]
I’ve gotten a lot of questions concerning the concept of negative interest rates. Many seem to wonder how it’s possible for a bank to have a negative interest rate and why it would make sense for anyone to pay to give someone else their money. Regulated interest rates are a confusing topic to begin with […]
Your decision to become a homeowner can be one of the most pivotal decisions in your financial life. Undertaken responsibly, home ownership can form the foundation to your financial well-being. However, buying before you’re ready, buying “too much house”, or buying for the wrong reasons can severely derail things.
Deciding to purchase a home is an important, and usually beneficial, step on the road to financial well-being. However, if your reason for home ownership is “I just want to stop wasting money on rent,” then I think it’s important to point out a couple of the aspects of home ownership that you may be […]
Changing jobs or retiring is a very exciting time in anyone’s life. However, when leaving an employer, we leave behind more than just a boss and co-workers. For those of us that have spent at least a few years in a job, it’s common to have a decent balance in our 401(k), 403(b), SEP account, […]