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Tip: Mid May. If the government had raised taxes enough to cover federal borrowing, we would have had to work until May 6 just to cover the tax bill. Source: Tax Foundation, 2018 Taxes are one of the biggest budget items for most...
Read MoreTip: Best Seller. One of the more influential books on using fundamental analysis is Benjamin Graham’s Security Analysis. First published in 1934, it’s now in its sixth edition and has sold more than one million copies....
Read MoreVariable universal life insurance is permanent life insurance—it remains in force for the policyholder's whole life. And, as with universal life insurance, it provides a flexible premium and an adjustable benefit—meaning...
Read MoreAt first blush, the idea of a bond that doesn’t pay interest seems oxymoronic. After all, isn’t a bond a debt instrument that pays periodic interest and repays the principal at maturity?¹ Zero coupon bonds are indeed...
Read MoreTip: Contact Information. A letter of instruction might include contact information for individuals who could be helpful in the distribution of your assets, such as your lawyer or financial professional. Actor Lee Marvin once said,...
Read MoreTip: Before the Umbrella. Before becoming eligible for umbrella insurance, you may have to maximize coverage on your homeowner’s and car insurance policies, as these become deductibles to an umbrella policy. In 2017, the U.S. had...
Read MoreHigh-net-worth investors face investment challenges that some would consider unique to their financial status. The fundamental tenets of investing apply equally to them as with any other investor, but the affluent investor needs to be...
Read MoreMarriage changes everything, including insurance needs. Newly married couples should consider a comprehensive review of their current individual insurance coverage to determine if any changes are in order, as well as consider new...
Read MoreForty-six percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, such as mutual funds, according to a recent Gallup poll.¹ Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important long-term...
Read MoreTip: Average Benefit. In March 2018, the average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker was about $1,410. Source: Social Security Administration, 2018 Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age...
Read MoreTip: Don’t Put it Off. Putting off an easy thing makes it hard. Putting off a hard thing makes it impossible. -George Claude Lorimer Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up...
Read MoreThe Business Cycle Tip: Not Smooth. During both recessions and expansions, the economy can go through brief reversals in economic activity. A recession may include a short period of expansion followed by further decline; an expansion...
Read MoreEvery year, about 140 million households file their federal tax returns.¹ For many, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, retirement, and investment account...
Read MoreAn insurance deductible is the amount you, the insured, pay before any claim is paid by your insurance carrier. Depending upon the type of insurance, a policy may set the amount of deductible, or offer you the ability to select a...
Read MoreMost Americans know the fundamentals of good health: exercise, proper diet, sufficient sleep, regular check-ups, and no smoking or excessive alcohol. Yet, despite this knowledge, changing existing behaviors can be difficult. Look no...
Read MoreEveryone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counter intuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time,...
Read MoreAmerican educational reformer Horace Mann called education “the great equalizer.”¹ In football, it’s been said that turnovers are the great equalizer. And anyone who’s ever watched CBS’s “The...
Read MorePerhaps Bette Davis said it best when she observed, “Old age is no place for sissies.”¹ The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing them for the unique challenges...
Read MoreDo you have a will? A will enables you to specify who you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enables you to name a guardian for your minor children. Do you have healthcare documents in place? Healthcare...
Read MoreAccording to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average person covered by Medicare has out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of $5,500 a year. Premium costs accounted for 28% of the total, while long-term facility costs, medical...
Read MoreIn her will, American businesswoman Leona Helmsley left $12 million in a trust fund to her dog Trouble. Her four executors were responsible for seeing that her wishes were carried out. In the years after her death, they dealt with...
Read MoreThe baby boomers have re-defined everything they’ve touched, from music to marriage to parenting and, more lately, to what “old” means—60 is the new 50! Longer, healthier living, however, can put greater stress...
Read MoreThe federal government is an equal-opportunity tax assessor. Even the dead can’t escape taxes. The final accounting required of the deceased is not limited to an estate tax filing, but a federal income tax return must also be...
Read MoreOne of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits. This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in...
Read MoreTip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the Web site, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know...
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