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Annuities: 10 Things You Must Know
Not all annuities are alike, and some may not be appropriate for you. How much do you know about these investment products? Annuities aren’t new. The annuity concept dates back to early Rome, when citizens would make a lump-sum payment to a contract called an annua in exchange for income payments received once a year for…
Read MoreSocial Security At Risk? 5 Tips Shield You From Cutbacks
Social Security benefits are on shaky ground and the coronavirus recession only makes things worse. Can you protect yourself from whatever cutbacks the Social Security Administration might be forced to make? There are strategies you can adopt that will boost your income, relieve your concern and reduce your vulnerability to the prospect of cutbacks to Social Security…
Read MoreNearing Retirement? Take Another Look at Roth Conversions
Due to lower tax rates and the recently passed SECURE Act, those nearing retirement should consider a Roth conversion. For those nearing retirement, taking the right planning steps is even more important, given the narrowing time frame to leaving the workforce. This current year brings forth planning opportunities to help you achieve your retirement goals…
Read MoreThis strategy is meant to be a short-term way to save money. Why it’s doomed to fail
RyanJLane | E+ | Getty Images If you want to lose weight, you can’t crash diet for a week. And if you want to save money, cutting your spending to the barest essentials temporarily won’t help. Monica Sipes, a certified financial planner and senior wealth advisor at Exencial Wealth Advisors in Frisco, Texas, never recommends…
Read MoreTypical Retirement Savings By Age Groups: Are Yours Bigger?
Are your retirement savings growing as fast as other people’s in your age group? Did the conoravirus knock your retirement off track? The answer might be surprisingly upbeat. In a season filled with distressing news about the coronavirus pandemic, disappearing jobs, lost income and — don’t forget — civil strife and racial injustice, some Americans are constructing very…
Read MoretheSkimm on Setting Realistic Savings Goals
Getty Images The Story If you listened to your parents, you know money doesn’t grow on trees. But it can grow in the bank. That’s why saving should be at the top of your financial to-do list. That’s why I’m here. Let’s go. Start by looking at your personal stats: how much you make, how…
Read MoreInstead of saving a total sum for retirement, I started thinking about how much I want to ‘earn’ monthly and it made me reassess the way I invest
The stock market fell dramatically early on in the COVID-19 pandemic as businesses closed in the US and around the world. While my stock values fell, other parts of my portfolio were less affected. Most people set a savings target for their retirement, but it’s just as important to consider the cash flow your portfolio…
Read MoreA Beginner’s Guide to Employee Stock Plans
So you’ve started a new job and the company offers stock options as part of its benefits package. Maybe you have no idea what that means, or you’re not quite sure how to get started. Here are some basics you should know. Most companies offer perks as part of a salary package: vacation days, 401(k)s…
Read More10 Steps To Achieving Your Financial Independence Day
Now that we’ve celebrated our Independence Day, you may want to consider another form of independence: financial. Financial independence is about having the freedom to work or not work as you choose because you’re no longer dependent on income from working. If it’s something you aspire to, here are some steps you can take: 1.…
Read MoreLost your job? Here’s what to do with your 401(k)
Consider all of the options when transitioning a work-sponsored retirement plan. Getty Images Every week, millions of Americans are filing for unemployment due to the COVID-19 crisis. Whether you’ve been with a company for six weeks or six years, if you lose your job, there are plenty of options for what to do with your vested…
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