How Grandparents Can Make the Most of a Grandchild’s Summer Job
So often grandparents come up to me and ask how they can best help their grandchildren get a leg up. My favorite move is to gift a grandchild money to open a Roth IRA.
A Message for Husbands: Your Wife Should Drive the Retirement Planning
One of the most common things I hear from many couples is that the husband likes investing and planning, and thus wives are all too happy to let him handle the retirement strategizing.
Big mistake.
Not because I am doubting the skill and intentions of men. Rather, my concern is that it’s women who typically are the most at risk in terms of retirement security for a very simple fact: Women tend to outlive men.
Emergency Fund 101 – How Much Should You Have Saved?
It makes me so sad to read reports that many households don’t have even $1,000 set aside to cover an unexpected expense. What’s so sad is that I know that must cause such stress.
The Biggest Retirement Planning Mistake
A recent report that studied the 401(k) savings habits of millions of workers found that one in four of you are not contributing enough to your account to qualify for your employer’s maximum match.
The average annual amount of money left on the table is more than $1,300 a year.
That is nuts.
Why You Should Seriously Consider a Roth 401(k)
You know I love, love, love Roth IRAs. One of the prime reasons being that in retirement you will not owe a penny of tax on your withdrawals. That’s quite different from a Traditional IRA where every penny will be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate.
Three Steps to Guaranteed Financial Independence
As a nation we set aside one day a year to formally celebrate our independence. When it comes to your money my hope is that you will make every day, not just July 4th, a day where you make conscious decisions that will help you build financial independence: a life where you are in control of your money, and not vice-versa.
How to Get the Most Out of Social Security
Your Social Security retirement benefit is one of the most valuable pieces of your retirement plan. Not only will it likely account for a large portion of your income when you retire, but it also has an incredible feature: your annual benefits increase with inflation. Your 401(k) and IRAs don’t come with such a great guaranteed inflation-protection feature.
How To Marry Your Finances
It’s no secret that money can be a serious wedge issue for couples. Survey after survey reports that when couples argue, finances are often at the heart of the discord.
Here’s how every couple can lay the groundwork for financial compatibility.
Avoid This Common and Costly Insurance Mistake
If you have a low deductible of just $250 or $500 on your homeowner or car insurance policies I want you to listen up right now.
You need to call up your insurer and ask for a higher deductible. Yes, I said higher.