Investing
Why You Should Hope for a Bear Market
When stocks fall at least 20 percent it signals a bear market. One of the best investment tips I can offer you is to root for a bear market for stocks.
I Always Knew It: Study Proves Women Better Investors Than Men
Ladies, the jig is up. You can moan all you want about how you’re not “good” at investing, or it’s too confusing. I’ve long told you those are just excuses you have talked yourself into, yet that have no logical basis.
Where to Find the Best Financial Advisor
More than nine in 10 Americans think it is important for financial advisors who dispense retirement advice to act in the clients’ best interest. And more than half of Americans think this logical assumption is in fact legally required within the financial service industry.
The Best Guaranteed Investment Boost.
If you have been invested in U.S. stocks the past few years you have no doubt made some serious money. The U.S. markets are up more than 300% since this bull market began in 2009. But I want you to understand that great returns are in no way a guarantee going forward. Yes, stocks are always the smart investment if you are a long-term investor, but I hope you realize that over the next 10 years we might not see such robust U.S. stocks returns, simply because they have had such an incredible run.
Leaving a Job? Don’t Make These 4 Huge Mistakes.
If you have recently moved to a new job, or one of your 2017 resolutions is to make a move, I want you to be super smart with how you handle your retirement savings account you built at your old job.
Why ETFs Are The Best Choice For Your Retirement Investments
You know I am a big believer that a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is the best way to save for retirement. And for my money, I think Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are an ideal way to invest the money in your IRA.
The Best Investment Move You Can Make Right Now
It’s been a great stretch for investors. Stocks have gained more than 250% in the bull market that stretches all the way back to 2009. I am always a big believer that dollar cost averaging-investing on a regular basis-is a great strategy for long-term investors. So don’t take what I am about to say as a reason to give up on stocks: Returns over the next seven to 10 years probably won’t be as good as what we’ve had the past seven years.
How to Wring More From Your 401(K)
You may have heard or read recently about some high profile retirement plan sponsors being sued by plan participants for high fees in the plan. Financial service firms-yep, folks who run mutual funds-have been hit with lawsuits, as have the plans run by MIT, NYU and Yale.
The Stealth Retirement Move That Can Save You a Bundle
When it comes to planning for a secure retirement I bet you have the major strategies covered: -Invest in your 401(k) or 403(b) up to point of the match? Check -Save in a Roth IRA? Check -Aim to have your mortgage paid off before you retire? Check -Commit to getting plenty of exercise?
Make the Most of Your 2017 Employee Benefits
The fall open enrollment period is just around the corner. If you’re like most people you’ll give it little attention and just stick with whatever you have this year. Big mistake. I want you to take the time to carefully comb through the details of every benefit and make sure you are making the best choices that will help build security in 2017 and beyond.
Teach Your Children Well-Part 1: Bill Pay Together
Sitting down with your children once a month and having them help you pay the family bills is an incredibly valuable life-lesson opportunity that sadly few families use.
Suze’s Mortgage Tip #2: Know the Down Side of Making a Small Low Down Payment.
My absolute best advice is to strive to make a 20% down payment when you buy a home. I know that can be a lot of money. But hear me out. What you need to understand is that a small down payment can end up costing you big time.
4 Ways to Save on a Wedding
I am on the record that only couples in great financial shape should spend money on an expensive/large wedding. But for those of you who are just going to plow ahead despite shaky finances, please at least make the most of my money-saving wedding tips.
Turn a Child/Grandchild’s Summer Job into a Retirement Windfall.
If you have a child or grandchild who is going to get paid for work this summer, I want you to consider a way to gift them a valuable retirement stake.
Four Smart Moves in a Falling Stock Market
Nobody likes to see the value of their investment accounts fall, but whether it’s a correction (a drop of at least 10% but less than 20%) or a full-on bear market (a decline of 20% or more) the reality is that markets go through rough periods. Always have, and always will.
4 Signs You’re About to Make a Very Big Real Estate Mistake
With the Spring home buying rush just around the corner, I want to make sure that you don’t buy into a very big mistake.
Conquer Your Retirement Fears
I don’t know about you, but if I see or hear of one more survey about how panicked most Americans are about their retirement, I will scream. That we have a national fear of retirement preparedness is abundantly clear. What we need now are less surveys and more advice on how to conquer retirement fears. Here are my key steps to start down your road to retirement financial freedom.
Are You Hostage to a Self-Storage Money Pit?
It’s estimated that Americans spend more than $20 billion a year renting space in a self-storage facility. According to the Self Storage Association, the number of households renting out a storage facility has grown 65% over the past 20 years. It’s hard to drive more than a few miles in urban areas and not spy at least one self-storage business (and often more). The aggregate land mass for U.S. storage facilities spans a total of 78 square miles, or more than three times the size of Manhattan.
Will Your Holiday Spending Pass This 3-Question Test?
We’re heading into the dangerous money season. With the holidays quickly approaching it’s that annual time of year when the goodness of your heart can lead to very bad results: You overspend on gifts, dining out, or nights out on the town.
Open Enrollment Season: 4 MUST-DO's
Please don’t keep your health insurance on autopilot. I know it’s tempting just to ignore the annual “open enrollment” communications from your employer to review your choices, and just stick with the plan you have. That could be a costly mistake. Here are 4 reasons to spend some time reviewing your employer-provided health insurance choices:
Health Insurance: 3 Reasons You Should Pick the HSA Option
About half of large employers now offer a high-deductible health insurance plan (HDHP). I know the mere mention of “high deductible” might send your blood pressure skyward, but please listen to me. For many of you, a HDHP may be the smartest health insurance.
Student Loan Alert: Beware the Cost of Capitalization on Unsubsidized Staffords
Attention all college freshman, and returning students! If you have taken out an unsubsidized federal Stafford loan to help pay for college, I am betting you are making a big financial
The Four Steps to Retirement Saving
Saving for retirement is a no-brainer. But knowing the smartest ways to do that saving is anything but easy to figure out, given all the choices. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here’s exactly what you should do, in the order I list:
4 Signs You Should Rent Not Buy
I am a big believer in home ownership, but only if it makes financial sense. If you answer yes to any of these questions you are better off renting:
Suze Orman: the teacher, the friend, the confidant, the brand
By Randall Kenneth Jones Originally published in the Naples Daily News It’s practically impossible to write about time spent with personal-finance wizard Suze Orman using a detached, third-person journalistic voice. Why? Suze Orman excels at leaving no financial or emotional stone unturned—she lives to get personal.
Suze Orman’s 10 Tips To Spring Clean Your Finances
Spring is in the air! Springtime is about renewal and rebirth, and therefore a perfect to take stock of your life, and take charge of your finances. It’s time to get off the fence and spring clean your finances, ladies!
Your 2015 Financial Road Map
The New Year has just started, and that’s the riskiest time of year as far as I am concerned. My three-step Financial Road Map will get you on the path to a more secure 2015, and beyond.
The Road Not Taken: How Losing $50,000 Became My Biggest Gain
Far from aspirations that would lead a reporter to refer to me as “a force in personal finance,” my career is the result of a hot tub dream gone bad.
Let’s Not Sell Young Retirement Savers Short
A recent paper from the influential Research Affiliates investment management firm (more than $140 billion in assets managed) takes the provocative stance that young adults saving for
What Baby Boomers Are Getting So Wrong About Retirement
Listen up my 60 something friends (and those of you heading to that milestone soon) we need to have a talk about your retirement planning.
Suze Orman’s Dos and Don’ts during government turmoil
Congress’ shenanigans to shut down the government for 16 days this month has many Americans rightfully concerned about their personal finances.“If you don’t want to be affected by the actions—or lack of actions—in Washington, you and you alone are going to have to save yourself,” insists Suze Orman.
Suze Orman Was Right About Money Market Funds
In her last book, The Money Class, Orman urged readers to keep their emergency savings not in a money market fund, but in an interest-bearing checking account. Her reasoning:
