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What to Do With Your Tax Refund in 2013
Tweet Share on Facebook February 28, 2013 CommentIf you are lucky enough to receive a tax refund from the IRS this year, then you are probably thinking about blowing it on something fun. It’s great to receive a windfall of cash, but can you really afford to spend unexpected money like that? Hold off throwing a big party until you go over this list:
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Problems With Morningstar’s New Rating System
Tweet Share on Facebook February 28, 2013 CommentMany investors rely on Morningstar’s views when selecting actively-managed mutual funds. Morningstar’s web page correctly notes that it is a “leading provider” of independent investment research. It has 195 financial analysts and “proprietary tools” to aid its research efforts.
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5 Reasons to Choose a Traditional 401(k) Over a Roth
Tweet Share on Facebook February 27, 2013 CommentThere are many wonderful reasons to invest in a post-tax retirement account such as a Roth IRA. But tax-deferred retirement savings vehicles such as traditional 401(k)s and IRAs that let you put money aside before Uncle Sam gets his share deserve a serious look too. Here are several advantages of saving in a pre-tax retirement account you should take into account before you decide that a Roth IRA is right for you:
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How to Get Rich Slowly
Tweet Share on Facebook February 26, 2013 CommentWarren Buffett is one of the richest people on earth. But even he didn't make his millions overnight. He started his investment firm in 1956 with a little over $10,000, and now, over half a century later, he's worth about $45 billion.
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Bucaramanga: Colombia’s Hidden Retirement Haven
Tweet Share on Facebook February 25, 2013 CommentColombia is the Western Hemisphere’s economic rising star and one of the world’s emerging economic leaders. This country’s economy grew by 5.9 percent in 2011 (compared with 1.8 percent in the U.S. and 2.7 percent in Brazil), and foreign investment in Colombia jumped a staggering 20 percent in 2012.
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Planning to Retire with Your Spouse
Tweet Share on Facebook February 22, 2013 CommentMany people have an idea of what they want their retirement years to look like, but sometimes individuals neglect to share this vision with their spouse. According to a study by the research firm Hearts and Wallets, only 38 percent of couples plan for their retirement together.
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7 Ways to Reduce Housing Bills in Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook February 21, 2013 CommentHousing is the biggest monthly expense for most American families. Paying the monthly housing bill is painful enough during our working years, but it can be downright torturous in retirement. A mortgage payment can easily wipe out a monthly Social Security check and most people have only a small amount of retirement savings beyond that. So it’s imperative that we figure out a way to reduce our housing costs after retirement. Here are some ways to reduce your monthly housing bill:
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When to Use Laddered Bonds
Tweet Share on Facebook February 21, 2013 Comment“Laddered bonds” is a portfolio strategy involving the purchase of a number of bonds with increasingly longer maturity dates. These portfolios are typically used by investors who have $1 million or more allocated to the fixed-income portion of their portfolio, if you are purchasing municipal bonds. If you are purchasing Treasury bonds or FDIC insured certificates of deposit, a laddered bond portfolio can be suitable for investors with smaller amounts to invest.
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6 Ways to Stay Active in Retirement on a Budget
Tweet Share on Facebook February 21, 2013 CommentOnce you've saved prudently throughout your career, you want to stay healthy so you can spend that hard-earned money on the things you've always wanted. Staying fit once you stop working is essential to enjoying your retirement. And since health issues are bound to be a part of your retirement years, it’s important to take steps to prevent as many illnesses as possible. Here are six frugal ways to stay healthy in retirement:
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Choosing Between a Pension or a 401(k) Plan
Tweet Share on Facebook February 20, 2013 CommentWhen you start a new job you will need to decide whether you want to be involved in a retirement plan. You might have a couple of options available to you, perhaps including a traditional pension plan (a defined-benefit plan) or a defined-contribution plan, such as a 401(k).
