When it comes to managing their investments, many people are simply unaware of what they’re paying. We are often tempted to turn a blind eye to fees, especially when feeling uncertain about how things work or even the questions we should be asking. Thus, in this article, I’d like to explain some of the commonly […]
Tag Archives | Investing
There’s Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2010
There’s still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2010! You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $5,000 for 2010 ($6,000 if you were age 50 by December 31, 2010). Normally, your tax return must be filed by April 15. However, the IRS has extended […]
Covered Call Options: Simply Understood
Have you accumulated a significant position in a single company’s stock, either through your employer or a major investment? Have you been considering ways to diversify your holdings away from one of your big winners? Are you seeking to retire soon and looking to reallocate large equity positions in your retirement or other brokerage accounts? […]
Building an Estate Planning Toolkit: The Transfer on Death Designation – TOD
In addition to wills and trusts, there are many tools available to you in developing an estate plan. While different tools are appropriate for different asset classes, family structures, and goals, it is important to know about the possibilities. In this article, I’ll focus on the Transfer on Death, or TOD, designation, which can help […]
Summarization of the Health Insurance Reforms Scheduled to Take Effect in 2011
Summarization of the Health Insurance Reforms Scheduled to Take Effect in 2011 The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), signed into law in 2010, makes significant changes to our health care delivery system. Some of these reforms took effect in 2010 while many others take place in 2011. The following is a brief description […]
The New Estate Tax Rules: Your Plan for 2011
Congress approved a new Estate Tax law last Thursday, December 17 2010 after nearly a year of speculation about its future. The new rules provide for a $5 million dollar exemption with a top tax-rate of 35%. This is obviously a far cry from the $1 million dollar exemption and 55% maximum rate originally scheduled […]
Estate Planning: A Key Part of Any Financial Strategy
I sometimes hear from clients that estate planning sounds like something that only the very rich need to think about. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, an estate plan is, at its most basic, a critical part of ensuring that your wishes are carried out should you become incapacitated or pass away. […]
Managing Your Downside Risk is a Must!
As an investor, you probably hear a lot about risk. Phrases like “risk tolerance” and “risk profile” are part of the usual investment discourse, but when it comes right down to it, you may not be aware of how powerful it is to actively pay attention to the risk parameters of your portfolio. Of course, […]
A Winning Strategy for College Scholarships
Which sports team do you think will have a better chance of winning the championship: One that’s been preparing and strategizing for years, or the team that was put together in a few months? The answer seems obvious, and yet many people don’t realize just how critical it is to start planning early on for […]
Time to Reset Your Mind: Managing Your Financial Emotions
Behavioral finance studies peoples’ psychological tendencies when it comes to financial decision-making. A big part of this research focuses on investing mistakes. For the everyday investor, having a greater understanding of psychology can help you to break bad habits and thought patterns. What makes our usual financial psychology dangerous is that it comes so naturally […]