The latest stats tell us that there are now almost 40 million people in the United States with outstanding student loan debt.¹ For parents of young children, that's the sort of future they'd like to prevent, if at all possible....
Ask anyone who knows about financial planning and they'll probably tell you investing is a major part of the blueprint for success. If you want to buy a house, retire early, or just retire in comfort, careful investing can get...
Financial advisors typically earn an income by charging fees or by earning commissions on the investments they sell. There are several income-generating combinations a financial advisor can choose from to earn his or her living: commission-based fee-based (fees plus commissions)...
Understanding Your 401(k) Being smart about investing can befuddle even the most financially savvy among us. But when it comes to understanding your 401(k), there seems to be a special confusion, reserved just for this particular type of retirement investment. Let's see...
Financial advisors seem to be everywhere, so how do you find the one that's right for you? Despite how confusing it can feel to source and select a financial advisor, there are a few ways you can start your search...
When it comes to saving for the future, Americans are lagging way behind. The median amount of retirement savings for working-age families in the U.S., those ages 32 to 61, is just $5,000. About a third, or 35%, of all...
To lower the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft and financial fraud after the data breach at Equifax, Americans should place a security "freeze" on their credit reports and delete any suspicious emails that could dupe them into...
Your home can't take the place of a retirement or college savings plan. Expecting it to do so will have horrible results. Buying a house is widely considered to be one of the best investments you can make. If you...
In 2007, the federal government created a program that would forgive student loans for people who worked in public service jobs for at least 10 years. Now, the first participants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) can start...
There is a lot to consider when evaluating current or prospective advisors. And you should ask them important questions like: How are you paid? What is your primary expertise? Are you a fivduciary? What are your investment beliefs? – to name...
Many adults dream of becoming homeowners one day, but some buyers may have to wait even longer to get their names on a mortgage — if they can manage to do so at all. According to the Federal Reserve Bank...
At the risk of sounding like a Facebook friend trying to fold you into my latest direct sales venture: Early retirement is possible. If you read the Internet, you might already know this is true. It’s been done; in fact,...
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes … the visit to the financial advisor? Yes, getting married means sharing your financial life. And if you've been visiting a financial professional as a singleton, then tying the knot should include a rethink...
Forget the myths about Medicare being broke. Here's the truth. There are several popular misconceptions about the financial condition of Medicare, which virtually all American senior citizens rely on to cover health care expenses in retirement. Many people believe that...
Qualified retirement plans are designed to be used solely for retirement income. Taxable withdrawals from these plans before age 59.5 are generally assessed an additional 10% “early distribution tax” by the IRS. (The additional tax for SIMPLE IRA plans is...
