The Credit Card legislation passed last month should ultimately help consumers. However, in the short term, many people are being squeezed. We have a combination of factors: banks attempting to shore up their financial statements by reducing the available credit on credit cards, home equity … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2009
Roth 401(k) and 403(b)
One of my fellow Garrett Planning Network members, Jim Blankenship in New Berlin, Illinois, did a great summary article on Roth 401(k)s and 403(b)s yesterday. More and more companies are making the Roth 401(k) or 403(b) an option. Legislation was also recently signed allowing the Roth … [Read more...]
10 Tools to Build an Emergency Fund
So, you know you need an emergency fund. You've been trying to build one, but just can't seem to get there. The percentage of people living paycheck to paycheck ranges depending on who’s surveying from 47% (Careerbuilder 2008 survey) to 71% (American Payroll Association 2008 survey). This issue … [Read more...]
Do Build America Bonds Make Sense for You?
Investors have a new mechanism for investing in municipal bonds, courtesy of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. As part of the Obama administration's economic stimulus program, the bill authorized a subsidy for local and state governments that issue what are known as Build America … [Read more...]
Forgiveness and Money
I invited Kristin Robertson, president of Brio Leadership, to do a guest post on the Keener Financial Planning blog this morning about forgiveness. As we seek to manage our money in smarter ways, many times our experiences with money in our past play a key role in the decisions we're making … [Read more...]
Forgiveness: 5 Reasons It’s Good for You
By Guest Blogger Kristin Robertson, President, Brio Leadership Remember how a nice warm bowl of chicken soup helps you feel better when you have the flu? Well forgiveness and have the same effect when what ails you is a grievance from the past. Did you know that you really forgive others to … [Read more...]
Ways to Pay for Grad School
Are you thinking about going to graduate school? Whether you want to advance in your current field or move your career in a new direction, graduate school might open doors for you. But it isn't cheap. Here are some suggestions on where to look for financial help. Loans Students attending graduate … [Read more...]
$250,000 Bank Deposit Account Insurance Limit Extended
On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed the Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009. Included in the legislation was a provision that postpones until January 1, 2014 the expiration of the $250,000 limit on Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) insurance for bank deposit accounts. The limit … [Read more...]
June 2009 Newsletter
The June 2009 newsletter is now available. It includes articles on the new credit card law provisions, energy-efficient tax credits, estate planning for second marriages, and social security planning. Click here to read it. … [Read more...]
Investing in Low Interest Rate Environment
Low interest rates create a dilemma. Do you accept a low return because you feel you must protect your principal? Or do you take on greater investment risk in order to try for a higher return? In balancing those two concerns, here are some factors to think about. Consider laddering your … [Read more...]