If you have a federal Stafford Loan or PLUS Loan issued on or after July 1, 1998 and before July 1, 2006, consider yourself lucky. Beginning July 1, 2009, the interest rates on these variable-rate loans are set to drop to the lowest rates in the history of the federal student loan program. These new … [Read more...]
401(k) options when you change jobs
If you've lost your job, or are changing jobs, you may be wondering what to do with your 401(k) plan account. It's important to understand your options. What will I be entitled to? If you leave your job (voluntarily or involuntarily), you'll be entitled to a distribution of your vested balance. … [Read more...]
July 2009 Newsletter
The July 2009 newsletter is now available online. It reviews some blog information on FDIC insurance limits, establishing an emergency fund, and down market estate planning opportunities. It also covers new information on whether or not you should refinance your mortgage and considerations in … [Read more...]
Estate Planning Opportunities in a Down Market
Most Americans are not subject to the federal estate tax at its current exemption levels. For 2009, each person can pass $3.5 million to heirs estate-tax free at their death. However, if your estate has the potential to be affected by the estate tax, you have some planning opportunities right … [Read more...]
Keep an eye on your credit
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...]
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...]
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