I'll be speaking at the January Greater Keller Women's Club luncheon on Women & Money. As women, we have unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to relating to and managing money. Among the challenges, we tend to live longer and earn less than men and are sometimes hesitant to take … [Read more...]
Effects of Divorce
I just read a really interesting article in the Journal of Financial Planning. After divorce, the income of each spouse falls. On average, the income of the woman declines by 27%. The average income of the man declines by about 10%. The stats for both parties are positively affected by the … [Read more...]
How much financial aid?
You can now get an estimate of how much financial aid your child will qualify for before you actually apply. The U.S. Department of Education offers an online financial aid tool to help families better prepare for the cost of college. Called the FAFSA4caster (catchy, isn't it?), it's modeled on the … [Read more...]
Annuities: Retirement Income Option
Everyone like a guarantee. Unfortunately, in the financial services industry they're few and far between. And those that are available often come with a steep price -- if you can even figure out what the price is. As you know, I don't sell any products or accept commissions on products I … [Read more...]
December 2008 Newsletter
The December Newsletter is now available. Click here to view the newsletter. … [Read more...]
Year End Tax Planning Techniques
Many tax provisions that had already expired or were scheduled to expire at the end of the year were extended as part of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, signed into law on October 3, 2008. Included in the list of extended provisions is an additional one year alternative minimum tax … [Read more...]
2009 Key Numbers
This document is a really handy reference. If you look at your finances on any sort of ongoing basis, you may want to print it out and keep it on your desk. It has everything from tax brackets to retirement plan limits, mileage deduction amounts, adoption credits, phase-outs, education tax … [Read more...]
New help for college funding
Student loans staged a disappearing act in 2008, as the credit crisis drove some lenders out of the student loan market and forced others to become more selective. But the Higher Education Opportunity Act, which became law in August, contains several provisions that will help families and students … [Read more...]
Free Seminar, Jan. 5: Retirement Savings
Where: Keller Public Library (640 Johnson Rd., Keller, TX) When: Monday, January 5, 2009, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Limited Space. Reservations Recommended. Call (817) 743-4840 to reserve your seat. Figure out how much you need to save for retirement. Take a realistic look at your progress, and … [Read more...]
Values and Living Well
Most of my posts are pure financial planning. Looking at the dollars and cents of how to use your financial resources most efficiently. However, I find from time to time it's helpful to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of how money inter-relates with so many other aspects of our … [Read more...]