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...]
Bailout Bill Tax Changes Affecting Business
The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, referred to by some as the "bailout bill," or, as others prefer to call it, the "rescue plan," was recently enacted in an attempt to help stabilize the turmoil in the U.S. economy. While a great deal of the attention has been focused on the bailout … [Read more...]
Dummies Excerpt Now Available
Investing in an Uncertain Economy for Dummies came out in October this year. The book is by Sheryl Garrett and the Garrett Planning Network, and I am proud to be a contributor. I wrote Chapter 37, Sort Through an Investment's Return. Wiley (the publisher) has now provided the electronic version … [Read more...]
KFP Ribbon Cutting last week
The Keller Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at my office on November 12. Much thanks to all of the Chamber members and others who attended. We had a lot of fun! Debbie Dodge, Century 21 Keith Bland, Farmers Insurance Dana Holmes, Avenue Window Fashions Rod Banks, Prudential … [Read more...]
Investment News quotes Jean
In an article on the performance of big mutual funds in the recent market downtown, Sue Asci writes about how 60% of the big mutual funds are under-performing the S&P 500 Index. I was quoted on how the under-performance is making investors more willing to consider an index strategy. See the … [Read more...]
November 2008 Newsletter
View the November 2008 Newsletter … [Read more...]
Ten Gifting Traps to Avoid
Lifetime gifting can be a powerful estate planning tool. Transferring property during your life, instead of at your death, has many advantages. Making lifetime gifts can be desirable for personal reasons (e.g., to help your children or other family members) or for financial reasons (e.g., saving … [Read more...]