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...]
Silver Lining in the Market Downturn
When you look at your retirement plan statement and it's down 30% or more from a couple months ago, it's hard to believe there might be a silver lining there somewhere. While the market downturn has created a tremendous amount of anxiety and it's caused a significant change in plans for some who … [Read more...]
Bail-Out Bill Tax Changes Affecting Individuals
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 stabilize the turmoil in the U.S. economy. While a great deal of attention has been focused on the true bailout … [Read more...]
Emergency Fund
In times of crisis, you don't want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you're protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by setting up a cash reserve, a pool of readily available funds that can help you … [Read more...]
How to get a free copy of your credit report
Under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA), every consumer is entitled to a free credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus. To get your free annual report, you can contact each of the three credit bureaus individually, or you can contact one … [Read more...]
2009 contribution limits announced
On October 16, 2008, the IRS issued news release IR-2008-118 announcing cost-of-living adjustments to dollar limitations for pension plans. Items addressed for 2009 include: Elective deferrals * The annual elective deferral limit for 401(k) plans, 403(b) plans, 457(b) plans, SAR-SEPs, and the … [Read more...]
College Board releases 08/09 cost figures
Public colleges (in-state students): * Tuition and fees increased an average of 6.4 percent * Room and board increased an average of 5.2 percent * Total average cost for 2008/2009 is $18,326 Public colleges (out-of-state students): * Tuition and fees increased an average of 5.2 percent * … [Read more...]
Tax Credits and Deductions for Higher Education
What are the tax credits and deductions relating to higher education? There are two education tax credits--the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit--that provide some relief to families in the midst of financing their children's college education. There is also a federal income tax … [Read more...]