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NEWSLETTERS
Prepare Your Kids for Financial Independence – October 2017
An AICPA survey discovered that parents are more likely to talk with their children about manners, eating habits, school grades, and substance abuse than about finances. All these topics are important, but it’s also vital to teach your kids the basics of handling money.
Ginnie Mae Funds for Your Retirement – September 2017
Many people prefer to have some conservative holdings in their IRAs and other retirement accounts. This century has
already produced two nasty bear markets (in 2000–2002 and 2007–2009). If a third downturn occurs, investors will be glad they held some defensive positions, which might minimize losses and possibly offer gains.
College Costs Really Are Increasing Again – August 2017
The College Board reports that the average published charges for tuition, fees, room, and board at private, nonprofit, four-year schools were over $45,000 in the 2016–17 academic year. At public universities, the average charge was around $20,000 for state residents. Both numbers are the highest on record.
Calculating Retirement Needs – July 2017
A staple in retirement planning is the search for “your number.” That is, how much money do you need to accumulate in savings and investment accounts so you can afford to stop working? Life expectancy is increasing, so the amount you have when you retire might have to last for decades
The Third Best Investment You Can Make – June 2017
The second-best investment you can make is paying off high interest rate debt (see CPA Client Bulletin, August 2016). That could come after you’ve contributed enough to your 401(k) to get a full match from your employer. What should come next? If you have no expensive debt to pay down and you’re getting the full employer match, where should you direct your money? Here are some suggestions.
Tax-Wise Portfolio Rebalancing – May 2017
Studies indicate that savvy asset allocation may lead to long-term investment success. Individuals can find a desired mix of riskier asset classes, such as stocks, and relatively lower risk asset classes, such as bonds. Sticking with a chosen strategy might deliver acceptable returns from the volatile assets, as well as fewer fluctuations along the way from the stable assets. An asset allocation could consist of a simple blend of stocks and bonds, plus an emergency cash reserve. Alternatively, an asset allocation can include multiple asset classes, ranging from small-company domestic stocks to international mega corporations to real estate.
Newsletters
September 2017 – Ginnie Mae Funds for Your Retirement
August 2017 – College Costs Really Are Increasing Again
July 2017 – Calculating Retirement Needs
June 2017 – The Third Best Investment You Can Make
May 2017 – Tax-Wise Portfolio Rebalancing
April 2017 – Dealing With an IRS Audit
March 2017 – Playing Defense as Stock Prices Soar
February 2017 – After-Tax Dollars in Traditional IRAs
January 2017 – Be Cautious With Hard-to-Value IRAs
December 2016 – Seeking a Stable Retirement
November 2016 – More Certainty for Year-End Tax Planning
October 2016 – Financial Steps to Take After a Child Is Born