While many financial firms recommend that U.S. investors have some exposure to foreign stocks, that entails exposure to the currencies of the countries in question, and the author of today’s article notes “that means in addition to the stock’s performance, your total return will include the performance of the foreign currency translated into U.S. dollars.” With a strong dollar, this…
Here’s a disturbing reality highlighted in today’s article: “As our ability to make sound financial decisions decreases with age, our self-confidence in this area actually increases.” So what steps can both adult children and their parents take to protect the latter from making bad financial decisions (including becoming the victims of fraud) as a result of them being unaware of…
When it comes to whether personal finances or portfolio management is more important, the author of today’s article is firmly in the personal finances camp. As such, he lays out a list of 20 personal finance rules, or “20 simple ways you can be smarter about your money.” Among these rules, why does he state that your goal should not…
When it comes to determining when to start claiming Social Security, the author of today’s article notes that “few decisions are as financially consequential…or as hard.” As such, he attempts to provide some Social Security claiming guidance based on the findings of some new studies. Why does one new study conclude that postponing claiming Social Security may be even more…
When it comes to retirement planning, today’s article provides a case study in what not to do. In fact, it provides seven of them, as relayed by the financial planners who have seen people make these big retirement planning mistakes first-hand. From being too optimistic (or, conversely, too pessimistic) about one’s financial situation, to underestimating the impact taxes will have…
When it comes to a rate hike by the Federal Reserve it is not question of “if” but “when” – with the “when” likely being December, if not this week. With a rate hike likely imminent either way, today’s article looks at what (if anything) this will mean for your personal finances – specifically your mortgage, your car loan, your…
“It’s like the conversational third rail.” This is how one investing specialist cited in today’s article describes couples’ avoidance of financial matters when discussing retirement, as seen in the findings of a new NerdWallet survey of Americans in a relationship. While couples do talk about “the fun stuff” – non-financial matters such as where they will live and what they…
“How can I avoid making poor decisions that seem right at the time but will come back to bite me?” This is the question the author of today’s article believes is the real question we should be asking ourselves as we get closer to – and enter into – retirement. As such, he outlines five don’ts for pre-retirees and retirees…
When contemplating where you will live in retirement, have you considered a cruise ship? Should you? Today’s article argues that “depending on their home city and income level, retirees may find living aboard a cruise ship makes financial sense when compared to other retirement living options, especially in expensive locales” and cites a study finding that “when considered over a…
While today’s article takes the position that stocks should still be a major part of the investment strategies of retirees, it acknowledges that “certain stocks work better in retirees’ portfolios than others.” As such, the three contributors each highlight one of their favorite stocks for retirement. To read more about these stocks – which include a real estate investment trust…