Whether a major market setback is imminent or still a ways off, the author of today’s article argues that “now is a good time to gauge how your retirement portfolio would likely hold up if the markets were to slump and make needed changes before a downturn occurs” – and he proceeds to outline a 3-step process for this. Are…
He became determined at an early age to achieve financial independence by age 37 – and now, at age 26 and with a net worth of approximately $150,000, he is on track to do just that. In today’s article, the so-called Money Wizard shares his savings strategy that he expects will result in $750,000 by the time he is 37,…
It’s a nice problem to have, but a problem nonetheless: What do you do with your windfall if you have received – or are expecting to receive – a large inheritance? Today’s article tackles the complexities of this issue, noting that “even if you have a lot of investing experience, there are plenty of tax and legal pitfalls that can…
Income investors who bought Mattel stock due to its attractive 6% yield were crushed when the company recently announced a dramatic 61% dividend cut. For those who want to avoid becoming the victims of such “dividend disasters” themselves, the author of today’s article outlines a 3-step test to employ when it comes to dividend-paying stocks. To learn more about this…
As Republican lawmakers haggle over the details of their Obamacare replacement plan, one thing that is certain is that, whatever the final product ends up being, health savings accounts (HSAs) will be a major component. And with them offering a “tax trifecta” of pre-tax contributions, tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals (for qualified medical expenses), the use of HSAs has already…
Lawmakers in Washington seem determined to make it harder – not easier – for Americans to save for retirement, including possibly eliminating the tax-exempt status of 401(k) contributions. But today’s article outlines how Americans can regain control of their retirement using options: “By using two very basic options trading strategies – call buying and put buying – you can take…
“One of the trickier decisions of saving for retirement is determining which accounts to prioritize with your savings,” notes the author of today’s article. As such, he proceeds to outline a general recommended order when it comes to saving for retirement. Number one in that order is, of course, investing enough in your 401(k) to at least get any employer…
The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement is growing as more and more workers seek to save enough so that they can leave full-time work in their 30s, 40s or 50s – and those that have achieved early retirement have developed some tools to help those who aspire to do so. Are you on track to retire early based on…
To lump or not to lump? When it comes to how they want to receive their pensions or 401(k)s, many Americans are choosing lump sums over guaranteed monthly installments – and proceeding to deplete that money within 5 ½ years on average, according to one survey. Why are so many people choosing lump sums over annuities, and where is that…
According to a recent report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute, almost half of retirees end up leaving the workforce earlier than they had planned – and while this is often involuntary (the result of a layoff or illness), in a third of cases individuals make an early exit by choice, having achieved financial independence. Achieving early retirement is not…