Many public school workers in different positions devote their lives to furthering the education of young people. The ability to enjoy a secure retirement is an objective that many teachers and their colleagues pursue years before they leave their jobs. Eventually, each must consider life beyond their career and the benefits they may receive through […]
3 Ways Planning For Retirement is Like Planning For Summer Break
For kids, teens, and college students, summer break often represents freedom from schedules, responsibilities, and all those other drains on your time. Retirement actually can provide a similar level of freedom, but only if you’ve adequately prepared, planned, and saved. Below, we discuss three ways that planning ahead for your retirement can be like scheduling […]
Annuities: Pros, Cons and a Huge Heap of Details
Life insurance buys financial protection against your premature death. Here’s the how-to on another insurance that can protect you from living too long: the annuity. Annuities often secure steady cash flow to you during your retirement years through growing invested funds. The payout process is known as annuitization. Over the years, annuities got a bad […]
3 Golf Tips to Keep Your Retirement Plan on Course
In golf, as in finances, there are a few rules of thumb that may improve your game: keep a level head, avoid traps, practice before trying something new and stay the course. Applying lessons from the golf course to your financial life and vice versa may help you improve your game in both arenas. Here […]
5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
Estate planning helps disperse your assets according to your wishes. The effort may seem daunting at first, but estate planning does not have to be overly complicated. With the proper planning, you may find yourself resting a little easier knowing you have an estate plan in place. While an estate plan is personalized to the […]
529 Plans and Alternatives: Making an Educated Decision about Education Savings Options
Those that choose to invest in the education of a family member, friend or acquaintance are investing not only in that individual’s future, but also the future of society. It is an act of generosity, forward-thinking, and love. However, this type of investment can be more complicated than initially thought. Which plan should you choose […]
Green Home Upgrades
When something is labeled eco-friendly, it can have a variety of meanings. It could indicate that a material is sustainably sourced, for example. Or it could signify that a particular setup is more energy efficient. When it comes to your home, going green can mean making upgrades that fulfill both of those definitions and beyond. […]
Earnings Update: Better Than Feared Undersells These Results
First quarter earnings season is nearly complete, and it has caused us to regret titling our earnings preview commentary on April 10, “Malaise Continues.” While the “better than feared” label fit the past couple of earnings seasons quite well, based on the magnitude of upside surprises in the first quarter, and encouraging guidance from corporate […]
King Dollar Still Rules
Much has been written lately about the threats facing the reserve currency status enjoyed by the U.S. dollar. “De-dollarization” headlines appear on a near-daily basis, suggesting the dollar’s reign is in looming jeopardy, while counter arguments point out there isn’t another currency with the depth, transparency, and reliability associated with the dollar. Still, critics accuse […]
Investor Sentiment Tested
Dear Valued Investor, Spring is often thought of as an uplifting time, marked by growth and renewed hope as we emerge from the long months of winter and look ahead to the rest of year. Investors saw signs of such renewed hope in recent weeks, especially on the inflation front as several inflation measures showed […]