As the school year wraps up for students across the country, for many families, college is right around the corner. The cost of college is now one of the largest expenses many Americans incur. While the costs of higher education can vary depending on the type of school, location, and financial assistance, early preparation is always a good idea. One of the best ways to start saving is in a 529 plan, a tax-advantaged educational savings account.
The stock market can be wild—it’s down 2% one day, up 3% the next, then down again. Just when you think volatility is gone, suddenly it’s back! If you follow the markets too closely, it will drive you crazy. For example, in the fourth quarter of 2018 there was no place for an investor to hide. Interestingly, in the US stock market, as soon as 2018 ended, it experienced its best January performance since 1987. Of course, no one really knows what will happen going forward. Sticking your head in the sand does not work, nor does selling everything and waiting until the market gets better.
You cannot change the market but there are definite mistakes you can avoid and actions you can take to succeed long-term.
Most of us think about the lifestyle we want when we retire, even if it’s still a long way off. We make all kinds of plans—to spend more time with the grandkids, learn to paint, get more involved in charity work, or travel the world. The list is endless! But have you thought about whether or not your finances will be able to support your plans and what you need to do now to make your retirement goals a reality? If you’re not sure, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a year, 10 years, or more away, it’s never too early or too late to start planning! The following steps will help you get started.
Do you own waterfront property in Palm Beach or do you vacation at Grandma’s house every year? Whether you have a Lamborghini collection that spans every color of the rainbow or you drive an old beater, you should pay attention. Contrary to popular belief, people with all levels of wealth need an estate plan. Although the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed at the end of 2017 eliminated the federal gift and estate tax for the majority of people, there are several reasons why everyone should consider putting an estate plan in place.
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is like a Swiss Army knife of savings plans and can be a key retirement building block. It has many benefits and is super charged when used to cover the high cost of health care expenses.
Many people wish to have a portion of their retirement income guaranteed. For example, a man who knows that statistically he is likely to die before his wife may want to assure that a portion of her income will not fluctuate with their investment portfolio.
The expression “What a difference a day makes” means a lot if you have a son or daughter turning age 18. Before that 18th birthday, your cherub is a child, with little legal standing and few legal rights. You, as parent or guardian, are responsible instead. When he or she wakes up on the big day, everything is changed, even if everything looks the same.
Proactively managing the impact of taxes on your investment portfolio may be the single best action you can take to enhance your investment returns.
Building and Understanding Your Credit
You hear a lot about your credit score, which is very important when you think about making substantial financial decisions. Achieving and maintaining a high credit score will help make some of life’s major financial goals easier. This article will explain how your credit score is determined and what you should do to increase it.
Millennials are entitled. Millennials are lazy. Millennials don’t work hard. These are just a few of the stereotypes associated with millennials. Are these stereotypes true? Of course not. Millennials (generally defined as people born between 1982 and 2004) are anything but. In fact they have to work harder and smarter than previous generations to achieve financial wellbeing.
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