Starting a family can be one of life’s most fulfilling experiences. It can also be among the most expensive. According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, families in the United States could spend well above $200,000 for food, shelter and other necessities to raise a child through age 17—and that doesn’t include college!
According to a recent Gallup poll, the average American retires at age 61. That’s at least five years away from collecting full Social Security retirement benefits, not to mention pensions, which typically begin at age 65, when available. What’s more, Medicare coverage does not begin until age 65, leaving early retirees with potentially hefty health insurance premiums until Medicare kicks in. (more…)
Owning company stock in your employer-sponsored retirement plan is not necessarily a bad thing. Company stock can potentially help employees profit from a company’s success and even provide tax benefits. But holding company stock can present unique risks, particularly if the stock allocation represents a large percentage of your total retirement plan assets.
What’s on your end-of-the-year to-do list? Shopping for gifts? Making travel plans? What about spending some time with your investments? Conducting a review and making important decisions before 2017 comes to a close may help you lower your tax bill and get your portfolio on the right track for 2018.
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Now that my husband and I have entered the ‘empty nest’ population we are taking a good look at our finances and realize it may be time to start cutting the “money cord” with our adult children. We have successfully raised our boys…. which you all know is NOT cheap…we’ve bought them cars, put them through college….now we feel it’s our turn. Here is what I have learned (and am still learning)…. (more…)
Where and how you choose to live out your retirement years could be one of your most important decisions. Choosing whether to relocate or to stay rooted in your hometown, to remain in your current home or to trade down to a smaller residence are important questions that involve a host of lifestyle and cost-of-living issues. (more…)