Big Spenders vs. Big Savers
You stand at your window and look across the street. Nice house, you think. Nice landscaping. Nice sports car. Nice driveway. New bikes for the kids. Wow, your neighbors are really well off. If only you had that kind of money.
That plain home down the street with the older model sedan parked out front pales in comparison. A couple in their seventies lives there, and the front yard hasn’t been spruced up in a decade. Who knows, maybe they struggle just to get by.
If you could somehow look into the financial lives of those two households, you might be surprised. The couple with all the toys might not be as wealthy as the neighborhood perceives, while the vanilla exterior on that humble rancher might hide a multimillionaire next door.
Should You Take a Pension Buyout?
If you get a pension buyout offer from your longtime employer, you may be more than a little anxious. Does that lump sum constitute a good deal for you, or for the corporation or organization bringing you retirement income?
Why You Should Keep Contributing to Your 401k
There is seldom a dull moment on Wall Street. Stocks may rise or fall dramatically over the course of a year or a decade. Sometimes, breaking news may tempt you to pull money out of your 401(k) or greatly reduce your contributions. If you’re considering such a move, think twice.
Medicare Open Enrollment for 2013
Medicare Open Enrollment has arrived - the open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7, 2012. This is not only a period where you may enroll for the program, but also switch providers for your comprehensive health and drug coverage.
Will the Market Lose Momentum?
Stocks performed surprisingly well in the first three quarters of 2012, but developments in the fourth quarter are giving analysts pause. While no one sees the bulls turning tail and running, there are emerging factors that may challenge their advance in the near term.
Should You Reduce Risk Exposure as you Get Older?
If you move away from equities with age, are you making a mistake? For some time, financial professionals have encouraged investors to lessen their exposure to the stock market as they get older. After all, a 60-year-old has less time to recover from a market downturn than someone decades away from collecting Social Security checks.
Q3 2012 Quarterly Economic Update
THE QUARTER IN BRIEF While fundamentals may not have supported a powerful rally in Q3 2012, the policy decisions of central banks certainly did. The Federal Reserve launched its third round of easing in the past four years during the quarter and the European Central Bank also embarked on a new stimulus effort. Wall Street seemed to put concerns about Europe and China and job growth on the back burner – the Dow gained 4.32% in three months. The real estate market – already looking better – got a shot in the arm from the Fed. Commodity markets heated up. Our economy still appeared lethargic, but bulls ran freely during a pleasantly surprising quarter for investors.
Stocks & Presidential Elections
Stock market historians have repeatedly analyzed market behavior in presidential election years, and what stocks do when different parties hold the reins of power in Washington. They have noticed some interesting patterns through the years which may or may not prove true for 2012.
Major Risks to Family Wealth
All too often, family wealth fails to last. One generation builds a business – or even a fortune – and it is lost in ensuing decades. Why does it happen, again and again?
It is because families fall prey to serious money blunders – old and new. Classic mistakes are made, and changing times aren’t recognized.
Financial Considerations for 2013
We are now in plain view of the “fiscal cliff”. After the election, Congress may or may not end up keeping income and estate tax rates at their recent levels. Next year may bring some notable financial developments, and it isn’t too soon for households to think about them.
The Fed Launches QE3
With the fiscal cliff roughly 100 days away and the first Tuesday in November still too far off, institutional and retail investors were counting on the Federal Reserve to combat market anxiety with a new stimulus. In its latest policy announcement, the Fed came through – on September 14, the central bank launched its third round of easing in the past four years.1
How are high gas prices affecting you?
Rob Olson of Fox 9 News asked me about the high gas prices yesterday; and it's no surprise - gas prices have spiked and are averaging more than $4/gallon in many places. Do you, or have you had to, make changes as prices rise? How are these prices affecting you?
Ways to Pay for College
Today’s average student borrower takes out more than $25K in loans. Education debt has reached record levels in America – more than $1 trillion. In the face of those numbers, parents and students are looking for assorted ways to pay for college without incurring big liabilities. In addition to grants, loans, merit-based aid and your student holding down a job, there are other ways to reduce college cost – some little recognized.
Major Retirement Planning Mistakes
Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also some classic financial missteps that plague retirees.
Reverse Mortgages Reconsidered
Is a reverse mortgage worth it? Before this last recession, couples who asked their retirement advisors if they should get a reverse mortgage were often given a quick answer: “No.”
Today, the answer to that question might be “yes”. In an environment with minimal interest rates, these loans can offer retired homeowners a source of tax-free cash, either in periodic payments or a lump sum.
Why is the Market Advancing?
On August 21, the S&P 500 hit a 4-year high. It climbed 3% in the first three weeks of the month following a 1.26% July gain. Across the past four weeks, the index’s total return has been just under 4%.1,2,3
Unexpected? You might say so. You can’t predict how the market will behave. This summer, stocks are managing to advance despite lingering threats.
Managing the Ups & Downs of Irregular Income
When your income stream is uneven, you must deal with some distinct financial issues. Besides cash flow, what do you do about your tax strategy? How should you try to save? If you are self-employed, what about health coverage?
Reasons to Recertify a Power of Attorney
Estate planning has many “fine points”, and there is one detail too often overlooked. It is a good idea to recertify a Durable Power of Attorney that is more than 60 days old.
NEXT Financial Group, Inc. Named 2012 Broker/Dealer of the Year
On Monday, August 20, 2012, NEXT Financial Group, Inc. (“NEXT”) was named “Broker-Dealer of the Year” by Investment Advisor magazine for an unprecedented eighth time*.
Financial Questions for the Retiring Homeowner
Do you see yourself retiring in the near future? In planning for that transition, you might want to consider the state of your mortgage, the state of your property taxes, and the state of your living quarters.