When investing, don't put all of your eggs in one basket. Use diversification to manage risk and potentially enhance performance. In today's market environment, diversification is more important than ever.(1) But what is the thinking behind this big word? The process of diversifying -- or dividing your money among different types of investments -- is [...]
The Roth 401(k) incorporates features of both Roth IRAs and traditional 401(k) plans. This article looks at rules governing distributions and rollovers that are unique to Roth plans. The Roth 401(k) resembles the Roth IRA, in that contributions are made with after-tax dollars and qualified withdrawals can be made tax free. But, as the name [...]
Sticking to a sensible strategy potentially beats market timing. When the markets drop, sometimes investors panic, selling at or near a market bottom. Then they wait too long to get back in once the market recovers. More often than not, these investors make “market timing” decisions based more on emotion than logic. Much [...]
Understanding the difference between Disability Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance and how it impacts your financial plan is critical to your success. Disability insurance addresses lost wages that stem from an inability to work. Long-term care insurance, in contrast, addresses expenses associated with medical care provided to you in your home, a nursing home, a [...]
Having a personal plan is the critical first step to organizing your finances and financial planning. Financial planning may seem daunting, if all you've ever done is pay bills and manage a checkbook. But personal planning is really, the first step to organizing your financial affairs and depends more on common sense than [...]
Choosing between these values is all about your perspective. Some people view having $1 million in the bank as more valuable than having an income of $5,000 per month. However, both values are roughly equivalent. This example illustrates what behavioral researchers call the illusion of wealth and the illusion of poverty.1 It [...]
Avoid these financial traps and save yourself money and stress in the long term. Americans are living longer, healthier lives, and this trend is affecting how they think about and plan for retirement. For instance, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, the age at which workers expect to retire has been rising slowly over [...]
What makes a company a good investment? Investment professionals consider several factors when they're selecting companies to include in a stock portfolio. Here are some of the criteria they're likely to use when analyzing a company. A Company's Finances A strong financial position on the part of the issuing company can make [...]
If you are opening an (Individual Retirement Account) IRA for the first time or need a refresher course on the specifics of IRA ownership, here are some facts for your consideration. IRAs in America IRAs continue to play an increasingly prominent role in the retirement saving strategies of Americans. According to the Investment [...]
Avoid these financial traps and save yourself money and stress in the long term. Money. It's hard to get and easy to lose. It doesn't take long for the wealth you've accumulated to disappear if you don't manage your money well or have a plan to protect your assets from sudden calamity. Snares like the [...]
