How to Save Money for Retirement
As with any long term goal, the earlier you start planning, the better off you will be. This is no different with planning for retirement. The benefits of having a long term horizon are that you will...
View ArticleTop 10 Useful Tips For Personal Finance
In the current global financial climate, we are all looking for ways to save money. And even if you are not struggling right now, it is a good time to take control of your personal finance, and prevent...
View Article8 Simple Steps For Amending a Tax Return
‘Death and Taxes’ as the phrase goes, are the two things in life we can always count on. As tax laws evolve and our personal lives change, the amount of taxes to be paid, refunded and filed literally...
View ArticleWeek 8: 4 Essential Insurances – Are You Fully Covered?
Now that you’ve had some time to organize your taxes, let’s move on to the topic of insurance. In case you missed one of our newsletters, check out weeks 1-7 below: Week 1: Assessing Your Current...
View ArticleWeek 9: The Definitive Guide to Retirement Planning
We are now on to our 9th week of Personal Finance Guide… and it is time to learn more about retirement planning. We’ve touched on topic in previous issues, but since fewer than half of Americans know...
View ArticleWeek 10: Finding the Right Bank For You
This week we’re going to be discussing something that applies to all of our readers: bank accounts. What many people don’t know is that all bank accounts are not created equal. Checking and savings...
View ArticleThe Importance of Saving and How Much To Set Aside
Saving is an important step on the way to financial well-being, both in the short term and in the long term. In the short term, it gives you an emergency cushion in the event that an unforeseen, large...
View ArticleWeek 11: 5 Things Everyone Should Know About Loans
Almost all of our readers are likely to have at least one loan, whether it be a mortgage, school loan or auto loan. Although they are not necessarily bad to have, it is important to be selective when...
View Article3 Things Sapping Your Returns: Fees, Taxes, and Inflation
Most of us want the best possible returns on our investments. However, even as you look for better returns, you might be overlooking some important items that could be reducing your real returns. As...
View ArticleWeek 12: Personal Finance Guide Review – Part 1
Since we have now covered most of the major topics in Personal Finance Guide, it’s time to start going over what we feel are the most important points from the first 11 issues. This week, we’ll review...
View ArticleWeek 13: Personal Finance Guide Review – Part II
So You Think You Know Personal Finance? It’s now time to review more of our previous Personal Finance Guide articles as we gear up for Financial Literacy Month in April. Starting next week, we’ll be...
View ArticleWhat to Expect from a Broker
The traditional broker is a “full-service broker.” As the name implies, this is someone who can handle all manner of transactions and provide information to guide your investment choices. Technically,...
View ArticleHow to Determine if a Broker is Suitable for Your Needs
The broker functions like a salesman but, unlike someone pushing vacuum cleaners or refrigerators, simply persuading you to write a check does not legally constitute doing his job. Brokers have a legal...
View ArticleDo Name Brands Matter with Brokers?
It is more important to have a broker who is expert at what he or she does than to have someone who is affiliated with a national wirehouse like Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, or the other big names....
View ArticleChecking out Broker Candidates
Stockbrokers typically file a Form U-4 to register with the Financial Industry Regulatory Agency (FINRA), which covers the details on the advisor’s past. As this book was going to press, FINRA had...
View ArticleHow Do Broker Fees and Payment Plans Work?
Unless he or she charges an asset-management fee—meaning he or she takes a slice of the assets managed each year—or a flat fee for account management (as in the “cash-management accounts” common to...
View ArticleImportant Credentials For Brokers
Brokers sometimes pursue the same credentials of a financial planner. Like a planner, however, no credentials are necessary. A broker, however, must pass exams in order to practice, the basic tests...
View ArticleInterview Questions for Brokers
With brokers, you have an initial interview and then subsequent mini-interviews whenever you discuss making additional investments or changing your portfolio. The first interview should define the...
View ArticleBuilding the Relationship with Your Broker
There’s an old saying that the best way to get good market information is to “take a broker to lunch.” It’s not far from the truth. The best way to develop a relationship with a broker is to be able to...
View ArticleWhat if My Broker Changes Firms?
There are many reasons why brokers switch firms. It’s a normal part of the business, but you will want to know why. I once met a couple whose broker was changing firms for the second time in three...
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