Category: Financial Planning & Coaching

Seemingly every financial institution and advisor want you to consider a Roth Conversion. Well… anytime I hear the word “Conversion” I think of a religious principle that I learned about as a child. In fact, the “Roth” is mainstream, and has been on the scene since the summer of 1977. And as you will see in later posts on the subject, you are permitted to “Unconvert”. In Part II of this series, we will look into the details of

529 college savings plans are tax-advantaged college savings vehicles and one of the most popular ways to save for college today. Much like the way 401(k) plans revolutionized the world of retirement savings a few decades ago, 529 college savings plans have revolutionized the world of college savings. As of March 2009, there were over 11 million 529 plan accounts. (Source: College Board’s Trends in Student Aid 2009) Tax advantages and more 529 college savings

Guaranteeing the stability of the U.S. banking system Bank deposits are protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), an independent agency backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Established in 1933 after the United States experienced a wave of bank failures, FDIC insurance is intended to reassure depositors and offer protection in case a bank becomes insolvent, is liquidated, or experiences other financial difficulties. Tip: You do not have to be

Offered by merchants of all types, rewards programs are marketing tools that encourage brand-loyalty purchasing through  Price discounts Bonus points and/or coupons toward future purchases Donations to your favorite charity And even cash rebates. If you’re part of the program, you access it by using a membership card that looks like (and often is) a credit card. The card compiles information about your purchases and the rewards you’ve earned; it also stores information about you that’s

What is it? Money market deposit accounts are like money market mutual funds, but deposit accounts are FDIC insured, while mutual funds are not.Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions began offering money market deposit accounts in 1982 in response to the growth of money market mutual funds that were being offered through brokers and mutual fund companies.The rate of interest paid on money market deposit accounts rises and falls with interest rates in

College cost trends Every October, the College Board releases its Trends in College Pricing report that highlights college cost increases and trends. While costs can vary significantly by region and individual college, the College Board publishes average cost figures, which are based on its survey of 3,500 colleges across the country. Here are highlights from its latest report: At four-year public colleges for in-state students, tuition and fees increased an average of 7.9% from last