Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Intriguing Post-Election Rally

Why did some sectors rise more than others? Wall Street likes certainty and…   Wall Street likes certainty. When startling financial, political, or societal events occur, volatility usually follows, and the major indices may fall. In late October, the Dow Jones Industrial Average went on a multi-day losing streak as Donald Trump caught up to […]

The post The Intriguing Post-Election Rally appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Monday, December 26, 2016

Your Year-End Financial Checklist

Seven aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close.    The end of a year makes us think about last-minute things we need to address and good habits we want to start keeping. To that end, here are seven aspects of your financial life to think about as this […]

The post Your Year-End Financial Checklist appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Thursday, December 22, 2016

End-of-the-Year Money Moves

Here are some things you might want to do before saying goodbye to 2016.  What has changed for you in 2016?    Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? Did you retire? Did you start a family? If notable changes occurred in your personal or professional life, then you will want […]

The post End-of-the-Year Money Moves appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Monday, December 19, 2016

What You Can and Cannot Control as You Plan for Retirement

Some things you have no influence over. You may have some power to affect other factors…   Are you worried about retiring? Many baby boomers are, and they have reason to be, given low interest rates, subpar returns on equities, increasing health care costs, and the issues facing Social Security. Now, do yourself a favor. […]

The post What You Can and Cannot Control as You Plan for Retirement appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Thursday, December 15, 2016

Rehearsing for Your Retirement

Try living as a “retiree” for a month or two before you commit to leaving your career…   Imagine if you could preview your retirement in advance. In a sense, you can. Financially and mentally, you can “rehearse” for the third act of your life, while still enjoying the second. Pretend you are retired for […]

The post Rehearsing for Your Retirement appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Monday, December 12, 2016

Retirees Should Have Spending Plans?

Without such strategies, they can risk going through their savings too fast… Every day, articles appear urging people to save for retirement. These articles are so prevalent that it may seem like retirement planning is entirely about getting people to save. Actually, retirement planning concerns much more than that. It has another aspect well worth […]

The post Retirees Should Have Spending Plans? appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Thursday, December 8, 2016

What to Do Financially When Your Spouse Dies

Steps to see that financial matters remain in good order… When a spouse passes away, the emotion and magnitude of the loss can send our lives reeling. This profound change can also affect our finances. All at once, we have a to-do list before us, and the responsibility of it can make us feel pressured. […]

The post What to Do Financially When Your Spouse Dies appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Monday, December 5, 2016

Funding 35-40 Years of Retirement?

If you live to 100, can you avoid outliving your money? Will you live to 100? Your odds of becoming a centenarian may be improving. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control reported that the population of Americans aged 100 or older rose 44% between 2000-2014. The Pew Research Center says that the world […]

The post Funding 35-40 Years of Retirement? appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m

Thursday, December 1, 2016

Tiny Social Security COLA – Possible Medicare Premium Hike?

Retirees will get only a few dollars more per month in 2017. The average Social Security recipient will get a $5 raise next year. Yes, a whopping $5 per month. In 2017, Social Security’s mean monthly benefit is projected to rise – from the current $1,355 – by this scant amount, all because of low […]

The post Tiny Social Security COLA – Possible Medicare Premium Hike? appeared first on http://ift.tt/1GYra0m