Safe Places for Savings

With the stock market and the economy on unstable ground, many investors are more interested in the return of their money, rather than the return on their money.

Lessons on Potential Risk and Reward

The beginning of the new year is as good of a time as any to take a look at your finances.

Investment Steps to Take Today

We interrupt our series on waiting to take Social Security so that we may bring you a special report on what you should (and shouldn’t) do in light of the recent volatility in the investment world. The natural inclination is, of course, to PANIC! and toss aside years of saving, investing, and planning, liquidating whatever investments you have that are exposed to the volatility.
But a more measured approach may serve you better in both the short and long runs.

Wise Ways to Use Your Tax Refund

Hopefully by now you’ve completed and filed your income tax returns, and are eagerly anticipating a juicy refund, which, according to the IRS, should average around $3,000.

Sure, you could spend that money on a new TV or a well-deserved vacation. But here are some money-smart ways to use your refund for a more rewarding purpose.

IRA or ROTH IRA

We’re at that time of year where workers (and their spouses) are trying to decide if they can (and should) contribute to an IRA or a Roth IRA for the 2014 tax year.

The quick answer to those questions is, “Maybe!”, so perhaps some rules of thumb will be helpful.

Looking at Your Investments

Your third quarter investment account statements have recently rolled in, and rather than let them sit unopened in a pile next the computer, it might be good to actually take a look at where things are, and maybe even make some changes.

What makes now better than ever is the investment climate of the past few years may have changed in the past few weeks.

To make the process a little easier, we’ll start every recommended step with the letter “R”.