Fidelity, Schwab, T Rowe Price, and Vanguard each offer index funds that cover the entire domestic and international stock markets and the domestic bond market. But which company’s index funds should you choose? Are they all the same? I look for index funds with the lowest expenses. Expenses over the long-term reduce the fund’s return. […]
How your spending habits can help or hinder or retard your financial goals was examined in Part One of this blog. And to change your habits you need to examine why you do what you do. Many New Year’s resolutions center around curbing over spending. Listed below are five reasons that may influence your spending […]
Are your habits helping or hindering you from achieving your financial goals? We are nearing the end of the first quarter and its time to check on whether you’ve made progress on your New Year’s resolutions. One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to get financially fit. You know, save more and/or spend […]
Here’s an easy way to determine the minimum size of your emergency fund. It is a quick and dirty way that should stand you in good stead. The purpose of an emergency fund is to have money available in case of unexpected expenses. By dipping into the emergency fund to pay them, you don’t have […]
I always thought that municipal bond funds were only for investors in upper income tax brackets. The lower interest rates that municipal bonds pay are offset by the fact that interest from these funds is tax exempt. Thus only high earners benefit. My recent research shows that this isn’t necessarily the case. In fact, municipal […]
I’ve been thinking about singles’ estate plans because I recently came across three statistics. Singles don’t live as long as married folks. Most Americans die without a will. Winter months are the ones with the greatest chance of death. With winter nearly in the rear view mirror and knowing you have at least another year […]
Patient experience data can help you choose a new physician. I found myself recently in a situation in which I needed a new primary care physician and an eye surgeon. I hunted for patient experience quality information to help guide my choices. I changed my health plan in 2015 to a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) to […]
A client recently ask whether and how much to contribute to her Roth 401k rather than her traditional 401k. Roth 401ks are relatively new on the retirement savings scene. If your employer offers one they allow you to contribute post-tax dollars. Amounts you withdraw after age 59.5 are not taxed. Roth 401ks are unlike traditional […]
Portfolios of Fidelity and Vanguard stock index funds topped the 2015 performance of portfolios of actively managed funds recommended by Kiplingers, Money, and Forbes. The Fidelity portfolio’s 2015 real return topped Kiplinger’s by 0.66%, Money’s by 1.85%, and Forbes’ by 2.29%. This analysis shows that even the experts often miss picking stock funds to beat the market. […]
These three financial planning tasks can make your snow day very productive. After shoveling the walk and building the snowman, try to complete one or two of these tasks. You know you’ve put them off. So why not take advantage of the snow day to get them done once and for all. 1. Obtain and […]
