Preparing for One of Retirement’s Major Expenses – Taxes As you plan for retirement, you’re likely considering the major expenses you may encounter, such as housing and health care. But are you overlooking something that may have a significant impact on your ability to achieve a financially secure retirement? If the bulk of [...]
Save Money: Smarter Spring Cleaning It may seem like the answer to de-cluttering your home after the spring thaw lies in the aisles for storage containers and cleaning supplies that can often cost a small fortune. But getting your house clean and organized can be financially beneficial if you’re willing to wield your creativity [...]
What do Extended Low Interest Rates Mean for You? The economy may be plodding toward recovery, but it isn’t moving quickly enough to justify an increase in interest rates any time during the next two years according to the Federal Reserve. The Fed’s first announcement of lowered interest rates came during the recession in [...]
Among all the decisions you might make while planning financially for retirement, where you choose to live can be among the most important. And you might be surprised by what kind of limitations your decision can impose in the future. The area – and the home – you live in during retirement may affect the [...]
The dollar is up. The dollar is down. What does it mean? By Jeffrey D. Carlson, CFP® You hear it regularly in the news: “The dollar rose today against other major currencies,” or “The dollar lost ground today on foreign exchange markets.” Just like stocks and bonds, currencies can fluctuate in value in comparison [...]
Beyond Angry Birds: Using Technology for your Finances By Jeffrey D. Carlson, CFP® In addition to providing news, entertainment and access to social networking, mobile devices and apps can also make tracking your investments and the financial markets more convenient than ever before. Though this is good news for those who are interested in learning [...]
The holidays ignite the philanthropic spirit in many of us, and even with the uncertain economy, Americans continue to give. In fact, according to Charity Navigator, total giving to charitable organizations was up 3.8 percent from 2009 to 2010. As in previous years, the majority of giving came from individuals – more than $211 billion [...]
New Year’s Resolutions for Every Stage of Your Financial Life By Jeffrey D. Carlson, CFP® It’s time for that annual rite of passage into the New Year: making your resolutions. In addition to vowing to lose 10 pounds or organize your photo drawer, perhaps 2012 should be the year to focus on your finances. [...]
Is the Time Right for You to Refinance? By Jeffrey D. Carlson, CFP® “Rates can’t go lower.” Or so advertisements from mortgage companies have been claiming for years. But it’s possible that now, it’s more true than ever. According to research done by Freddie Mac, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage in [...]
The Federal Reserve and Interest Rates in Your Life By Jeffrey D. Carlson, CFP® We regularly hear news reports about a decision by the Federal Reserve (the Fed) to raise or lower interest rates or to leave them unchanged. Recently, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke announced that the Fed would hold the line on [...]
