Today’s average student borrower takes out more than $25K in loans. Education debt has reached record levels in America – more than $1 trillion. In the face of those numbers, parents and students are looking for assorted ways to pay for college without incurring big liabilities.1 In addition to grants, loans, merit-based aid and your student holding down a job, there are other ways to reduce college cost – some little recognized. First, how expensive will[…]

Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also some classic financial missteps that plague retirees. Calling them “mistakes” may be a bit harsh, as not all of them represent errors in judgment. Yet whether they result from ignorance or fate, we need to be aware of them as we plan for and enter retirement.

We are now in plain view of the “fiscal cliff”. After the election, Congress may or may not end up keeping income and estate tax rates at their recent levels. Next year may bring some notable financial developments, and it isn’t too soon for households to think about them. You may want to prioritize tax reduction. If the Bush-era tax cuts sunset, everyone will see higher taxes. The federal income tax brackets (10%, 15%, 25%,[…]

On August 21, the S&P 500 hit a 4-year high. It climbed 3% in the first three weeks of the month following a 1.26% July gain. Across the past four weeks, the index’s total return has been just under 4%.1,2,3 Unexpected? You might say so. You can’t predict how the market will behave. This summer, stocks are managing to advance despite lingering threats. Shouldn’t Wall Street be more pessimistic?

The financial planning process is not merely a matter of numbers. When you meet with a financial advisor to map out a strategy for wealth accumulation or wealth preservation, you may find yourself intellectually and emotionally engaged on a level you hadn’t anticipated. It may actually give you a better understanding of what you want from life. A solid, multi-aspect financial plan takes many things into account. It may include a tax minimization strategy, an[…]

How do you find a good wealth advisor? That is a very important question. It is amazing how casually many couples and families approach the search. Consider the observations of MarketWatch senior columnist Chuck Jaffe, who has given many presentations on this very topic. Jaffe commonly polls his audience, asking people to raise their hand if they have worked with a financial advisor. Next,

Do you see yourself retiring in the near future? In planning for that transition, you might want to consider the state of your mortgage, the state of your property taxes, and the state of your living quarters. Could you pay off your mortgage in the next few years? If your home is paid off, great. If you are close to paying it off, think about putting whatever extra cash

According to data compiled by Norton, cybercrime hits over 74 million Americans annually. You know you have been victimized when you get that courtesy call or email from a bank or credit card issuer - but is there a way you can tell prior to that moment?1

When your income stream is uneven, you must deal with some distinct financial issues. Besides cash flow, what do you do about your tax strategy? How should you try to save? If you are self-employed, what about health coverage?

Here’s a trivia question for you: when was the last time the Federal Reserve raised the benchmark U.S. interest rate? The answer: June 29, 2006. On that day, the federal funds rate hit 5.25%