Hurricane Sandy’s fury has exacted a considerable and tragic toll. Even with the relief efforts now underway, it will be some time before things return to normal in many communities. How has Sandy impacted Main Street, Wall Street and the broader economy?

You stand at your window and look across the street. Nice house, you think. Nice landscaping. Nice sports car. Nice driveway. New bikes for the kids. Wow, your neighbors are really well off. If only you had that kind of money. That plain home down the street with the older model sedan parked out front pales in comparison. A couple in their seventies lives there, and the front yard hasn’t been spruced up in a[…]

Thinking about buying a timeshare? You may want to think twice about it. While some people buy timeshares and love them, many question their choice after an initial honeymoon period. Years later, they realize that they have bought more than part-time use of a resort property – they have also bought into a cycle of aggravating fees and maintenance charges, adjusted for inflation. In the wake of the recession, demand for timeshares has waned. Many of[…]

What financial, business or life priorities do you need to address for 2013? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives. Some year-end financial moves may prove crucial to the pursuit of those goals as well. What can you do to lower your 2012 taxes? Before the year fades away, you have plenty of options. Here are a few that may prove convenient: *Make[…]

Are fresh headwinds buffeting Wall Street? Stocks performed surprisingly well in the first three quarters of 2012, but developments in the fourth quarter are giving analysts pause. While no one sees the bulls turning tail and running, there are emerging factors that may challenge their advance in the near term. This earnings season isn’t shaping up so well. The Wall Street Journal believes it will be the poorest we’ve seen in almost three years, with[…]

There is seldom a dull moment on Wall Street. Stocks may rise or fall dramatically over the course of a year or a decade. Sometimes, breaking news may tempt you to pull money out of your 401(k) or greatly reduce your contributions. If you’re considering such a move, think twice. Don’t stop saving for retirement. Even if you think you’re wealthy enough to forego putting money in your 401(k) for a while, you could end[…]

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[…]

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,