Blog
Prevent a Rift: Money Tips for Newlyweds
Couples may be able to head off many of the problems in a marriage that money can cause. One survey found that 35% of couples attribute stress in their relationship to financial issues. This could explain why some experts say financial problems are one of the top...
White Elephant Inheritance
This article deals with how one might deal with a burdensome inheritance. Have you ever had to deal with a "white elephant"? Not the actual pachyderm, but what Merriam-Webster calls "a property requiring much care and expense yielding little profit" or, more simply,...
Making a Charitable Gift
Did you know that there are benefits and limitations when you decide to donate stock? Learn more about your options. Key Takeaways Some universities and major hospitals have huge endowments while your local shelter may struggle to keep its doors open. Sometimes...
Silver Sneakers 101
Medicare’s popular program, offering free gym membership and health education. Once you turn 65, the world of Medicare opens to you, and you also gain access to its offshoot supplemental programs. You likely know about Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, and other...
Personal Finance Calendar
Use this handy calendar to remember the year’s most important financial dates. JANUARY: Get ready for a brand new year. Write down the major financial events you anticipate in the next few years. That will help guide a discussion about whether your portfolio reflects...
How Income Taxes Work
A quick look at how federal income taxes work. Taxpayers and businesses spend an estimated 7.1 billion hours a year complying with tax-filing requirements, which is worth $388 billion in economic value just to comply with tax regulations.1 As complex as the details of...
A Primer On Dividends
A company's profits can be reinvested or paid out to the company’s shareholders as “dividends." When looking for income-generating investments, some investors turn to dividend-yielding stocks. When a company makes a profit, that money can be put to two uses: It can be...
Filing Final Tax Returns for the Deceased
The federal government requires deceased individuals to file a final income tax return. When a family member passes away, there are many decisions that need to be made and many emotions to handle. The last thing anyone thinks about is taxes. Unfortunately, even the...
Estate Management Checklist
Is your estate in order? This short quiz may help you assess your overall strategy. Do you have a will? A will enables you to specify who you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enable you to name a guardian for your minor children. Do you have...
