Articles from September, 2014
What does a -1.62% decline in the S&P on September 25th tell you?
September 26, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
It seems that whenever the daily price change of the stock market exceeds plus or minus 1%, the news headlines provide us with an indication that we should panic or rejoice. As you can see in the chart of daily…Read More
What do insurance companies invest in?
September 24, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
It is important to keep in mind what insurance companies are actually investing in when considering the features of annuities and cash value life insurance contracts. According to a paper published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago in April…Read More
Are you ready to retire?
September 19, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding whether or not you are ready to retire. Is your nest egg adequate? It’s obvious, but the earlier you retire, the less time you’ll have to save, and the more years…Read More
What factors could negatively impact my credit report?
September 18, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
Having a good credit report is important when it comes to personal finance, because most lenders use credit reports to evaluate the creditworthiness of a potential borrower. Borrowers with good credit are presumed to be more creditworthy and may find…Read More
10 Basic Tax To-Dos for the Rest of 2014
September 3, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
Here are 10 things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Make time to plan Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as…Read More
Some Things to Consider about Gifts to Children
September 3, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
If you make significant gifts to your children or someone else’s children, or if someone else makes gifts to your children, there are a number of things for you to consider. Transfers that are not taxable gifts There are a…Read More
Quiz: How much do you know about Social Security?
September 3, 2014 | By Kevin Smith
You’re probably covered under Social Security–according to the Social Security Administration, an estimated 165 million workers are*–but how much do you know about this program? Test your knowledge by answering the following questions. Questions 1. If you decide to collect…Read More