What the Heck is an ETF? The 411 on Exchange-Traded Funds

If you’ve made it this far, you should be a bit familiar with Mutual and Index Funds as investment products, the similarities and differences between them.  Now we’re going to throw another mix into the pot- and they’re called ETFs.

5 Tips for Preparing for Your Retirement

Retirement may seem like a long time away from wherever you are on the spectrum of life. Maybe you’ve just paid off your student loans, or just recently graduated from college.  Maybe your kids are still in diapers, or maybe you’ve just made their first college tuition payment.  Whatever point you’re at in life, one thing is for certain- any amount that you save now for your retirement will not go to waste.

Social Security Reform- and the Effects on your Retirement

On August 14, 1935, president Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law what was considered my many to be the great moral successes of the 20th century. It provided a means of income for disabled or retired individuals, sort of a safety net that included unemployment insurance after the Great Depression. For over 60 years, millions of Americans have relied on their monthly Social Security check to keep them above the poverty line.

So You Want to Buy a House? How and Where to Begin

So, you’ve decided to buy a house, eh? Congratulations! You’ve probably been saving your pennies, doing your homework and begun peeking at the housing market to see what’s out there. But whether you’ve done your homework or not, there are a few things that you need to know that may or may not have come up during your studies.  So to help you out with these tidbits of information, and get the rest of the necessities in order, here’s a list of everything you need to do (in order) to buy a house.

Residential Neighborhood or a Home with a View?

Are you a family that values its privacy, or are you a bunch of social butterflies always looking for the latest neighborhood gathering? Do you need to be close to or in the city to enjoy its amenities, or would you rather hop into the car drive in to catch the action?  What about space?  Are you looking for the wide open spaces of the countryside, or do you like to have a lot of people around you at all times? All of these questions and more need to be answered before you spend money on a house for you and your family only to find out that you’re all miserable with the purchase. 

Quit Your Job and Save Some Serious Cash?

If you and your significant other are both working full-time, did you know that it just might be in your best financial interest for one of you to stay home? It’s true, and here’s how to figure out if this will work for you and your family, saving some serious cash.

New FDIC Regulations for Retirement Accounts- Are you Affected?

You just may be.

For the first time in over 25 years, the US Congress has raised the limits of insurance coverage that protects your money if a banking institution fails from $100,000 to $250,000 for certain kinds of retirement accounts. However, these deposits must be held at a bank or credit union and insured by the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) or the NCUA (National Credit Union Administration.)

Pay Yourself First - The Most Important Financial Lesson

So many of us (yes, us) use credit card bills, mortgage payments, and grocery shopping as excuses for not putting money into some sort of savings account. Whether we say that the interest we pay or the needs of or family simply don’t allow for us to sock some cash away for a rainy day.  With this attitude, no one will ever be able to save a dime.

Mutual Funds vs. Index Funds

With so many different types of stocks, bonds and other investments (like funds) out there, how is a not-so-investment-savvy female supposed to invest some hard-earned money that may yield a positive return without getting duped into the wrong thing? For starters, you can try your best to learn some of the basic terminology.  Second, if you have decided to go with a financial advisor, be honest with her/him and let them know that you’re a newbie at this. Lastly, if anyone tries to make you feel stupid, remember- no one can make you feel inferior without your consent- and you’re in charge here, not them- it’s your money- there are thousands of honest advisors out there who won’t make you feel like an idiot, so you don’t need this one.

Mutual Funds 101- The Basics

Do you feel stupid when you’re with a group of “friends” who are talking about their “portfolio’s” and investment strategies, including mutual funds?  Do you smile and nod your head, much like you’d do if you were in a foreign country trying to communicate with the locals?  If asked your opinion about a stock, do you simply say, “Oh- I let my advisor handle that”, when the closest thing you have to a financial advisor is your favorite bank teller?  No matter what you may hear, you need to remember that you’re not alone. Congratulations on taking the first step to understanding the complicated world of investments, beginning with Mutual Funds.