I just read this article by Annie McQuilkin, which provides some very good insights that can help to ease your mind with regard to your financial advisor. It has always made good sense to check up on who you’re placing your trust with, but it’s even more clear now after the Madoff thing. As pointed [...]
Posts from ‘January, 2009’
Changes Coming For 529 Plans…?
It’s very likely, according to some sources, that 529 plans will be impacted by changes in the law in the coming months. Among those changes are the great potential (included in the proposed stimulus plan) that you’ll soon be able to use your 529 plan proceeds to purchase computers and computing services – an option [...]
Seven Tax Breaks for Your 2008 Return
Another WSJ article - with details on the newer tax breaks that came into affect last year. These breaks can be taken for your 2008 return due in April of this year. Some of these breaks can come into play as a result of the economic downturn – so there could be a little silver [...]
Just so you’ll know you’re not alone…
If you have held tight to your 401(k), IRA, or other investment account positions through the gut-wrenching market trauma of the past quarter – take heart. You are not alone at all, and in fact you have some VERY good company. This article from the Wall Street Journal delves into the investing habits of the [...]
In a Pinch for Cash? Be Smart About Your Options
Here’s an article with some very good advice on what or where it makes good sense to raise cash when you’re in a pinch, as many folks are now. Most importantly, the article points out, you need to consider the consequences of options like raiding your 401(k) or taking a home equity loan. You may trigger [...]
College Tuition Benefits From Stimulus Plan
Posted here you’ll find a rundown of the Education Funding benefits that are proposed in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 – including increases in tax credits, grant levels, and subsidized loan amounts.
The Jan Plan
Greetings once again from beautiful downtown New Berlin! I suppose we’re still 8 to 10 weeks away from signs of Spring, so we may as well enjoy the Winter – it’s not like we have much choice! So scoot up close to the fire, tune in the basketball game on the old Philco, and pop [...]
The Madoff Scam: What Can We Learn?
You’d have to be living under a rock to not know about the scandal of Bernie Madoff’s firm – wherein the supposedly legitimate Madoff bilked some of the most sophisticated investers in the world out of something like $50 billion. The Ponzi scheme has been around forever, for the very fact that it works – much [...]
Treasury Picks Fee-Only Financial Advisor
For oversight of the administration of the TARP (Troubled Assets Recovery Plan), that is, the $700 billion recovery plan for the financial markets, the US Treasury made an interesting choice. They decided to go with the Fee-Only Financial Advisory firm of Ennis Knupp & Associates. Read the article from Forbes here. The interesting part is [...]
ETF vs. no-load index fund – battle royale!
Excellent, concise explanation of the pertinent factors to consider when choosing between an ETF and a no-load index fund: article here
And if you've come here to learn about queuing waterfowl, I apologize for the confusion. You may want to discuss your question with Lester, my loyal watchduck and self-proclaimed "advisor's advisor".
