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Get the Most from Your Retirement Savings: Follow the Rules
Once you’ve worked hard to save up money in a retirement account like an IRA, 401(k), 403(b), etc., the last thing you want to do is have some of that money going for penalties because you…
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A fresh start for No-Nonsense Money Talk with Karen Chan
Beginning in October, this blog will become the focus of my financial education efforts. Up to this point, in-person presentations and webinars have been my main educational vehicle. But it’s time for that to change. I…
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Target Date Retirement Funds: Investing Made Simple, Part 3
If you’re looking for a “set it and forget it” solution for choosing and managing your investments, target date retirement accounts are the closest you’ll get. But as with any investment, understand it before you buy…
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Automatic Rebalancing: Investing Made Simple, Part 2
The value of most investments changes every day. Over time, they can get seriously out of what compared to the allocation of stocks, bonds, and cash that you started with. If your account custodian offers automatic…
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Index Mutual Funds: Investing Made Simple, Part 1
Index funds can make choosing investments easier. In addition, their low costs mean that they typically out-perform actively managed funds.
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Beneficiary Designations, POD and TOD Take Precedence Over Your Will
When you think about passing assets to others upon your death, you probably think first of a will. In reality, a will only controls assets that aren’t transferred by any one of several other mechanisms, including…
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Health Savings Accounts: What’s Not to Love?
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) let you set aside money tax-free to cover deductibles and out of pocket health care expenses when you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Distributions used to pay health care expenses…
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Free Income Tax Preparation at VITA and TCE Sites
Free tax preparation is available at many locations throughout the country. Check eligibility and schedule your appointment before they fill up.
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Reading Suggestions
In the January 2024 issue of Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine, there were two articles that make for very good reading. You can probably find the magazine at your local library. The same – or very similar…
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To Roth or Not: Deciding between Traditional and Roth Contributions to 403(b) and 401(k) Plans
Roth and tax-deferred options in employer retirement plans each have advantages. But the only bad decision would be not contributing at all.
Keep readingDear Young Friend: Retirement Savings Can Reduce Taxes
Early in your career, it’s hard to save money in a retirement plan that you can’t touch for 40 years. How about a Roth IRA?
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