Ten Ways to Simplify Your Finances

Several advanced techniques are mentioned in this workshop, but time does not allow me to fully explain them during the program. These links will help you learn more about the investment tools, income tax ideas, and estate planning techniques that are introduced in the lesson.

Dollar cost averaging

“Does Dollar Cost Averaging Help or Hinder Investors?” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/20100805_3863.html

Rebalancing

“Rebalancing Your Investments” news article
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/state/newsdetail.cfm?NewsID=15063

“A Real Life Example of Rebalancing + Asset Location” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_4145/

“Solutions for Investment Procrastination, Part 2: Automatic Rebalancing” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_7475/ 

Transfer of assets at your death

“The Simplest Estate Planning Tool: POD” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_4057/

Retirement account rollovers

“Rules for Taking Distributions from Tax-Deferred Retirement Savings Plans”
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/downloads/49483.pdf

Rollover Chart (IRS), http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/rollover_chart.pdf

Index funds, ETFs

“Investment Strategies: Where Do You Fit?”  (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/20110804_4367.html

“Solutions for Investment Procrastination, Part 1: Index Funds” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_7360/

Target date retirement funds

“Solutions for Investment Procrastination, Part 3: Target Date Funds” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_7564/

Planning for the unexpected

“Meet the New Superhero: Your Emergency Fund!” (blog post)
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/cfiv/eb141/entry_2086/

Getting organized

“Dealing with Clutter” (website)
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/clutter/.
See especially, “What Do I Do With . . . Financial and Tax Records”

Except for Rollover Chart (IRS), all sources listed were authored by Karen Chan for University of Illinois Extension.