10 Simple Steps For Your Estate Executor’s Duties During the Probate Process Family Tree Estate Planning has created this helpful infographic and document explaining the 10 simple steps to help your Estate Executor’s duties throughout the Probate process. Here’s a PDF version of the Estate Executor’s Duties:
How Apps Can Help You Save More for Retirement
How Apps Can Help You Save More for Retirement Source: The Wall Street Journal This article was originally published on The Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/ The Wall Street Journal’s Anne Tergesen talks about how employing apps to budget money and save more are on the rise and breaks down which ones […]
Everything You Need to Know About Investing in Bitcoin
Everything You Need to Know About Investing in Bitcoin Source: The Wall Street Journal This article was originally published on The Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/ The Wall Street Journal’s Paul Vigna breaks down all things bitcoin with a primer on the new digital currency and what you should know if you’re […]
Got Credit Card Debt? Here’s How to Help Manage it
Got Credit Card Debt? Here’s How to Help Manage it Source: The Wall Street Journal This article was originally published on The Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/ TD Bank’s Julie Pukas discusses how families of all wealth levels struggle with credit card debt, and how to strategize the best plan to start […]
WSJCoin: To Understand Cryptocurrencies, We Created One
WSJCoin: To Understand Cryptocurrencies, We Created One Source: The Wall Street Journal This article was originally published on The Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/ In an original WSJ documentary, markets reporter Steven Russolillo ventures to Japan and Hong Kong to explore the universe of cryptocurrencies. His mission: create WSJCoin, a virtual token […]
3 Tax Forms That Can Actually RAISE Your Tax Bill
3 Tax Forms That Can Actually RAISE Your Tax Bill Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Sweating to get every last deduction on your taxes this year? Don’t undo all your hard work by messing up these forms that can increase the amount you owe the IRS. […]
What’s Google+ and How Do I Know if I Have an Account
What’s Google+ and How Do I Know if I Have an Account Source: The Wall Street Journal This article was originally published on The Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/ “Google is shutting down the consumer version of its Google Plus social network after the WSJ revealed it had exposed the data of […]
GDPR: What Is It and How Might It Affect You?
GDPR: What Is It and How Might It Affect You? Source: The Wall Street Journal This article was originally published on The Wall Street Journal – https://www.wsj.com/ The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation on data privacy will come into force on May 25, 2018. This video explains how it could affect […]
3 Ways To Save For Retirement At Tax Time
3 Ways To Save For Retirement At Tax Time Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ Want to boost your retirement savings from 2017? Here’s how. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo More From […]
How To Declutter Your Retirement Savings
How To Declutter Your Retirement Savings Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ If you have numerous retirement accounts from previous employers, here’s what to do. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo More From […]
Get The Most From Your Retirement Match
Get The Most From Your Retirement Match Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ Your employer might contribute more to your retirement plan this year. Here’s why you should pay close attention. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes […]
Roth IRAs For Everyone—Even The Well Paid
Roth IRAs For Everyone—Even The Well Paid Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ After the new tax law, Roth IRAs are officially available to even more people. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo […]
Time for Some Retirement Housekeeping
Time for Some Retirement Housekeeping Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ For the sake of your family, it’s important to keep your retirement documents up to date. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo […]
Consider A Charitable IRA Rollover
Consider A Charitable IRA Rollover Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ If you’re retired and give to charity, this IRA rollover may be for you. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo More From […]
4 Ways To Create Steady Retirement Income
4 Ways To Create Steady Retirement Income Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ If you want to make sure your retirement savings last as long as you do, here’s what to do. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo […]
How To Build An Encore Career
How To Build An Encore Career Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ If you plan to work for pay in retirement, here’s how to do so. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo More […]
Three Smart Ways To Use Retirement Money Early
Three Smart Ways To Use Retirement Money Early Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ If you need to tap your 401(k) or IRA early, here’s what to do. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: […]
Get A Bigger Monthly Check From Uncle Sam
Get A Bigger Monthly Check From Uncle Sam Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ Delaying to claim your Social Security check may be in your best interest – here’s why. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video […]
Beyond the 401(k): 4 Smart Ways To Save
Beyond the 401(k): 4 Smart Ways To Save Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/
Give Your Retirement A Raise
Give Your Retirement A Raise Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ Millennials should plan on banking half their raises – here’s why. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbesvideo Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbesvideo More From Forbes: http://forbes.com Forbes […]
Inside The List: America’s Richest Self-Made Women 2019
Inside The List: America’s Richest Self-Made Women 2019 Source: Forbes This article was originally published on Forbes – https://www.forbes.com/ A look into the entrepreneurs on this year’s Self-Made Women list. Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?s… Stay Connected Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From […]
Estate Planning 101: How to Write a Will
Estate Planning 101: How to Write a Will Source: Rocket Lawyer This article was originally published on Rocket Lawyer – https://www.rocketlawyer.com/ In this Estate Planning 101 tutorial, Rocket Lawyer and featured attorney, Amanda Gordon, Esq., demonstrate how to write your will and how to create your estate plan in an easy, affordable […]
AARP Social Security Benefits Calculator Information
AARP Social Security Benefits Calculator Information Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ Learn about AARP’s Social Security Benefits Calculator to help maximize benefits for you and your family SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About AARP: AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50. […]
Many Retirement Age Adults Cannot Afford to Retire
Many Retirement Age Adults Cannot Afford to Retire Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ South Dakota Senior State Director, Sarah Jennings and Colorado Senior State Director, Maureen (“”Morie””) Pierce Smile respond to statistics about how so many retirement age adults cannot afford to retire. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About […]
What’s Up With Retirement Savings?
What’s Up With Retirement Savings? Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ The percentage of American workers with virtually no retirement savings grew for the third straight year, according to the annual Retirement Confidence Survey. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About AARP: AARP is leading a revolution in the way people […]
Lump Sum vs. Monthly Pension
Lump Sum vs. Monthly Pension Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ Check out the pros and cons of new pension plan policies. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About AARP: AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, […]
What’s a Roth 401(k)?
What’s a Roth 401(k)? Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ It’s a new retirement savings plan great for youngsters starting and high paid employees. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About AARP: AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50. AARP is a nonprofit, […]
401(k) Early Withdrawal: Savings Killer
401(k) Early Withdrawal: Savings Killer Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ Financial expert Mellody Hobson highlights what she calls a saving’s killer, the tendency among African Americans across income groups, to take an early withdrawal from their 401(k) savings. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About AARP: AARP is leading a […]
Will You Have Enough To Retire? – Tools To Protect Your Nestegg
Will You Have Enough To Retire? – Tools To Protect Your Nestegg Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ Will you have enough saved to retire? AARP has tools and resources to help you build and protect your retirement fund. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About AARP: AARP is leading a […]
Are Baby Boomers Ready for Retirement?
Are Baby Boomers Ready for Retirement? Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ Financial expert Jane Bryant Quinn says many people aren’t well-positioned for retirement because they didn’t have a realistic plan. Hear her advice on what you need to do before taking a leap. SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/KFywMu About […]
ZERO Savings at 50? Plan for Retirement NOW 💰
ZERO Savings at 50? Plan for Retirement NOW Source: AARP This article was originally published on AARP – https://www.aarp.org/ Saving for retirement is an important part of your financial planning. We asked financial experts to share their money-saving tips to help you get on track to retire on time, even with no […]
3 Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Raise Your Tax Bill
3 Tax Forms That Can Accidentally Raise Your Tax Bill Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Protect yourself from accidentally increasing your tax bill by being misled by a 1099 tax form.
Kiplinger’s Favorite High-Yield Dividend Stocks
Kiplinger’s Favorite High-Yield Dividend Stocks Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ These four picks are well suited for many income investors including retirees.
37 States That Won’t Tax Your Social Security Benefits
37 States That Won’t Tax Your Social Security Benefits Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/
3 Best States for Taxes on Retirees
3 Best States for Taxes on Retirees Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ No state income tax including no taxes on Social Security benefits help place these 3 states among the best places to retire in the U.S. in 2018. Read more here: http://bit.ly/2O6hV6y
3 Ways to Retire Without a Mortgage
3 Ways to Retire Without a Mortgage Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Whether you’re 35 or 65, the prospect of retiring without a mortgage sounds attractive. Here’s how to pull it off: http://bit.ly/2J5uBI0
How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement
How to Avoid Going Broke in Retirement Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Try these tips for making your nest egg last as long as you do.
How to Save $1 Million in Your 401(k)
How to Save $1 Million in Your 401(k) Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ A seven-figure nest egg is achievable if you start early and stay disciplined.
3 Worst States for Taxes on Retirees
3 Worst States for Taxes on Retirees Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ High-income taxes, sales taxes, and taxes on Social Security and other retirement income make Connecticut, Kansas, and Minnesota especially tax-unfriendly for retirees.
3 Ways to Stop Wasting Money
3 Ways to Stop Wasting Money Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ These money leaks can add up to big bucks – even thousands of dollars a year. Learn how to save even more money: http://bit.ly/2si7xiQ
10 Things You’ll Spend Less on in Retirement
10 Things You’ll Spend Less on in Retirement Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ In order to know how much you need to save for retirement, it’s important to know what your spending will look like once you actually retire. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/2M4j554
What You Should Know Before Hiring a Tax Attorney or a CPA via @UpCounsel Blog
What You Should Know Before Hiring a Tax Attorney or a CPA This article was originally published on UpCounsel. I see or talk to my CPA about once a week. That may seem a little extreme, but it’s because he’s brilliant, he gives great advice, and because he’s also my dad. Many […]
What to Do If Your Business Is Selected for a Tax Audit via @UpCounsel Blog
What to Do If Your Business Is Selected for a Tax Audit This article was originally published on UpCounsel. By UpCounsel Business Attorney Leah Jacobs Don’t Panic This is my first bit of advice to anyone who has a business selected for a tax audit. Whether you are a small business CEO or a […]
What Does the New Tax Bill Mean for C-Corporations? via @UpCounsel Blog
What Does the New Tax Bill Mean for C-Corporations? This article was originally published on UpCounsel. By UpCounsel Business Attorney Ramsey Taylor Startup founders often have a lot of questions, but one of the most common is whether they should set up a C-Corporation for their new business. Alternatives usually considered are the […]
Tax Business Plan Template: Everything You Need to Know via @UpCounsel Blog
Tax Business Plan Template: Everything You Need to Know This article was originally published on UpCounsel. Its a strategy for all aspects of your business. It is a necessity for those looking to start a tax preparation or tax consulting business.3 min read A tax business plan template is a strategy for all […]
What is a Contract? Everything You Need to Know via @UpCounsel Blog
What is a Contract? Everything You Need to Know This article was originally published on UpCounsel. What is a contract? Contracts are a part of our everyday world. A contract might include a simple transaction at the local store.3 min read What is a contract? Contracts are a part of our everyday world. […]
Type of Corporations for Small Business via @UpCounsel Blog
Type of Corporations for Small Business This article was originally published on UpCounsel. There are five types of corporations for small business to select from. They include sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, C corporation, and S corporation.3 min read There are five types of corporations for small business to select from. They include sole […]
How to Hire a Great Business Lawyer? via @UpCounsel Blog
How to Hire a Great Business Lawyer? Written by Arleen Atienza This article was originally published on UpCounsel. A good foundation is crucial in starting any business and one of the pillars that keep a business stout and upright is a great business lawyer. As a business owner, you want to allot your […]
7 Strong Buy & Dividend Stocks That Should Rip Higher
Market value: $3.7 billion Distribution yield: 5.3%* TipRanks consensus price target: $78 (17% upside potential) TipRanks consensus rating: Strong Buy Theme park giant Cedar Fair LP (FUN, $65.62) is in the business of fun. And so far, that business seems to be working; shares are up nearly 60% over the past five years. But Cedar Fair also is […]
The 20 Worst States for Your Retirement
Population: 1.8 million Share of population 65+: 17.8% Cost of living: 17% below the U.S. average Average income for 65+ households: $40,109 Average health care costs for a retired couple: Below average at $404,606 Tax rating for retirees: Not Tax Friendly Despite its below-average living costs, the Mountain State offers some rocky terrain for retirees. […]
How a Grandparent's 529 Account Affects College Financial Aid
Distributions from a grandparent-owned 529 savings plan could reduce a grandchild’s financial aid. But using one of these strategies can limit the impact. Getty Images By Kimberly Lankford, Contributing Editor May 9, 2018 QI read your column Shopping for a 529 Plan for a Grandchild. Don’t grandparents have to be careful about opening a 529 […]
Professional Athlete Money Mistakes We Can All Learn From
As a former professional baseball player, I have insights into the financial pitfalls that the wealthy and newly wealthy often make. Professional athletes are notorious for dropping the ball when it comes to dealing with their finances. SEE ALSO: 10 Questions to Fire at Financial Advisers I know it’s hard for most people to be […]
What You Know About Financial Advisers Is All Wrong
Financial professionals are changing their ways, or at least many are. More are happy to work with younger, smaller investors, and to put your needs ahead of their own. And now finding such an adviser is getting easier. What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “financial adviser?” SEE ALSO: 10 Questions to Fire […]
Prudently Investing: What Trustees Need to Know
Acting in the best interests of the trust and the trust beneficiaries, a trustee has the duty to protect and preserve trust assets and, generally, to make the assets productive. In making investment decisions and managing trust assets, the trustee must further abide by the “prudent investor rule,” which requires a trustee to exercise reasonable […]
Online Estate Planning: How To Make a Will For Your Digital Life – via @AZCentral
Online Estate Planning: How To Make a Will For Your Digital Life This article was originally published on AZCentral. Big-name websites and companies can track your activities to deliver targeted advertising and build up an astonishingly detailed profile. Question: Do you have suggestions for creating a digital will? Answer: Estate planning is one of […]
7 High-Yield MLPs to Buy as Oil Prices Climb
Market value: $57.3 billion Distribution yield: 6.4% For another blue-chip MLP play, consider Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPD, $26.54). Enterprise Products is one of the oldest and best-respected MLPs you’re ever going to find. In an industry that has traditionally been run by cowboy capitalists, Enterprise has managed to stay remarkably level headed over the […]
What Assets Are Not Counted When Applying for SSI?
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal program that helps people with disabilities and very low incomes pay for food, clothing and shelter. SSI is often confused with Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). One of the main differences between the two programs is that SSDI is available to people with disabilities no matter how much […]
Best States to Retire 2018: All 50 States Ranked for Retirement
Ranking: #37 Population: 1.8 million Share of population 65+: 17.8% Cost of living: 17% below the U.S. average Average income for 65+ households: $40,109 Average health care costs for a retired couple: Below average at $404,606 Tax rating for retirees: Not Tax Friendly Despite its below-average living costs, the Mountain State offers some rocky terrain […]
How to Tell If Your Life Insurance Is on Track
If it’s been a few years since you signed on the bottom line, dust off that policy and see if it still makes sense for you by answering these four questions. You may have crossed buying a life insurance policy off your to-do list many years ago, but many people make the mistake of thinking […]
“The Best Laid Plans…” How We Adapt for Loved Ones with Special Needs
My doctor assured me that Wednesday in August that all was well and we would be delivering my still-growing boy on schedule in October, and she sent me home to catch up on some well-deserved rest. I saw her again that Friday as I was being prepped for delivery. For no apparent reason, my October […]
10 of the Best Financial Stocks to Buy Now
Market value: $24.7 billion Dividend yield: 1.8% Never heard of Synchrony Financial (SYF, $32.63)? Actually, you may be familiar with this company, even without realizing it. Synchrony Financial is the finance arm that General Electric (GE) spun out in 2015. You may be a user of Synchrony’s services and not even realize it. If you […]
11 Sources of Funding for Your Small Business
Interest rate: N/A (payback in form of equity or rewards) Repayment schedule: 5+ years for equity, 1+ years for rewards Pros: Access to diverse pool of backers, good way to establish engaged customer base Cons: Relatively slow process to accumulate funds Popularized by platforms such as Indiegogo and Kickstarter, crowdfunding has evolved in the last […]
Heart v. Head: A Judge’s Conundrum
Judicial oaths require that judges rule on the law, putting their personal feelings aside. Indeed, judges’ personal opinions are presumed to be non-factors in judicial decision making as judges are charged to uphold the letter of the law regardless of their personal beliefs. The decision in Matter of the Estate of Durcan is a case […]
7 Consumer Goods Stocks to Get Excited Over
If there’s an underdog stock in the world of consumer goods, Lululemon Athletica (LULU) has got to be it. First, the company promoted Christine Day to CEO — she joined LULU from Starbucks Corporation (SBUX) as head of retail operations in January 2008 — to work her magic in June 2008. Unfortunately, Day stepped down as […]
3 Powerful Tax Strategies for Retirees
Saving money in your 401(k) and IRA is probably what got you to retirement, but being smart about how you manage those funds once you get there can make a big difference in your tax bills over the years. Retirees often overlook tax planning. This typically is because retirees are in one of the lower […]
How to Calculate Tax-Free and Taxable IRA Withdrawals
If you haven’t filed Form 8606 with the IRS to track your nondeductible IRA contributions over the years, it will take a bit of detective work. QI am trying to figure out how much I’ll owe in taxes when I roll over some money from my traditional IRA to a Roth. I made some nondeductible […]
[Webinar] Joint Account Litigation In Texas With An Emphasis On Fiduciary Relationships – May 22nd, 10:00am CT
Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra: Privacy Policy (Updated: October 8, 2015): hide JD Supra provides users with access to its legal industry publishing services (the “Service”) through its website (the “Website”) as well as through other sources. Our policies with regard […]
5 Dividend Stocks to Buy for Quality and Safety
Sector: Utilities Dividend yield: 3.5% Regulated utilities are often a core component of most defensive income portfolios, and for good reason. These businesses are essentially government-sanctioned monopolies, typically operating as the sole service provider in their territories. However, to ensure their infrastructure is reliable and their prices remain reasonable for customers, utility operations – including […]
5 Bases You Need Covered With Your Retirement Plan
Does your financial plan have a hole in it? Check to see if you have all five of the critical areas covered. The road to retirement just keeps getting more difficult to navigate, with new products, new rules and new technologies. SEE ALSO: 3 Common Money Myths You Probably Believe It helps to have a […]
Wealth Management Update – May 2018
May Interest Rates for GRATs, Sales to Defective Grantor Trusts, Intra-Family Loans and Split Interest Charitable Trusts The May § 7520 rate for use with estate planning techniques such as CRTs, CLTs, QPRTs and GRATs is 3.2%, no change from the April rate of 3.2%. The May applicable federal rate (AFR) for use with a […]
10 Blue-Chip Stocks That Warren Buffett Dumped (And Why)
Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), likes to say that his ideal holding period is “forever.” But he never has been shy about dumping stocks that no longer hew to his high standards, even if they are some of the bluest of blue-chip stocks. The Oracle of Omaha has famously held American […]
Build a Solid Retirement Plan Around 4 Pillars of Success
Retirement planning should start with the income you need for your monthly expenses, but don’t stop there. The term “living paycheck to paycheck” has become the go-to phrase for people who are just getting by. They mostly have their monthly income figured out, but there’s no emergency fund — and they aren’t putting any money […]
Do You Really Understand Social Security?
By Mary Kane, Associate Editor | Kiplinger’s Retirement Report April 18, 2018 Gaining a better understanding of how Social Security works is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for retirement. After all, on average, Social Security benefits will replace about 40% of your preretirement income, according to the Social […]
10 Tech Stocks to Watch Like a Hawk This Spring
Earnings release date: Thursday, April 26 Time of day: After the closing bell Today’s Microsoft (MSFT, $96.07) isn’t your father’s Microsoft. The Microsoft of yesteryear was primarily about selling its Windows operating system, with its Office productivity suite’s sales being a close-second priority. The business model was one of updating and upgrading previous versions of […]
4 Ways to Teach Your Kids About Work (Without Adding More to Your Plate)
Source: HBR.org This article was originally published on HBR.org – https://hbr.org/ Executive Summary What if you could maximize your time by making progress on work challenges while spending time with your children and helping them learn important skills in the process? By doing things a bit differently, you benefit your task list, your children, and […]
Retirees Often Make This Major Social Security Mistake
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Many people take Social Security early and put off tapping into their IRAs and 401(k)s until they must. But that’s the opposite of what most should do, because waiting until 70 to take benefits can pay off in more ways than one. Most […]
IRS Scams: How to Spot Them and Report Them
If you’re getting hounded by calls, emails or letters from the IRS, how do you know they’re legit? Here are some warning signs of scams to watch out for. Every year I seem to get multiple calls from scam artists pretending to be the IRS. Luckily for me, I know they are scams, and I […]
Shopping for a 529 Plan for a Grandchild
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ When searching for a 529 college-savings plan for a grandchild, first check whether your state offers a tax break for your contributions. QMy husband and I live in Virginia, and our grandson lives in Utah. What is the best way to set up […]
More Dispatches From the Retirement Front
Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra: Privacy Policy (Updated: October 8, 2015): hide JD Supra provides users with access to its legal industry publishing services (the “Service”) through its website (the “Website”) as well as through other sources. Our policies with regard […]
How AI Can Improve How We Work
Paul Daugherty and James Wilson, senior technology leaders at Accenture, argue that robots and smarter computers aren’t coming for our jobs. They talk about companies that are already giving employees access to artificial intelligence to strengthen their skills. They also give examples of new roles for people in an AI workplace. Daugherty and Wilson are […]
The 10 Best Dividend Stocks of All Time
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Lifetime wealth creation: $608.1 billion Annualized return (July 1926-December 2016): 10.7% Current dividend yield: 5.6% Current analyst ratings: 2 strong buy, 1 buy, 7 hold, 0 sell, 2 strong sell As hard as it may be to believe these days, shares in General […]
Why the Most Productive People Don’t Always Make the Best Managers
Executive Summary When a company needs a supervisor for a team, senior leaders often anoint the team’s most productive performer. Some of these stars succeed in their new role as manager; many others do not. The difference seems to hinge on whether the person has six abilities: being open to feedback and personal change, supporting others’ […]
There’s No Good Alternative to Investing in R&D
Executive Summary Even companies that claim to have a long-term orientation worry about whether R&D is worth the investment. This is because they worry the resulting knowledge might walk out the door, as employees join other firms or start their own and because you can acquire firms that have the needed technology instead. If everyone followed […]
Serving as Caregiver Takes Toll as You Age
Experts urge training, support and rest for aging caregivers as seniors caring for seniors in retirement becomes increasingly common. By Susan B. Garland, Contributing Editor April 17, 2018From Kiplinger’s Retirement Report As people live longer, caregivers can expect to spend years caring for a spouse or even a parent. And older caregivers, many in their […]
How Much Can You Contribute to a SEP IRA for 2018?
The maximum contribution is $55,000, up from $54,000 in 2017 and significantly more than can be saved for retirement in a regular IRA. A Simplified Employee Pension IRA, or SEP IRA for short, is a good option for self-employed workers and small-business owners who want an easy and inexpensive retirement plan. A SEP IRA is […]
A Simple Tool to Start Making Decisions with the Help of AI
Executive Summary Recent developments in AI are about lowering the cost of prediction. Better predictions matter when you make decisions in the face of uncertainty, as every business does, constantly. But how do you think through what it would take to incorporate a prediction machine into your decision-making process? In teaching this subject to MBA graduates […]
5 Things to Do the Moment a Loved One Passes Away
You might not be thinking about the practical tasks that need to be accomplished as soon as possible, but these steps are critical to safeguard an estate and ensure that it is passed down as smoothly as possible. When a person passes away and his or her family members have dealt with their initial emotions, […]
Creating a New Approach to Engineering and Innovation at Hitachi Metals – SPONSOR CONTENT FROM HITACHI METALS, LTD.
As the new general manager of the Global Research & Innovative Technology Center (GRIT) at Hitachi Metals, Kenichi Inoue is tasked with creating an updated framework for research and development in advanced materials, helping his organization make the shift to a new approach to engineering and innovation in a disrupted world. With products that include […]
Client Alert: CFPB’s Successor in Interest Rules Take Effect April 19, 2018: What You Need to Know
On April 19, 2018, the CFPB’s Successor in Interest Rules take effect. Here’s what you need to know: What do the Successor in Interest Rules require? The Rules are really modifications to the Mortgage Servicing Rules which are already in place and enable mortgage servicers to communicate with potential and confirmed successors in interest without […]
Court Affirmed Summary Judgment For A Trustee Due To An Exculpatory Clause
Source: Winstead This article was originally published on Winstead – https://www.winstead.com/ In Kohlhausen v. Baxendale, the court affirmed a summary judgment for a trustee on the basis of an exculpatory clause in a trust document. No. 01-15-00901-CV, 2018 Tex. App. LEXIS 1828 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] March 13, 2018, no pet. history). A mother created […]
5 Value Funds That Yield Up to 18%
In Warren Buffett’s most recent letter to shareholders, he updated a data point that never gets old: Just how much Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A, BRK.B) shares have outperformed the Standard & Poor’s 500-stock index. Between 1965 and the end of 2017, the S&P 500 has put up a plenty-respectable 15,508% … but Berkshire shares have delivered […]
To Understand the Future of Tesla, Look to the History of GM
HBR Staff The entrepreneur who founded and grew the largest startup in the world to $10 billion in revenue and got fired is someone you have probably never heard of. The guy who replaced him invented the idea of the modern corporation. If you want to understand the future of Tesla, and Elon Musk’s role […]
When to Choose a Fee-Based Account for Your Retirement Savings
The decision depends on the level of the fee, what services are included, how often you trade and any hidden costs that may eat into your balance. Assets are flooding into investment accounts that charge clients a single asset-based fee rather than a commission on each trade. But regulators and consumer advocates warn that these […]
3 Smart Ways to Give to Charity Under New Tax Law
Starting in 2018, the tax deduction that giving to charity provides may be no longer be available to many people. That is, unless they change the way they give. Here are three strategies to help keep the deduction many count on. Getty Images By Mike Palmer, CFP | Ark Royal Wealth ManagementApril 16, 2018Contact Me […]
How Much Can You Contribute to a Solo 401(k) for 2018?
Some self-employed savers can put away as much as $61,000 for retirement in a solo 401(k), depending on age and compensation. A solo 401(k), also known as an individual 401(k) or a one-participant 401(k), is designed for self-employed people who have no employees other than a spouse. The plan allows these small-business owners to salt […]
33 States with No Estate Taxes or Inheritance Taxes
Overall Rating for Taxes on Retirees: Tax-friendly Inheritance and Estate Taxes: There is no inheritance tax or estate tax. State Sales Tax: 7% state levy. Localities can add up to 2.75%, with an average combined rate of 9.46%, according to the Tax Foundation. Groceries are taxed at 4% by the state, plus whatever local rate […]
Annuities: The 'Bad,' the 'Good' and the 'Misunderstood'
Let me set the record straight on the two main types of annuities for you. For some investors, annuities have an image problem. Read the headlines on the advertisements from a few marketing-focused financial advisers to understand why. They often include words like “scary,” “avoid” and often just plain “bad.” SEE ALSO: Rates Are Rising. […]
10 Cryptocurrency Alternatives to Bitcoin
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Bitcoin is back. Kind of. The biggest financial story of 2017, the cryptocurrency Bitcoin was worth less than $1,000 in January, then worth more than $29,000 by December. As 2018 opened, the Bitcoin market was worth over $250 billion – more than AT&T […]
Technical Experts Need to Get Better at Telling Stories
Executive Summary Startup and technical business leaders often don’t tell their innovation stories well. They rely too much on industry jargon and complex detail. This is a huge opportunity loss. When you’re doing good work, you want people to know about it. So whether you’re drafting website copy, a marketing brochure, an online article, or […]
What I Learned About Working Parenthood After My Kids Grew Up
Executive Summary There are so many articles about the challenges and stresses of being a working parent. But there are also joys, especially as your kids get older. It’s delightful watching the kids you have adored, accompanied, and applauded for a couple of decades blossom into themselves — and leave you the freedom to do the […]
Leaders, Stop Avoiding Hard Decisions
Executive Summary Too many leaders avoid making tough calls. The delay often does far more damage than whatever fallout they were trying to avoid. In fact, hard decisions often get more complicated when they’re deferred. In a ten-year longitudinal study of more than 2,700 leaders, 57% percent of newly appointed executives said that decisions were more complicated and […]
Employees: How to Maximize Your Tax Breaks in 2018 and Beyond
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act preserved or even beefed up many tax breaks available through workplace benefits programs. Here’s how to make the most of those benefits. A key component of building wealth is minimizing taxes, so it’s worthwhile to review the different valuable tax breaks often available through workplace benefit programs. SEE ALSO: […]
How to Establish Values on a Small Team
Executive Summary Developing your corporate values early in your company’s history can have a lasting and positive effect on your organization and its culture, and it’s easier to do when your team is small. Whether you’re running a startup or a small business, it’s important to follow a process that allows everyone to contribute. Start […]
The 15 Best “Turnaround Story” Stocks Right Now
Not long ago, Twitter (TWTR, $29.00) wasn’t exactly guaranteed a long and fruitful future. Its number of monthly users actually fell quarter-over-quarter in early 2016, and during the first quarter of 2017 its revenue fell for the first time ever. Never even mind the habitual losses Twitter had been booking since its inception. A funny […]
Reinvigorate Your Career by Taking the Right Kind of Risk
Executive Summary Stephen Curry has built his NBA career taking shots that others don’t: three point shots from a crazy distance. Defenders didn’t traditionally worry much about these, since there’s such a low likelihood they’ll actually make it into the basket. But Curry practiced and practiced until they weren’t unlikely for him. His game is an […]
How to Downsize Your Sales Force
Executive Summary Companies often have to downsize their sales force as markets weaken, channels shift, or customer behavior evolves. Many companies make mistakes when doing this. They fail to recognize the impact the move will have on revenue; they conduct several waves of cuts, instead of just one; they downsize without a strategy for how […]
PR Agencies Need to Be More Diverse and Inclusive. Here’s How to Start.
Executive Summary One of the biggest risks to a company’s reputation is a tone-deaf advertising campaign. PR practitioners need to be keenly attuned to what their brands’ strategies are and how their campaigns can be perceived by stakeholders and a broader audience — but they’ll be hard-pressed to do so if they don’t become more […]
How to Recover from a Cultural Faux Pas
Executive Summary While talking to someone from another culture, you get a sinking feeling that you’ve made a mistake. Maybe it was a joke that misfired, an unintentional violation of personal space, or a misreading of the context that resulted in someone losing face. In your own culture, you could quickly recover, because you’d have a […]
Ways to Stop Wasting Money
You’ll keep more cash if you follow our advice. By the editors of Kiplinger’s Personal FinanceApril 11, 2018 Car insurance that costs too much, bank account fees, home-energy wasters or mutual funds with high expense ratios. Each of those leaks in isolation won’t damage your finances, but all of the drips can quickly add up […]
Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage: Ill Health Often Leads to Plan Switch
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ The drawbacks of Medicare Advantage plans can become apparent when serious illness or injury strikes. Medicare Advantage plans are attracting seniors with their appealing price tags and promise of comprehensive health coverage in one convenient package. But are these plans actually a disadvantage […]
5 Sin Stocks You Can Feel Good About
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ Sin stocks – shares of businesses that make weapons, operate casinos, brew beer and grow tobacco, among other activities – are immoral and don’t merit their precious investment dollars. However, these stocks have the potential for massive outperformance, and many have – sometimes […]
Calculating Taxes on Social Security Benefits
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ As much as 85% of your Social Security benefits could be taxable if you have other sources of income, such as earnings from work or withdrawals from tax-deferred retirement accounts. Q. How do I calculate what portion of my Social Security benefits is […]
Track Your Time for 30 Days. What You Learn Might Surprise You.
Source: HBR.org This article was originally published on HBR.org – https://hbr.org/ Executive Summary It’s hard to know if we’re really making efficient use of our time. It seems like we’re working hard — and we’re certainly stressed out. But are we spending our time on the right things? To figure this out, try a time-tracking […]
Choosing Retirement Account Beneficiaries Requires Some Thought
Source: Chambliss This article was originally published on Chambliss – https://www.chamblisslaw.com/ While the execution of wills requires formalities like witnesses and a notary, the reality is that most property passes to heirs through other, less formal means. Many bank and investments accounts, as well as real estate, have joint owners who take ownership automatically […]
Inside the Invisible but Influential World of Scent Branding
Source: HBR.org This article was originally published on HBR.org – https://hbr.org/ Executive Summary Scented environments have been shown to reduce typos in office workers; improve the perception of product quality; increase purchase intent, average unit sales, and duration of a retail visit or stay among consumers; and boost the willingness of consumers to pay […]
Is Passive Investing 'Worse Than Marxism?'
A set-it-and-forget-it investing approach is certainly a pretty easy route for retirement savers to take, but it might be contributing to some big problems for portfolios, and even the market itself, down the line. Passive investing is taking over the world. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but investment researchers at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. say […]
Why Great Networkers Are Sometimes Bad for Creative Projects
Executive Summary Imagine you are putting together a team for an important project. You have two candidates for the last slot. First, there’s Tess. She has not only a lot of relevant experience but also a wide network in the industry. She seems to know all about the emerging trends; her colleagues marvel at her […]
Asset Protection Statute Cannot Limit Jurisdiction of Another State
The Supreme Court of Alaska issued a ruling on March 2, 2018, denying Alaska courts the exclusive jurisdiction purportedly granted by the Alaska asset protection statute. This holding is consistent with a ruling by the Delaware Court of Chancery in 2014. Based on these cases, it appears that one state’s asset protection statute cannot, by […]
A Guide to Marital Money Bliss
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com In addition to your credit, any assets you bring to the marriage should remain in your own name. The average cost of a wedding ranges from $25,000 to $35,000, plus another $5,000 for the honeymoon. Yet in the excitement of planning it all, […]
4 Ways to Deal With a Toxic Coworker
Executive Summary One toxic team member is all it takes to destroy a high-performing team. But what can you do if the toxic person is your peer? First, have an honest, candid conversation with the person. If you don’t attempt to do this, you are 100% ensuring that the relationship will, at best, continue in […]
Research: CEOs with Diverse Networks Create Higher Firm Value
Source: HBR.org This article was originally published on HBR.org – https://hbr.org/ Research has shown that firms benefit when their CEOs have strong networks. A new study explored that idea by looking at whether the diversity of a CEO’s network affects their firm. Researchers used BoardEx data to examined a sample of 1,212 CEOs who led […]
Are You Saving Enough?
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com/ If you go by the book, you would shoot for 10% to 20% of your gross income. But that ballpark figure can be deceiving. Savings and retirement estimators are helpful, but often misleading, tools. These calculators can be insufficient to determine how much […]
A One-Size-Fits-All Plan Won’t Give You Your Ideal Retirement
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com A happily ever after retirement requires a real plan. Here are some of the (tough) questions your retirement planner should be asking you in order to make that plan. If you’re having minor chest pains for the first time, you’d probably go to […]
10 Dividends That Are Slowing to a Screeching Halt
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com Market value: $25.8 billion Dividend yield: 4.3% General Mills (GIS, $44.98) sells a diversified mix of packaged meals, snacks, cereal, yogurt, baking products and more under several well-known brands, including Cheerios, Yoplait, Pillsbury, Nature Valley and Betty Crocker. With a track record of […]
What You Must Know About Flying With Your Pet
If you want Fluffy to come with you, get your paperwork ready — and prepare to pay. Getty Images By Pat Mertz Esswein, Associate Editor and Kaitlin Pitsker, Staff Writer April 9, 2018From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Update: In late March, a dog died after being stowed in its carrier in an overhead bin on a […]
How Much Can You Contribute to a Health Savings Account?
Even if you have a qualified health insurance policy only for a few months out of the year, you can still make a tax-deductible contribution to a health savings account. Getty Images By Kimberly Lankford, Contributing Editor April 9, 2018 QI was working part-time for the first few months of 2017 and bought my own […]
How Much Can You Contribute to a SIMPLE IRA for 2018?
Source: Kiplinger This article was originally published on Kiplinger – https://www.kiplinger.com The amount of workers at small businesses can contribute to a SIMPLE IRA for 2018 is unchanged from 2017, but there are ways to boost retirement savings. A Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees IRA, or SIMPLE IRA for short, is a retirement […]
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