Retirement

“I’m scared about my investments due to recent stock market declines, high inflation, and the jump in interest rates. Where do you think the markets are headed right now?” This question was posed to me at a recent lunch I had with a retiree in her late 70s. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t know,”

Republicans in the House of Representatives are holding the federal government’s ability to pay its bills hostage to enact draconian cuts to a wide range of programs related to health care, science, housing and food security. The U.S. Treasury Department now warns that the federal government may be unable to pay all of its bills

Nikki Haley, a Republican candidate for president, recently stated on Fox News that “…if you vote for Joe Biden, you really are counting on a President Harris because the idea that he would make it until 86 years old is not something that I think is likely.” While that might make a catchy political sound

The verdict is in: Women are better investors than men. Actually, the conclusion has been addressed, researched, and reported several times now, going all the way back to Barber and Odean’s “Boys Will Be Boys” study completed in 2001, referencing the differences in investment performance by gender. But the lessons to be learned are evergreen

By Craig Miller, Next Avenue After more than 40 years as a broadcaster and journalist, I’ve found a new career. It doesn’t pay very well (OK, nothing) but it’s one of the most gratifying things I’ve done with my life. I’m a volunteer firefighter. I ply my new trade in a tiny, very historic hamlet

Some Background If you live in a community property state with your spouse, or if you had lived in a community property state with your spouse for any prior period of time, the assets accumulated while there have special rules that may have important impact on your planning. Example: Husband and wife were married in

So many aging parents are not facing their own health issues realistically. When asked, “how is your health these days?”, they say “Great”. And when you look into their health truthfully, you find that they have several chronic health conditions for which they are taking medication every day. And there are more health problems looming

Managing your finances when you’re self-employed, operator of a small business or running a private practice can look chaotic at times. From the outside looking in, it can sometimes even mimic watching a circus performer juggle several bowling pins while standing on a tightrope well above the ground. It’s a perilous process, one that can

The craziness of tax season is now behind us, and we are rapidly approaching the slow and sleepy summer season. Before investors checkout for a few months, a bit of financial spring cleaning is in order. Periodically reviewing your finances can help ensure that you are on track to achieve your goals and minimize the

By Nancy Collamer, Next Avenue Since late 2022, a steady stream of companies have announced layoffs, most notably in the tech sector. In recent months, the downsizing has extended to other industries, including financial services, retail and manufacturing. While the stigma of getting laid off is not what it once was, it’s still almost always