January 2014

What are the top 10 financial behaviors?

From pfeef.org  This list sums up the 10 financial items which should most concern you… 2. What are the Top Ten Financial Behaviors?                       There are many good personal financial behaviors but the most fundamental truth is that one must spend less than one earns, thus sacrificing some spending to invest for one’s future.                       Additional…

Avoid these tax traps with your 529 plans

While great college saving vehicles there can be problems if you don’t understand how to withdraw money to pay tuition. A big one is paying the bill the year it is due and not withdrawing the money the year prior. There are also some restrictions on what you can spend the money on relating to…

What are 7 signs you are a victim of identity theft?

This info is from Herb Weisbaum at CNBC. Check this out.. Here are seven of the key signs that you are a victim of identity theft: Bills for goods or services you didn’t purchase appear on your credit/debit card statements: Don’t ignore small charges. Crooks who buy stolen account numbers sometimes do a test with…

How much money should be in your emergency fund?

A good rule of thumb is 3-6 month’s of living expenses. This may vary depending on your individual circumstances. For example, if a person owns a small business that is very seasonal it would be advisable to keep 6-12 months saved due to the uncertainty of the cash flow. On the other hand, two tenured…

How can you retire early?

 It is all about the spending. I personally like the bicycle tip. Thinking of some people I know doing that is an interesting visual. Here are some helpful tips from Mr. Moustache who retired at 35. Even though this may be impossible for most, moving the retirement date up 5-10 years is nothing to sneeze…

Could your pets derail your retirement?

The costs of caring for pets has increased dramatically over the past decade. Even people who take out pet insurance are finding many of the costs are not covered under their policies. A solution to this is to incorporate these possible expenses into your budget. Read this excerpt from Marketwatch.com to learn more… Like (human)…