Forget big age differences. Having a conflict in credit scores can be an early determinant of whether your relationship will last. Your FICO score is a quick way for companies to determine your relationship with money. It is used in everything from getting car loans to renting an apartment to applying for a job…
Here are some traditional gifts of love that you can replace with gifts of financial health with your sweetie. Cost of one dozen red roses delivered: $69.99 Invest $69.99/year for 20 years at 7% and you will have $3,070. Enough to buy a 7-day Caribbean Carnival Cruise for two! 5th wedding anniversary: Wood…
Well, maybe it wasn’t a burning question until you opened this blog. But, April 15th is coming up, so it’s time to start thinking about whether or not you will contribute to an IRA and if so, what type? I know it’s not popular in the press these days, but I am a fan…
An article by Alex Padalka in the December 21st Financial Advisor IQ newsletter talked about how Wells Fargo is incenting its more experienced advisors to move clients with under $65,000 to trainees. The idea is for advisers to have a better ratio of larger accounts. According to the article, the $65,000 account minimum is…
It happens to the most contentious of us. We say we won’t go overboard on holiday spending (and, let’s face it, eating), but we get caught up in the moment. Or, your kid asks for something at the last minute and you don’t have time to bargain shop. And, your Aunt Gertrude is so hard…
Happy New Year! As a financial planner I have some hopes for your 2016 to pass along. May you find joy in the free (or very inexpensive) things in life – sunsets, walks with your dog, a home cooked dinner with family, or hugging a friend. And then, take the savings from fancy vacations, dinners…
It occurred to me as I wrote the last blog that I maybe was putting the cart before the horse. File-and-Suspend strategy is pretty complex and most people don’t understand even the basics of Social Security. So, here are a few concepts that will help you speak that beautiful language that I call Social Securitese.…
I hate to say I told you so (okay, I actually LOVE saying I told you so), but as I postulated in an earlier blog, the Social Security file-and-suspend option is going away for new filers after May 2, 2016. The file-and-suspend option allows one spouse to file for his benefits at full retirement age…
The Denver Post recently reprinted a list from Kiplinger Washington Editors called “9 financial get-on-with-being-an-adult tips for your 30s.” The list included: Advance your career Rethink your budget Write Your will Pay off non-mortgage debt Save at least 15% of your income for retirement Adjust your insurance coverage Increase your emergency fund Diversify and rebalance…
Recently I was asked to contribute some personal finance articles to Triage Cancer (http://triagecancer.org/). One of the topics was about credit scores and budgeting. Being the lazy person I am, I am going to use the blog twice – once for me and once for Triage Cancer! So, what is a FICO score? The Fair…
