Risky Business: You May Not be as Daring as You Think
March 10, 2010
I thought I was through with exams when I finished college. Then my financial adviser (a.k.a. stockbroker) had me take a test to measure my tolerance for risk. He said, there were no right or wrong answers, but I knew better.
Once I had taken a personality test when I was in career transition (a.k.a. unemployed). My counselor had said the same thing, "There is no right or?," but when he told me my score he noted it was on the edge of the bell curve - the wrong edge. My need for acceptance by others was high; so high that I could not confront a taxi driver who gave me zero change from a $10 bill, on a $4.50 fare.
I was very leery of taking this "risk-tolerance profile." As I expected the questions showed that I was a total "wuss." (In Pittsburgh, if you’re 15 and a guy it means you always cover your ears in winter).
A typical question; if your portfolio dropped 21.8 percent in one year, would you:
a. Sell all your equities?
b. Sell 1/3 of your equities and buy intermediate-term, tax-free municipals?
c. No change, staying the course?
Honor Those Who Serve with Checking Account Supplies
March 1, 2010
Our global society has had a wake up call in the last five years regarding our safety. But there are those in our communities that fight to keep us safe from day to day. They are take charge people and we like to honor them as our heroes. What better way than on your checking supplies?
Respect for those who serve has always been in the back of our minds, but it is hard to honor them in person. The ability to show our passion for these heroes is easier than ever before. Custom design personal checks can be that shining star in your heart.
The simplicity of a check sometimes goes unnoticed, but if it emblazons an image of those who fight, people take notice. There are various check designs that can capture your spirit:
- Military servicemen and women. Military checks are becoming popular as we wish our troops around the world a safe return home.
- Firefighters. Although close to home, it is sometimes hard to remember all that they do in the fight for our safety.
- Policemen and women. The most noticeable heroes in our society, yet we don’t quite often enough get the chance to show gratitude.
Photo Checks ? A Great Alternative in Checking
February 19, 2010
It’s the little things in life that make it interesting. Everyday life can be so boring at times. To make the ordinary extraordinary takes time to explore and to discover. Fortunately, there are some wonderful places online to personalize those ordinary items and make them the pride of you day.
We all have checking accounts, many more than one. Most of us buy checks through three different means: the local bank, through the mail, and on the internet. Internet shopping is increasing, due in part to more confidence, and just more people using the web in general.
There is a new alternative in check supplies that has begun a new trend. Photo checks are increasingly popular among many markets. It’s a way to personalize checking without having to pick someone else’s design. They are only pennies more expensive than the usual choices, and they come out just perfect.
Here’s what happens. Go to your favorite checks supply website and look for the photo checks option. It should be on the home page. You’ll go through the process of ordering the quantities, and all that same old stuff. Then, you’ll get to upload your jpeg photo that you took with your digital camera or retrieved from a scanner.
Want Your Savings to Earn a Higher Rate of Return? Try Internet Banking
February 8, 2010
Doesn’t it seem like the only impressive numbers we’ve seen this summer are the digits on the thermostat and the unaffordable prices of homes? Real estate has been excruciatingly hot for the past few years, but getting in the market now puts you in the high-risk category for a heat stroke if the market decides to cool off this year.
So if a real estate induced stroke doesn’t appeal to you and the stock market’s roller coaster ride gives you motion sickness, it’s very likely that you as a health-conscious investor are sitting on a stash of cash collecting an anemic rate of interest.
Don’t worry, you are in good company. Even investment legend Warren Buffet is having problems finding fruitful investments. Buffet admitted in Berkshire Hathaway’s annual letter to shareholders to having ended 2004 with $43 billion in cash equivalents and couldn’t promise much success in utilizing the money in 2005.
If Buffet doesn’t know what to do with his billions, you are probably thinking that you have no chance of finding a great place to put your billions either. Ok, your trillions. I didn’t mean to belittle your nest egg.
Safely Save for Your Childs University Studies Using An Education IRA!
February 1, 2010
This investment retirement account (IRA) is useful to you as an investor to understand because it may be a good way for you to save for your kid’s education AND save on taxes. These plans are now called Coverdell Education Savings Accounts in honor of the late U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell. Individuals can make annual contributions of up to $2,000 per child into an account that’s exclusively for helping to pay higher education costs. The money contributed to a Coverdell account doesn’t count against the $3,000 ($3,500 if 50 and older) annual total individuals may contribute to their combined personal individual IRAs.
The earnings and withdrawals from a Coverdell account are tax-free, but you can’t deduct the contributions from your income tax because the account is for the benefit of the child, not the contributor. This is great for parents who are good savers and investors who want to make an annual tax-saving contribution that they can invest in the stock market toward the education of a studious and responsible child. In addition, if your child received a Coverdell ESA distribution, you now can also claim Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning credits. Just make sure you don’t use Coverdell money to pay for the same expenses you use to claim an education credit.
What is a Traditional IRA?
January 21, 2010
With a traditional Investment Retirement Account (IRA) you pay taxes when you take the money out at retirement in the future. Make sure that this account is really worth opening in your situation because what you put in the account today may be fully deductible, partially deductible or non deductible, depending upon your income and other retirement coverage. If you contributions are not fully deductible then this account is probably not for you.
The traditional (and Roth IRAs) allow you to save $3,000.00 in 2004 and $4,000.00 in 2005. If you are over 50 years old you can save an additional $500.00 as catch-up. You put the maximum amount in if you (or your spouse) are not covered at any time during the tax year by a retirement plan, including a 401(k) account, at work. If you can’t afford to save the maximum then just do the best that you can.
If you are single or a head-of-household taxpayer with annual adjusted gross income (AGI) between $40,000 and $50,000 and are eligible for a company retirement plan, your deduction will be reduced. Deductions are also limited for married couples filing jointly or qualifying widows or widowers who earn from $60,000 to $70,000 per year.
Budgeting the Key to being Financially Stable
January 10, 2010
Single Mother’s in need of Financial Guidance
Budgeting is key to being financially stable. A budget is a systematic plan for the expenditure of a usually fixed resource, such as money or time, during a given period. As a single mother you might groan at the thought of putting together a household budget with all your expenses, but its easy to do and will also help you become very financially organized. Many single mothers find themselves facing financial problems every day.
A single mother faces many burdens of everyday costs for her children’s well-being, as well as her own, that at times will leave her in need of financial assistance.
Shaping up your finances is particularly important if you are experiencing a life altering experience such as a marriage, divorce, new baby or any other event that changes your finances dramatically. Whatever the state of your financial life, developing a sensible budget will allow you to stay on track.
The core of budgeting is for you as a single mother to see your monthly spending needs and habits. The purpose of a budget allows you to track your personal cash flow, which is how much money comes in and how much goes out, usually recorded on a monthly basis.
Single Mother Resources Directs You Towards Success
December 31, 2009
As a parent you are bound to face a few challenges but as a single mother you are bound to face challenges almost everyday. Raising a child is not meant to be done alone however today it is occurring more often then traditional value holders would like to see.
If you are a single mother trying to successfully raise your children you are among the many. There are a vast number of women that successfully raise their children. However there is also a great number of single mother’s that must bear the burden of covering their own costs as well as their child’s, all on one income. Whether you are working full time or going to school to better your education you have to make sure your child has proper care after school lets out or during the day while you are away. Whether this proper care is day care or a babysitter, they all come with costs. Many households today are faced with debt so it’s not a surprise to see single parents in debt. With the stress of everyday life, it’s important to not let your debt be ignored. Managing your debt right away is the first step, which is followed by finding out ways to reduce your expenses and paying the rest off. Answers to your questions and concerns about financial issues can all be found at the Single Mother Resources website.
Single Mother and Learning how to Save
December 22, 2009
Saving may seem easier if you were saving for a new car, or a vacation however when it comes to saving in general it may prove to be more challenging because you may not necessarily feel you are receiving a reward from it. However saving pays off, especially as a single mother. All you need to do is simply spend less than you make each month.
You are going to want to establish a budget. First, make a list of all your monthly income. Next, list all your monthly expenses. This will show you how much money you have coming in each month and how much money you have going out.
Now circle your three largest expenses. For most of us, they usually are rent or mortgage, auto expenses, and food. Sometimes this could mean, selling your house and buying something smaller, or taking the bus opposed to spending more money and maintenance on your car. Your main goal is to get your expenses as minimal as possible even if it means giving up things you thought you could never live without.
How to Attain Your Dreams on a Single Income
December 12, 2009
If you recently became a single parent and see your dreams being washed away because you feel all alone, you aren’t alone. There are single parents that face future endeavors alone like dating again, living on one income, and buying the home they’ve always imagined. It is possible to do things on your own, be successful, and enjoy every bit of getting to where you want to be in life.
Being a single parent can be an everyday struggle but don’t feel you have to give up your goals in life just because you are on your own. At some point in life, people think about moving whether it is into an apartment, condo, or type of house. With raising children you usually need a little more space than living alone so a house is an ideal spot for many families either single parent families or both parent families. Don’t feel as a single parent that you wont be able to afford a house on your own. Here are a few guidelines to get you started on fulfilling your dreams.
Mortgage Lenders 3 Preferred Tests to Use to Determine House Budget
