What Types of Bonds Are Available?
Bonds are issued by federal, state, and local governments; agencies of the U.S. government; and corporations. There are three basic types of bonds: U.S. Treasury, municipal, and corporate. Treasury Securities Bonds, bills, and note issued by the U.S. government are generally called “Treasuries” and are the highest-quality securities available. They are issued by the U.S. […]
Read MoreWhat Is Whole Life Insurance?
Most people are familiar with whole life insurance. For many years, whole life policies were the predominant type of life insurance sold in America. When you purchase a whole life policy, you traditionally pay a fixed premium for as long as you live or for as long as you keep the policy in force. In […]
Read MoreWhat Key Estate Planning Tools Should I Know About?
By taking steps in advance, you have a greater say in how these questions are answered. And isn’t that how it should be? Wills and trusts are two of the most popular estate planning tools. Both allow you to spell out how you would like your property to be distributed, but they also go far […]
Read MoreWhat Is Tax Deferral?
“Tax deferral” is a method of postponing the payment of income tax on currently earned investment income until the investor withdraws funds from the account. Tax deferral is encouraged by the government to stimulate long-term saving and investment, especially for retirement. Only investment vehicles designated as “tax deferred,” such as IRAs, plans covering self-employed persons, […]
Read MoreHow Can I Keep My Money from Slipping Away?
As with virtually all financial matters, the easiest way to be successful with a cash management program is to develop a systematic and disciplined approach. By spending a few minutes each week to maintain your cash management program, you not only have the opportunity to enhance your current financial position, but you can save yourself […]
Read MoreWhat Are My Retirement Planning Options?
There are a variety of retirement planning options that can meet your needs. Your employer funds some; you fund some. Bear in mind that, in most cases, early withdrawals before age 59½ may be subject to a 10% federal income tax penalty. The latest date to begin required minimum distributions is usually April 1 of the year after you […]
Read MoreWhat Is Diversification?
Virtually every investment has some type of risk associated with it. The stock market rises and falls. An increase in interest rates can cause a decline in the bond market. No matter what you decide to invest in, risk is something you must consider. One key to successful investing is managing risk while maintaining the […]
Read MoreWhat Is Term Life Insurance?
Term life insurance is “pure” insurance. It offers protection only for a specific period of time. If you die within the time period defined in the policy, the insurance company will pay your beneficiaries the face value of your policy. Term insurance differs from the permanent forms of life insurance, such as whole life, universal […]
Read MoreHow to claim money you didn’t know you have
Did you know you could have money out there you didn’t even know you had? There are many ways this can happen — unclaimed wages, tax refunds, old bank accounts, legal settlements, etc. How do you collect? Beware of scams out there that charge you a fee to find out if you have unclaimed money. […]
Read MoreGrants and financial aid programs for going to school
Wondering what your options are? It may seem overwhelming, but here’s a video that explains what’s available to you:
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