The Growing Public Sector Pension Gap
Gone are the days when a public sector pension guaranteed a comfortable lifetime retirement. Like their private sector counterparts, today’s public employees need to plan and save. Stories abound...
View ArticleBonds: The Long and Short of It
Pity today’s fixed-income investor. In the current ultra-low interest rate environment, one must either fish in the murky waters of “junk” or lock in long maturities. But the latter option — going...
View ArticleWants vs. Needs & My Brainwashed Wife
Two nights ago my wife Ann and I were talking about cars and spending habits (seriously, this is what a financial planner and his wife talk about after a great date of beer and burgers) and I asked her...
View ArticleWhen Should You Collect Social Security?
When should you begin collecting Social Security? The answer depends in part on how long you think you’ll be around to collect it. A growing number of Americans have been forced to delay their...
View ArticlePay It Forward: Carson Glore Foundation
I am so proud to have an opportunity to use my $1,000 Pay It Forward money from Bell State Bank & Trust to support the Carson Glore Foundation. If you would like to learn more about the Carson...
View ArticleOver 1,000 in less than 4 Months!
Thank you to my readers! In my amateur start to blogging financialplanning.areavoices.com has exceeded 1,000 views in less than four months! Here are the top 10 entries: Wants vs. Needs & My...
View Article‘Tis the Season for Giving
During the holiday season, you may want to give to a charitable organization that’s important to you. Giving to a charity can consist of volunteering your time, writing a check, or donating through...
View ArticleThe Gift of Giving: Planning for Charitable Donations and Gifting
Advice on Establishing a Plan for More Meaningful Gifting This Holiday Season Washington, D.C., December 14, 2012 – As consumers scramble to buy the perfect holiday gifts for those they care about,...
View ArticleFinancial planners: How to survive fiscal cliff
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) As Congress struggles to avert the fiscal cliff and its tax increases, financial planners are being peppered with questions from confused, worried or angry clients. Their...
View ArticleHow Emotional is Your Portfolio?
How Emotional is Your Portfolio is a recent post by Carl Richards at Behavior Gap. Carl shares insight into a problem that is easy to overlook yet causes so many mistakes. From individuals holding...
View ArticleWealth Management Insights: 2013 Economic Outlook
Wealth Management Insights: 2013 Economic Outlook is a presentation of Bell State Bank & Trust’s Wealth Management division. This presentation is presented by Greg Sweeney, our Chief Investment...
View ArticleKate Upton to Help Stocks?
I have heard just about every reason for and against investing in the stock market. A few of my favorites are related to…you know the line…if this does X then the stock market will do Y…. One of...
View ArticleTips for Minimizing Sequestration’s Impact on Personal Finances
Now that “Storm Sequester” has hit, potentially cutting billions from the federal budget, Americans are experiencing different levels of its impact. Some are right in the storm’s eye, enduring hard...
View ArticleFinancial Adventurism Warren Buffett Style
“A little personal history may partially explain our extreme aversion to financial adventurism” -Warren Buffett 2010 Annual Report Image Credit to Carl Richards and the Bucks Blog Post: Investing Is...
View ArticleShould You Be Worried About Cyprus?
Ah Cyprus, you little island country in the Mediterranean. Why are you putting up such a fuss? Not all headlines matter to your portfolio. To give you some perspective, the GDP of Cyprus is...
View ArticleAre Safe Withdrawal Rates Still Relevant?
Check out the presentation by Michael Kitces on whether or not safe withdrawal rates are still relevant in today’s low rate/return environment (you will need to click on the Live Webinar Link to...
View ArticleTarget Date Funds…What I Call a Target Rich Environment
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 approved the use of Target Date funds as a default option for retirement plan sponsors and since that time, we have seen an explosion of popularity in its offering...
View ArticleMaturing Financial Goals: Change Can Be Good
Today’s post shares insights about goal setting and how those goals change as you mature and priorities shift. Carl Richards, author of “The Behavior Gap” shares his thoughts about this cycle of ever...
View ArticleThe American Way: Planning for the Future
This Fourth of July, Americans fired up their grills, watched fireworks and proudly displayed their red, white and blue—all to celebrate our country, our freedom and our rich tradition and history....
View ArticleYour First College Assignment: Think About Your Finances
Your First College Assignment: Think About Your Finances Paul Jarvis, CFP® Encourages College Students to Start Planning for the Future Washington, D.C., August 16, 2013 – With back-to-school season...
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