  How can business owners plan for an exit?If you're a business owner, you always have a lot to do and a lot to think about. But have you put much thought into how you'll eventually leave it all behind?  Treasury bonds: Still safe for investorsYou may have read reports about an impending "debt crisis" in the U.S. Should you be worried about investing in Treasury securities?  Consider family meeting to discuss estate plansAt some point, you'll want to share your estate plans with your loved ones — and the first step in this process may be to hold a family meeting.  How are your investments taxed?As we begin the new year, you may be receiving various tax statements from your financial services provider — so it's a good time to consider how your investments are taxed. This type of knowledge is useful when you're doing your taxes, and, perhaps just as important, knowing the type of taxes you generate can help you evaluate your overall investment strategy.  New Year's financial resolutionsNow that we've reached 2024, you might be thinking about your goals and hopes for the new year. But in addition to whatever personal resolutions you might make — volunteering, going to the gym more, learning a new language and others — why not make some financial resolutions, too?  Avoid tapping into retirement savings earlyIf you want to make a big purchase, such as a new car or a piece of property, or you were faced with a large, unexpected expense, such as a major home or auto repair, would you have the funds readily available? If not, you might look at what may be your biggest pool of money — your 401(k) or IRA. But should you tap into these accounts well before you retire?  Know the key benefits of Roth IRAAs you save for retirement, you'll want to take full advantage of the investment vehicles available to you — and one of the best is a Roth IRA. But what sets it apart from other accounts?  COLA can sweeten retirement and health accountsIt's usually a good idea to contribute to the tax-advantaged retirement and health care accounts available to you. And here's some good news: In 2024, you can put even more into these accounts.  Can You Make Charitable Giving Less 'Taxing?'Once again, it's the season of generosity. In addition to considering gifts for your loved ones, you might want to think about charitable gifts as well. But what should you know before making gifts to charities? And what impact might these gifts have on your financial and tax situation?  What should you do with 'side gig' money?As you know, the gig economy has been booming over the past several years. If you're thinking of using your skills to take on a side gig, what should you do with the money you'll make?  Younger workers face financial gapsIf you're starting out in your career, you have many of the same financial needs as older workers — but you might be lacking some of their resources. How big of a concern is this?  What should you know about RMDs?You may spend decades contributing to various retirement accounts. But for some accounts, such as a traditional IRA and 401(k), you must start withdrawing funds at a certain point. What should you know about this requirement?  Avoid these investment mistakesWe all make mistakes in many areas of life. These mistakes are usually fairly harmless — we took a wrong turn while driving, used the wrong ingredients in a recipe and so on. But sometimes, our mistakes can be costly — especially those connected to investing.  Don't leave your IRA to the IRSIf you've invested in an IRA for many decades, it may well turn into a key source of income for your retirement. Still, you might not deplete your IRA in your lifetime, especially if you also have a pension or a 401(k) and other investment income. So, if your IRA still has sizable assets after your passing, it would likely end up in your estate plan.  Start moving toward retirement securityIt's not as well-known as Halloween, but National Retirement Security week happens every October – the third week, to be precise — and while it doesn't involve ghosts and goblins, it does deal with something even more frightening: the risk of not being able to enjoy a comfortable retirement.  When should you sell investments?If you're a long-term investor, your portfolio may stay fairly stable over time. However, that doesn't mean you will never sell any investments. But when should you sell — and why?  What should you ask a financial advisor?Managing your finances and investing for your future are important tasks — and they can be challenging. But you don't have to go it alone.  What to know about HSAs and FSAsPaying for health care can be challenging — but are you taking full advantage of all the resources available to you?  Consider financial gifts for grandchildrenIf you have grandchildren, you probably enjoy spending time with them and watching them grow. And to help them achieve a bright future, you might like to make some financial gifts — but which ones?  Own a business? Consider these retirement plansIf you own a small business or are self-employed, you've always got plenty to do, but you can't forget about the days when you'll be less busy — that is, when you're retired. How can you prepare for that time of your life?  What does it cost not to have life insurance?It's probably not on your calendar, but September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. And that means it's a good time to become more aware of the benefits of having life insurance — and the dangers of not having it.  Should you invest … or speculate?You'll find some big differences between traditional and speculative investments — and knowing these differences can matter a great deal when you're trying to reach your financial goals.  Should you downsize when you retire?When you retire, you'll experience many changes — should one of them involve your living arrangements?  529 plans offer benefits in all marketsA new school year will soon begin. And if you have young children, that means it's one year closer to the day when they head off to college or some other post-secondary education or training.  How will you exit your business?If you own a business, you've always got a lot on your mind. But no matter how busy you are today, you need to think about tomorrow. |
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