Personal financial planning articles...

Investing:
Four Tips for Tax Smart Investing
What's Your Risk Tolerance?
Does It Make Sense to Get Into The Market for Troubled Homes?
Too Rich for a Roth? In 2010, That's Going to Change
Safer Investment Decisions in 2009
New Year's Resolutions for a Financially Healthy 2009
Dealing With Market Declines (opens in a new window)
Investing Regularly -- In Both Bull and Bear Markets -- can work to your advantage (opens in a new window)
With the Market So Uncertain, Are Immediate Annuities a Good Way to Preserve Your Retirement Savings?
During the Real Estate Freeze, Vacation Homes Might Be a Warm Spot
Foreclosure Investing isn't for the Squeamish
Retirement Investing:
The Smart Way to Review -- and Improve -- Your Retirement Holdings
Why It’s Important To Take an Interest in Retirement Plan Fees
What is the Right Amount to Withdraw from your Retirement Fund Each Year?
Reviewing the Basics of Annuities
Ways to Afford Your Retirement Account Catch-Up Contributions
What To Do With Your Retirement Plan Money When You Change Jobs
Now Is A Good Environment for Roth IRA Conversions
Retirement Planning Mistakes
What's the Correct Amount to Withdraw from Your Retirement Funds Each Year?
Taking A Fresh Look At Retirement Plan Allocations
Retirement Planning:
Five Reasons to Make an IRA Part of Your Planning Strategy
A One-Year Checklist to Retirement
Some Annuities Offer a Way to Pay for Long-Term Care
How to Prepare to Un-Retire
Adult Children with Nest Eggs Can Create Private, Low-Cost Reverse Mortgages for Their Parents
Downsizing a Home Isn’t All About Stuff: It Can Be a Smart Financial Move, Too
A Primer on Medicare and Medigap Coverage
What if Your Employer Doesn't Want You to Retire?
Don't Let Economic Troubles Threaten Your Retirement Plans
What if Your Employer Wants You to Retire Slowly or Come Back From Retirement?
To Retire or Un-retire?
Be Careful About Picking Beneficiaries for Your IRAs and 401(k)s
Senior Issues:
Government Stepping In to Help Americans Pay for LTC Costs
Financial Issues for Long-Distance Caregivers
Planning Home-Based Care for an Elderly Relative
Stepping In Financially For An Older Relative At A Time Of Need
Helping Older Relatives Articulate Their Long-Term Care Wishes
How to Takeover an Aging Parent's Finances
Personal Financial Management and Planning:
Buying Used is Smart in Any Economy
If Rates Are Heading Up, Should You Refinance Now?
Essential Financial Planning for Returning or Deploying Military Personnel and their Families
Getting Ready to Sell Your House
Is Paying Extra on Your Monthly Mortgage Always a Good Idea?
Creating a Personal Disaster Plan for Your Home, Your Loved Ones and Your Finances
Renovating Smart in 2010:  Looking for Tax Breaks, Anticipating What Will Bring Value in the Future
A Midyear Financial Checkup Can Make For a Smarter Second Half
How Personality Traits Affect Financial Planning
Ways to Analyze Charities and Give Smarter
Should You Be a Borrower or Lender?  The Return of the Personal Loan
Love and Money:  Is a Postnuptial Agreement Right for You and Your Spouse?
How to Get the New Year Off to a Great Financial Start
The Importance of Having Separate Disability Income Insurance Coverage
How Your Personality Affects Your Decision-Making
Late-Life Marriages and Remarriages Require Unique Financial Planning
Thinking About Inflation?  Here Are A Few Ways To Protect Yourself
Summertime -- Not a Bad Time for a Midyear Financial Checkup
Why Financial Planning Matters in the Toughest of Times
How does the 2009 Stimulus Plan Affect You?
Creating a Budget or Spending Plan:  A Good Way to Start the New Year
Veterans Set for a Big Benefits Upgrade in 2009
Getting Fiscally Fit in the New Year
Going Green in a Blue Economy Can Be a Smart Investment
Traveling Smart During the Hot, Pricey Summer
Preserving the Family Vacation -- Tips to Keep Spending In Check
Insuring Your Vacation?  Make Sure You're Actually Covered.
Worker Shortage Will Spur Incentives to Keep Boomers on the Job
Preparing For Your First Visit with a Certified Financial Planner™ professional
Affording A Pet -- Ways To Save And Plan
Managing & Controlling Debt:
Simple Steps to Help Reduce Credit Card Debt
Keeping Your Credit Score Healthy
Moving Toward a No-Debt Lifestyle:  Steps to Consider
10 Things You Can Do Immediately to Slash Debt and Spending
Why Maintaining Your Credit Score Becomes Even More Important During the Continuing Credit Crunch
Consumer Borrowing in 2009 Will Mean Making a Plan
Children & Parenting:
10 Things You Must Do to Baby-Proof Your Finances
The Top 5 Things You Need to Teach Kids About Money
The Need for Financial Planning for Special-Needs Kids
Planning for a Child's Private School Education
Helping Your Kid Build a Lifetime Emergency Fund
Even in Tough Times, Grandparents Can Still Help Their Grandchildren Get a Good Financial Start
Helping Your Kids Recover after a Major Money Mistake
Preparing Your Finances for a New Baby
How Not to Go Broke if Your Kids Move Back After Graduation
Your Employee Benefits:
New Fee Disclosure Rules Help Make 401(k) Costs More Transparent
Dealing With Companywide Pay and Benefits Cuts
Open Enrollment:  Should You Take Advantage of Your Company's Health Savings Account Option?
Career and Job Changes:
New Careers After Age 50 -- Where the Jobs Are, How to Spruce Up Your Skills and Ready Your Finances for the Change
Planning a Cost-Effective Job Search
Medical Expenses:
Medical Tourism:  What You Should Know
Steps to Take When Someone in the Family is Facing a Serious Health Crisis
Ways to Save Money on Health Care and Health Insurance in Troubled Times
Estate Planning:
Estate Planning:  The Rules Change Again
The Do’s and Don’ts of Passing Down Vacation Property to Family
Why 2010 is the Year You Should Pay Closer Attention to Your Estate Plan
Keep an Eye on Your State's Estate and Inheritance Tax Policy
Preparatory Steps to Getting Your Estate in Order
Prepare Now for Moves on the Estate Tax
Even When a Spouse Dies, Debt Lives On
A To-Do List for Settling an Estate
Estate Planning for the Worst Possible Scenario -- The Death of Both Spouses While the Kids Are Young
Estate Check-Up:  Consider Making it a Multi-Generational Family Matter
High-Net Worth Individuals Might Consider a Qualified Personal Residence Trust to Reduce the Death Tax
Ways to Control What You'll Spend on a Funeral
Income Taxes:
Year End Tax Planning for 2010
When Doing Your Own Taxes Makes Sense ... And When It Doesn't
Get a Head Start on Tax Planning for 2008
Things to Know Before Filing Your Taxes
Don't Miss Key Medical Expense Deductions
Line-up Charitable Deductions Before the Holidays
Insurance:
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
With Premiums Increasing and a Major Carrier Exiting the Market, Should You Still Consider LTC Insurance?
Ten Things to Know -- and Ask -- About Long-Term Care Insurance
How Much Term Life Insurance Should You Buy?
What to Know and Ask About Disability Insurance
How to Buy Life Insurance
Most People Don't Have Enough Disability Insurance
Short-term Long-term Care Insurance?  Make Sure it's a Good Idea for You.
A Long-Term Care Insurance Primer
Now is the Time to Pick Up Low Cost Life Insurance
An Annual Insurance Checkup Can Save You Money Without Hurting Your Coverage
Are Accelerated Death Benefits a Good Backstop for Uninsured Health Care Costs?
Entrepreneurs:
If You're Considering Entrepreneurship At Any Age, Business Planning Is A Necessity
Re-setting the Business Exit Plan in a Tough Economy
Thinking About Starting a Business?
Business Owner's Exit Plan:  Why It Is So Important
Thinking About a New Career Direction?  Here's How to Prepare For Your Own Business.
Higher Education & College Years:
The Balancing Act:  Retirement vs. College Savings
Consider a Condo for Your College Student
Top 10 Money Decisions for Today's Incoming College Freshman
Be Careful When Rebalancing 529 Plans
Is Your Child Headed to College?  It's Time to Take a Crash Course on Borrowing and Spending.
Heading Back to School?  Make a Plan First.
Have a Plan for Leftover 529 Plan Money
Blended Families Should Plan Early for Their Kids' College Financial Aid
Why Parents Should Give Their College Students the Gift of Professional Financial Planning
Graduation Gifts for Grandchildren
Top 10 Money Moves for Today's College Freshman
How New College Grads Can Get a Jump on Financial Planning For a Lifetime
Divorce & Death of a Spouse:
Top 5 Money Decisions to make in Divorce
Financial Planning For Newly Single Parents
Make Estate and Financial Planning a First Step After Divorce