To take a sabbatical, build financial independence. Seek out sabbatical friendly companies. Take advantage of natural transitions. And know tricks of the trade.
Find Out Now If You’ll Owe Taxes
With the passage of the Tax Cuts and Job Act last December, we now live in a new tax world for individuals and businesses. Many hoary rules of thumb for tax smart decisions have suddenly changed. Most of you will…
You May Want to Prepay Your Mortgage
For years financial experts have recommended that homeowners should not prepay their mortgage and instead invest extra savings into a diversified portfolio. To this day, you can build a compelling financial case that the returns of a well-designed investment account…
Is a Target Retirement Fund Right for You?
Over the last few years, target retirement funds have become increasingly popular choices in retirement plans. In just one of these diversified funds, you can invest in both the US and international stock markets, along with safer bond-type investments. Target…
After Disaster Beware of Contractors That Find You
Last month severe storms tore through Boulder County with torrential downpours along with golf ball sized hail. In Louisville and Lafayette, hailstones smashed through car windshields and shredded roofs, siding, and backyard furniture. Soon after the storms moved on, the inevitable door knocking of roofing contractors followed in their wake.
Retirement Is Not Just About the Money
You’ve probably heard that we Americans are largely doing a poor job of saving for retirement. A 2016 report by the Economic Policy Institute puts it in stark terms. By 2013, the mean investment wealth for families in their late 50s was about $164,000, which would generate close to $8,000 a year in retirement. When you combine that with the average Social Security benefit of under $17,000 a year, most are woefully unprepared to stop working in their 60s.
New Law Means There’s No Reason to Not Freeze Your Credit
Last month the President signed the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. Tucked inside this legislation mostly aimed at loosening banking restrictions was an important win for consumers. The law states that people throughout the country soon can put a credit freeze on file with the three credit reporting bureaus for absolutely free. Just as important, you will also be able to thaw your credit freeze temporarily or permanently, also for free.
Smart Moves with Your Company Stock
If you work in the private sector, there’s a good chance that part of your compensation is paid in company stock. This can take the form of options, stock purchase plans, restricted stock or other programs. Making the right choices with company stock is critical when it’s a sizable portion of your net worth. Not only do you need to think about managing your risk while participating in your company’s success, but also there are tax consequences to your actions.
Launching the Finances of Your Graduate
With final exams this month for CU and local high schools, thousands of Boulder County residents will be marching for their graduation ceremonies. Whatever the age of your graduate, you should introduce them to the power of the Roth IRA.
Five Perils of a High Income
Most of us would love to have a high income. After all, extra money to spend on vacations, to afford housing in Boulder County, on activities for the kids, and to achieve financial independence doesn’t seem to be a bad thing. But high earners face more barriers to reaching their financial goals than the rest of us. Whether your income is in the upper echelon now or that is your aspiration. take care to avoid these pitfalls.