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The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.
Linus Pauling Categories
Tag Archives: taxes
It’s open (enrollment) season on tax savings
Grumbling about taxes is a national preoccupation. Yet workers forgo thousands of dollars in tax savings every year. Read More
Wall Street’s ride compounds states’ pension fears
Wall Street’s volatility has hit state pension funds just as they were beginning to recover from the recession. Read More
No New Taxes? Think Again
At the time of this writing President Obama and congressional leaders of both parties have evidently agreed to a framework for a budget deal that would cut trillions of dollars in federal spending over the next decade and clear the way for an increase in the government’s borrowing limit. Read More
5 ways to be smart about back-to-school shopping
Prices on back-to-school items from socks to notebooks are rising 10 percent on average, but there are lots of great deals — and new ways to find them. Read More
IRS eases liability rule for spouse’s tax debt
The Internal Revenue Service is making it easier for some “innocent spouses” to escape responsibility for the tax debt of their husband or wife. Read More
Getting a Grip on TIPS
It is no secret that the cost of living in the United States seems to be ever on the rise. Read More
A Tale of Two Strategies: Bond Funds vs. Individual Bonds
In fixed income investing there is an on-going debate over the advisability of investing in bond funds versus investing individual bonds. Investment professionals on both sides of the argument have persuasively outlined the advantages and disadvantages of either approach. Read More
5 ways for retirees to save on future taxes
Lowering your tax bill can make all the difference in retirement.
Taking maximum advantage of tax breaks and other strategies will make savings last longer, which is critical for those living on a fixed income. Read More
Myths about money in retirement punctured
Fretting is the new normal for retirement.
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Reality Check: No absolute ban on tapping 401(k)
MYTH: It never makes sense to borrow from your 401(k). Read More
Tax myth: The ‘death tax’ will get you in the end
MYTH: Without careful planning before you die, your heirs will have to fork over a big part of their inheritance to cover the “death tax.” Read More
Zions Direct Announces Auction Results
In auctions closed from March 28, 2011 to April 1, 2011, investors purchasing municipal bonds in the auctions received average tax-exempt yields 1.04 percentage points, or 104 basis points, higher than similar bonds as reported by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB). Customers that purchased corporate bonds in the auctions received average taxable yields 104 basis points higher than comparable bonds. Read More
Debunk the money myths jeopardizing your future
“I’m OK as long as there’s money left at the end of the month,” is not a long-term financial strategy. It may be tempting to believe that setting aside what little extra is left is all that’s necessary. But the truth is that a well-devised plan is the surest way to make dreams become reality.
And that holds true at any age, whether your dreams involve traveling the world, starting a business or being able to put kids through college without compromising your retirement. Read More
Ideas for making 401(k) savings last longer
When it comes to retirement planning, too often the focus is placed only on savings. But that’s just one side of the equation.
You’re saving so that you can ultimately spend. That means you’ll need to anticipate how much you’d like to be able to spend, and for how long. Fortunately, life spans are increasing. However, that can also mean there’s a real risk that you could outlive your savings.
One form of protection is a fixed annuity. The surface attraction is easy to understand because an annuity guarantees a steady income stream. But these products are complex and require purchasers to turn over large chunks of their savings, with only a limited ability to withdraw funds. Read More
AMT creates alternate reality for some taxpayers
Three little letters can cause as much confusion and consternation as thousands of pages of tax code: AMT.
The Alternative Minimum Tax, is a separate tax system designed to prevent the wealthy from avoiding income taxes by using loopholes and excessive deductions. But there are flaws in the system created in 1969, which means that now it’s possible for individuals who earn modest incomes to fall into the pool of those subject to AMT. Read More
