Living Within a Budget
Before you make a purchase, you should check your budget, not your checkbook balance.
Investment Companies—Open End vs. Closed End
A management company is an investment company that manages a portfolio of securities for its shareholders. Mutual funds fall into this category. Management companies are divided into two categories: open-end or closed-end.
Planning with Children from a Previous Marriage
If you have children from a previous marriage, you will want to clearly outline what they are to inherit in your Will as your current spouse could cut them off after your death.
College Planning Overview
A college education will be one of the most expensive purchases a family will make, so it is best to start saving early to an account specifically designated for education funds.
Leasing a Car vs. Buying a Car
If you want a new vehicle, you will have to decide if you want to lease the auto or take out a loan to finance the purchase.
Recordkeeping—Common Requirements for Personal Taxes
As a taxpayer, you are obligated to keep records to substantiate your deductions and tax basis.
New Car vs. Used Car
The auto might be new to you, but should you buy new from the dealer to get the factory warranty or do you opt for a used car letting someone else take the hit on depreciation?
A Baker’s Dozen Tax Savings Reminders
There is good reason to save all of your receipts, as you may never know what might end up being a deducible expense come tax time.
Index Fund vs. Individual Stocks
Invariably, when markets are volatile, and it seems as if no single investment strategy is keeping up with the market indexes, we get questions from clients asking whether an index fund would be a preferable investment.
Stocks vs. Mutual Funds
We generally recommend that if an investor has less than $50,000 to invest in the market, mutual funds should be purchased to take advantage of the instant diversification. If more than $50,000 can be invested in the market (following our Ten Year Rule), shares of individual common stocks, in different industries, should be purchased.