More than 60 % of households are ‘at risk’ of being financially unprepared for retirement

The latest analysis of the National Retirement Risk Index [NRRI], released today by the CRR and underwritten by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, examines how not taking full advantage of housing equity affects the share of U.S. households ‘at risk.’ The result is a 10 percentage-point rise in the Index compared to just a seven-point increase [...]

Financial Check-Up: Tuition Bills Begin

As high-school seniors’ college search kicks into high gear, many parents are fretting about how to pay.

While an ideal college savings plan would have started years ago, it’s not too late to catch up. Here are some moves families can make during the next few months to boost savings in the right accounts and ease [...]

If Your Broker Isn’t a True and Honest Partner in Planning … It’s Time to Fire

Amidst Bernie Madoff, bank bailouts and
ponzi schemes, investors’ confidence is at an all time low. So now, more than
ever, people need honest and sound financial advice. Fire Your Broker by
Kelly Campbell, (www.fireyourbroker.com) provides a practical guide for people
who want to be educated about their financial future.
The book highlights the red flags investors should [...]

Credit Cards: What to do When Your Minimum Payment is Raised

One of the biggest credit card issues right now is the fact that Chase is raising minimum payments. For many people, this means that their minimum payment just became unaffordable. Double and triple minimum payments are common, and this is causing financial hardship. In order to keep the old 2% minimum payment, customers have to [...]

Wife worries about saving toward a retirement tax trap

My husband thinks we should always save the maximum amount possible in his 401(k) so we can get the tax benefits. We’ve been doing this since we got married, and we’re now 42 and 45. Our retirement accounts have about $350,000 in them. About $25,000 of that is in Roth IRAs. My husband will get [...]

10 worst credit card mistakes

Whether you’re in a financial crunch or just lack a second Ferrari, credit card offers landing in your mailbox might look like an answer to a prayer.
Don’t succumb to temptation, says Cate Williams, vice president of financial literacy for Money Management International in Chicago.
“The first thing consumers need to do is walk from their mailbox [...]

Retirement Planning Advice

The aim of retirement plan is to get financial independence, so that one can relax and enjoy the retirement. Retirement Planning is a very important process one has to go in order to make a comfortable retirement.There are many things to consider while planning for retirement.
Following are the things one must consider while planning for [...]

Will The Middle Class Survive Financially?

Financially, the American middle class is imploding and shrinking itself and the mainstream financial service industry has assisted them in the process. Under current conditions, it is highly unlikely that the great majority of the middle class will be living the retirement of their dreams. The only solution is a return to frugality by obtaining [...]

Are Investing Industries Trustworthy?

Many of us have had our confidence shaken.  If you’re like me you might have thought of your advisors as not just hired hands, but trusted allies.  I was confident that I had a crack team working for my best interests and that they were taking initiative to make sure I was safe.  The subsequent [...]

Secure Your On-line Financial Identity

Banks secure your money. They do this by offering insurance (FDIC or otherwise), and are liable for any stolen funds. Because of this, they have an intrinsic interest in protecting that money — making sure it doesn’t end up in the hands of some criminal looking for a free lunch. However, they don’t insure your [...]