By Joel Dresang
Only about 1 in 15 Americans has an online Social Security account and checks their benefits estimates once a year. I happen to be one of those few. Not only do I plan on Social Security being there for my wife and me when we retire, but I’m getting an idea of how much to expect and how that fits in with the rest of our plans. […]
By Joel Dresang
My wife and I have provided our daughters with limited financial assistance in college. That’s because a) We want our children to have some skin in the game, and b) We’ve needed to save for our retirement. College has presented a serious lesson in what we have hoped to instill in our children about personal finances: You have more opportunities than you have resources, so you must sort out your priorities and plan accordingly. […]
By Joel Dresang
I don’t want to leave a lot of connections dangling after I’m gone. My legacy shouldn’t include loose ends. […]
By Joel Dresang
A former co-worker informed me of a gathering at a bar for our old boss, who’s taking a company buyout. That got me thinking about retirement gifts.
As more of my cohort reach retirement age, I wonder how to send them off. How will our retirements be different from those of our parents or older siblings? […]
By Joel Dresang
As investors, we’re always hearing about buying low and selling high, not putting all our eggs in one basket, making a plan and sticking to it. Apparently, there’s something to be said too for the warning, “Don’t look down,” which individuals are advised when they find themselves atop a lofty perch and an unfamiliar perspective could panic them into a costly misstep. […]
By Joel Dresang
I’m waiting my turn to purchase Forever stamps. First-Class postage for a 1-ounce letter rises to 55 cents per stamp beginning Jan. 27, a price increase of a nickel apiece or 10%. Then I consider the value of the stamps and how value often is an overlooked part of investing. […]
By Joel Dresang
One of the lessons I learned from my brother who died unexpectedly in March was to do what we can to ease the hassles of our survivors. […]
By Joel Dresang
Common wisdom and my family’s experiences suggest you want an estate plan to ease survival much for loved ones. […]
With widespread changes in federal income taxes in 2018, investors should consider what to expect when they file their tax returns. Dave Sandstrom explains in a MONEY TALK VIDEO. […]
By Joel Dresang
Ten years later, I don’t remember feeling desperate. But in a recent survey, 79% of Americans said they suffered setbacks from the financial crisis: 55% said that 10 years later, their finances still have not recovered. Looking back, I notice several factors that cushioned my family and me from the crisis. […]
In a MONEY TALK VIDEO, Lisa Lewitzke explains updates to a savings plan for individuals with special needs. […]
By Joel Dresang
Of course, affordability is key. As we get closer to retirement, Mary and I will have to compare what we currently spend on housing with how much we can manage on a retirement budget. Then we can determine how many places we’ll have, whether we’ll own or rent and where we’ll call home. […]