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Think you don't need disability income coverage? Think again.

We all want to leave this world with our financial affairs in good order. So we draft a will and an estate plan and purchase life insurance. But few of us consider disability income insurance – the coverage that can help us maintain our income and quality of life while we are alive. Statistics show that...

Why Do We Save So Little?

What's good for the economy isn't necessarily good for our future. Our parents & grandparents saved much more than we do. Most people who have read up on the economy for any length of time have heard of the personal saving rate (PSAVERT), which the Commerce Department calculates as the ratio of personal saving to...

Advantages of Whole Life Insurance

Although premium should be the least important consideration when purchasing life insurance, the most frequent question often asked in search engines is "what is the average price of life insurance." The question can't be answered with a single number since variables such as age, health, face value, and type of insurance result in widely differing...

Term Life vs. Whole Life Insurance: Choosing The Right Policy For You

In a world where money is tight we often find ourselves choosing between paying for the "must haves" and neglecting the "should haves." Life insurance, unfortunately, is a perfect example of this. We all know that we should have life insurance to at least cover our final expenses, but many of us don't purchase life...

Wise Decisions with Retirement in Mind

Certain financial & lifestyle choices may lead you toward a better future. Some retirees succeed at realizing the life they want, others don't. Fate aside, it isn't merely a matter of stock market performance or investment selection that makes the difference. There are certain dos and don'ts – some less apparent than others – that...

Why Does Family Wealth Fade Away?

A lack of vision is often the answer to that question. Many are the stories of family wealth lost. In the late 19th century, industrial tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt amassed the equivalent of $100 billion in today's dollars – but when 120 of his descendants met at a family gathering in 1973, there were no millionaires...

Careful Holiday Spending

This holiday season, remember that careful budgeting can be a financial gift to you and those you love. Sometimes, holiday costs get out of control and lead to money problems later. Generosity can encourage overspending; travel and food costs that aren't factored into the holiday budget also inflate the credit card bill. How do you...

What If America Shatters Its Debt Ceiling?

The global economic consequences could be severe. In October, America may risk running out of cash. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew recently urged Congress to lift the federal debt limit before October 17. Secretary Lew claims that if nothing is done by that date, the Treasury will have only about $30 billion in available cash to...

Using Debit vs. Using Credit

How preferable is one type of plastic to another? Provided by Marc D'Elia. You're about to purchase a pricy good or service and you don't have your checkbook or enough cash on hand to do it. Should you pull out a debit card, or a credit card?

Cash Flow Management

An under appreciated fundamental in financial planning. Provided by Marc D'Elia. You've probably heard the saying that "cash is king," and whether you own a business or not, it is a truth that applies. Most discussions of business and personal "financial planning" involve tomorrow's goals, but those goals may not be realized without attention to cash flow...

Coping With An Inheritance

A windfall from a loved one can be both rewarding and complicated. Provided by Marc D'Elia. Inheriting wealth can be a burden and a blessing. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you...

Myths About Disability Income Insurance

Fiction "Of course I have life insurance. But I'm too young to worry about disability income insurance." Fact Most people understand the need for life insurance. Yet, the truth is, a long-term disability can be just as financially devastating to a household as a death. After all, income is the foundation to the lifestyle you've created....

Tax Reduction for Business Owners

When do you start hunting for tax reductions? If you are like most taxpayers, the answer may be around the IRS tax filing deadline. Often, that's too late to make a difference. Business owners have many opportunities to generate tax reductions throughout the year. Whether you are self-employed or run your own corporation, you can...

Recognize and Reward

Having a program for recognizing and rewarding key people is a sign of long-range planning. It shows that the owner has a vision for the future and wants the company's most valuable people to be part of it. The potential to participate in these rewards also can increase the incentive among rank-and-file employees to work...

The Choices in Non-Qualified Executive Benefit Plans

To attract and retain skilled employees, small businesses can use a variety of rewards and incentives including bonuses, group benefit programs, and 401(k) plans. For the top tier of executive talent, additional non-qualified executive benefit plans can be offered selectively.