Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Showing 321–336 of 361 results
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Claim a tax break without leaving the house – If you work from home, you may qualify for a home-office deduction
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 322
Abstract: Many who are self-employed or work from home may save tax by qualifying for a home-office deduction. To determine whether a home office qualifies, there are four questions one should ask. Those who qualify can deduct direct expenses plus a portion of indirect expenses based on the portion of their home used for the office.
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Do you need directors and officers insurance? To protect your assets, the answer may well be yes
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 663
Abstract: In the current post-Sarbanes-Oxley business environment, investors expect greater transparency, and lawsuits are more common than ever. Not only can a company be held financially liable, but so can directors or officers. This is why a directors and officers (D&O) insurance policy is necessary to protect personal assets. But it’s important to determine exactly what a specific policy covers. A sidebar to this article explains why D&O insurance is important for nonprofit executives, as well.
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A needle in a haystack – Among all of the choices, how do you find the right mutual funds?
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 774
Abstract: With thousands of mutual funds to choose from, it might be difficult to find the right ones. But the odds can be improved by focusing on long-term performance, expense ratios, turnover rates, identifying the individuals that are in charge, and performance in bear vs. bull markets.
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Regular income can pay dividends
July / August 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 776
Abstract: While bonds are favored by many investors in need of income, dividend-paying stocks are often overlooked. Although the stock market as a whole frequently offers a relatively modest dividend yield, certain types of stock provide yields that are more competitive with those of bonds. Dividend-paying stocks offer the possibility of double-barreled benefits: 1) the dividends themselves can increase, and 2) the stock price might appreciate as well. A sidebar to this article looks at an example of 10-year dividend growth.
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Up in the air – With the estate tax in flux, do you know what your estate plan says?
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 369
Abstract: There’s been a great deal of estate tax law uncertainty lately. A temporary repeal of the estate tax took effect in January, but it’s scheduled to return in 2011 unless Congress acts. Unless and until this happens, it’s important for individuals to review their estate plan both today and after President Obama signs estate tax legislation into law. Otherwise, one’s estate plan may have undesirable consequences, such as loved ones incurring unnecessary tax liability.
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Save or dump? Retention guidelines help determine whether to keep or shred tax records
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 700
Abstract: How long is it necessary to hold on to tax-related documents? The quick answer is that it depends on the document. Generally, tax-related records should be kept three years after filing a return or, if later, three years after the tax return’s original due date. But in some cases, the statute of limitations extends beyond three years. In fact, some documents should be kept forever — not only for tax purposes, but to back up one’s work history. To avoid storage problems, it’s fine to store tax records electronically, so long as the system that’s used meets IRS standards.
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Decision time – When to begin taking Social Security benefits requires planning
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 678
Abstract: To be financially prepared for the possibility of a lengthy retirement, one important decision to make is when to begin taking Social Security benefits. One can take reduced benefits at age 62, “full” benefits at the “normal” retirement age (65 to 67, depending on year of birth), or greater benefits after normal retirement age up until age 70. The trade-off between smaller payments sooner or larger payments later can hinge on a variety of considerations, including one’s current and future financial profile, along with health. The Social Security Administration offers some tools that can help start the decision-making process. (Updated 7/7/11)
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Bond investing 101: Interpreting the yield curve
May / June 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 768
Abstract: Conversations about the bond market can quickly become technical, but the yield curve is a straightforward analytical tool that can provide insight into current market conditions, the interest rate environment in the bond market and perhaps even the direction of the economy. The yield curve is a graph that tracks the interest rates that bonds pay across a range of maturities, and is constantly shifting based on a variety of market and economic conditions. There are four basic shapes to the yield curve: normal, flat, inverted and steep.
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Take a bite out of fraudulent crime with a few simple steps
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 380
Abstract: Fraud becomes more prevalent during difficult economic times, when people are hurting financially. And fraudsters tend not to discriminate — they’ll target both novice and sophisticated investors alike. Thus, it’s important not to get into the mindset that fraud and identity theft “can’t happen to me,” because it can. But there are steps one can take to guard against investment scams and identity theft.
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When is the right time to make charitable donations?
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 600
Abstract: Is it better to make charitable gifts during one’s lifetime, or charitable bequests after death? It can depend on a variety of factors, such as marital status, income and estate tax considerations, one’s degree of certainty about future financial needs, or whether a foreign charitable organization is an intended beneficiary. Giving to charities can be an excellent decision, but it’s important to consult a tax, legal or accounting professional to explore the ins and outs of making lifetime gifts and charitable bequests.
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4 principles for successful investing
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 732
Abstract: Even though there’s no single way to ensure investment success, most successful investors follow a set of principles that hold true in all markets. Specifically, it’s important to know one’s financial goals and develop a plan for pursuing them; diversify investments; pay attention to the tax ramifications of different investments; and stick with the plan, regardless of what’s happening in the financial markets.
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IRA savings can get you closer to your goals
March / April 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 813
Abstract: Those who are saving for their retirement are probably participating in their employer’s 401(k) plan or other retirement plan. However, another common retirement savings vehicle — the IRA — is too often ignored or underused. But it can be a powerful way to save more for one’s golden years. This article describes the tax and savings characteristics of the traditional vs. the Roth IRA, while a sidebar explains that traditional-to-Roth conversions are now available to everyone, regardless of income.
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Time to catch your breath – The new year offers a chance to sit down and reassess your financial standing
January / February 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 540
Abstract: The last two years were an especially slippery slope for individual finances, thanks to a volatile stock market, record unemployment and tight credit markets. These circumstances make the new year an ideal time to assess personal financial status. Any such assessment should begin with determining net worth. Another key area to reconsider is homeowners insurance, which might be affected by recent declines in the housing market, and life insurance. It’s also important to determine whether W-4 withholding status, 401(k) beneficiaries and deferral amounts are up to date.
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During market uncertainty, annuities can offer reassuring value
January / February 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 843
Abstract: Annuities have a reputation for being a slightly stodgy alternative to other types of investments. But these days, stodgy may seem just fine to investors, many of whom are reconsidering the value these insurance contracts offer for their retirement savings. In their ability to provide income throughout retirement, annuities resemble a traditional company pension plan, but in some cases may also provide a death benefit. But there are differences between fixed and variable annuities, and a number of pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to annuitize.
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Document it or lose it – Substantiation rules for charitable gifts
January / February 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 750
Abstract: The right combination of lifetime donations and charitable bequests can not only help support charitable organizations, but also reduce income taxes and minimize gift and estate taxes. But the government isn’t so generous when it comes to inadequate documentation of these donations. There are different degrees of documentation required, depending on the value of gifts and whether they’re donated in the form of cash, securities or property. To avoid losing deductions, it’s important to have documentation in order before filing a return.
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Do you think college financial aid is out of your reach? It may not be — if you take steps to maximize your eligibility
January / February 2010
Newsletter: Planning for Prosperity / Wealth Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 691
Abstract: As college costs continue to rise faster than inflation, it’s never been more challenging — or more important — to have a plan for managing those expenses. But families more fortunate than others might not have realized the extent to which financial aid may be available to them. This article takes a look at grants, scholarships and loans, and offers tips to increase eligibility for aid. A sidebar discusses the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that is often required when applying for aid.