What are the safest places to invest now?
Many who have invested in various forms of bond funds have been disappointed to see that, despite receiving regular interest payments, the value of their investment has decreased significantly in 2022. I have received quite a bit of mail from readers asking whether they should bail out of bond funds and instead make new investments in money-market funds, CDs or I bonds. Here are some... READ MORE
Many different types of financial advisers
Registered adviser, fiduciary, independent adviser, investment adviser representative, RIA, licensed, designated, unbiased — what do all these terms mean? As an investor seeking an adviser, it can certainly be confounding. The many different types of licenses, designations, financial industry jargon and affiliation options are a lot for anyone to digest. Twenty-two years of helping... READ MORE
Times when you need an expert’s advice
You can now manage most aspects of your money without ever consulting another human being. You can budget, borrow, save, invest, buy insurance, prepare your tax return and create a will — among many other tasks — by using apps, websites and software. But technology still has limitations, especially when you’re facing a money situation that’s complex or involves judgment... READ MORE
More retirees among America’s homeless
Karla Finocchio’s slide into homelessness began when she split with her partner of 18 years and temporarily moved in with a cousin. The 55-year-old planned to use her $800-a-month disability check to get an apartment after back surgery. But she soon was sleeping in her old pickup, protected by her German Shepherd mix Scrappy, unable to afford housing in Phoenix, where median monthly... READ MORE
Why to invest in crypto despite its risks
As cryptocurrencies have become more mainstream, average investors have wondered whether and how to use them safely and effectively in their portfolios. I recommend Ric Edelman’s book The Truth About Crypto: A Practical, Easy-to-Understand Guide to Bitcoin, Blockchain, NFTs and Other Digital Assets. This book, which will be available in May in both paperback and Kindle editions, covers ... READ MORE
Do you qualify for free financial planning?
In a recent issue of InvestmentNews, there was an advertisement placed by the Foundation for Financial Planning (FFP). The ad was a solicitation for tax-deductible gifts and for financial planner volunteers. The ad also indicated that FFP has helped over 500,000 people in crisis who needed access to free financial planning. I wanted to find out more about this service because I believe... READ MORE
Funds reimburse COVID-related funerals
The federal government has already provided more than $2 billion to help cover funeral costs for more than 300,000 families of people who died from COVID-19, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced in March as it launched a new campaign to raise awareness about additional aid available to eligible families. The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program provides up to $9,000 per... READ MORE
Why you should name a ‘trusted contact’
For the past few years, financial services companies have been bugging me to name a “trusted contact.” Banks, brokerages and insurers increasingly want to have someone to call or email in case they notice suspicious activity and can’t reach the account holder. I ignored these requests. Trusted contacts are a great idea for older people experiencing cognitive decline, I thought, but ... READ MORE
Considering a pet? Be aware of the costs
Animals are just plain cute and can bring so much joy to your life. But like children, they are not cheap — especially if you care for your pet properly. Whether you choose to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or buy one from a store or breeder, there are several costs to consider over the life of your pet. The first one is the acquisition cost. You can adopt a dog for around $60... READ MORE
Con artists target people who owe taxes
With tax season under way, the IRS is once again warning taxpayers to be wary of “Offer in Compromise” scams. These promotions claim that they can help taxpayers pay back taxes for just “pennies on the dollar.” But victims often end up paying the promoters thousands of dollars in fees and still end up owing money to the IRS. While the IRS’s Offer in Compromise (OIC)... READ MORE
