Retirement requires a shift in thinking
For most of your investing life, you’ve probably been encouraged to build a portfolio that balances risk and return — achieving the highest returns possible based on your personal tolerance for risk. For most people, that means living with a certain amount of volatility in exchange for growing a comfortable nest egg for their retirement years. You can lose money taking on too much ... READ MORE
How to avoid critical mistakes later in life
Although the divorce rate of younger couples has been dropping, the National Center for Health Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau report that the divorce rate for married people over 50 has doubled, and for those ages 65 and older the rate has approximately tripled since 1990. Some financial planners have specialized in this area, and can provide the necessary guidance to families... READ MORE
Don’t be so sure you can ID a scammer
Believing that fraud can’t happen to us — because we’re too smart, logical or informed — may make us more vulnerable. Successful scam artists skillfully overcome our defenses and get us into emotional states that override logical thinking, said Kathy Stokes, AARP’s director of fraud prevention programs. “Scammers call it getting the victim under the ether,” she... READ MORE
When to go with your gut with investing
There are four ways to invest in stocks. You can buy a low-cost index fund, with holdings that reflect an entire market or a broad swath of one. You can buy a managed fund, hiring an expert to do the stock picking. You can conscientiously study data from individual companies and invest in their shares. Or you can buy stock in companies that appeal to you subjectively — that is, invest... READ MORE
What to do with yourself after retirement
I recently read an interesting article about retirees who become depressed and bored — even ones on sound financial footing — because they haven’t found enough activities to keep them busy. I have been retired now for over 20 years, and I am fortunate to have found enough activities to keep me very busy and not bored at all. No doubt, the things I do won’t interest a lot of... READ MORE
How to find the right online bank for you
Q: I want to open an online high-yield savings or money market account. But because these are new to me, I’m trying to perform due diligence somehow. Is there anything I need to know or beware of before signing up? A: Start your search at Bankrate.com or Depositaccounts.com. Online banks don’t have branches you can walk into to ask for help, but you can find one that offers... READ MORE
Paying for schooling with savings bonds
Q: Can I use my series EE or I bonds to pay for a grandchild’s college — and save on taxes? A: Yes, you can redeem savings bonds to help cover the cost of college — and in some cases the interest the bonds earn won’t be subject to federal income tax. But as a grandparent, you’ll likely have to jump through some hoops and meet income limits to avoid the tax. Under the... READ MORE
Costs add up with subscription services
Sure, it’s nice to have your groceries delivered now and then. Ditto dinner. Want to stream your favorite movies? Why not? Curated clothes and books sent to your home? Yes, please. Subscription services are attractive because they’re easy to sign up for and come with a minimal monthly financial commitment. But the small costs can add up, and prices can increase over... READ MORE
More work past age 65 in D.C. metro area
Workers in major metropolitan areas, especially in the Northeast and around Washington, D.C., are more likely to continue working past age 65 than are those in other areas of the country, according to an analysis of Census data by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. “Those are the areas where all of the jobs are, really,” said Anqi Chen, assistant director... READ MORE
Taking Social Security too early is costly
It’s tough to decide when to start taking Social Security benefits, and it appears many people are shorting themselves with their choice. A new study finds that only 4% of retirees start claiming their Social Security benefits at the most financially optimal time. Current retirees collectively will lose $3.4 trillion in potential income to fund their retirement because they started... READ MORE
Money 2024
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