Is Cash Really a Safe Choice?
If you see storm clouds hovering ominously over the markets, it’s only natural to seek a safe harbor. Right now, many people do fear that turbulent times are ahead, whether because of the so-called Fiscal Cliff, because of Europe’s drag on the world economy or other factors. And many of those folks, wanting to protect […]
The Ins and Outs of the 5-Year Rule for Roth IRAs
If you want to take a tax- and penalty-free withdrawal of the portion of a Roth that consists of investment earnings (amount above your initial contribution), you need to be age 59 1/2, disabled, or using the money to pay for a first-time home. However, there’s more to this rule.
“Cliff”-hanger? Or Hype?
For months, Americans have been hearing about the “fiscal cliff.” Washington gridlock, we’re told, is driving the country toward that cliff—and plunging over it would mean catastrophe for the economy and the stock market.
The Do-It-Yourself Health Savings Account
When deciding how much to set aside for an emergency fund, there is a growing category of expenses most people tend to overlook: potential out-of-pocket health-care costs. Even if you haven’t opted for a high-deductible health-care plan, it’s likely that your out-of-pocket health-care costs have jumped up substantially in recent years. Not only have health-care […]
Don’t Play the Sector Game
The S&P 500 index is having a fabulous year. Through the end of September, the index, which tracks top American stocks, had risen 16.4%–making it the top-performing asset class. It’s the kind of performance that can make you want to push the majority of your investment capital into a single kind of investment. But committing […]
FPC’s Monthly Update Oct. 2012
Investors were not disappointed, as additional quantitative easing (QE3) was announced on September 13th. Riots in Spain caused markets to react negatively, durable goods orders took a dive because of airline orders, and income and consumption numbers were hit hard by a quick spike in inflation rates. However, year-over-year data for almost every report continued […]
The Art of Asset Location
Asset location is a part of the investing strategy that involves deciding which investments to hold in which accounts, and taxes play an important role in this decision. Here are a few basic guidelines. Hold in Your Tax-Sheltered Accounts: Assets With High Tax Costs. In general, government or corporate bonds and bond funds may be […]
Retirement Investing Q&A
These are some common questions we receive on retirement investing. If you have any further questions please give us a call! Q: Under current law, at what age can you begin receiving Social Security benefits? A: The earliest age at which you can begin receiving Social Security benefits is 62. However, you will receive a […]
Help Us Complete Your Puzzle
It may sound cliché, but it’s true: Your financial life is a puzzle. We love the challenge of helping to solve your puzzle. By fitting the pieces together, we help you to meet big life goals like living and retiring comfortably and taking care of the people who are important to you. So naturally, we’re […]
FPC’s Monthly Update
In early September, the European Central Bank took steps to ease monetary policy and China introduced new infrastructure stimulus measures, as economic news in both regions continued to show signs of slowing. Both these actions have led many to expect the Federal Reserve to do the same with some form of quantitative easing, following poor […]