Our bodies have a language of their own, and their words aren’t always kind. Your body language has likely become an integral part of who you are, to the point where you might not even think about it. If that’s the case, it’s time to start, because you could be...
The Science of Older and Wiser
Since ancient times, the elusive concept of wisdom has figured prominently in philosophical and religious texts. The question remains compelling: What is wisdom, and how does it play out in individual lives? Most psychologists agree that if you define wisdom as...
A Path to Retirement, for Those Far From It
There is a big retirement problem in America, maybe even a crisis. Many working people won’t have enough money to leave their jobs and live in comfort and security. How many are in jeopardy is debatable, but the problem’s existence is not. What’s to be done about it?...
The New Rules for Early Retirement
Early retirement is again in reach, but the game has changed. Do you dream of leaving full-time work behind at 60 or even sooner? Plenty of Americans do, of course. But the real question is whether you can afford to clock out early. It may require trade-offs, such as...
4 Keys to Living Longer and Better in Retirement
In 1970, average life expectancy at birth in the U.S. was 71 years. In 2014, it is 79 years; and by 2050, the U.S. Census Bureau projects that average life expectancy will be 84 years. Today, according to the National Institute on Aging, there are over 40 million...
Watch Out For These Sneaky Leaks in Your Retirement Savings
A new study finds that “leakage” from 401(k) and IRA accounts can reduce a person’s retirement wealth by as much as 25% and argues that changes are needed in these savings plans in order to plug the holes. The report, from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston...
July 2015 Monthly Insight: The “Greek Tragedy” of Debt Default
Over the last month, Don and I have watched with passive interest the long-running saga regarding the potential of Greece defaulting on its scheduled debt payment on June 30. This "Greek tragedy" has actually been running since at least December 2009. As a matter of...
6 Personal Finance Rules to Live By
Being fiscally responsible means you live by sound money principles that allow you to build a stable future for yourself and your family. An understanding of these basic financial tenants is the first step in achieving financial success. 1. Build an emergency fund....
June 2015 Monthly Insight: Savings vs. Investing
One of the important tenets of financial and retirement planning is to strategically match your upcoming liabilities (such as college funding, a second home purchase, or retirement income) to assets in your savings or investment accounts. Notice we mention two types...
How to Give Your Home to Your Children Tax-Free
Before the days of estate taxes, children simply moved into the family home and took over the master bedroom after their parents died. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy anymore. There are several ways to give a home to your child. And a few are tax-free. But in order...