Articles by Robert Valentine on ArticleSnatch.com

Stock Options: Know When To Hold 'Em

Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

If the stock options you've received from your employer are burning a hole in your pocket, it may be time to get a second (or third) opinion before you cash in. Employees often believe they have the inside scoop on when the stock's market price will top out, and that false sense of confidence can lead you to exercise too soon and regret it later. Employees with true inside information (specific knowledge about the company that will impact the market price when made public) cannot sell company stock based on that inside information. You don't want to end up in Sing-Sing, so be careful if you're privy to important information. That said, a financial advisor can provide needed guidance about your stock options. The first step is to set goals: What role do the stock options have in your overall financial plan? Paying off your mortgage, funding a child's education and retirement may be uses for stock options, depending on the rest of your portfolio and the amount of time left to exercise the options. Become educated about your stock options: the terms of their exercise, tax issues and gain-loss consequences. **End Summary** Topics: Stock Options]]> Employee]]> Employer]]> Issued]]> Retirement]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular long term care insurance articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

A College Planning Quandary

Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

If you're like many Americans, you face a variety of challenges every day. Most parents and some grandparents find themselves fighting a battle on two fronts: saving for retirement and college at the same time. This can be a tricky problem. Saving more money in one of the plans invariably leads to saving less in the other. Obviously you want to have enough savings to retire comfortably, but at the same time, to put your kids or grandkids through a quality college. So where do you draw the line between taking from one to give to the other? And how do you plan successfully to find a proper balance that benefits both you and your children? That problem is highlighted by the question of whether or not you should withdraw from an IRA to help pay for college tuition. The general consensus seems to be: not if you can help it. Generally you want to have a successful enough college savings program that you don't have to worry about finding alternative sources of money for tuition. But with sky-rocketing credit hour prices and housing costs on the rise, it's a more difficult proposition than it was even a decade ago. **End Summary** Topics: Financial Aid]]> 529]]> Saving for college]]> investment account]]> irs]]> college 529]]> education]]> investing]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular immediate annuity articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Estate Planning: Having Faith in your Legacy

Thu, 09 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Discussing death is never a pleasant aspect of financial planning, but it's certainly one of the most important. While no one likes to discuss his or her own mortality, many of us wonder how we'll be remembered. Perhaps you want your legacy to live on through the work of a charity, or maybe you'd rather bypass the probate that is associated with a will. Whatever the reason, a trust may be an option for you to consider. Trusts, simply put, are a way for you to transfer your assets and property into one legal entity. The person putting the property into the trust is called the trustor. The person managing the property and assets is named the trustee, and finally, the person or charity who receives any benefits from the trust, is the beneficiary. In many cases with living trusts, the trustor can hold all three roles, but most often, the trustor is also the trustee. One of the biggest benefits to a trust is that when properly established, you can avoid probate court and legal costs associated with a will. Also, a will is a matter of public record, while a trust, when established properly, stays private. **End Summary** Topics: Estate Planning]]> Legacy]]> Living Trust]]> Bypass Trust]]> Attornay]]> Estate Planning]]> Estate Planning]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular employee stock options articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

401(k) Distribution Dilemmas

Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

We all look forward to the day when we can finally kick back, relax and collect our carefully-planned and hard-earned retirement savings. But rushing into withdrawing your retirement funds could cost you a great deal of money in taxes. That's why planning now for that day is so important. If your employer requires distribution of your 401(k) plan funds when you leave employment, rolling it over to an IRA may be your only option for avoiding unnecessary taxes. A lump sum distribution directly to you will probably bump you into a higher tax bracket. Some employers, however, allow retirees to leave those funds in the company's 401(k) plan. Given the option (leaving your money in the plan or rolling it into an IRA) which do you choose? By leaving the money in the 401(k), you can continue to let it grow tax-deferred. You remain subject to the rules of the plan and the investment options offered, and to any changes the employer makes to the plan after you retire. Money in your 401(k) account is protected from creditors in a personal bankruptcy or lawsuit. If you die, your beneficiaries have to take a lump sum distribution. **End Summary** Topics: 401k rollover]]> investment]]> retirement]]> tax deferred]]> ira]]> 401k]]> rollover]]> Article]]> story]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Health Savings Account articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirement Option Overload

Tue, 07 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Establishing a retirement plan for yourself and your employees can help you attract and retain workers and give you personal and business tax deductions. Yet you haven't taken the final step to create a plan, because every time you look at that alphabet soup of choices--SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k), SE 401(k)--you become overwhelmed by the options and translating their impact into real life for your business. Then there are the costs and responsibility involved. About a third of small business owners cite revenue uncertainty as the biggest obstacle to establishing a retirement plan, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute. Costs ranked second, at 16 percent. Yet of those small businesses that do create a plan, two-thirds do so to positively effect employee attitude and performance. Other reasons include creating a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining workers and tax advantages for employees, key executives, the owner and the business. Most retirement plans fall into three general categories: Individual Retirement Arrangements, defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans. Defined benefit plans commit the employer to providing a specified benefit to retirees, often based on a percentage of pay and the number of years the individual worked for the business. **End Summary** Topics: Stock Options]]> Restricted Stock]]> exersizing]]> stock options article]]> story]]> alternative minimum tax]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular stock option articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Communicating with a Financial Professional

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Financial professionals are generally perceived to be more concerned with the fiscal side of your plans, especially when it comes to retirement. And making sure you have a comfortable savings to retire on, and enough to continue living the same lifestyle, are two extremely important things they do their best to help you achieve. But it's a deeper knowledge and understanding of you as a client that helps them truly succeed. In fact, in order for them to truly know you as a person, a friend, and a client, they need to be asking the right questions and you need to be sharing with them more than just the bottom line. These are just a few of the most important things to share with your financial professional when you meet to discuss your retirement: 1) Activities: It's vitally important that you inform your financial professional what activities you plan on participating in the most during retirement. Often, they assume that golf and traveling will take up the bulk of your time. While that's often an accurate prediction, it's also sometimes too simple. **End Summary** Topics: Financial Advice]]> Investment]]> planner]]> Advisor]]> retirement]]> Article]]> story]]> retirement planning]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Flood Insurance articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Estate Planning: Supporting a Noble Cause

Sun, 05 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Last December, the White House Conference on Aging held its first meeting in 10 years. The conference addressed the growing number of baby boomers reaching retirement and highlighted how a large number of them are contemplating volunteering. More and more retirees are volunteering for charities and non-profits in an effort to contribute to their community and stay active and healthy. Even the Peace Corps has seen a large increase in the number of older volunteers. But there's a way you can contribute to society without going overseas, and it's called a charitable trust. It has become an increasingly popular way to contribute to charity as well as save money on taxes. Trusts, simply put, are a way for you to transfer assets and property into one solitary group. With a charitable trust, the assets and property contained within it provide an income for you during your lifetime. After you pass away, the remaining assets are given to the charity within the trust. There are two major forms of charitable trusts: charitable remainder trusts, and charitable lead trusts. Charitable trusts have a host of other benefits, as well as a few drawbacks, but here are the basics. **End Summary** Topics: Estate Planning]]> Noble Cause]]> Charitable Remainder Trust]]> (CRT)]]> charity article]]> story]]> gifting]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Immediate Annuity articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirment Planning: The First Step before Withdrawal

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Retirement and all of the wonderful events and experiences that come with it is a culmination of a lifetime of hard work, careful planning, and diligent saving. But while the act of retirement exists in many shapes and forms, your financial journey during retirement starts with one simple step: withdrawing money from retirement savings. Taking your first withdrawal is a crucial moment in your retirement and shouldn't be taken lightly. In conjunction with a financial professional, you should ask yourself five key questions before you take that first step. 1) When should I begin withdrawing? The question of when to begin withdrawals is one of the most crucial choices you can make. Oftentimes you may have a withdrawal date already planned out, but sometimes life doesn't always cooperate with your plans. Taking withdrawal too early can make it more difficult to stick by your retirement plan, and may increase your chances of having fewer resources as you get older. Make sure you and your financial professional have a contingency plan prepared. Don't just rely on one withdrawal date. 2) Do I have a solid plan? **End Summary** Topics: Withdrawing Retirement savings]]> selling Retirement savings]]> article]]> restrictions]]> medical costs]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular 401k Rollover articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

A New Mindset For Income Distribution

Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

In terms of your finances, your preretirement earning years focus on accumulation and growth of your money. You earn money from your job or business to pay for your current living expenses. You set some aside for emergencies and for future needs like college and retirement. Your goal is to accumulate as much as possible by earning it and investing it. After retirement, you typically no longer have money earned from your job or business to pay for your living expenses. You need safety and liquidity to ensure available funds for day-to-day costs of living along with growth to help ensure your funds last your lifetime. The growth-oriented portfolio structure of your earning years may no longer apply, and you may have to change the way you evaluate your portfolio's performance. In fact, in an effort to help reduce risk and protect principal, many retirees alter their asset mix to a more conservative, income-based allocation. The result is a portfolio designed to provide higher rates of current income and less volatility. **End Summary** Topics: Retirment planning]]> Income]]> distribution]]> 401k]]> IRA]]> Preservation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular 1031 exchange articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Ask Your Employer About New Retirement Option Roth 401(K)

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

There's a new kind of defined retirement plan on the market, but you may have to ask your employer to add it to your current plan. In 2001, Congress passed the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRAA), which provided a variety of changes, adjustments and extensions to rules for retirement plans to be phased in during the ensuing 10 years. Among those provisions was the creation of the Roth 401(k), a hybrid that allowed contributions of after-tax dollars (like a Roth IRA) through salary deferral up to $15,000 (2006 limit) with a $5,000 catch-up allowed for people over age 50 (like a 401(k) plan.) Roth 401(k) plans haven't received much attention in the intervening years because that particular part of EGTRRA didn't take effect until January 2006. Most employers, according to a survey by Hewitt Associates, have not yet added the Roth 401(k) to their retirement offerings, and only one-third of companies say they are "very" or "somewhat" likely to add it. Those who do, however, find the most Roth 401(k) fans among workers in their 20s, 14% of whom select the new plans when offered, the highest rate for all age groups. **End Summary** Topics: Roth 401k]]> Stocks]]> Mutual Funds]]> Fidelity 401k]]> 401k com]]> 401k calculator]]> 401k rollover]]> Roth 401k]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Roth 401k articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

How Long Will Your Legacy Last?

Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Unlike some quaint adages, the saying "Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations" seems to have a basis in fact. In the book Beating the Midas Curse, authors Rodney Zeeb and Perry L Cochell report that 60% of affluent families lose their wealth in the second generation, and 90% will have lost it by the third. That doesn't mean your children and grandchildren will be spoiled and irresponsible just because they have wealth. But they will have a different frame of reference than you had in building that wealth. Whether you practiced a profession, built a business or parlayed your paycheck into a sizable estate, you worked hard to earn, save and grow your money. You probably did so to raise not only your personal standard of living but that of your family. Growing up, your children enjoyed experiences and advantages you may not have--a private college education, perhaps, or the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures. Your best intentions as a parent probably included instilling respect for hard work, financial responsibility and philanthropy. And you most likely passed on that desire to raise the standard of living for your family. **End Summary** Topics: Legacy]]> estate planning]]> will]]> living will]]> ethical will]]> passing wealth]]> generation]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular probate articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Calculating your Post-retirement Income, Post-haste

Tue, 31 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500

"Time waits for no man" Ancient Proverb That ancient quote is a great reminder how important it is to start planning for your retirement. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, retirement is creeping up on us. Even for those who have just started their career, retirement planning is essential to providing a secure future for themselves and their loved ones. But that doesn't mean we're defenseless against time. In fact, with the proper planning, life after work can be the most rewarding years of your life. One of the most basic ways to begin planning for retirement is determining your post-work income. Post-work income is the amount of money you'll need to live comfortably at current income levels, after you've retired. That means having enough money to live comfortably without worrying about running out. It also means making sure you have enough extra to do the things you've always wanted to, like travel, or just plain relax! Meeting with a financial professional and determining your post-work income is fairly painless. But not many Americans have done it. **End Summary** Topics: Calculating Post-retirement]]> Income]]> how much income]]> calculating retirement]]> planning]]> Article]]> st]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Reverse Mortgage articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirement Redefined

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Will most baby boomers truly retire? The old mainstays of golf, grandkids and travel haven't been enough to satisfy many retirees from previous generations. With the great amounts of energy and success that exist within the baby boomer generation, retirement isn't likely to sustain their attention much longer than it did their parents'. If the current generation of retirees is any indication, baby boomers and younger workers alike have a thing or two to learn from their older counterparts. In August 2005, Putnam Investments performed a retirement survey called "Working in Retirement." Most of the retirees surveyed returned to work after an average of only 18 months of retirement. Of those who returned, 32% cited financial need, while 68% did so voluntarily. The return to work may signal a problem that most retirees don't anticipate: having something fulfilling to do. The keyword is fulfilling, and it's the driving force behind a return to work. Of course, the added income and the potential health insurance benefits don"t hurt either. The phenomenon has become so recognized that In areas with large and increasing populations of retirees, like Arizona, many employers are catering to the retired crowd. **End Summary** Topics: Baby Boomers]]> retirees]]> retire]]> age]]> article]]> story]]> investment]]> best]]> when]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular long term care insurance articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Protecting your Nest Egg

Sun, 29 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Spurred by more electronic record keeping, and a greater illegal demand for personal information, identity theft is a crime that is sweeping the nation, wreaking havoc in its wake. According to the Federal Trade Commission's 2005 Identity Theft Report, in 2004 alone, there were over 635,000 reports of identity theft, resulting in losses and damage of over $547 million dollars. A growing form of identity theft affects assets contained in employer contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k)s. Led by identity thieves and dishonest employees, 401(k) asset theft has increased dramatically in the last decade. While it may not seem like a plausible or even possible scenario, the fact is, it happens more often than most people would like to believe. According to the Wall Street Journal, incidences of retirement plan asset theft have increased dramatically. In 1995, only 34 cases of retirement plan theft were found in one year. That number grew to 1,269 cases of missing money in the fiscal year 2004.1 In Atlanta, a woman was indicted recently for allegedly stealing over $5.4 million in 401(k) contributions, which she used to purchase expensive wines, two homes, and a Porsche 911. **End Summary** Topics: Protecting your Nest Egg]]> 401k]]> ID theft]]> I.D. theft]]> identity theft]]> asset]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Preventing Identity Theft articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Making Sure Tuition is Covered

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Tuition, room and board, fees, books, supplies, equipment, and transportation. Sounds expensive, doesn't it? Even if you're a few decades removed from college, you know paying for college can be a struggle--and it's only getting worse. Higher education has changed immensely the last few decades, as technology is increasingly utilized on campuses. Typewriters have been replaced by expensive computers, textbook prices have increased, college students are more likely to own a car, and today more and more entertainment opportunities are available for students to spend their money on. Across the board, college costs more for students today. But it isn't just students who have more costly obligations today. Parents and the institutions themselves have been hit hard by the increase. The cost of educating a college student has skyrocketed, including an increase in tuition, room and board, and fees, not to mention supplies such as textbooks. Add in general inflation and continued cost increases and by the time your children or grandchildren enroll you've got the formula for a fairly expensive bill. But that doesn't mean you're defenseless against the costs of higher education. There are several options available to save for college. **End Summary** Topics: Tuition Covered]]> college tuition]]> expense]]> coverdell]]> account]]> Tuition]]> college]]> paying tuition]]> 529]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular 529 plan articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Estate Planning: The Key Ingredient

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

If you've been keeping up with current events lately, you may have noticed that legal battles seem to take up much of the media's focus. Since the O.J. Simpson trial, media outlets have become frenzied at the thought of a good legal battle. Case in point: Michael Jackson. There's even a cable station devoted solely to court proceedings. One of the most recent courtroom dramas to receive media attention was that of Terri Schiavo. No one likes being involved in long, drawn-out legal battles, and especially not ones that garner major media attention. That's why there's an underlying emphasis to the Schiavo case: always plan your estate. Estates may seem like a lot of effort, but when you consult with a trusted financial professional and an estate planning attorney, they can take a lot of the stress, (and potential mistakes), out of the planning process. Estate planning is a complex endeavor, and one of the key ingredients to a successful estate plan is a will. A will is the central part of your plan. Your will simply spells-out in legal terms, who will receive various parts of your estate, including savings, homes, and other assets. **End Summary** Topics: Wills]]> Setting up a will]]> will]]> setting up]]> Estate Planning]]> Giving]]> gifting]]> 12]]> 000]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular gifting articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirement Planning: Too Much Concentration

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Enron. That simple, seemingly-harmless corporate moniker can send shivers through the spine of even the most seasoned investor. After the collapse, employees with Enron-heavy 401(k) plans were left with nothing. But Enron was not unique in the fact that employees had large chunks of their 401(k) plan invested in the corporate stock of their employer. According to CNN and Money Magazine, Procter and Gamble employees have 94.65% of their 401(k) assets invested in company stock, much higher than the nearly 60% that Enron employees had. The problem doesn't affect just those who have company-heavy 401(k) plans. It's a problem that plagues individual investors as well. Perhaps you have a favorite company that you love, and you've gradually invested more and more in it, until it has reached an unhealthy amount. Like many other tragedies, what emerged from the disaster was a reality check for anyone who has too many of their nest eggs in one basket. And if you haven't done so recently, it may be time to check your portfolio's diversification. **End Summary** Topics: Company stock]]> 401k]]> too much]]> Enron Article]]> Tyco]]> scandals]]> too much]]> stock]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Roth 401k articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirement: Keep on Rollin'

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

The Rolling Stones. Their band name alone can conjure up images of rock and roll glory, greatness, and success. But, to mention the "Stones" without mentioning several attempts at retirement would be foolish. They've had almost as many last-hurrahs as Cher and are still rocking to this day. They've even made it clear that this year's tour is by no means their last. The average age of a member of The Rolling Stones is 60 Â½ years and they're showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon. The same can be said for the rest of the Baby Boomer generation. A generation that changed America is now changing the way we look at retirement. Gone are the days of taking early-retirement and then simply passing time. Baby boomers are expected to retire and then take up new careers in fields they've always wanted to explore, but were never able to. Retirement may be something they do two or three times as they try new jobs and adventures. With medical advances and an increase in life expectancy, most Boomers will live longer than their parents did, and that means a need for more income. **End Summary** Topics: Individual retirement account]]> IRA]]> traditional]]> roth]]> best]]> article]]> news]]> story]]> pre tax]]> ]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular 401k Rollover articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Investing: Level-Headed or Lazy?

Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Passive investment management may be the Rodney Dangerfield of financial strategies--it gets no respect. Active investment strategies have had the spotlight so long, some investors may be surprised to find there is an alternative to stock picking, market timing and other faster-paced, more glamorous methods. Active investment management uses research, investigation and analysis to select investments that the selector believes will outperform the general market indexes. Passive investment management invests in broad market sectors and accepts the average returns those sectors produce. The research, investigation and analysis inherent in active investment management come at a cost. Active management usually results in higher turnover within the portfolio, potentially generating trading costs, commissions and taxes. Those costs should be calculated against the higher gains that active investing may have over a passive strategy; in other words, is the potential for additional gain worth the near-certainty of additional cost. Passive investing seeks to take some of the prognostication out of the investment process, as well as the possible emotional impact. Daily evaluation and re-evaluation of investments can cause you to overlook more subtle trends and to lose sight of your personal big picture. **End Summary** Topics: Passive Investing]]> ETF]]> Mutual Funds]]> 401k]]> Ishares]]> Index Funds]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Equity Indexed Annuity article has been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Estate Planning: An Introduction to your Legacy

Tue, 24 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

If the controversy over Terri Schiavo showed us anything, it's that estate planning is more important now than ever before. Regardless of personal opinions, in the end, it was Terri who really mattered. And it is your choices and beliefs that matter when it comes to your own decisions. A Gallup Survey released in June of 2005, showed that 60 percent of Americans don't have living wills. So how can you ensure that your legacy will be remembered for your entire life and not your final hours or days? The best way to be ready for major life and death decisions is to properly plan your estate. This means an all-encompassing look at the decisions to be made, who makes them, and who gets what. There are generally four major documents you need to prepare so that your estate is in order. The first is the financial power of attorney. A financial power of attorney is one of the most important steps in estate planning. Whoever you name as your financial power of attorney makes all of your financial decisions. By specifically picking someone to make those decisions, you help eliminate controversy and stress. **End Summary** Topics: Estate Planning]]> Avoiding Probate]]> Elvis Presley estate]]> probate taxes]]> expenses]]> investment]]> trus]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular probate articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirement Planning: A Solid Solution

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

They may not be glamorous or bring extreme returns. But then, they aren't meant to. Recently, money market mutual funds have found their way into a broad variety of investor's portfolios as their returns have increased and their attractive reliability has continued. Between June 2004 and September 2005, money market yields increased from over a half a percent, to 2.89 percent, according to an Associated Press story in early-September 2005.1 A rather large jump to say the least. Serving as a temporary investment vehicle for those not ready to invest, money market funds are generally a short-term savings tool that, in comparison to many investments, is considered safer and more reliable. Using the advantages of a mutual fund, a money market version typically invests in a variety of things including CDs, U.S. Treasury securities and debt-obligations. By investing in a money market mutual fund, you're also benefiting from a possibility of higher returns than those available from individual investment in a CD or money market account. An investment in a money market mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. **End Summary** Topics: Money Market]]> Account]]> Mutual Funds]]> 401k]]> Retirement]]> Safety]]> Liquidity]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His site features his retirement articles, investment commentary, loan calculators , and more. . Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Retirement Planning: A Helping Hand

Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

It's hard to call Lee Iacocca a failure. In fact, it's nearly impossible. The man who led Chrysler back from the brink of failure, and later helped raise millions of dollars to revitalize the Statue of Liberty, admitted years ago he had failed at something: retirement. In a Fortune article in 1996, Iacocca shocked the nation by saying, "You plan everything in life, and then the roof caves in on you because you haven't done enough thinking about who you are and what you should do with the rest of your life." If this sounds familiar, you aren't alone. Most Americans are avoiding the talk of life after retirement, and even more are putting off the financial aspects of retirement planning. Even of those who realize having a plan is essential, many don't bother to decide what they'll devote their precious time to later in life. This is becoming a common problem that could be prevented with a little help. Most financial professionals are interested in your life's details a great deal. **End Summary** Topics: Financial Advise]]> Investment]]> planner]]> Advisor]]> retirement]]> Article]]> story]]> retirement planning]]> bro]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Social Security income articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

The Fury of Financial Aid

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Make sure to use your PIN to check the SAR on your FAFSA and see if your EFC will qualify you for a PELL grant. Say what? If you're having trouble navigating your way through the modern financial aid system, you're not alone. Finding, applying and receiving different types of financial aid can be one of the biggest headaches associated with college-bound children or grandchildren. But it doesn't have to be that way. With only a little know-how and some financial planning, you can easily find your way through the maze known as financial aid. The confusion above can disappear with just a small amount of studying. (Besides, your kids are expected to study hard the next few years, so you should set a good example!) One of the most crucial pieces of advice that college planners have to offer is to ALWAYS apply for financial aid, even if you believe you won't qualify. So how do you apply for it? Simple. It's a form called FAFSA and it can be filled out quickly and easily online. When you apply, you are given a PIN, which functions just like a PIN that a bank gives you. **End Summary** Topics: Financial Aid]]> Kids]]> 529 Saving]]> college investment account]]> irs]]> college]]> 529]]> education]]> investing]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular 529 plan articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Conquering Your Financial Fears

Sun, 22 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

An unusually helpful bit of pop psychology holds that we should worry only about things we can control or effect and put aside anxieties we cannot. That advice holds true for worrying about money and investing. A 2005 Money Magazine poll asked readers about their financial fears. Many of those topping the list cannot be controlled by the individual or have little likelihood of happening. Addressing a related fear that can be controlled may help alleviate some of the anxiety. Fear: Stock Market Crash Almost half the respondents in the Money survey said they were concerned about a potential stock market plunge. While visions of the Nasdaq tech crash still haunt some of us, the reality is, your biggest worry should be getting mediocre returns from your investments. People often abandon the buy-low, sell-high principle when they need it most. Good markets make many investors feel invincible so they don't sell or rebalance. When markets decrease and prices are low, investors get scared that they will lose out on potential gains. They jump ship figuring a small return is better than none but ignoring the potential upside if the stock price rises again. **End Summary** Topics: Financial Fears]]> Stock Crash]]> Identity Theft]]> Money]]> Investing]]> Market]]> Conquering]]> Worry]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Roth 401k articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.

Socially Responsible Investing

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0400

Not so long ago, the phrase "socially responsible investing" might have brought to mind environmentalists keeping their investment dollars out of companies they believed to be damaging the Earth or animal rights activists rejecting companies who tested their products on harmless creatures. As the socially responsibly investing, or SRI, sector has grown, its definition has also diversified. Today the phrase encompasses any investment strategy targeted at aligning an individual's portfolio with their personal convictions. The Social Investment Forum's 2005 Report on Socially Responsible Investing Trends in the United States identified $2.29 trillion under professional management involved in one or more of the three primary socially responsible investment strategies. Screening, shareholder advocacy and community investing are the three most common SRI strategies. Screening (the practice of choosing or excluding investments from a portfolio based on the investor's personal criteria) may be the most commonly known. Individuals may choose to invest, for example, only in companies headed by women or individuals of a particular ethnicity. Or, they may choose not to invest in companies that conflict with their personal beliefs. **End Summary** Topics: Socially Responsible Investing]]> green investing]]> SRI]]> sector]]> mutual funds]]> ]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Robert Valentine is a well-known expert in the matters concerning investors. His popular Retirement Planning articles have been published by several publications throughout the United States. Please visit his website, http://www.themoneyalert.com to view his column.