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Paid Off Credit Cards Killing Financial Success?

  Most of my clients tell me this isn’t true, because they pay their card balance off in full each month. I say, "That’s part of the problem!" We all have a propensity to spend up to what we know we can afford to pay off each…
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Fictitious Balance on Your 401k/IRA Account Statement

Your account balance carries a hidden surrender charge. Millions of working Americans contribute a percentage of their earnings to a 401k account while many also have IRA accounts, most of which were formerly 401k that were rolled over to…
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ROTH VS. TRADITIONAL IRA...8 Important Comparisons

Roth vs. Traditional IRA 8 Important Comparisons Roth vs Traditional IRA? Deciding which retirement account type may fit your needs is an important step in retirement planning. The comparisons below provide an overview of the differences…
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Perks of Getting Older

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of going to the wedding for one of my childhood best friend's daughter.  This was my first wedding for a peer's child and I guess it is just another milestone to indicate I am getting older. Does getting…
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Why I Prefer Stocks to Bonds

For the past 30 years, interest rates have been moving down and bond prices have been going up.  Now, interest rates are at a level when the best case is they "stay flat" as there is not much room to go any lower. With the low-interest rates…
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Why CFP® Certification Matters

Most people think all financial planners are "certified," but this isn't true. Anyone can call himself a "financial planner." Only those who have fulfilled the certification and renewal requirements of CFP Board can display the CFP® certification…
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Stock Market Roars Up - Use Logic Rather Than Emotion

The U.S. stock market just had a terrific first quarter.  The S&P 500 index was up 10.0% over the past three months. My client portfolios were not up that much because they also own many other investment asset classes that didn't advance…
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You're Not Alone - Who Can Afford College Today? College Calculator

College costs for kids today are ridiculous and unaffordable for most people. We are in this together.  I have three children ages 14,13 and 11 that are planning on attending four-year colleges as of now.  The future costs could be close…
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Who is Your Financial Planner?

Financial Planners are for Everyone “Failing to plan is planning to fail." - John Wooden” It was recently brought to my attention that many people think that only "rich" people have financial adviser's.  Nothing could be farther from…
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Spend Money or Save it - Daily Decisions

You are where you are today, because of the decisions you have made so far in your life. Many people I know are losing daily financial battles and not saving enough money. Every minute of the day we make decisions and while most are very…