FiGuide - A Retirement Plan that works

5 No-No’s for IRA Investing

Sep 18 2017

It is generally well-known that in an IRA account you have a wide range of investment choices. These choices are typically only limited by the custodian’s available investment options. However, there are specific prohibited transactions that cannot be accomplished with IRA funds. Often these prohibited transactions can cause your IRA to be disqualified, which can result in significant tax and penalty, along with loss of the tax-favored status of the funds.

What’s Not Allowed for IRA Accounts?

Self-Dealing. You are not allowed, within your IRA, to make investments in property which benefits you or another disqualified person. A disqualified person

The Facts about the “Forgotten” Policy; Long-Term Care Insurance

Sep 13 2017

I recently had a long-term care insurance conversation with a client. The bottom line for this client was they were financially capable of paying their own way no matter the care required during their late life years. Obviously the best time to buy this insurance is just before you need it.

All kidding aside though, you should evaluate what you have and what you are expecting to have in your late life years. Balance those facts with the remote and increasing possibility of requiring expensive personal care in your later years. Then, make a decision.

It may be worthwhile to …

Equifax Compromised Your Credit Cards

Sep 13 2017

Equifax, one of the three credit monitoring services, admitted recently that hackers gained access to the sensitive identify and financial information in their database for 143 million people (44% of the U.S. population). The hackers exploited a website weakness from mid-May to July. Equifax learned of the intrusion on July 29th but did not disclose the information to the public until 40 days later on September 7th. The credit breach is about as bad as you could expect a breach to be. Much of the data acquired is timeless information that could be used for years.

From the Equifax website …

Set Financial Goals So Emotions Don’t Derail Your Investments

Sep 12 2017

Kiplinger.com offered tips to help you keep your emotions out of investments. Emotions, such as concern for your family’s future, can fuel your desire to invest but they may cause problems if you let emotions derail your investment. In a culture that often tells you to follow your gut, you may find at times that your emotions can lead you astray when it comes to investment strategy.

The article first suggests that you set financial goals. Goals can help you to keep perspective. For example, if you hear about a big change in the market, you don’t have to …

Equifax Data Breach Requires Action

Sep 10 2017

While most of us have been watching the path of Hurricane Irma, another big news story this past week warrants your attention. Last week, Equifax announced that a “Cybersecurity Incident” had exposed names, Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses and, in some cases, driver’s license and credit card numbers, from a whopping 143 million Americans. We have already received e-mails from clients who have been affected, and expect to receive more since this will likely affect about half of the country.

In fact, this is another massive data breach reminding us how vulnerable we are to thieves seeking our personal …

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