The secret, experts say, is to find a balance between keeping some comforting traditions and letting go of ones that obviously no longer fit. How do you manage the holidays on a retiree budget? If you are a retiree or will be retiring in the coming year or years, then…
There were five changes that occurred in 2014 that everyone planning for retirement needs to know about. The phrase "roll with the changes" may be 2014's retirement planning motto. While we could review political, economic and international, those affecting IRA planning have been especially interesting for retirees and the estate…
“For those who are single, whether they’ve always been single or they find themselves single again, there are some unique [estate-planning] issues,” says Doug Rothermich, managing director, wealth-planning strategies at TIAA-CREF. Married couples usually can see the benefit of having an estate plan, but single people mistakenly think estate planning…
Sharron Epperson, who is CNBC’s senior personal finance correspondent, stressed the importance of retirement planning in the coming year — with two products in particular. Need a financial resolution for 2015? Save as much money as you can in a Roth IRA. One of the best things you can do…
Gifting can be an estate planning tool, for you can save on future estate taxes and have the pleasure of watching your dollars work for your children or grandchildren while you are still alive. If you're tired of the standard store-bought items for gifts, you may consider a different spin…
“We’re not surprised by the fact that people don’t know a lot about retirement income planning,” says David Littell, program director at the American College. “I was surprised at how badly they did.” Could you pass a retirement literacy test? Apparently, 80 percent of Americans surveyed did not. These Americans…
There is no magic formula or solution available for transferring personal property because each family and their possessions are different. However, the Extension program "Who Get's Grandma's Yellow Pie Plate?" suggests there are some factors for every family to consider whether planning for the transfer an individual's own personal property…
Adult children have historically expected to inherit from their parents while in their 40s or 50s, yet now many aren’t doing so until their 70s or even 80s, as their parents live into their 90s or beyond. When should you expect to receive your inheritance? According to the Social Security…
The end of the year is a great time to consider making a contribution to a cause that is meaningful to you. Along with potential tax benefits, there is the enjoyment that comes from making a positive difference and helping the organization of your choice. Is the holiday spirit prompting…
Taken all together, these steps might seem overwhelming. But if you do one task each day, you can really change your financial life by year-end. Is it too late in the year to get your finances ironed out? Fortunately, a recent article from kjrh.com, titled “7 financial steps to take…