Posted on March 20, 2009 by laurawesthoff
On Wednesday (3/18) the Federal Reserve announced plans to buy $300 billion in Treasuries and another $750 billion in mortgage-backed securities. It also left the benchmark interest unchanged at between 0% and 0.25%.1
What does this mean for homeowners? Already, people are talking about the potential “honeymoon effect” of the Fed’s move. As an effect of [...]
Filed under: Consumerism, Personal Finance | Tagged: homeowner, interest, refi | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 18, 2009 by laurawesthoff
You may be tempted to do it – but do you really want to?
While you might be able to borrow from a 401(k), that doesn’t mean you should. Yes, we are in a recession. Yes, times are tough. But borrowing from your 401(k) could prove highly detrimental to your financial health.
Some 401(k) [...]
Filed under: Consumerism, Financial Education, Personal Finance | Tagged: 401k, borrowing, contributions, interest, loan, retirement, vested | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 11, 2009 by laurawesthoff
Will you be participating in the wearin’ of the green?
Do you think of GREEN when you think of this Holiday? Did you know that originally the color of St. Patrick’s Day was not green, but BLUE? Green became Ireland’s national color in the 19th century, and then became associated with the Holiday.
[...]
Filed under: Inside Wealth Strong | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 10, 2009 by laurawesthoff
Think seriously about exploring this terrific career.
It’s a great time to be a financial adviser. Repeat: It’s a great time to be a financial adviser. Even in a bear market, the financial services industry is calling to men and women from all walks of life – from recent college graduates in business [...]
Filed under: Consumerism, Financial Education, Personal Finance, Tools | Tagged: career, CFA, income, money magazine, salary.com | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 9, 2009 by laurawesthoff
Ways that life insurance and annuity owners can learn about risks.
Read this if you own an annuity or life insurance policy. Read this even if you don’t, because you need to know about the ways you can check up on an insurance company’s rating.
Have insurance companies been exempt from federal bailouts and [...]
Filed under: Consumerism, Financial Education | Tagged: bailouts, comdex rankings, credit rating, fdic, insurance | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 6, 2009 by laurawesthoff
How filling out Form SSA-521 could help you put more money in your mailbox.
A couple of years ago, Boston University economics professor Laurence Kotlikoff publicized a mindblowing discovery: retirees could dramatically increase their Social Security checks by reapplying for Social Security benefits.
It was entirely legal; it was an opportunity that [...]
Filed under: Financial Education, Personal Finance | Tagged: checks, income, retirees, social security | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 5, 2009 by laurawesthoff
Are you a responsible representative of your community and will you teach your children to be the same?
Unfortunately, research indicates that 43% of parents and caregivers have discussed the importance of prioritizing needs vs. wants with their kids.
42% haven’t taken any steps at all to talk financial basics with their children.
Many parents incorrectly assume that [...]
Filed under: *Financial Coaching, Financial Education, Personal Finance, Tools | Tagged: CFC, education, financial basics, kids, money management, young people | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 3, 2009 by laurawesthoff
On February 17, President Obama signed the 1,071-page American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) into law.
Some of the things within the Stimulus Plan are:
· $116 billion in refundable tax credits towards individuals and families
· $14 billion to broaden the child tax credit
· $13.9 billion toward education tax credits
· $6.3 billion to assist homebuyers
· $23 [...]
Filed under: Consumerism, Economic Updates | Tagged: child tax, education, health and science funding, homebuyer, jobless, medicaid, poll, social security, stimulus plan, tax credit | Leave a Comment »
Posted on March 2, 2009 by laurawesthoff
If you haven’t seen this video for a while (or ever) it will touch your heart again.
This is a true story and if you see it with new eyes, you will see and hear many of the components of coaching.
>Spaciousness
>Taking action
>Facing adversity
>Empowerment
>Making a difference in the world!
So the question is, what is your TRUE story?
[...]
Filed under: *Financial Coaching, Consumerism, Inside Wealth Strong, Tools | Leave a Comment »