Plan
You want tomorrow to be even better than today—and to get there, you need a plan. Once you put numbers to your dreams, they start to materialize. Almost like magic.
Articles
College Smarts Without the Elite Price Tag
Bad news: Nearly 25% of parents plan to use their own retirement savings to pay for college, according to a study released last week. Cashing out retirement funds early, even for education, is a big no-no. The tax bite, never mind the lost... ➡
A DIY Will You Can Live With
Do you need a will? It depends. If your "estate" is comprised of IKEA collectibles, probably not. The real reason to get a will is to make sure that, in the event of your untimely death, that your spouse and children are cared for, and your... ➡
Back2School: 18 Years to Save
We don’t want you stuck paying full freight for college in 10 or 15 years, so let’s explore that 529, shall we? You may not know that... There are two types of 529 plans: a pre-paid tuition plan and 529 savings plan. The pre-paid is what it... ➡
Going Back to School—Worth It or Not?
You've been toying with the idea for years: To go back to school and do what you REALLY want. We asked over a dozen people who made that leap to tell us: Was it worth the time and money? Overall, the answer was a resounding yes. Yet most people... ➡
Tax-Saving Secrets of the Self-Employed
Nickels, dimes, quarters If you're self-employed, the not-quite quarterly tax payment deadlines can be a pain (Jan. 15, April 15, June 15, Sept. 15, what?). You need a surefire system to keep your tax savings on track—so you don't end up owing... ➡
What's the Difference Between Term and Permanent Life Insurance?
Plan D You shudder to think about dying. But imagine if you died suddenly—and left your family with no financial cushion? "That's why life insurance should be at the top of your To Do list—but it isn't, because it makes you think about things... ➡
Tax Refund Allocation Dilemma
Meet TRAD What is TRAD? TRAD is the Tax Refund Allocation Dilemma, and it's a hazard this time of year. Here's one reader's puzzle: Q: I'm getting about $1,200 back for my tax refund. There are three things that I would like to do. What is the... ➡
The Save-to-Spend Budget
If you'd like to become an avid saver, and/or if you scored in the lower range on our budget quiz, try this Save-to-Spend plan. While most budgets are designed to control spending, this one is designed to expand your saving. And... ➡
