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Articles from Bill Losey | Selfgrowth.com
- ***Obamacare - Separating Facts From Myths - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2010 from Bill LoseyConfusing doesn’t even begin to describe it. Throughout the very long debate over health care reform, a great deal of misinformation (spurred by presumption or misunderstanding) was circulating. Additionally, many changes and alterations to the proposed law were made along the way. At this ...
Views: 4744(17 votes) - ***Your Retirement Portfolio: The Potential Of The BRIC Nations - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2010 from Bill LoseyBrazil. Russia. India. China. These four nations have some of the fastest-growing economies on earth and are becoming drivers in the world economy. In the coming decades, they may command as much attention as the U.S., Japan and other “heavy hitters” … or more. The future aside, we know one ...
Views: 2946(34 votes) - ***Bill Losey: How To Find A Trusted Financial Advisor - by Submitted on Mar 15, 2010 from Bill LoseyQuestion: My husband and I have made the decision to start working with a financial planner this year. The problem is there are so many to choose from. How do I know who I can trust and who is a good fit for me? Sally, NY Answer: Sally, the term “financial advisor” is a very broad term so ...
Views: 2935(4 votes) - ***The 2 Biggest Retirement Misconceptions - by Submitted on May 27, 2010 from Bill LoseyWe’ve all heard about the “new retirement”, the mix of work and play that many of us assume we will have in our lives one day. We do not expect “retirement” to be all leisure. While this is becoming a cultural assumption among baby boomers, it is interesting to see that certain financial ...
Views: 2490(3 votes) - ***Your Stock Market Correction Protection Plan - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2010 from Bill LoseyQuestion: This stock market is nuts! How am I supposed to protect my IRA and 401k from losing money when I’ve only got three years until I retire? Bonnie, Ohio Answer: A few years before retiring, if possible, you should begin to accumulate an amount of money that's equivalent to 2-5 ...
Views: 2324(16 votes) - ***Retirement Resolutions for Your 20's, 30's & 40's - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2010 from Bill LoseyQuestion: In a recent post you had strategies for strengthening your retirement picture for people in their 50’s and 60’s. What about those of us in our 20’s to 40’s? Maxine, Tenafly, NJ Answer: Maxine, I didn’t mean to leave you and the other youngsters out. Here’s a checklist to get you ...
Views: 2281(3 votes) - ***5 Retirement Planning Blunders - by Submitted on Mar 05, 2010 from Bill LoseyRetiring from ones job can be a stressful time but it doesn’t have to be. Realize that it’s natural to be nervous, anxious and/or confused when you’re going through a major life change. Your decision to retire is causing you to step outside your comfort zone and is forcing you to make many new ...
Views: 2234(21 votes) - ***To Roth or Not to Roth? - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2010 from Bill LoseyThat is the question being contemplated by millions of American’s and their tax preparers. In case you haven’t heard, beginning January 1, 2010, any investor may convert their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Unlike prior years where where there were income limitations, no IRS income limits will ...
Views: 2056(3 votes) - ***What's In Your Retirement Investment Portfolio? - by Submitted on Feb 12, 2010 from Bill LoseyThe stock market is unsettled … and perhaps its fluctuations are unsettling you. It’s a stressful time for the economy and Wall Street, and you may be concerned about your portfolio given what’s going on with oil prices, the real estate market, and rising unemployment figures. It may be a good ...
Views: 2019(2 votes) - *** Pre-Retirement 401k & Asset Allocation Advice - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I plan on retiring in 15 years (at age 60) and currently have 85% of my money in stocks. I’ve been maxing out my 401(K) since I was 21, and in the last year, I have seen some frightening drops in my funds. Should I be making any kind of changes to prevent more losses? Larry, Texas ...
Views: 1978(18 votes) - Pre-Retirement Planning Advice to Create Predictable Income - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2009 from Bill LoseyEditor's Note: The following is an excerpt from Retire in a Weekend! The Baby Boomers’ Guide to Making Work Optional. Catch a sneak peek of the authors DVD, The 10 Biggest Mistakes People Make When Retiring & How YOU Can Avoid Them at www.RetireinaWeekend.com. Creating a steady stream of ...
Views: 1726(21 votes) - ***Losey: Tax Alert - Plan to Take Advantage of 2010 - by Submitted on Dec 21, 2009 from Bill LoseyDo you see a warning light flashing? Americans with high net worth and high incomes are preparing for the likelihood of higher taxes in 2011 and subsequent years. High earners are almost certainly going to take the hit if the EGTRRA and JGTRRA cuts fade away at the end of 2010. Here’s a summary ...
Views: 1693(25 votes) - ***Retirement Resolutions for Your 50's & 60's - by Submitted on Jan 04, 2010 from Bill LoseyQuestion: My husband and I (age 62 and 57) want to make some resolutions to sure up our retirement picture in 2010. Any thoughts you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Bea, Stamford, CT Answer: Bea, here’s a checklist to get you on track in 2010! 1. If you haven’t maxed out ...
Views: 1667(3 votes) - The Social Security Dilemma - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2007 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I’m 62 and still working. Is it better to take Social Security now or should I wait? Answer: It depends on a lot of factors. Social Security retirement benefits usually begin at full retirement age (FRA), which is currently age 65. For those born after 1937, FRA will be gradually ...
Views: 1614 - ***How Long Will My Portfolio Last? - by Submitted on Oct 09, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: If one has a properly diversified investment portfolio, what percentage do you feel is safe to plan on withdrawing annually so that my account value never decreases? Susan, New Jersey Answer: Susan, as long as you limit your withdrawals to the amount of interest, dividends and ...
Views: 1606(2 votes) - ***6 Steps To Get Out Of Debt - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2009 from Bill LoseyEvery day, people draw on money they don’t actually have – via credit cards, payday loans, home equity lines of credit, and even their 401(k)s. Many of them end up making minimum payments on these high-interest loans – a sure way to stay indebted forever. If this is your situation, you may be ...
Views: 1597(6 votes) - How Long Will It Take To Double Your Money? - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2007 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I just inherited $50,000. If I put it in a bank CD, how many years will it take before it’s worth $100,000? Answer: 14.4 years – assuming your interest rate is 5%. In the financial planning world there is something called the “Rule of 72”. It’s a very simple way to compute and ...
Views: 1573 - ***Questioning Work & Retirement - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I’m 55 and not really happy with my job any more. I’d like to retire but I’m not sure I have enough money. What should I do? Liz, New York Answer: Liz, realize that you’re not alone. Many baby boomers are tired and burnt, and no longer want to wake up to their alarm clock come ...
Views: 1560(25 votes) - *** 5 Retirement Investing Tips - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2009 from Bill LoseyEach time we have a bad market, the media pundits starts saying “it’s different this time” and we all buy into it. The reality is they’re partly right because the circumstances surrounding each drop are rarely the same. However, I attended a conference and was shown how in each of the last 12 ...
Views: 1537 - ***What's The Best Way To Invest For Retirement? - by Submitted on Jun 15, 2009 from Bill LoseyIf you talk with 10 different advisors, they’ll all have their own opinion as to what the best way to invest for retirement is. Some prefer actively managed investments. Some prefer passively managed investments. Some like to trade daily while other advisors like me prefer a combination of ...
Views: 1505 - ***My 401k Match Got Suspended! - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: My company recently sent out a memo saying they were going to suspend their matching 401k contributions for the rest of 2009 and maybe 2010 as well. This could dramatically affect my ability to retire. Are they allowed to do this? Christine, New York, NY Answer: Christine, each ...
Views: 1499(3 votes) - ***Retirement & Your Asset Allocation - by Submitted on Nov 23, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I’m getting closer to retiring and everything I read says I should get more defensive in my portfolio. Does this make sense for me? Answer: It depends. How is your portfolio allocated now? Do you own mostly stocks or do you have a lot of money in bonds and CDs? What’s your ...
Views: 1470(4 votes) - *** The Phased Retirement Alternative - by Submitted on Jul 27, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I’m turning 60 next year. While I don’t want to continue working full-time anymore, I don’t have the desire (or nest egg) to retire completely. What do you suggest? Doris, PA Answer: Doris, how about a phased retirement? Instead of working 40 hours per week, talk with your ...
Views: 1465(22 votes) - ***Saving for Retirement on a Budget - by Submitted on Jul 24, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: As a self-employed empty nester, what advice can you give to starting our retirement nest egg at this late date? My husband and I are both in our early 50’s. We would like something simple that we can contribute small ($50) amounts to at a time. Joy, PA Answer: Joy, I did some ...
Views: 1431(2 votes) - ***4 Pre-Retirement Requirements For Investing Your Money - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: What are some things I should keep in mind if I want to reach the goal of retirement within three years? Thanks in advance for your response. Lorri, MA Answer: Lorri, whether your goal is retirement in 3 years, a new car in 5 years, or college education in eighteen years, in order ...
Views: 1407(1 vote) - ***Understanding Annuities - by Submitted on Jun 01, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: I’m trying to decide if an annuity is right for me but I’m confused by all the different types. Can you explain the differences? Geraldine, NJ Answer: Sure Geraldine. An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. Your money grows tax-deferred inside an annuity ...
Views: 1403 - *** Are the Markets & My 401(k) Heading for Another Freefall? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2009 from Bill LoseyDear Bill: I’m 60 years old, divorced, and was forced into early retirement two weeks ago. My 401(k) is still down 25% from its all-time high and I’m real nervous. Now that I don’t have a paycheck and since I won’t become eligible for Social Security for two more years, I have to live on ...
Views: 1397(2 votes) - ***5 Rules to Saving For Retirement - by Submitted on Oct 09, 2009 from Bill LoseyThe Automatic Rule Start saving money today. Even if it’s only a buck or two each pay period, savings is a habit you must start and stick with for the rest of your life. To improve your chance of savings success, automate the process. Have money withdrawn automatically from your paycheck or ...
Views: 1369(1 vote) - *** Protecting Your IRA Before Retirement - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2009 from Bill LoseyQuestion: This stock market is nuts! How am I supposed to protect my IRA from losing money when I’ve only got three years until I retire? Joan, NY Answer: Joan, as I mentioned in my last post, a few years before retiring you should begin to accumulate an amount of money that's equivalent to ...
Views: 1299(4 votes) - Do I Need $1 Million To Retire Comfortably? - by Submitted on Sep 28, 2007 from Bill LoseyQuestion: Do I need $1 million to retire comfortably? Answer: Imagine a world free of alarm clocks, bosses, long commutes, office politics and limited vacation time. Wouldn’t it be nice to call the shots, spend more time with your family and friends, doing only those things that you’re ...
Views: 1299 - ***5 Retirement Planning Blunders - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2009 from Bill LoseyRetiring from ones employment can be a stressful time but it doesn’t have to be. Realize that it’s natural to be nervous, anxious and/or confused when you’re going through a major life change. Your decision to retire is causing you to step outside your comfort zone and is forcing you to make ...
Views: 1203(3 votes)