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Over the last few weeks, world financial markets have been roiled, with the bellwether S&P 500 index off 8% since late January. That's a rude shock to investors who had seen markets rise steadily for the last 22 months. We get asked about financial markets every day so we need to have an answer read...

You don't really get to vote when it comes to bonds - but there is an election that can save you money today. Bonds are purchased at a premium when the bond is purchased at a price in excess of its maturity value. For a taxable bond, the premium remains part of a taxpayer's basis in the bond until...

Sure everyone would if they could, but an increase in salary is not what I'm talking about here. What I'm suggesting is the most important thing you can do to build your retirement savings: give your retirement contributions a raise. Once you get in a 401(k) or 403(b) and establish your contribution...

With the Super Bowl quickly approaching, I decided to do a bit of research on just how successful companies are after forking up millions for a 30-second commercial spot. It turns out that the stock price of publicly traded firms that ran Super Bowl ads beat the S&P 500 performance in 10 of the last...

We have covered the first question for plan participants: How much? How much should you contribute, how much will keep you comfortable in retirement, how much can you afford today? If you decide what you can afford and that's your contribution, it's a perfectly reasonable approach (but don't forget...

This week's spot features client Maria Milella expressing her appreciation for the communication she shares with investment consultant Bob Kravetz. [wpvideo mLhjB0Z6] Frequent and open communication between you and your financial advisor is critical. If you're not sharing information about you...

Larger federal income tax bills may be coming for higher-income Americans, if the President has his way. Individuals making $200,000 and up and couples making $250,000 or more a year will see their taxes increase in 2011, unless Congress votes to keep the George W. Bush-era cuts in place. This would...

We are smack in the middle of corporate earnings season for the 4th quarter of 2009. Two groups might be a bit surprised by the numbers that have been coming out: sideline observers who have been watching the US stock market nervously, wondering why it has been going nearly straight up for the last...

Most of us realize that setting money aside for retirement is important. Often times the toughest part of saving is getting started. How much do I have to put in? How will this affect my checkbook? Where should I invest my savings? Too many questions can lead to "I think I'll just worry about it lat...

When a bond is acquired at a discount to the face value, there are different kinds of discounts and differing tax treatments. The tax reporting is often misunderstood, which could cost you money in additional taxes and/or penalties. The gain at maturity or sale of a market discount bond is ordinary...