Blog

My daughter's home from college for the holidays but unfortunately the Vassar bursar's office doesn't extend the same break to me when it comes to paying tuition! However, the American Opportunity Credit (which was introduced as part of the stimulus package) has replaced the previously-offered Hope...

If your investment portfolio consists of only equities, you may want to diversify. Stocks and other equity securities are an important part of your investment mix, but you may also want to consider some fixed income investments like municipal bonds. These will not only provide you with federal- and,...

It is probably fair to say we've moved beyond the bear market. With the benefit of hindsight, it is common sense to ask: would we have done anything differently? For my part, it's difficult to say with any conviction that I would have. I bought stocks for clients that I thought were strong but prove...

It's that time of year again where families get together to enjoy each other's company, exchange gifts and eat too much. But often times after the last cookie is gone and the gifts are all unwrapped we find ourselves searching for the next conversation piece. Here is one suggestion: Consider taking...

It seems to me that the average taxpayer will be paying a sizable increase in federal taxes to prevent higher cost for health insurance. The Senate's passage on Christmas eve of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act sets the stage for the next difficult hurdle in passage of comprehensive h...

Just four business days left in 2009: four days in which to book any gains or losses, four days for tax payments to get postmarked, four days for certain car buyers to get a tax break. The week between Christmas and New Years Day is often considered a "slow" week in many fields - a great week to enj...

The day before Christmas has brought us a modest "Santa Claus Rally" in the form of the Dow Jones Industrial Average closing up 54 points and hitting an inter-day high for the year. A pleasant place to be when contrasted with the same time last year: 2000 points below where we are today and facing...

Here's a little advice for Tiger Woods in case he finds himself unexpectedly single... While the emotional element of losing a spouse is the first and hardest blow, an important next step is looking towards the future and assessing your financial situation. As a single person for the first time in...

If their only income is earned income (wages) and exceeds $5,700 a tax return is required. Although, if they earn less and have taxes withheld, a tax return would be required to claim a refund. If their only income is un-earned income (investment income) and exceeds $950 a tax return is required...

2008 was not a good year for the market. Typically it is colder during the winter than in the summer. Ok - now that I'm done stating the obvious, what can we do about it? (Buy a coat?...No, not about that; about the market!) 2009 was a year of rebounding that saw the Dow Jones Industrial average cli...