2012-02-02

While credit and debit card fraud is not new, it still is a good idea to review the following tips provided by Mike Urban, senior director of fraud management solutions at FICO (the company that created the FICO credit score).

2012-02-01

The costs of health care continue to escalate annually. The average lifespan continues to lengthen as well. These are undeniable facts that give good reason to pause and consider what that might mean to you and your financial wellbeing. Will you be able to afford your healthcare needs in the future? Will a significant portion of your retirement years be spent in the care of others? What implications might there be for your family? Should you consider insuring yourself against that uncertainty? ...

2012-01-26

Roberta Taylor and Dori Mintzer have written a book, called "The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle". The authors’ goal is to help retiring couples determine what they should be talking about before they actually retire. In the book, the authors provide a simple assessment to help couples determine if they are in sync in their retirement readiness.

2012-01-22

I recently shared a fun exchange with an investor seeking a second opinion on his investment portfolio. Like many investors today, he was fond of the benefits provided by a guaranteed investment. He did not have to worry about declines in the stock market. However, as we continued to discuss his goals he described his fear of running out of money. His wife’s family had ancestors who lived well into their 90s. He recognized his portfolio may need to create income for over 25 years.

2012-01-19

Adam Larson, a member of Savant's Investment Advisory team, gives the monthly update for December 2011.

2012-01-18

Normally, investors buy bonds for income, and don't expect to get a whole lot of growth from that part of their portfolio. And they buy stocks primarily for their growth potential. Right?

2012-01-13

Many people, including myself, find that the best time to start anything is at the beginning of some specific time period. For instance, every January 1st a slew of individuals start getting into shape. Why not start on December 27th? I am sure there are some psychological studies looking into this phenomenon. Perhaps I will research this, but if I do, it would be best if I waited until February 1st.

2012-01-10

After finishing up year-end planning for clients, it still amazes me how many families have not prepared a last will and testament. For some reason this seems to be very hard. Many people die each year without having prepared a will, possibly because they do not wish to think about death. They may also be worried about causing problems with family members.

2012-01-09

If you have already read Part I and Part II of the Cost Basis Reporting three-part series, you know about the new cost basis rules, the three phases taking effect starting this past January 1, 2011 and continuing through January 1, 2013, and the new look of Form 1099 provided by the custodian where the investments are held. If you have not read Part Ior Part II, feel free to read them now.

2011-12-30

It is never too early for a married couple to plan for the inevitable; someday one spouse may be forced to handle the finances alone. As you wrap up 2011 and prepare for 2012, it might be a good time to prepare a central document file and discuss important financial issues with your spouse. Preparing a central document file might be as simple as opening a filing cabinet or it may entail gathering documents from several different locations. Some of the documents to include in the central file ar...

2011-12-22

In today’s technology age, people are concerned with how their information and data are shared. Given security breaches at reputable companies, their concern is understandable. While identity theft usually receives the most attention, there is another privacy concern that is consistently raised by clients. They are afraid people in their community will discover their financial resources. As a result, clients may not fully disclose their finances with their entire professional team. As a planne...

2011-12-19

Wendy Blair, financial advisor in Savant’s Freeport office, gives a top ten list for year end tax planning.

2011-12-16

Though the evidence has been overwhelmingly consistent over time, much of the mainstream media covering the financial markets continues to express shock at the idea that active management of mutual funds typically underperforms a passive indexing strategy. Given active management’s actual track record, the underperformance shouldn’t come as such a shock.

2011-12-09

It’s getting to be the time of year when people are thinking about adding to their IRA (Individual Retirement Account). This usually occurs around the end of the year up to the income tax filing date the following year (the norm is April 15th). Right now the rules say you can put in up to $5,000 (you can add another $1,000 if over age 50) if you have income, that income isn’t too high, and you are not doing this in addition to adding this on top of a 401k addition.

2011-12-06

Gina Beall, a member of Savant's Investment Advisory team, gives the monthly update for November 2011