Articles

by Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company

When is the last time you talked about your insurance plan with your family? If you’re assuming that you should just take care of it yourself and avoid the conversation, think again.

It can be hard to talk about what life would be like for your family if something happened to you. But it would be even harder for them if they were left in the dark about the details of your insurance coverage.

Okay, so you’re willing to go there. But how on earth do you broach the subject?

by Midland National

Retirement should be a time for rest and relaxation. But retiring isn’t always that simple. There are some costs you might not expect. Here are some expenses you might want to look out for when you are planning for retirement.

Overlooked health care costs

The average couple who retires at age 65 will need around $285,0001 to cover healthcare expenses. Unfortunately, many retirees don’t plan for the amount of care they’ll need to cover the costs of their health care in retirement. They may also fail to consider certain costs like dental work and vision issues.

Retirees may also not consider ways to cover these costs beyond traditional retirement income. There are a few options out there that can help with this. Life insurance offers accelerated death benefits2, for example, that can provide access to a portion of a policy’s death benefit during your lifetime.

Another option is a fixed index annuity, which can help create a foundation of conservative growth potential and a guaranteed stream of income payments for as long as you live.

by Megan Henney
Fox Business

The top source of financial stress for Americans is saving enough for a comfortable retirement -- a fear exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a study published on Tuesday.

A nationwide survey by Charles Schwab of 1,000 currently employed 401(k) participants found that on average, respondents believe they need to save $1.9 million for retirement, a 12% increase compared to 2019.

Retirement Optimism Has Hit a 7-Year Low, Survey Says

The average differs slightly by generation: Millennials and Gen X believe they need at least $2 million to retire comfortably, while baby boomers put the number around $1.6 million.

But many believe their retirement goals are out of reach. Only 37% think they are "very likely" to achieve their goals, 49% say they are "somewhat likely" and 14% say it is "not likely" they will achieve their goals at all.

One in five, or 21%, said they expect to retire later than originally planned because of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

by Dhara Singh

If you don’t use your employer’s 401(k), you’re committing one of the worst retirement mistakes possible, according to Cameron McCarty, president of Vivid Tax Advisory Services.

“What I want viewers and our clients to do is to contribute as much as they can,” McCarty told Yahoo Finance recently.

The days of pension plans are fizzling out. Instead, workers are offered 401(k)s — employer-sponsored retirement plans that allow employees to contribute a portion of their paycheck before taxes to retirement savings. These contributions are invested and, over time, grow into a nest egg you can tap when you retire.

To nudge workers, a third of employers auto-enroll their employees into a 401(k) plan, a two-fold increase from a decade ago, according to a recent analysis from Fidelity Investments.

by Motley Fool

What's your ideal retirement age?

SHOULD YOU RETIRE IN 2020?

There's no quick way to answer that, unfortunately. Whether you can't wait to eliminate work stress from your life or you never want to leave your post at the office, it's important to look past your job satisfaction when determining a time for your retirement. Doing so minimizes the chances you'll end up back on the job market in your 70s or wishing you'd left more time for yourself to work on your bucket list.

When choosing a time that's right for you, there are four factors to consider as you determine your ideal retirement age.

Running short of money is the biggest fear of many retirees. Unfortunately, it can happen sooner than you think. In fact, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, only 51% of retirees who left work between 1992 and 2014 had enough income to maintain the same spending level for five consecutive years.

Sadly, for those retirees who ran short after just half a decade, big spending cuts quickly became necessary. In fact, those who couldn't continue to spend at the same level ended up reducing their expenses by 28% by their sixth year of retirement compared to their expenditures in year one.

Having to reduce your outflows by more than one-fourth so soon after leaving work can have a major impact on your quality of life. The good news is that there are two key things you can do if you're still working or newly retired so you can make sure this doesn't happen to you.

by Laura McMullen

“I feel like such an idiot.” It’s something I’ve said more than once as I crumble in the face of a money mistake.

I recently called myself the i-word as I revealed to my husband that I hadn’t checked my cash flow in a few months or contributed to my Roth IRA for 2019, even though he assumed I had.

But calling myself a mean name didn’t fix anything. Facing the problem head-on was far more productive. Here’s how experts recommend recovering from money mistakes without being a jerk to yourself.

by Ande Frazier

I don’t know about you, but after weeks of being sheltered in my home, I am beginning to get a little stir crazy. Even as some parts of our country are getting back to normal, whatever that happens to be, there is a likelihood that this time has altered the way in which we do things. As I began to reflect on what positive benefits I am appreciating during this time, I had to make a decision. I could play victim to the circumstances, or choose to look at what lessons I am learning by living through a pandemic.

If you are self-employed or have additional sources of income outside of your regular job, you may fall into the category of Americans who are required to file their federal taxes not just once a year in April, but four times annually. While no one likes having to pay estimated taxes to the IRS, you can make the process easier by setting aside money regularly and keeping detailed records.

Have you ever wondered how you would manage financially if you were to sustain an injury or illness that left you unable to work? How long could you maintain your standard of living, pay your bills, and cover your daily expenses? The likelihood of such an event may be greater than you think. According to the Council for Disability Awareness (2013), Americans underestimate their chances of experiencing a long-term disability: 64% of working Americans believe they have a 2% or less chance of being disabled for 3 months or more during their working years; however, the reality is that the odds of experiencing a long-term disability are about 25%.

When you begin to create an employee benefit plan, you may want to start with a few core benefits, including life insurance, health insurance, and a retirement plan. These benefits form a base from which your company’s benefit plan can grow and evolve in the future. Every year or two, it may be wise to consider the addition of a new benefit to the plan, such as dental insurance or disability income insurance. Rather than bearing the entire burden of cost, you can contribute a portion of the cost, with your employees paying the balance.

To help manage your personal finances, you can now purchase computer software that will balance your checkbook, figure out your budget, track your investments, and even help take the sting out of filing your income tax return. Even with the best apps available, you still have to take the initiative to create a strategy that will meet your needs while reducing the stress that goes along with financial planning.

Estate planning often involves a team consisting of an attorney, a financial professional, an insurance professional, and yourself. However, whether you are establishing a new estate plan or revising an existing one, only you can provide the guidance, direction, and information your estate planning team needs to develop an effective plan.

Profit-sharing plans have long been popular with employees because of the opportunity they provide to share in the profitability of a growing firm. Many business owners look beyond shared profitability to shared ownership through employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).

While consumers affect the economy by spending according to their own situation and financial pressures, Federal policy decisions also influence the economy. Fiscal policy, enacted by Congress, uses taxation and legislation to boost employment, stabilize prices, and stimulate economic growth. In contrast, monetary policy, which is controlled by the Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed), manipulates short-term interest rates in an effort to spur growth or control inflation.

Regardless of which phase of the business life-cycle you’re in, you can get SMART about setting goals to motivate yourself, move forward to grow your business, and track your success.

Did you know that a free, Federal income tax preparation and electronic filing program called Free File is available to U. S. taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of $69,000 or less?

Keeping thorough and accurate financial records is one of the less exciting tasks that business owners face, but it is a necessary one. In addition to enabling you to monitor the progress of your business and make informed decisions on a daily basis, keeping good accounting records is essential when it comes time to prepare your tax returns. While the smallest businesses may be able to get by with the “shoebox method,” having in place a reliable and comprehensive financial recordkeeping system is crucial if you want your business to grow.

Even if you expect to cover your child’s college costs through sources other than Federal aid, it usually worthwhile to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition to determining your family’s eligibility for Federal assistance, the FAFSA is the primary qualifying form used by many college, state, local, and private financial assistance programs.

For most people, a child’s college education is the second most expensive purchase (after that of a home) they will ever make. For parents and grandparents who wish to estimate the cost of a college education, the following tables can facilitate an educated guess.

If you are like most entrepreneurs, you don’t expect the business you worked so hard to establish to falter when you are no longer here to run it. But sometimes, when business owners die without leaving wills or estate plans, the business must be liquidated to pay the tax liability, or the company collapses because family members have not been sufficiently prepared to take over operations. If you own a family business, you may want to consider taking steps now to help ensure this valuable asset will remain intact for your children, grandchildren, and others.

If you are like most people, wills, trusts, life insurance, disability income insurance, and advance directives are topics you would just as soon avoid. Yet, timely planning is necessary to preserve the assets you have worked so hard to accumulate and to protect your loved ones. Here are some important steps you can take now to help ease your family’s emotional and financial burden in the event of your death:

Getting approval for a loan can sometimes depend on, for example, a lender asking a borrower, “How will this loan be repaid in the event of your death?” Your answer may be to assign your life insurance policy, a useful feature that can help provide necessary security for a lender.

Growth or value—what’s your style? Growth investors look for stocks that will grow at a high rate for a relatively short period of time or mutual funds that focus on growth stock. Value investors look for stocks that are currently undervalued and are expected to increase to their true value over a longer time horizon or mutual funds that focus on value stock.

Contrary to what you may think, split-dollar life insurance is not an insurance policy, at least not in the classic sense. It is a type of arrangement that allows two parties, typically an employer and an employee, to split life insurance protection costs and benefits. The premium payments, rights of ownership, and proceeds payable on the death of the insured are often split between the company and a key employee. In many situations, however, the employer pays all or a greater part of the premiums in exchange for an interest in the policy’s cash value and death benefit. Cash values accumulate, providing repayment security for the employer, who is paying the majority of the premium. In this scenario, business owners have the opportunity to provide an executive with life insurance benefits at a low cost. Another option for companies to consider is to use split-dollar policies in place of insurance-funded nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now than in the past? Often, what are considered old-fashioned practices, such as performing periodic financial reviews, can lead to greater success in the long run. Why not spend a few hours reviewing your finances? The changes you make today could result in increased savings.

Whether you have substantial resources or live close to your means, a budget may be an effective foundation for a savings program. It can help you monitor your personal and household expenditures, potentially freeing up income that can be redirected toward savings. Consider the following:

One extracurricular activity that every student can master while in college is personal money management. Typically, a student’s daily spending is done on an improvised basis, meaning that overspending is often the norm rather than the exception.

Are you about to enter another era: retirement? Are you ready to redefine the “golden years?” Forget about endless days of leisure. Many retirees these days seek adventure, travel, and new business pursuits. While these changes may redefine retirement, will you be able to finance your plans? Today, many people age 50 and older have not begun to save for retirement or have yet to accumulate sufficient funds.

For many of us, the cost of living has risen faster than our income has. In some cases, consumption has increased, as well. If you are looking for ways to control both rising expenses and increasing consumption, here are some timely suggestions.

You’re an entrepreneur and you’re not looking back. You’ve opened your own business, whether alone or with partners, and you’ve achieved success. Now you’re thinking about retirement, not just for you, but also for your employees. Offering a retirement plan can help your business attract and retain employees, while making it easier for you to save for your own retirement. Here are some of the options available to business owners:

It may be better to give than to receive, but it may be even better to give and see your generosity rewarded. Charitable giving can play a valuable role in your financial and tax strategies. A well-planned gift to charity could provide an income tax deduction and a reduction of estate taxes. Your donation could also help you maintain financial security, exercise control over assets both during your lifetime and after death, as well as provide for your heirs in the manner you choose.

When Jennifer purchased her life insurance policy 10 years ago, she assumed that her life insurance planning was complete. She thought that if she just paid her premiums on time, she could sit back and not worry about life insurance any more. Jennifer’s policy has provided protection for herself and her family over the years. But letting her insurance program run on autopilot may not be the best route to take in the long run.

Even if your retirement is years away, it’s important to understand how inflation can affect your retirement savings. You probably know that inflation can depreciate your savings over time.

It makes sense to periodically review your financial strategy along the road to retirement to make sure you are taking advantage of all available tools and resources that may help build your retirement income. Your ability to save more now, before retirement, will provide you with a nest egg that will help support a comfortable retirement. You may want to consider five steps to stay on track toward reaching your retirement goals.

Sometimes in life, things don’t work out as planned. One of the most trying examples is when a couple decides they can’t make their marriage work and, subsequently, files for divorce. Divorce can take a significant financial and emotional toll on a couple, their children, and other family members. In the midst of immediate financial and legal concerns, couples also need to consider ways to help protect their individual financial futures and that of their children’s in the event of death. Life insurance may offer a solution.

If you have been fortunate enough to accumulate substantial assets during your lifetime, do you know that estate taxes could reduce the amount you will be able to pass on to your heirs? Federal estate tax rates can reach as high as 40% for estates greater than $11.58 million in 2020. Therefore, it is important to develop an estate planning strategy that helps reduce the impact of estate taxes. By making gifts of existing assets during your lifetime, you can help reduce the size of your estate and lessen your family’s future estate tax burden.

When planning the division of your assets, you may endorse the philosophy of “share and share alike” to avoid conflicts and complaints of favoritism. But does the idea of fairness equate with factors such as age, talents/skills, interests, needs, and degrees of material success? A more practical approach to the division of assets may be one in which you recognize and compensate for differences in the abilities and needs of your children, even at the risk of some disagreement.

Retirees have many options when choosing where to live. While climate, proximity to family, and the cost of housing will likely factor into the decision about where to retire, prospective retirees should also take into account the amount of taxes they will owe in the state and town where they have their primary residence.

When envisioning retirement, you may picture living in tropical climates, traveling and sightseeing at leisure, or doing whatever suits you on any given day. Regardless of your age or circumstance, it might surprise you to learn that a “lifestyle plan” is an important part of retirement planning.

Currently, there are two popular Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) vying for your attention: the traditional IRA and the Roth IRA. While both are long-term savings vehicles with tax benefits, each has different rules concerning contributions, age, and income that may change from one year to the next.

When contemplating retirement, you, like many other people today, may be counting on Social Security benefits to provide you with a basic level of income. The age at which you choose to retire is an important part of the equation. In addition, there are many other issues to consider when making that choice.

The sage advice that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, also applies to saving for your retirement. It’s up to you to take that first step. If you wait until you have “enough” money to begin saving, you may never start at all. Instead, focus on the first step. Then, you can begin transforming that thousand-mile journey to retirement into smaller, more manageable goals.

When weather forecasts are inaccurate, we can usually change our plans with little consequence in the greater scheme of things. When economic forecasts are inaccurate, however, the consequences may be more significant. While making financial decisions does involve some guesswork, an educated guess—even with elements of uncertainty—may be better than making a decision with no forecast at all.

As leasing continues to grow in popularity, many new car buyers wonder how the option of leasing compares to buying. Let’s look at a hypothetical couple, Peggy and Stan, who have always purchased their vehicles. After hearing friends and relatives tout the benefits of leasing, they now wonder whether it is better to lease or buy.

Is early retirement on your wish list? Do you envision a relaxing lifestyle in a warmer climate or the leisurely pursuit of a personal hobby? Unfortunately, retiring later than anticipated, rather than sooner, is becoming more and more commonplace. But some people are still managing to retire early. You may be asking yourself, “How do they do it?”

With the median net worth of American families showing signs of stagnation and traditional pension plans disappearing, even as the growing number of retirees places pressure on the Social Security system, workers who are currently trying to plan for retirement are facing an uphill battle, according to a report released by the Society of Actuaries Committee on Post Retirement Needs and Risks (CPRNR), the Urban Institute, and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

The Federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA) relaxed the rules governing employer investigations of employees accused of misconduct such as discrimination, sexual harassment, and workplace violence, etc. The passage of Dodd-Frank in 2010 shifted rulemaking for the protection of consumer data from the FTC to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). A business can hire an outside firm to investigate allegations of employee misconduct without receiving the accused employee’s written consent for the investigation. In addition, businesses are only required to provide a report when adverse action is taken and may withhold the names of interviewed sources.

If you are planning to hire a new employee, it is important to conduct proper and legal background checks to verify the information that the applicant has provided to ensure that he or she is the best fit for the position. There are many different types of background checks and various ways to obtain records. However, you are required at all times to abide by the laws that regulate background screening, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Waiting until just before April 15 to start thinking about your taxes may prove to be a costly mistake. Preparing a draft of your tax return before the end of the year will provide you with a more complete picture of what you are likely to owe, and it may leave you with enough time to reduce your tax liability by contributing to tax-advantaged savings accounts or qualifying for deductions. Advance tax planning is especially important if your circumstances have changed over the past year due to events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or the death of a family member.

Planning for certain contingencies, such as death, disability, or retirement, is a concern that affects all business owners. For family businesses, in particular, continuation planning is inevitably intertwined with business, tax, and estate planning. One succession tool that can help ensure a smooth transition is the buy-sell agreement. These multifaceted agreements serve many valuable purposes, such as establishing a sale price for business interests; valuing an estate for estate tax purposes; providing liquidity; and easing the transfer of ownership between partners, family members, or a third party.

Charitable contributions can be especially important to help support an organization or a cause that’s close to your heart. As an added benefit, you may be able to deduct a portion of your contributions on your Federal income tax return. However, as with all tax deductions, it’s important to keep accurate records of charitable donations in the event you one day need to substantiate such gifts. Therefore, be sure to obtain a receipt to confirm your charitable contribution.

As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, it may feel like there is little time to catch up on all of your financial responsibilities. Sometimes it may be easier to simply toss ATM receipts, credit card bills, and bank statements into the “junk drawer” to deal with later. But, later never seems to come. Is it time for you to put fiscal fitness at the top of your to-do list?

Because of the generous capital gains exclusion on selling a primary residence, you may find that you do not owe Federal taxes when it comes time to sell your home. But there are situations in which a seller may incur a tax liability, especially if the sale price is very high, if the house is sold soon after purchase, or if the owners are unmarried or are selling as the result of a divorce. In many of these cases, however, the amount owed to the IRS can be minimized, or offset, with some advance planning.

For many married couples, retirement planning has become not only a personal responsibility but a financial necessity. Since Americans are living longer, retirement funding may need to span several decades beyond the normal retirement age. When you consider the escalating costs of health care, the uncertainty of Social Security and Medicare, and the pace of inflation, it is more important than ever to explore tax-advantaged saving options that can fit into you and your spouse’s overall financial plan for retirement. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of a Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

In the language of life insurance, a beneficiary is the recipient of the proceeds of a policy when the named insured person dies. The owner of a life insurance policy has a great deal of flexibility in naming beneficiaries and can generally name anyone he or she chooses. However, it is important to understand the different types of designations and methods of distribution before choosing your beneficiaries.

When thinking about funding sources for your children’s college education, you may assume your family earns too much to qualify for Federal grants, loans, and work-study job assistance. However, families with higher incomes are frequently eligible to receive some form of financial aid from the Federal government.

It can be fairly easy to underestimate your net worth. After all, predicting the future value of your home and savings is merely hypothetical. On the other hand, you can rely on the fixed amount of the death benefit provided by your life insurance policy. However, adding this often significant sum to your asset pool could expose your estate to the Federal estate tax.

Determining your current life insurance needs is important, but your needs may change in the future. Projecting future coverage needs requires you to pay careful attention to inflation, as well as changes in your personal circumstances.

The IRS has been stepping up its efforts to ensure that Americans are accurately reporting the taxes they owe and is auditing a growing number of taxpayers, especially those with high incomes and complex financial arrangements. While all taxpayers are at risk of being audited, you may be more likely to attract the attention of the IRS if certain “red flags” appear on your return.

Housing costs have soared over the years. And, while owning your own home may still represent the American dream, many people are unsure at what point it becomes less expensive to buy than rent. There are four key elements in making that decision: 1) the cost of the home; 2) the amount of the down payment and other out-of-pocket expenses required; 3) the interest rate on the mortgage; and 4) your income tax bracket.

Vesting refers to an employee’s entitlement to funds contributed to a qualified, employer-sponsored retirement plan. An employee’s contributions—and any earnings on these contributions—are fully vested from his or her start in the plan. An employer’s matching contributions, on the other hand, may vest according to a schedule set by the employer, as specified in the plan document and following applicable regulations. Therefore, an employer can arrange his or her contributions to follow a vesting schedule that rewards loyalty by fully vesting plan participants after a specified number of years.

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve invested a great deal of time and effort into building your company. With day-to-day demands, it may be difficult to imagine your eventual transition into retirement. Yet, if you want to build personal financial security and ensure business continuation, it is important to plan ahead. Business succession planning can help create retirement income for a retiring business owner and facilitate the transfer of operations and/or ownership to family or another entity. A succession plan can also provide a strategy to handle unforeseen events, such as death or disability.

Many business owners have life insurance to help protect the financial well-being of their families in the event of their death. They also have property and casualty insurance to help cover the value of their personal belongings in the event of damage, fire, or theft. However, many business owners may overlook one of their most valuable assets, which is their ability to earn an income.

Whether you are moving to another employer because of a new opportunity or because you were laid off from your previous position, changing jobs can have major tax implications, both for the amount of taxes owed in the year you start a new position, and for your long-term retirement planning.

Whether you run a small, family-owned business or a large company, attracting and retaining key employees is challenging in today’s economy. Businesses often compete for skilled and talented employees in the same way they compete for a customer’s business. So, how can your business set itself apart with top performers?

When faced with the wide range of life insurance coverage available, you may wonder what type really fits your needs now and what coverage you should have in place for the future. A good first step is to understand basic whole life insurance coverage.

Small business owners inevitably juggle many competitive priorities. While it can be challenging to keep everything running smoothly, “dropping the ball” on cash flow can be a costly oversight. Effectively managing the money flowing in and out of your company is key to staying in business. As you plan for success, three basic steps can help you successfully manage your cash flow: tracking, analysis, and budgeting.

Using many years of experience and industry know-how to establish a business is a goal held by many would-be entrepreneurs. In fact, finding a location, formulating a business plan, and hanging the “Open” sign might be one of your long-cherished dreams. However, securing capital to begin operations can often be frustrating and difficult. But, there are a number of potential sources of financing to explore. Some entrepreneurs are able to secure bank loans or venture capital, while others may turn to family members or friends for financing.

While everyone’s situation is different, buying a home that you plan to live in for many years may still be one of the best investments you can make. An uncertain market should not necessarily deter prospective buyers, but rather prompt them to develop a more realistic perspective on homeownership.

Often, large public companies have teams of people dedicated to reporting organizational changes to the business community and credit rating agencies. Smaller private companies, however, must make more of an effort to ensure that their credit reports accurately reflect the current state of their businesses. They need to make certain that reports are free of errors or omissions that could damage their reputation or hinder access to loans or other forms of credit.

If you’re considering whether or not to buy your first home, it can be an exciting and time-consuming process. For many, the purchase of a home is the largest purchase they will ever make. Therefore, it’s not a decision to be taken lightly. If you feel that you will be better off financially as an owner instead of a renter, one important question remains: What mortgage amount could you afford?

Suppose you arrive at your company one morning and discover that a key employee died unexpectedly the night before. Have you ever considered how such a turn of events may affect your company? Along with losing a valued member of your team, you may also be losing knowledge, skill, and important professional relationships cultivated over many years.

Otherwise dedicated and productive employees can feel overwhelmed by domestic hardships, the death of a family member, mental or physical health issues, financial concerns, substance abuse, or severe work-related stress, which can interfere with their ability to perform effectively on the job. Therefore, a growing number of companies are adding employee assistance programs (EAPs) to their benefit packages to offer professional help. Compared with other types of benefits, EAPs may be relatively inexpensive.

For millions of Americans, “charity begins at home.” Many have decided to make a difference by donating money to local religious, educational, social, or cultural organizations. In addition to the immense satisfaction that comes from giving to others, charitable giving can provide tax benefits for the donor and his or her heirs when done as part of an overall estate plan.

It takes four years, on average, to graduate from most colleges and universities. During that time, students can accumulate a large amount of debt. For most, the degree is worth the burden of paying off student loans long after graduation. However, these questions remain: How should the debt be repaid? Are there any plans that can help make “payback” easier? What if a student can’t find a job right away?

Contributing to tax-advantaged retirement plans is one of the most effective financial planning strategies available to U.S. taxpayers: Saving money in a 401(k), IRA, or a Roth IRA account can trim your tax bill, while helping you prepare for the future. Even if you are already contributing to a retirement plan, you should review your retirement savings strategy regularly to ensure that you are making the most of the tax breaks you qualify for.

Television shows featuring auctions and appraisal fairs have ushered the art of appraising into the limelight with fascinating stories—an ancient artifact unknowingly passed down from generation to generation, a rare trinket picked up at a yard sale, or an historic relic found tucked away in the corner of the attic. While appraisals occasionally lead to surprising discoveries, they more often play a key role in developing financial strategies.

The highs and lows of the economy affect people and markets in a variety of ways. While some sectors may be thriving, others may be sluggish. One economic indicator used to gauge the state of the American economy is the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the rate of inflation in the United States.

Television shows featuring auctions and appraisal fairs have ushered the art of appraising into the limelight with fascinating stories—an ancient artifact unknowingly passed down from generation to generation, a rare trinket picked up at a yard sale, or an historic relic found tucked away in the corner of the attic. While appraisals occasionally lead to surprising discoveries, they more often play a key role in developing financial strategies.

When discussing bank accounts, investments, loans, and mortgages, it is important to understand the concept of interest rates. Interest is the price you pay for the temporary use of someone else’s funds; an interest rate is the percentage of a borrowed amount that is attributable to interest. Whether you are a lender, a borrower, or both, carefully consider how interest rates may affect your financial decisions.

Whether your estate plan is simple or complicated, many details can undermine the effectiveness of your plan. But, there are also ways to ensure the effectiveness of your plan. Here are 10 steps to help remedy or avoid some common estate planning mistakes.

Like many Americans, you may find yourself having to help cover the medical costs and caregiving expenses of an aging parent or other close relative. If you and your parent meet certain criteria set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), you may qualify for tax breaks that can ease the financial burden of paying for care, even if your parent does not live in your home.

Many Americans are considering moving abroad to take advantage of professional and personal opportunities in a global economy. But as a U.S. citizen living in a foreign country, your tax situation may become more complex, especially because the U.S. requires all of its citizens and green card holders living abroad to continue to file returns in the U.S., and pay taxes on their worldwide income. Depending on the source and level of your income, however, you may be entitled to a number of tax breaks, chiefly designed to keep you from being taxed doubly by your adopted country, as well as in the United States. Whether you actually come out ahead on taxes will depend on which country you work in and its tax rates, along with your individual financial and employment situations.

Arranging for the distribution of assets after death is not a task most people approach eagerly. It is, however, a necessary task. That’s where trusts can come into play. A trust, simply defined, is an arrangement whereby one person holds legal title to an asset and manages it for the benefit of another. For estate planning, trusts may be used in several ways.

Many people dream of turning their passionate pursuit into a money-making venture. Creating a successful and profitable business is seldom easy, but the Federal government offers tax incentives to business owners that could make converting an avocation into a business start-up an effective part of your overall tax planning strategy. If you are thinking about turning your hobby into a business, you would need to realistically appraise your chances of building a profitable enterprise before you declare yourself a business owner.

Owning property with another individual or partner may create a complicated relationship. Due to the complexity of the situation, the way in which you take title or ownership must be determined in advance. Consulting with your legal professional can help you establish the form of ownership in such a way that will benefit you and your future heirs. The four forms of co-ownership, one of which will likely be better suited to your circumstances, are as follows:

The prospect of writing a will can often bring up uncomfortable feelings. Yet, drafting a will is one of the most important components of estate planning. Having a will in place ensures that your heirs will be provided for and your wishes for asset distribution will be met. Like many people, have you postponed writing a will? Or, is it time to review and update it?

Traditionally, estate planning has focused on minimizing estate taxes and directing the disposition of your assets after death. Today, managing your financial well-being often includes the potential need for long-term health care. If you were to sustain a debilitating illness, or become mentally incapacitated, which can occur gradually due to a progressive medical condition, or suddenly, from an unexpected accident, who would make your important legal, financial, and health care decisions, and on what authority?

As a business owner, you have probably worked long and hard to build a successful company. Yet, even when profit projections look promising and a project is backed by a sound business plan, your banker may be reluctant to lend the funds necessary for expansion, particularly if the success of your venture depends too heavily on you.

Some of us may remember the “good old days,” when gasoline prices were as low as 25¢ per gallon. Others may recall when a can of soda cost 15¢. But prices tend to rise over time—sometimes steadily and sometimes abruptly. In the years ahead, inflation will most likely decrease the purchasing power of your money, which means that during retirement, your dollars will buy less than they do today.

One important decision you will need to make when writing your will is selecting an estate executor. Ideally, your executor should possess the tact of a diplomat and the administrative skills of a professional executive. You may want to choose someone who knows you and your family well enough to faithfully carry out your wishes, but who also has the necessary objectivity to handle any conflicts that may arise.

If you have substantial assets, you may already be making regular tax-free gifts to your loved ones. But giving cash is only one way to transfer assets tax free to family and friends, while reducing your total assets to minimize the possibility of gift taxes.

Many estate planning practitioners view the irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) as a flexible and useful tool that can provide a number of benefits to their clients. Because the question of where the ILIT fits into the overall estate planning process can be somewhat confusing, a closer look at its potential advantages may prove helpful.

Planning ahead for retirement means setting long- and short-term goals, while deciding how they will be met, within the framework of a changing financial picture. As your golden years approach, consider these factors to better position yourself to enjoy your retirement years:

Increased mobility in today’s society has changed the ways in which we live, work, and play. Compared to previous generations, it is now quite common for work and recreational activities to cross state lines, resulting in ownership of property and formal relationships in more than one state. However, the expanded opportunities created by mobility may come at a price: the increased likelihood that several states may be able to tax your estate when you die. If you were to die today, do you know if more than one state would attempt to levy taxes on your estate?

When it comes to your retirement, there are three factors that you may want to take into account when planning for your retirement income needs.

Despite the best intentions, marriages may not last forever. If you are divorced or widowed, and planning to remarry, you may want to take the opportunity to review and revise your estate conservation strategies. This is especially important if you and your future spouse have children from previous marriages.

If you are newly married with no children, you may have a special opportunity to build your savings and investments. Financially, a married couple can be more than the sum of its parts. One spouse can work steadily, while the other studies for a college degree or launches a promising business. Or, if both spouses hold jobs, you can try to live on one paycheck and save or invest the other paycheck.

1. Start now—address the issue of business succession—don’t put it off!

For many individuals with accumulated wealth, occasional gifts to a favorite charity may satisfy their charitable inclinations. The added incentive of an often-substantial tax deduction, coupled with various estate planning benefits, can be the driving force behind such charitable gifts. However, for some individuals, philanthropy is a far more serious endeavor, often involving a succession of substantial gifts of at least $5 to $10 million, which may necessitate an amount of control and general oversight. In these situations, a private foundation can be an ideal venue for managing a large, ongoing charitable giving program.

A four- or five-year-old child may seem too young to grasp the concept of money management, but even at an early age, children waiting in a supermarket checkout line can see that money buys things. Therefore, it is important to begin as early as possible to help your child understand the value of money.

While most people find the notion of creating a budget about as appealing as cleaning out closets, most would agree that the result—a well-crafted and useful budget—is worth the work.

Debt management is a practice that is always “in style,” whether economic times are good or bad. Effectively managing your debt prepares you to weather tough economic times, as well as to capitalize on a more robust economy. Here are some tips to help you get out, and stay out, of debt.

Regardless of the path your life takes, money will play an important role at every turn. Certain events, especially graduating from college, entering the work world, getting married, having children, and retiring all require targeted financial strategies. Developing good financial habits now can go a long way toward helping you achieve your future financial goals.

For many of us, the cost of living has risen faster than our income has. In some cases, consumption has increased, as well. If you are looking for ways to control both rising expenses and increasing consumption, here are some timely suggestions.

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet, understanding how to protect your privacy can help minimize your exposure to risk.

When you give $100 to your favorite charity, you are probably not overly concerned about how your donation is spent, as long as it advances the mission of the charity. On the other hand, if you are making a large donation, it is more likely that you have specific goals in mind, whether to fund a particular program or support another endeavor. This desire to specify exactly where your donation dollars will go may jeopardize your ability to claim an income tax deduction. Therefore, proper planning is essential.

If you are in the market for a new home, interest rates are favorable, and good deals are not difficult to find in many areas of the country. Buying a home is the single largest purchase most people will ever make, and for first-time homebuyers especially, the financing process can appear complicated. The following information provides you with some preliminary information to understand how mortgages work.

Many large U.S. companies and organizations have some form of workplace surveillance system in place for monitoring security. But with advances in technology, workplace monitoring has come of age and is also available to small business owners, to closely observe employee behavior. While many employers may use workplace monitoring for what they believe to be legitimate purposes, such as checking employee productivity, performing business-related quality control, or tracking sources of leaks in confidential company information, companies need to formulate specific guidelines—and adhere to them—for the proper usage of security systems, in order to abide by existing laws that help protect employee privacy.

The sage advice that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, also applies to saving for your retirement. It’s up to you to take that first step. If you wait until you have “enough” money to begin saving, you may never start at all. Instead, focus on the first step. Then, you can begin transforming that thousand-mile journey to retirement into smaller, more manageable goals.