I hate to say it, but it’s true. Halloween is next week, and the minute those orange pumpkins go on clearance, up come the Christmas decorations. I have to say, it weirds me out every November 1st to get in the car, flip on the radio, and hear Christmas carols. Really? On November 1st? The point is, the holiday season is bearing down on us, and we might be wondering what to get for a specific individual. I’d like to make some suggestions revolving around money. No, I’m not talking about putting a twenty in an envelope and handing it … Continue reading →

Continuing on in our discussion of finance from A to Z, here are more words from the language of finance that I did not know and would like to share with you. A joint and survivor annuity is a type of annuity that two people open together. It makes payments for the entire lifetimes of both beneficiaries, even after one of them dies. Keogh plans are pension accounts in which taxes are deferred. This type of pension plan is available to people who are self-employed, which is great because self employed people often do not have the same type of … Continue reading →

If you have come into some money through an inheritance, lottery winnings, or a severance package, it’s quite easy to feel overwhelmed. Depending on the size of the money you have received, it is a good idea to go to a professional to help you decide how to invest that money. If you can do some thinking about how you might want to invest beforehand, then that will help you navigate such an appointment. First, think about your goals. Are you aiming to build long term savings? If you have a severance package and you don’t have a new job, … Continue reading →