One of the most stressful decisions as you age is whether to stay in your current home or consider other alternatives. According to a survey by AARP, 90 percent of adults age 65 and older want to remain in their current residence as long as possible.  The desire to “age in place” is a natural…

While no one marries with the intention to later separate, if divorce or legal separation is in your future, make sure you understand the implications against retirement savings. If you or your spouse have money in retirement plans, you’ll most likely have to share the assets. It’s important to understand what governs the division of…

Amid retirement anticipation, it is crucial to take the time to make wise decisions regarding health care coverage.  Here are some things to consider at various times. Retiring at any age: While some Medicare Advantage plans cover dental and routine vision services, regular Medicare and Medigap plans don’t. If you’re not planning to buy a…

As 2018 winds down, it’s natural to focus on holiday activities. It’s also a great time to calculate your net worth, review your saving and spending for the year, and consider some smart moves to help you reach your financial goals. Here are a few to consider: Rebalance your portfolio. Has a certain class of…

Americans, as a group, are generous—especially during this wonderful holiday season. But they can also become cynical if they feel they have been duped.  A recent example is the New Jersey couple who raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for a homeless man on GoFundMe.  The feel-good story turned sour when New Jersey prosecutors announced…

For the Week of November 12, 2018 The Markets The three major indexes fell Friday as oil prices dropped 1.0 percent amid a rising global supply and the Federal Reserve appeared on track to raise interest rates next month. Reports from China indicating falling domestic demand and manufacturing activity increased downward pressure. For the week,…

For the Week of November 5, 2018 The Markets Following three mid-week stock market rallies, stocks fell Friday. Trade concerns weighed on stocks after a White House official suggested no deal with China was at hand. On a positive note, the Labor Department’s October jobs report was well above expectations. For the week, the Dow…

For the Week of October 29, 2018 The Markets U.S. stocks fell sharply Friday. Amid disappointing corporate results, continued concerns over trade tariffs and rising wages and borrowing costs, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones turned red for the year. For the week, the Dow fell 2.97 percent to close at 24,688.31. The S&P…

Nearly sixty years ago, John Taylor (my grandfather), trimmed some large branches off a friend’s mature willow tree.  He placed the cut ends of the branches into a barrel, kept it filled with water, and watched patiently as roots began to sprout over the next several months. John was fresh out of law school, married…

“No” is a short and powerful word.  It’s easy to spell, easy to pronounce, and one of the first words a toddler learns to say.  But for parents and grandparents, “no” can be one of the most difficult words to utter—especially to adult children or grandchildren who want your help to solve their financial problems.…