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Investors often concentrate on accumulating assets, but how much time and energy is spent on preserving those hard-earned assets for future generations? Not nearly enough. Have you considered any of the following strategies to help pass along more of your ...

Tagged with: assets estate finance Gary S. Williams savings value

Installment debt is not a bad thing. It enables us to make major purchases that would be nearly impossible to finance up-front. The problem is, in this consumer society, we’re bombarded with advertisements for literally thousands of “must-have” products. The ...

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Except for the fortunate few who don’t have to worry about money, the ultimate goal for most retirees is making sure their assets last as long as they live. Once a person or household no longer can rely on earned ...

Tagged with: 401(k) costs debt finance financial planning Gary S. Williams money retirement savings

Monitoring what’s happening in the U.S. economy isn’t always easy. Seemingly small events that happen within our borders or overseas can sometimes have a huge impact on the markets and the economy. Adopting the right mindset and following a few ...

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A mortgage is one element of total household expenses, such as taxes and heating costs, that is likely to increase over time. It’s important to consider increases in household expenses in addition to your mortgage payment. It’s important to arrive ...

Tagged with: federal housing administration finance Gary S. Williams housing loan mortgage property taxes

If you provided more than half of a parent’s support and his or her gross income was less than $3,650, you can claim your parent as your dependent, which gives you a tax exemption and permits you to write off ...

Tagged with: baby boomers Banking finance Gary S. Williams homes income parent retirement savings seniors

As the economy recovers, homeowners are faced with the good news/bad news prospect of a better real estate market with the likelihood of higher mortgage interest rates. For many, that leaves three choices — sell, refinance or sit tight with ...

Tagged with: budget finance Gary S. Williams goals interest rate mortgage refinance retirement savings

One of the biggest lessons of the recent economy is that many people who thought they were financially ready for retirement … weren’t. The amount of money, investments and government support you’ll need to retire comfortably is as individual as ...

Tagged with: 401(k) finance Gary S. Williams investments money planning retirement savings social security

As the United States goes into its ninth year of military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, financial planning for military personnel and their families has taken on unprecedented importance. Multiple deployments during the longest wartime period of U.S. history have ...

Tagged with: families finance Gary S. Williams military planning retirement united states veterans

Even with hopes for a better economy in 2011, some habits learned in tough times could stand to become permanent ones. A good one might be continuing — or starting — to buy particular categories of merchandise that are used ...

Tagged with: budget consumers Economy finance Gary S. Williams gary williams merchandise Recession savings