ArcaMax

Every year a new book comes along that is truly worth taking the time to read — and more than once. This year’s outstanding book is the just-published “How to Retire: 20 Lessons for A Happy, Successful and Wealthy Retirement” by Morningstar’s director of personal finance, Christine Benz.

While most of us view the words “retirement ...Read more

There is no doubt that a college education is a key ingredient in future success — although these days it’s harder to find a skilled plumber or electrician than a liberal arts grad driving an Uber.

The cost — and value — of an education over the long run is something parents should start thinking about when their children are in high ...Read more

We measure the stock market performance by popular indexes such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500, both of which have made a series of new highs this year. Yet there are plenty of stocks that are lagging behind. In other words, what we call the "stock market" is not a monolith but rather a “market of stocks.”

And the same ...Read more

Despite the soaring value of the stock market, residential homes are considered the largest asset class in the country. The United States’ residential real estate market is worth $43.5 trillion, which is larger than the market capitalization of the S&P 500 stock index and the total value of all U.S. public companies.

The housing market ...Read more

Credit card debt is soaring, interest rates on balances have moved into the 30% range on many cards, and delinquencies and bankruptcies are rising. The statistics are grim as consumers fight to keep up with higher prices, having spent down their pandemic-era savings.

According to data released by the Federal Reserve, credit card balances ...Read more

This column was prompted by a call to a radio program from a man who explained that he is fairly well situated financially as he enters retirement, but he was worried about the fact that he has no children, no close family and no trusted friends to rely upon as he grows older.

It’s a problem that has suddenly risen to the American ...Read more

The Fed has spoken. Chairman Jay Powell clearly declared victory over inflation at his annual Jackson Hole, Wyoming, press conference. The next direction for interest rates is down. The Fed appears to have done the impossible: reduced inflationary expectations without causing a steep recession and loss of jobs.

While inflation is not yet down ...Read more

Caution: Read this column only if the idea of “running out of money” in your lifetime (with the exception of Social Security) keeps you awake at night! Relying on conventional financial planning could give you a 20 percent likelihood of that result.

In my columns I try to recognize the diversity of my readers. The one thing they have in ...Read more

Nothing could be more devastating to your personal finances than an uninsured illness or accident. Yet each year, many Americans inadvertently find themselves caught in between insurance coverage as they change jobs or wait too long to apply for Medicare. The rules are tricky, and worth examining, especially now that changes are coming in short-...Read more

What’s inside your retirement plan? That’s a question every boomer should be asking these days, according to Ron Surz, of Target Date Solutions and the "Baby Boomers in Jeopardy" newsletter. Surz has patented a “safe glide” strategy that he says will better protect retirees from the risks inherent in most target-date funds.

For two ...Read more

How long do you think you’ll live? That’s not an idle question, since so much of your financial planning depends on your likely longevity. Of course, no one knows the future. But at least you can put the odds on your side.

The entire art of financial planning is to make your money last as long as you do! If you’re very wealthy, or die ...Read more

Whether you're retiring and rolling over your 401(k) or just starting to build your financial future, it pays to get trusted financial advice.

The key word here is “trusted”! There’s plenty of financial advice around, but does it come from someone who is “on your side” — working to build your retirement — not theirs?

You cannot ...Read more

Announcing free money! Did that get your attention? If you have a high school child or grandchild, don’t let them miss out on free money for college — not based on need — that is being handed out starting now!

Instead of heading back for senior year in high school hoping to coast for the next nine months, rising seniors should be spending...Read more