Author Archives: David John Marotta

The correct rate for the capital gains tax is zero, zip, nada. Perhaps it is even negative!

Here we offer some sound advice on how to put the money you’ve saved to work for you.

If you’re like most of today’s college graduates, you may find yourself ill prepared for the real world of financial responsibility. You never saw how your parents lived when they were first married and struggling. Consequently, you may be basing your after-school expectations on an upper-middle-class lifestyle. Here is my financial advice for those of you learning to live on your own.

Just over two years ago, we warned our readers that real estate prices might be peaking and ready to correct.

The markets are inherently volatile. Remain humble. Diversify. Avoid fear.

You owe it to yourself and your family to make certain you keep your financial New Year’s resolutions this year.

Scrooge’s riches did not make him happy. Fezziwig’s celebration did not make him poor.

Ebenezer Scrooge’s nephew Fred is the character young people most easily relate to. He is young himself, carefree, in love and enjoying life with his friends.

You can use both investment losses and investment gains to good tax advantage.

If you think hiding money under your mattress is a risk-free way of building wealth, think again.

Unlike Medicare Part B, a Medicare MSA account caps your liability.

In some cases you will have to pay the $135 deductible plus 20 percent of the remaining costs.

Excess contributions to your HSA can be withdrawn after age 65 without penalty just like a traditional IRA.

Use a 529 college savings account to save for college.

Only contributions made to charity before January 1, 2008 can be characterized as qualified charitable distributions.

Below the line deductions are uncertain. Like many items in the tax code the correct answer to “Will they reduce my taxes?” is: “It depends.”

As Glinda advises us, “It’s always best to start at the beginning,” and at the beginning of the tax return is determining your filing status.

Most Americans look backward and only hope that Uncle Sam will return some of what they have already paid, but those with wealth look ahead and adjust their affairs according to the tax code.

Last week we listed the ways university student are enticed into using credit cards. This week we will examine the economical impact of those initially small and convenient monthly payments.

Although 60% of college student’s pay off their balance each month, that leaves 40% who do not.

Marvel only gets 31% of its revenue from publishing comic books.

Sand can be used to further diversify your portfolio.

Even if you only use index funds, you should blend dozens of them in an asset allocation aimed at reducing risk and increasing returns.

A lesser-paying job may be better for your long-term career because of the skills you will gain.

On average, international stocks appreciate more than US stocks. What’s more, companies located in countries with the most economic freedom typically appreciate more than the broader international average.

Learning how billionaires amass their wealth may expand your financial horizons and possibly stimulate some ideas that could lead to your name being added in the future.

Most people want to honor their debt. But many families have allowed their debt to spiral out of control, and they feel helpless, ashamed, and at a loss to know what to do. While bankruptcy isn’t anyone’s first choice, sometimes it is an important choice to consider.

Those actually seeing the movie in a theater provide only 14% of a film’s revenue.

Waiting for the higher payout is like buying longevity insurance.

One of the asset classes that we use to build diversified portfolios consists of hard asset stocks.

Rebalancing your investments can help boost your returns and minimize risk. This simple contrarian move can help you compound your investment gains over time. With the markets at an all-time high, this may be a good time to rebalance your portfolio.

If you don’t have the time or the interest, you may be the problem.

Only recently has Main Street been so fully invested.

Without taxes, you could leave work at 2:25pm.

It is possible to avoid driving a wreck without wrecking your finances.

Investors have been told, “Invest in what you know.” While this may have been a good adage for avoiding investing in companies with no business models, it is a poor rule of thumb to use when building diversified portfolios.

Stress released in one area results in delayed releases in other parts of the economy.

Check your retirement, your marriage and your mission.

Portfolio construction begins with the most basic allocation between investments that offer a greater chance of appreciation (stocks) and those that provide portfolio stability (bonds).

Investing isn’t about finding a four-leaf clover or the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Unlike the trusts which helped John D. Rockefeller and J.P. Morgan keep their wealth in the family, this new breed of dynasty trust is not just for the mega-wealthy.

When you give to charity, you make an investment. By doing a little homework, you can be sure your gift makes the best possible return on investment. While giving is its own reward, giving wisely seems to double that reward.

Donor Advised Funds offer the charitably inclined new flexibility for managing gifts to charity. By funding an account, donors receive an immediate tax deduction for their contribution and gain the flexibility to direct payouts to charity on their own timetable.

Without a financial plan, your investments are controlling your dreams, not the other way around. You need a blueprint for your financial dreams to come true. That blueprint in sound financial planning is called an Investment Policy Statement (IPS).

Some 401(k) plan’s generous matching contributions are completely eroded by the plan’s excessive expenses.

Australia’s five-year annualized return was 24.10% compared to 14.98% for the MSCI EAFE and 6.19% for the S&P 500.

How much should I save this month? What return did I earn last year?

Even though 77% of Americans disagree with 62% of economists, let me assure you the economists are right.

An increase in the minimum wage often means a decrease in the pre-tax benefits that employees value more.

Financial planning is the process of aligning your financial choices with your life passions. Values transcend the cash and the numbers.