With timeless advice, this article can help you make decisions during uncertain times.
A timeless question with a consistent answer, this article helps you determine if your asset allocation is appropriate enough that you should continue to stay the course.
Step by step, this article shows how you can determine what taxes and penalties are owed on non-qualified distributions.
Avoiding PMI, if possible, is better for your long term finances. This 2016 article shares three strategies to avoid it.
This 2017 article reminds us that there is not one best Roth conversion plan that you can apply to everyone.
It is common for investors to be surprised by movements in their portfolios. This 2019 article reminds us though that even volatile movements can be quite normal.
Each spouse has different spending habits and values different things in life. It’s okay for your budget to reflect that.
This 2013 article explores whether the person who sits idly by while their stocks increase their net worth deserves the money they make.
This is the financial shock of a trip to hospital. It is upsetting, expensive, and unexpected.
This 2008 article has wisdom for our current downturn, “As a response to the recent market correction, you can enrich your life in three healthy ways: Cut back your spending, increase your savings, and give more generously to charities of your choice.”
The IRS very clearly says, “Yes, you can set up a SEP for your self-employed business even if you participate in your employer’s retirement plan at a second job.”
If a friend recently asked you if you’re willing to be written into their will as an executor to their estate, this 2015 article will give you some food for thought before you reply.
If you have recently lost your health insurance or recently signed up for a new one, you may want to watch out for these rules.
In 2013, we went whitewater rafting on the American River in California. Our guide’s speech inspired this powerful thought piece about disaster recovery that has a message for today.
Think we’re headed to another financial crash? Take a minute to learn from our last one.
In retrospect, it is clear that it was a good time to rebalance your portfolio, selling some of the bonds that you were so glad you had and buying more of the very stocks you were so worried about.
Only recently has Main Street been so fully invested. This 2007 article chronicles how it all got started.
There are at least four different capital gains tax rates. This 2017 article has how to minimize your tax owed at each one.
One of the only articles on the Internet that clearly answers the question Can you fund your Roth with chore income? It’s just an added bonus for its readers that the answer is Yes.
Our gone-fishing portfolios are used by thousands of people, so it makes sense the article about it would be among our most popular of 2019. Our 2020 gone-fishing portfolios will come out in February.
Four separate Schwab Tutorials made the top ten articles of 2019 with nearly 12K views each. Perhaps one day Schwab will write their own tutorials, but until then, I’m glad we can help so many people.
Elizabeth has written one post so far, and it was the most popular post of 2019. With over 12K views, this clear descriptions of the housing reimbursement rules has helped a lot of people.
This 2018 article details some of our best gift ideas for some of the hardest people to shop for.
When crafting your own buy list, this 2007 article reminds us that rather than just finding one index fund to fulfill your asset class, you should consider blending multiple sector level index funds to decrease volatility or increase return.
When endowment funds fall victim to poor management, the results are as bad as they are far reaching. This 2016 article reviews the six most common pitfalls of endowments and how to avoid them.
Rebalancing from stocks into bonds reduces your returns on average since bonds have a lower average return. But, as this 2015 article reminds us, there are decades of very choppy markets where even rebalancing an allocation of stocks and bonds can boost returns.
In case you missed it, here is the overview of our Marotta’s 2019 Gone-Fishing Portfolios. These are our recommended simple asset allocations for those just getting started with investing.
With a thorough understanding of the IRS rules, performing a Roth Conversion even after your so-called Required Beginning Date (RBD) can be both easy and profitable. This 2016 article teaches how.
This 2006 article teaches you how to use a net worth statement is to measure your progress toward retirement and, as David Marotta writes, “What gets measured is more likely to be accomplished.”
The average worker will have a dozen employers and work at each job for less than four years. Your career is now your responsibility, and so is your retirement plan. Allow this 2010 article to be your lifetime Human Resources Department guide to being financially prepared.
This 2004 article contains the five steps you should take to navigate how to make your business venture more than just a dream.
This 2001 post from George Marotta reminds us that “If prices are determined by the market place, there is never a ‘shortage’ of anything. There is an excess of demand because energy prices are too low.”
This 2007 post offers us a bit of timeless advice. Funding a Health Savings Account can be as much about your present medical bills as it is about your end of life care.
The capital gains tax is economically senseless. This 2014 post has fourteen of the loopholes the government’s gain tax unintentionally incentivizes.
This 2006 article shares the personal story of David Marotta’s maternal grandmother who lived to age 99 1/2.
“Better is having a financial advisor who gets to know you personally and manages your finances according to your specific values.”
This 2002 post reminds us, “If you rely on a commission-based financial product salesperson, you will probably be sold the wrong kind of funds.” It was also the first article of ours to be featured in the “Charlottesville Business Journal.”
If you ever wondered how the stock market works, this 2006 article is for you. It is both the personal story of David Marotta’s maternal grandfather, Donald Mortlock, and an explanation of how the market of the stock market is made.
This 1998 speech by George Marotta was in response to President Bill Clinton bold statement that “the era of big government is over.” Is it really? Twenty years later the skepticism of this post rings true.
Back in 2004, we watched Donald Trump as a reality TV show star. This throwback article is an inspiring reminder that “You’re fired!” can be an opportunity to work for yourself.
“Once the incision is made, there is no turning back. And without a clear understanding of economics, our experimental treatment may kill Uncle Sam.” It’s too bad Congress didn’t take this 2009 article’s advice yet.
This 2011 post marks the birth of the SEC-required “plain English” descriptive brochure of disclosures. As David Marotta predicted, this new requirement was just another feel-good legislation aimed at making people feel safer without actually making them safer.
93 years ago there was only one mutual fund. Today, there are thousands. This 2003 article tells the story of how this staple of the financial services world got its start.