This throwback to Libby’s first article at Marotta teaches us how to be prepared for life’s expenses and plan ahead for all future goals.
When interviewing a new financial advisor, we believe there are at least ten important questions to ask. Then, just to be safe, we answered 32 frequently asked questions and welcome more.
The addition of stable investments can help dampen the risk and increase the chances of meeting your spending goals.
This 2016 article reminds us that, “Unless you are certain that are going to die young, there is no good reason to risk starting Social Security at age 62.”
Avoiding PMI, if possible, is better for your long-term finances. Here are three strategies to avoid PMI.
Everyone needs some fun in their life, and sometimes fun costs a little money. This 2004 article shares six guidelines for dealing with purchases that might be considered frivolous.
It is always a good time to be reminded that an immediate fixed annuity is not an investment; it is an insurance product. This 2015 article by David John Marotta is a methodical unraveling of annuities and a description of the far superior alternatives.
“If you have been asked to serve as a board member or trustee for a non-profit organization, feeling honored is a natural response but a terrible reason for saying yes to the job. Your role as committee member, board member, or trustee will likely designate you as a fiduciary, a role with specific legal responsibilities.”
This 2014 post reminds us that perhaps we should be more afraid of cash and inflation than stocks and investing.
Our first article posted online is a wonder to behold. This 1998 beauty is written by George Marotta, founder of Marotta Money Management. In the article, he reminds us that, “Anyone of us could design a better system, but 500 congress people cannot resist the pressure groups who want to twist the code to benefit their particular constituencies.” Decades old, this post still rings true today.
A short quote from this 2004 inspiration, “Time is so much more than money. If you have time, you can acquire more money. But money can’t buy you more time. Time is a great equalizer. You can’t go into time debt. Every day the rich and the poor alike are given twenty-four hours to spend.”
For most families, the largest purchase they make will be their house. This 2011 post reminds us that the house you and your family live in is not an investment, but real estate can be.
This straightforward article about how to value your charitable gifts of appreciated stock may help you in preparing your tax return this year.
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.
Want to do the new year well? Here is a month-by-month guide for setting financially healthy habits.
This 2016 article reminds us that “there is a very simple place to start the process of changing our destiny: Each day notice the things that make you happy and try experiencing more of them.”
In “A Christmas Carol,” Ebenezer Scrooge calls Christmas a “humbug” because of the foolish way people celebrate it. This 2008 article reminds us that it is sometimes wise to simplify Christmas.
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.
Don’t let your political emotions impoverish your financial well-being.
Election results should not change a well crafted investment strategy.
This 2017 article reminds us, “Stock market returns have little to do with which party holds the White House.”
Voting early is as easy as voting in-person. You can vote whenever is convenient for you including right now and until October 30.
Tax planning is very different than tax return preparation. The goal of tax preparation is to minimize your tax owed this year. The goal of tax planning is to maximize your after-tax net worth by minimizing your taxes owed over your lifetime.
Each spouse has different spending habits and values different things in life. It’s okay for your budget to reflect that.
During this season of uncertainty, this 2018 article reminds us that diversification and rebalancing in our non-financial portfolios can help as well.
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.”
There is an illusion that the executive branch will handle the collection of all our data with respect and care. I hope that current times can shatter that illusion for you.
This 2015 article details one of the most brilliant breakthroughs in all of food science and how it relates to almost every aspect of life.
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.
This 2016 post has recently been our most popular search result recently for good reason. After the 2020 COVID bear market, this article is a comforting bit of math.
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.
George Marotta reminds us in this 2002 article, “Each person can best help society by developing his or her talents to the fullest. In the process, some will earn very large incomes, but that’s OK.”
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.
The IRS is clear, “If both spouses are 55 or older and not enrolled in Medicare, each spouse’s contribution limit is increased by the additional contribution. Each spouse must make the additional contribution to his or her own HSA.”
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.