By Yann Kostic from the May 2014 Edition If you want to buy an investment property, but don’t have the cash in a non -retirement account, a recent trend has been to use your Self Directed IRA: An individual retirement account (IRA) can legally own real estate, as well as other alternative investments, such as gold and […]
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By Manzanillo Sun Writer from the May 2014 Edition If you want to buy an investment property, but don’t have the cash in a non -retirement account, a recent trend has been to use your Self Directed IRA: An individual retirement account (IRA) can legally own real estate, as well as other alternative investments, such as gold […]
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By Yann Kostic  from the April 2014 Edition Most of us who are middle-aged or older have competing demands on our financial resources: our children, our aging parents, and ourselves. How do we handle it all? Pay yourself first: Start with yourself. Using your retirement funds to cover current expenses can threaten your financial security. So make a […]
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By Yann Kostic from the March 2014 Edition Your will is one way to plan for the distribution of your assets on your death. But it’s only one tool in your estate planning kit, and many people establish a revocable living trust as well as a will. A revocable living trust establishes a legal entity with the […]
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By Yann Kostic from the January 2014 Edition For many investors, a solid mutual fund performs in line with its benchmark; for others, it’s a fund that zooms ahead of the market. But these aren’t necessarily the best ways to judge a fund. Mutual funds, like the stocks and bonds they hold, are subject to market cycles. […]
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By Yann Kostic from the December 2013 Edition Roth IRAs may soon assume a greater role in many people’s retirement planning, as distributions from these accounts are not subject to the same taxes as other income. Roth IRAs are individual retirement accounts that allow you to set aside after-tax income up to a specified amount each […]
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By Yann Kostic from the October 2013 Edition Current interest rates are at rock-bottom levels, and they’re likely to stay there for a while, according to recent comments from U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Ben Bernanke. It’s good news in some ways, not so good in others, because where, in such an environment, can you turn […]
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By Yann Kostic from the September 2013 Edition Most people consider a will to be their primary estate planning tool, but relying on a will can have disadvantages. Assets listed in a will must be processed in state probate court, which can be both time-consuming and expensive. Once the will is filed for probate, it […]
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By Yann Kostic from the August 2013 Edition If your fund receives a low third-party rating, you might consider it bad news. But the good news is that as long as you’ve selected a fund that meets your specific investment objectives, third party ratings may not matter. Morningstar is one of the much followed mutual […]
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By Yann Kostic from the July 2013 Edition The US active population is approaching a retirement crisis, even as the economy and stock markets are seemingly improved: New data shows that 57 percent of the US active population and retirees report less than $25,000 in total household savings and investments, excluding their homes. That data […]
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