Carla Fried
Five Things to Do and Not Do For Your New College Grad
Let’s face it, the need for financial aid doesn’t magically disappear once a college diploma is earned. New college graduates heading out into the real world will likely come a knockin’ on family doors for some help in the early going. Here’s how to help a...
401(k) vs. IRA vs. Roth: Choosing Which, When, and Why
Around tax-filing season, saving for retirement is probably more front-of-mind than at any other time of the year. After all, stuffing more in a retirement vehicle, such as a 401(k) or Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can reduce your current tax bill. But...
It (Really) Pays to Wait: How to Max Out on Social Security
Chances are, if you were offered a deal that could pay you 30 to 80 percent more income, you’d be mighty interested. But when it comes to the decision about when to start taking Social Security benefits in retirement — which does in fact give you the ability...
Looking for Blue-Chip Income? Skip the Bond, Buy the Dividend
Let’s face it, income investing can be a challenge these days. With the Federal Reserve on record as saying it intends to keep the Federal Funds rate at zero for another 18 months or so, buying treasuries is a losing proposition. Even if you venture all the...
How to Correct Your 3 Biggest Financial Mistakes
Financial regrets? You’ve had a few, no doubt. And you’re not alone. According to a recent Merrill Edge survey, the top three regrets among “mass affluent” folks with a sizable chunk of change to invest — between $50,000 and $250,000...
Dividend Stocks Are Hot, But Beware Looming Tax Hikes
Dividend-paying stocks have snuck back into the investing spotlight recently. Many blue chip stocks have current dividend yields higher than their corporate bonds. And plenty of dividend payers are the sort of large caps that do best in a slow-growth...
Four Ways to Turn a Crummy 401(k) Into a Decent Performer
There’s no question – a 401(k) is still one of the best ways to save for retirement. They give investors valuable tax breaks and the ability to contribute a hefty $17,000 this year, or $22,500 if you’re 50 years or older. But let’s face it, plenty of 401(k)s...
Smart Tax Tactic for Estate Planning: Gift a Home Down Payment
With the housing market beginning to stabilize in many areas, now is a tantalizing time for many first-time homebuyers to act. That a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage can be had for 4 percent is incredibly good. But there’s a catch. Most lenders are looking for...
Looking for a Portfolio Boost? Surprise — Municipal Bonds
It was a full year ago that Meredith Whitney took aim at the municipal bond market on 60 Minutes. The Wall Street analyst asserted that the sorry state of public finances amid a struggling slow-growth economy was about to unleash the mother of all default...
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