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Retirement Savings: The Power Of Thinking Small
When it comes to retirement savings most people would benefit from bit of Chinese philosophy. It was Lao Tzu who said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”You often hear this aphorism other ways: Today is the…
Got Kids? Make Life a Little Easier With This Financial …
Congratulations! First on your baby—and second on your forward thinking. There’s no doubt that having a child is a huge financial responsibility. But being prepared isn’t just about having enough money tucked away. It’s also about planning and putting safeguards…
The 0.9% Obamacare Tax That’s About To Hit You
It’s hard to keep all the new Obamacare taxes straight, but there’s one that some couples won’t see until they file their 2013 taxes next April, and bizarrely it could mean a surprise tax bill or a refund. It’s the…
Savings not age-specific
The Nov. 4 column by Robert Samuelson, “Safety net, not subsidy,” included statistics and opinions regarding income disparity between age groups. As mentioned, the 60-plus age groups likely consist of high earners still working and retirees spending their savings, much of which…
Slowing the growth of US debt
The recently established House-Senate budget negotiating committee presents the opportunity to solve two major national problems: preventing the future explosion of the national debt and increasing current growth and employment. These problems have to be solved together. Because monetary policy can…
The national debt — without spin
Some politicians talk about the need for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution because of our ever-growing national debt, now at over $17 trillion. Raising the debt ceiling has become a grueling political fight in recent years. But what is…
HR101: Social Security and Your Retirement
A secure, comfortable retirement is every person’s dream. Achieving this dream requires careful financial planning to anticipate your income and needs in retirement. If you are concerned about when to take Social Security benefits, how to maximize those benefits, or…
How to get Mom to prepare for retirement?
My mom expects to be able to live on Social Security and the $70,000 her company contributed to her 403(b) over the years. Friends have advised I have no legal obligations to provide for her. I certainly have social ones.…
Ask Young Americans: Social Security Does Not Promote Equality
To hear Grand Forks Herald opinion editor Tom Dennis tell it, Social Security is a program that promotes equality in America at a cost of just a little bit of economic inefficiency. “Most efforts to boost equality also erode efficiency by sapping people’s incentives…
DHS Secretary warns of Obamacare scams
Kitty Rhoades, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary, warned of possible fraud and identity theft associated with Obamacare. She made the statement in a radio interview by WIBA Capitol Reporter John Colbert that aired Sunday morning on”Madison Forum” broadcast on Madison’s 1310 WIBA. Rhoades called…