You heard it here first! Powerball Powerball Powerball mania has hit California. There are few topics that get people interested and excited as much as the lottery. Even if you don’t play, the idea of receiving a life-changing windfall can be thrilling to imagine. And now it seems, at least for those in California, your…
Read MoreDow. NASDAQ. S&P 500. Fear index. NYSE. Commodity prices. Earnings. Economic indicators. These are the gauges and signposts of investing, but if you stopped most people on the street, you’ll find they have only a hazy understanding of what these terms signify or reference. If you’ve ever been left dizzy by the jargon of the…
Read MoreWhen interest rates climb, will these be the CDs to own? Step-up certificates of deposit (also called rising-rate CDs) are fixed-income investments with a bit of wiggle room. When you have a CD with a step-up provision, you have a chance to exchange the initial yield for a better one as interest rates rise. Given…
Read MoreCould this bull market last with less help from the Federal Reserve? Is it propped up by the Fed’s stimulus, or strong enough to sustain itself if the central bank reduces its efforts? Some factors hint that the economy and the market may have a bit more strength than assumed, even with Q2 GDP projections…
Read MoreYou save for retirement with the expectation that at some point, you will have enough savings to walk confidently away from the office and into the next phase of life. So how do you know if you have reached that point? Retirement calculators are useful – but only to a point. The dilemma is that…
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Robert Pagliarini, who has developed a national reputation for working with sudden wealth recipients–those who receive a windfall from inheritance, lottery, sports/entertainment contracts, business sale, divorce, stock options, or lawsuit–was interviewed by LearnVest. You can read an excerpt below: *********************************** The winner of the largest single-ticket jackpot has yet to step forward. The Powerball ticket, which…
Read MoreDear Florida Powerball lottery winner, congratulations on your win! You beat the odds (1 in 175.2 million) and have the distinct honor of being the largest single lottery winner in U.S. history. As someone who has developed a national reputation for working with sudden wealth recipients – or as a client recently remarked a “lottery…
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Living trusts are created with a clearly defined objective: to avoid probate. Misconceptions about living trusts have spread to the point where people think they can accomplish much more than they really do. Here is a realistic assessment of living trusts. If you fear probate, consider a living trust. If you worry about your will…
Read MoreEver hear of “filial piety”? How about “filial support”? You may be unfamiliar with these phrases – and the laws based on them. A recent, notable court ruling has brought filial support laws back into the spotlight. Some attorneys and retirement planners are wondering if more nursing homes will use these laws to force adult…
Read More“How can I avoid the federal gift tax?” If this question is on your mind, you aren’t alone. The good news is that few taxpayers or estates will ever have to pay it. Misconceptions surround this tax. The IRS sets annual and lifetime gift tax exclusion amounts, and this is where the confusion develops. Here’s…
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