Strategic Financial Group - Articles Archive (Chron)

ARTICLES

Articles Archive

Date	Title	Description
11/06/08	Deciphering a Bear Market	The threat of recession in the U.S. and abroad continues to be a topic in the news. What's important to remember is that media pundits and even economists are not clairvoyant—they can't tell us what the future holds.
09/25/08	Investing in a Green Future	If you're still managing finances the old-fashioned way, you could be missing an important opportunity to invest in the future of the planet. Being green is easier than you think...
09/03/08	What to Do in an Economic Slowdown	A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters in which gross domestic product (GDP) growth is negative. What are some effects of the downturn on the consumer and what can be done to combat them?
07/03/08	Will Your Business Survive the Intergenerational Pass?	"I want nothing more than to pass my business to my family, so they can continue to grow my legacy." This is the sentiment of many family business owners. But the odds do not favor intergenerational longevity.
05/08/08	The New Place to Spend Retirement? At Work	Despite the image that marketers portray of contented retirees lounging on the beach, there are more older workers in the labor force than ever before.
04/10/08	How to Donate Money Effectively	Americans are always willing to donate to those less fortunate. Yet your donation, regardless of size, should make the largest impact on your cherished causes and issues. When you support a charity's best interests, you're not selfish to support your own as well.
03/06/08	Should You Invest in Art?	Art certainly seems like an attractive investment. But, like every investment, there are numerous risks.
02/07/08	Does Your Money Buy You Happiness?	Part of any financial advisor's job is to get clients to talk about their life goals and about their values and feelings about money. It helps clients pinpoint their financial destination and how able they are to get there.
01/03/08	New Year's Anti-Resolutions	As this year comes to a close, you may want to know what you can do to take more responsibility for your money in the coming year. These are not necessarily "resolutions," as that implies major behavioral changes that can be hard to stick with. They are easy actions to take at any time of year.
11/21/07	A Connection Between Chocolate and Taxes	Two economists and a cognitive psychologist at the University of Oregon recently conducted a study that found some people really don't mind paying taxes.
11/07/07	Is Your Credit Score as High as You Think?	It is common to assume that paying bills on time automatically means that you'll have a high credit score. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.
10/18/07	Underutilized Retirement Account Options	Many Americans are worried that they won't save enough money to support their retirement goals. If you've maxed out your contributions to your employer plan or you simply want another savings option, consider opening a Traditional or Roth IRA.
09/20/07	Can Your Child Afford Not to Go to College?	To help stress the importance of education and self-discovery, here are some cold, hard facts about the current and future costs of college, as well as the salary gap that exists between graduates and nongraduates.
08/23/07	Cracking Down on Financial Stress	Dealing with finances can be overwhelming because of all of the other responsibilities we have in life. But a bit of preparation and legwork on the front end can make for smooth sailing later.
08/02/07	Does Your Credit Card Carry a Hidden Danger?	It seems that credit card issuers get you coming and going. When you do pay late, they penalize you in two ways But credit card issuers can also penalize you in a third, less well-known waythrough the universal default clause.
07/03/07	Handling Loan Repayment As Your Child Graduates College	You've watched your children grow and mature over the past two decades and looked on with pride as they accepted their college diplomas. This is a great time to reflect on their accomplishments. But it's also time to consider any outstanding loans that were taken out to fund their education.
06/07/07	Organizing Your Important Documents	You've likely heard a lot about how getting organized will free up your time, make you more productive at work, eliminate stress, and even whiten your smile.
05/17/07	Financial Considerations for Remarriages	Whether this is the first marriage for one of you, or both of you are veteran marrieds, its likely that each of you is entering your new partnership with assets much greater in value than toasters and vacuums.
04/24/07	Choosing an Appraiser for Your Valuables	You may consider your family heirlooms "priceless," but just how much are they really worth? Appraisals are more than just a resource to help you sell your assets; they can be valuable tools for your financial strategy.
03/22/07	Don't Forget to Claim Your Phone Tax Refund by April 17!	This year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that taxpayers and corporations would be eligible for a one-time refund of the long-distance excise tax on land telephone lines on their 2006 returns.
03/08/07	Talk to Your Children About Your Estate	Even in the most supportive and loving families, this discussion can be hard. Be honest with your children about what they can expect.
02/15/07	Beware of Online Phishing Scams	You've probably been targeted by a phishing scam and never knew it. Look for these red flags before you submit any personal data.
01/25/07	Earmark Your Personal Effects for Your Heirs	There is no such thing as distributed equally among my heirs when it comes to bequeathing your personal items in your will. If you assume your children will work things out among themselves, consider that it might be your children's lawyers who will do so instead.
01/04/07	Don't Let New Passport Requirements Ruin Your Vacation	If your travel will soon take you to our neighbors in Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, you're going to need more than just your state-issued driver's license to enter those countries and to return home.
12/21/06	What's Stock Market Volatility?	When the stock market goes up one day, and then goes down for the next five, then up again, and then down again, that's what you call stock market volatility.
11/30/06	International Home Ownership	Buying a house in another country comes with its own set of rules. If you don't acquaint yourself with the international real estate market, you may find yourself getting more (or less) than you bargained for.
11/01/06	Does Your Health Coverage Need a Checkup?	While few people would advise going without health benefits, the number of people able to afford the costs of medical coverage is steadily decreasing.
10/17/06	Give on Your Own Terms Through Giving Circles	A giving circle is a form of philanthropy headed by a group of people who want to take an active role in how their money supports a particular cause or issue.
10/02/06	Your Parents and Their Finances	Talking to your parents about the state of their finances as they get older may not be easy. Here are some steps to help make the process easier.
09/18/06	Pre-Planning Your Retirement	Saving money for a later date just isnt enough. Determining whether or not your plan will allow you a comfortable retirement requires a critical look at several important variables.
08/31/06	Is There a Housing Bubble?	A "housing bubble" implies that rapid speculative buying has driven home prices far beyond their actual worth. Because of this, the housing market is due for a "correction." In layman's terms, if prices rise too quickly, prices will soon plummet.
08/17/06	Should I Wait To Start My Social Security Benefits?	The decision to begin or delay collecting social security benefits rests on several factors. Find out what you need to know before making any decisions about when to take your social security benefits.

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