Archive for the ‘building a nest’ Category
March 2nd, 2010 | 
Author: Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) combine lower cost premiums, higher deductibles, and a tax favored savings account. With an HSA you get a tax deduction on the money that you put into the HSA account and your money grows tax deferred in your account. You spend the savings, tax free to help pay your deductible or to pay for qualified medical care (which often includes prescriptions, vision, and dental care).
The money that is not used at the end of the year will continue to accumulate over the years. With many HSAs, you will earn interest on your savings beginning with the first dollar deposited. Clients that may be interested in HSAs are those who want more control over how their healthcare dollars are spent; families interested in one calendar year deductible per family; and those interested in trading low deductible health insurance for a higher deductible plan to save money on premiums and taxes. Below is some basic HSA tax information:
- Eligibility - Those covered by a qualified high deductible health insurance plan and are not covered by any other health insurance or enrolled in Medicare, and cannot be declared a dependent on another person’s tax return.
- HSA Contributions – 100% tax deductible from gross income.
- Qualified Medical Withdraws – Tax Free.
- Interest Earned – Tax deferred; if used for qualified medical expenses; tax free
- Non-Medical Withdraws – Income Tax + 10% penalty tax (under age 65); income tax only (for age 65 and older).
- Death, Disability – Income Tax only – no penalty.
High deductible plans usually accompany the HSA. This is the actual major medical insurance that the client purchases. As a health insurance agent you want to make sure a high deductible plan and HSA is appropriate for your clients. Be sure to explain all of the tax implications and deductibles with your clients.
Those who may benefit from a high deductible plan are those who are willing to take financial responsibility for routine healthcare expenses in exchange for a lower premium; those seeking lower cost protection from unexpected accidents and illness; and those who retire early and need a bridge to Medicare.
Health insurance agents may also want to consider Short-Term coverage to bridge client’s gap in health insurance coverage. These types of plans are becoming more popular and you can create a niche in your business by locating clients with this need. Good candidates for this type of insurance are those who:
- Recently lost coverage due to a job loss
- Are students no longer eligible for coverage under their parent’s plan
- Are seasonal workers
- Retired and are waiting Medicare eligibility
Get more information about niche markets and increase your sales: healthinsuranceagenthelper.com
Article Source: Find Your Niche Through Health Savings Accounts
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The philosophy of planning for the future has always confounded me. It seems to me there are two very basic world views in conflict when this issue is raised. One world view is the responsible response: the “planning for the future” type of person. This type of person seems to think he will live to be at least 100 years old, and that everything he refrains from enjoying, doing, or buying now will pay off as millions of dollars in that inevitable and very real place called the future.
Then there is that other sort of person that believes that nothing can be as wonderful as the fun that a person can have right now. Since I can’t “take it with me”, as they say, I might as well “eat, drink and be merry” right now.
I myself don’t adhere to either of these points of view. I have a tendency towards not missing opportunities today that might never come again, such as spending money, perhaps more than is wise, on a meaningful activity with my family which will become a wonderful memory to cherish for years to come. In many ways this type of spending is actually a type of investing; in the future of the health of my family. The relationships we develop with our loved ones must be worked on now, and not at some obscure future time. Remember Harry Chapin’s famous song “Cat’s Cradle?” This song illustrated the well-known “tomorrow” syndrome in a poignant and heartbreaking way. The mistake we all have a tendency to make when we tell our children “we’ll get together when I have time.”
Of course, on the other hand, quality time with our families does not always require large sums of money. Sometimes the inexpensive or free moments can be the best. But sometimes a really great time for everyone might require some money spent, and if so, sometimes it might be wise to say, “the future is now.”
Then again, if we are lucky, and we live a long time, long enough to retire and do some of the things we just couldn’t do when we were working 40 or more hours each week; when our children needed a lot of tending to and all the other things that get in the way of traveling, hobbies we love, enjoying long walks, or whatever it may be, it might be nice to have a bit of money to enjoy that time without worry.
So in conclusion it appears to me that the correct approach to this dilemma is to strive towards a responsible savings plan to ensure a worry-free and active retirement, while at the same time keeping our options open for some “irresponsible” spending today, while we still have our good health and our young children around to enjoy ourselves together with them. It is true you can’t take it with you, but it is also true that one day the future will be here and you will be happy that you were prepared and ready to meet it in style.
Emily Salisbury, the author of this article, writes about crafts, cooking, and home decorating. Her creative skills are far more developed than her financial skills, so she turns to professionals for investment advice.
Putting together a savings plan she could live with wasn’t easy, so Emily looked for a reliable investment adviser. Harry Rady of Rady Asset Management came highly recommended and helped her to make a plan that lets her enjoy her life now while planning for a secure retirement.
Article Source: Saving For the Future While You Enjoy the Present
We all know that we should save money. But something so easy to say can be quite difficult to actually do.
Saving money is the basis of building your financial future. However, many consumers are putting it off one more day. Those days turn quickly into years of lost money. Without savings, the chances of meeting long-term financial goals and achieving financial security are quite miniscule.
In order to save money, you have to control your finances. Saving has nothing to do with how much you make. It has everything to do with how you control your money. If you have lots of credit card debt and live paycheck to paycheck, you are not in control of your money. And you aren’t saving for the future either.
You have to spend less and save more. The two are tied together. In order to save, you have to start spending less.
And it all really isn’t that difficult if you just start doing it.
First, sit down and write down your financial goals. Just ask yourself what you want from your money. Perhaps you would like to have a down payment for your first home. Maybe you need a new car. Make long-term goals, such as retirement, and short-term goals, such as new living room furniture.
Give each goal a dollar amount and a time frame. In order to save, you have to know what you are saving for. You have to have a reason to put your money aside.
You will need to set up a separate savings account. You probably know that leaving the money in your checking simply won’t work — you will spend it. Have a savings account that you can easily deposit or transfer money into. Many banks will set up an automatic withdrawal to your savings each month. This is a easy way to set it and forget it. It is paid just like any other bill.
Over time, you will see your money start to grow. This is rewarding and exciting. Most people become motivated to save even more. Saving and investing can become addicting in a good way.
You will find that a written budget is almost essential for saving money. You need to know where your money is going in order to make changes to the way you spend. A budget not only tells you where you are spending, but it can help you plan how you spend. Include into your budget a debt reduction plan, and your budget will make the most of your dollars. Budgeting is simple and doesn’t require you to sacrifice your entire lifestyle. It is just a plan to get where you are going.
If you do have a lot of credit card debt, you should focus spending your saving money on eliminating that debt. It would be wise to put a small amount aside for emergencies, but the vast majority of the money you are saving right now needs to be going to your debt. The reason why is simple. Why pay 20% interest on a credit card debt when your savings are earning 2% to 10% in interest. You are spending more than necessary. Wipe out that credit card debt first. It will save you more in the long run.
A lot of people really boost their savings by putting their unexpected money into their savings accounts. Your bonuses, raises, tax refunds and overtime can really pump up your savings. You aren’t having to spend even less or cut back more, but you are seeing your account balance rise.
There is no real secret to saving money. You simply have to start doing it. That is often the hardest thing — the first step. But once you see your finances begin to change and the interest start working for you, you will be hooked on saving for your future.
Martin Lukac represents RateTake.com Mortgage mortgage marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low mortgage rates from our network of accredited lenders.
Article Source: Saving For Your Future
Money is a critical component in every person’s life. The handling of money requires delicate care because there are just too many demands in our lives that require us to part with money, but the fact is we have a limited amount of it. The measure of your financial success lies in your ability to save. Saving enables wealth accumulation and thus, the ability to enjoy a better lifestyle. Money savings tips are abundant. What may be challenging is to apply them diligently. Described below are ways to enhance your money saving plans and build your wealth nest.
Differentiate “need” and “want” clearly. Many people mistake a want for a need and the consequences are often obvious; they claim not knowing where their money went at the end of the day. Yes, you will need food; but do you need to indulge in that expensive steak? Allocate a monthly amount to save aside. Assume that this saving is your future investment and should never be moved unless of emergency. Again, what constitutes emergency varies form one person to another. Essentially, you need high self-discipline to do well in managing your savings.
You should also practice prudent shopping, creating a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases. With the abundance of healthy food choice available, there is no excuse for you to consume unhealthy food products because you can get better choices with the same amount of money. Learn to cut back on convenience products- they are just depleting your financial resources without a real cause. When shopping, always care to find out the price of products and make comparison. You can also learn to challenge yourself to create your own gifts and DIY products.
These money saving tips are basic ideas. You should cultivate a healthy money saving habit to enable you to live a healthier and better lifestyle.
I’d like to share cool websites with more tips on topics like money saving tips and money out of my 401k. Visit for more information.
Article Source: Money Saving Tips For a Better Future
If you are one of the millions of people who has seen a sharp decline in the value of your retirement account, then you may be faced with the prospect of a retirement lost.
What do you do now? Do you keep working beyond your planned retirement date, in order to rebuild your nest egg? Or do you cash out whatever value you have remaining and try to stretch your retirement dollars for as long as you can?
What you can do is build up a new source of passive income that will make up for the shortfall in the funds you need for your retirement. Lost value doesn’t mean lost opportunity.
What you can do now is start earning passive income via the Internet. You don’t need to be a computer geek or a tech-savvy person. You don’t need to have web-design skills, an MBA, or even a business background. You don’t even need any money to get started.
All you need is a computer with Internet access. That’s it. Even a bum off the street can do it. All you need to do is spend an hour or two online every day, and you can be making hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars every single month.
Billions of dollars are exchanging hands on the Internet by millions of people each and every single day. As an affiliate marketer, you can join the ranks of people who make their living by earning commissions for referring people to buy products on the Internet.
Regardless of how much your funds for retirement lost as a result of the economic crisis of 2008, you can rebuild that lost value in just a few short months or years, using passive money that you earn via the Internet.
It’s time to recession-proof your income! Whether you’ve been recently laid off or you are looking to generate an alternate source of income in the midst of this economic downturn, Internet marketing continues to be a thriving, lucrative source of income for hundreds of thousands of individuals and families world-wide.
Article Source: Retirement Lost – How to Rebuild Your Retirement Nest Egg
Having children isn’t cheap these days, especially in the long term – the older they get, the more they cost. Higher education prices continue to soar and it’s almost impossible to get onto the housing market without having some capital or homeowner loans. All of these things may seem so far ahead, especially if your child is very young, but now’s the time to start saving to ensure you can provide what your children need further down the line.
Surveys suggest that we’re starting to realise this. A report published by Mintel in October 2005 found that 75% of British parents with children under 14 are now saving for their children’s futures. Nearly six million parents are now saving for their children, compared to just under five million in 2003. So it’s evident that we understand the need to save, but it’s not always easy to do so. The day-to-day family finances can be difficult enough to manage without having to think about the future. This article provides some information on how to save for children and explains some of the financial products available.
Bank accounts
The first step that most parents take towards saving for their children is to open a savings account on their behalf and start making cash deposits. Most banks and building societies have accounts specially tailored for children. They often have a higher rate of interest and offer incentives such as membership of a kids’ savings club with regular newsletters, piggy banks, toys and badges. Even if you’re not sure how often you’ll be able to make deposits into the account, it’s a good idea to set one up as soon as possible after your child is born so that it’s there whenever you do have money to put aside. Try to get into the habit of putting in at least a small amount on a regular basis – setting up an automatic transfer from your bank account will make this much easier. Alternatively, simply depositing the government child benefit on a weekly basis will get you off to a good start – it’s amazing how quickly it builds up.
Tax
Children are subject to income tax on bank accounts just like adults. They receive a tax allowance and as long as their total income including interest doesn’t exceed this allowance in the financial year, they will not be taxed on their interest. (The allowance for 2006-2007 s £5,035.) However, this only applies when the savings are gifted by a relative or friend. Interest on money gifted by parents will be subject to tax if the amount of interest earned in a year exceeds £100 per parent. (This prevents parents from taking advantage of children’s accounts for their own savings.) If your child’s annual income will be less than their tax allowance and the money you give them in a year will amount to less than £100 in interest, you can fill out an R85 form from the Inland Revenue to apply to have the interest paid without tax being deducted. It may be worth opening separate bank accounts if your child will be receiving money from yourself as well as relatives or friends, to save any confusion.
Child trust funds
The introduction of child trust fund by the government in 2005 has made a big difference in helping parents to save for their children. In the scheme, new parents are given a minimum of £250 to invest in a long-term savings and investment account on their children’s behalf, plus a further £250 when the child turns seven. The proceeds are held in trust for them until their 18th birthday. It’s not subject to tax and up to £1,200 can be invested each year by parents, family or friends.
There are three types of account – a savings account, a shares account and a stakeholder account. The choice you make will depend to a great extent on your attitude towards risk. Savings accounts are the safest method as you won’t lose money this way, but the returns on the investment tend not to be very high.
The shares account invest your child’s money by purchasing stock market shares. Investing in shares can be risky, especially in the short term, although on the whole the stock market can produce a good long-term returns as share values tend to rise more than they fall over a long period. As saving for children is normally a long-term approach, shares accounts can be an attractive option. However, shares can go down as well as up at any time and past performance isn’t necessarily an indicator of future performance. It’s also important to note that the account provider will normally charge an annual fee for managing the shares.
The stakeholder account is a medium risk option, which invests in shares until the child turns 13 and then the money is transferred to lower risk investments and assets, helping to limit potential losses in the lead-up to the child’s 18th birthday. However, if the stock market performs well over this period, the returns won’t be as high as they would have been if the money had remained in the higher risk investments.
You’ll need to choose not only which account you want for your child, but also which provider. Various different banks, buildings societies and financial organisations provide approved child trust fund accounts. The government simply sends you a voucher for £250, which you’ll invest in the account and provider of your choice. All providers are of course regulated and must meet the terms and conditions stipulated by the government. However, there may be differences in the products they offer. Look out for fees charged and any requirements relating to how much you deposit and how frequently.
Other government-backed savings options
The National Savings and Investments Bank (formerly the Post Office Bank) is an agency of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It was set up in 1861 by the Palmerston Government to help working people save for their futures and as a means of raising government funds for public spending. It offers various safe and secure options for saving. Premium Bonds, for example, are a monthly large-value prize draw in which you can enter anything from £100 to £30,000. The jackpot can be up to £1million, but prizes of between £50,000 and £100,000 can be won for every bond number held. The prizes are tax-free and bonds can be bought by parents, relatives or friends on behalf of children under 16. Alternatively, indexed linked savings certificates are a great method of tax-free saving in which the value of your money increases in line with inflation (linked to the Retail Prices Index) at guaranteed interest rates. Between £100 and £15,000 can be invested per issue, and they are available to anyone over the age of seven (or can be bought on a child’s behalf if they are under seven).
There are lots of other possibilities for saving for your children – investments, stocks and shares, bonds, savings accounts, trust funds – not all of which are specifically designed for children. In such cases, you’ll need to manage the money on the child’s behalf until they reach 18 (or sometimes 21). To find out how you can best provide for your child’s future, you should visit a financial advisor who will be able to outline the most suitable options for you and your family.
Benedict Rohan works as a freelance finance writer. Commercial Mortgage, Homeowner Loans, Remortgages
Article Source: Saving For Your Child’s Future
After a long career working in the technical field and some years as a musician, I became involved with a rather unconventional insurance and financial company. Their focus was to teach people everything banks and insurance companies didn’t want you to know. I became licensed to sell life insurance and mutual funds. Much of our business was from people who had bundled insurance products.
The only life insurance product we sold was term life insurance. Our only investment products was mutual funds. The company motto was buy term and invest the difference. After many years I had finally became exposed to knowledge of how money works. Before I gained this knowledge, I had worked for seventeen years with a very good company. Due to my lack of knowledge about how money worked, I got nowhere near the return I should have from my 401K. Here is a review of some of what I learned and what every one should know.
The first thing you need to know is how invested money grows. There is a simple rule of thumb called the rule of 72. Divide 72 by the rate of interest and you will find how many years it takes your money to double. At the bank these days you are lucky if you can get 2% on a savings account. If you divide 72 by 2 you get 36. In 36 years $1000 will become $2000. Divide 72 by 12 and you get 6. In 36 years $1000 will double six times and becomes $64,000. Give it 12 more years to 48 years and it becomes $256,000. As you can see, time is an essential ingredient in this formula for financial success.
Are there places to get 12% return on an investment? Over the short term no. However, with all the ups and downs in the economy, including the great depression and the many recessions, over a fifty year period there are investments that have returned 12% or better. These results have been achieved by investing in the stock market. Honest financial people have to tell you that past performance is no guarantee of future performance. In other words, history may not repeat itself.
Maybe fifty years from now, governments will collapse and there will be no viable economic future. Maybe the world will end from global warming or be hit by an asteroid. We have to trust that there will be a future and the economy will grow. One thing is certain. If you don’t save you will die broke. Second, Most people waste many $1000 in their life times. Why not put a few of those $1000’s to work for your future. Let’s look a what you need to know to have success in the stock market.
One thing, you need is diversification. The best way to do this is through mutual funds. Through mutual funds, you can invest in thousands of companies. You can also diversify across risk levels by choosing funds with different objectives. For less than $100 a month you can begin investing. You also need to invest long term. Even experts trading in and out of the market often lose.
Mutual funds have restrictions on excessive trading. The best way to invest long term is to use dollar cost averaging. What you do is invest a fixed amount, weekly or monthly. When the market is up, you buy fewer shares. When the market is down, you buy more shares. In the long run, when a market goes down and up, you make more money than in a market that keeps going up.
The final point I will make is control expenses. Every dollar that goes into expenses is a dollar that doesn’t get invested. Insurance companies love to sell bundled life insurance products. What you are getting is life insurance plus a cash building investment. These can be anything from low yielding savings to investments in the stock market. The problem is there are usually high up front charges and hidden expenses. The other problem is that if you are a young family, you need all the life insurance that you can get.
You need to buy lot’s of cheap term insurance. When you are older, children are grown and you don’t need life insurance you need money for retirement. You only need life insurance in proportion to the responsibility you have to others. The idea of a bundled policy is to give you cash value as you become older and less insurable. You can accomplish this better by buying term and investing the difference. Investing through 401k’s with a company match, tax deferred Ira’s, and low cost indexed funds are some of the best ways to go.
All my life I’ve been a seeker after knowledge. I’ve worked in science, music, the financial field and spent many years as a member of a public speaking organization. It was while working in the financial field that I became aware of the basic principles of how money works. I am an avid reader of non fiction books on many different topics. I have a knowledge web site. It’s purpose is to share knowledge. Right now it has an extensive music section, some pages on how money works, and a book review section. http://tonyknows.com/money
Article Source: Building Your Nest Egg – Learn How Money Works