Being married to a Texas school teacher comes with its challenges. The long hours of lesson planning, grading papers, thinking of new ways to teach, and of course the tough task of incentivizing kids to learn something they don’t want to learn even though it’s in their best interest. The job of course comes with a few perks. The camaraderie of your fellow teacher in the same struggle, the personal bond you build with each and every student who walks through your classroom, an

Nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. —Benjamin Franklin That saying still rings true roughly 300 years after the former statesman coined it. Yet, by formulating a tax-efficient investment and distribution strategy, retirees may keep more of their hard-earned assets for themselves and their heirs. Here are a few suggestions for effective money management during your later years. Less Taxing Investments Municipal bonds, or "munis" have long been appreciated by ret

When should I begin thinking about tapping my retirement assets and how should I go about doing so? The answer to this question depends on when you expect to retire. Assuming you expect to retire between the ages of 62 and 67, you may want to begin the planning process in your mid- to late 50s. A series of meetings with a financial advisor may help you make important decisions such as how your portfolio should be invested, when you can afford to retire, and how much you will

Throughout her 20s, Nancy Corwin dreaded the day she turned the big 3-0.1 Then the day finally came—and went. "And it was no big deal," said Nancy. "It was really sort of a letdown after all that worrying," she joked. One thing did change for Nancy, however. She decided to get serious about her financial life—and her future. The Future Starts Now "It took me a while to get out of that college lifestyle," said Nancy. "Spending too much, saving too little, working odd jobs at o

Congratulations! You’ve graduated from school and landed a job. Your salary, however, is limited, and you don't have much money (if any) left at the end of the month. So where can you find money to save? And, once you find it, where should this cash go? Here are some ways to help free up the money you need for current expenses, financial protection, and future investments -- all without pushing the panic button. Get Out From Under For most young adults, paying down debt is th

As you look forward to starting a new job, it's important to consider how you will manage your finances while making the transition from one employer to the next. The checklist to use before starting a new job: Proactively manage your health insurance to to avoid a lapse in coverage. Discuss dates with your old and new employers to assure continuous coverage. Check on the status of any pending claims under your old coverage. Arrange any needed transfer of records from your ol

It’s that time of year again. No, not the “New Year New Me” thing; I’m talking about the overlap between tax planning for the previous year and the current year. The past few months I have immersed myself in the small business / entrepreneurial world of the Rio Grande Valley and have heard the all too common grumblings toward the “Tax Man.” Hey, I’m with you all. As a small business owner, I want to keep as much as possible in my pocket without Uncle Sam protesting that I’m k