More investors buying cannabis stocks

The movement toward legalized marijuana use in North America is gaining ground. Last November’s midterm elections saw Missouri and Utah join 31 other U.S. states where medical marijuana is legal. Michigan voters made their state one of 10 (plus the District of Columbia) where recreational use isn’t a criminal offense. Canada recently became the first industrialized nation to legalize ... READ MORE

Social Security calling? It’s likely a scam

For the past few years, the media have widely reported on scammers who call unsuspecting victims pretending to be representatives of the IRS. They claim the potential victim owes money and encourage them to make payments using credit cards, debit cards or even gift cards. Amazingly, thousands of people have fallen for the scam and have collectively lost tens of millions of dollars. As... READ MORE

When stocks dip, is that the time to buy?

Around the beginning of 2018, the volatility of the stock market suddenly picked up. It was a worrying development for most investors, who prefer a smooth ride to a turbulent one. But volatility is a necessary condition if you want to deploy a strategy known as buying the dips, or BTD. The idea is to purchase stocks when they have dropped sharply, anticipating that they will bounce... READ MORE

Retirement planning is cash flow planning

Years ago, I saw a poster that said, “Happiness is a positive cash flow.” I believe that’s true, especially when it comes to your retirement. And I believe that one of the best ways to find that particular form of financial happiness is to use cash flow analysis in your retirement planning. It’s a simple exercise. To begin with, gather information for all the sources of income... READ MORE

Making peace through mediation

Older adults and their grown children confront a multitude of thorny issues when making decisions that affect the whole family — from how to divide up an estate among competitive siblings, to when it’s time to accept help at home, stop driving or move to assisted living. Some of these matters fester and never get resolved, others drag on for years (perhaps even through the court... READ MORE

Book explains market cycle and trends

Most stock-market experts don’t claim that they can predict market highs or lows. However, one expert investor and writer believes there are ways to understand market trends, and his success in managing mutual funds for Oaktree Capital Group, a company he cofounded, makes believers out of even the most successful investors. Warren Buffett says that if he gets any mail from Howard... READ MORE

Expect 2019’s market ride to be stressful

IRA contribution limits are higher in 2019

How much can I contribute to my IRA and 401(k) in 2019? What are the income limits to qualify for a Roth? online pharmacy aciclovir online with best prices today in the USA Answer: You’ll be able to contribute slightly more to your retirement savings in 2019. The contribution limit for a 401(k), 403(b), 457 plan or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan rises from $18,500 to... READ MORE

To itemize or not is the question for 2018

As the new year begins and taxpayers contemplate another round of 1040s, many are pondering The Big Question: Do I take the standard deduction or spend time hunting for receipts and filling out extra forms to itemize? The decision largely boils down to whether itemizing will reduce your taxable income more than the flat, no-questions-asked standard deduction will, thus saving you... READ MORE

Companies pay investors record dividends

It pays more than ever to be an investor. U.S. companies sent a record amount of cash to their shareholders as dividends in 2018, as their profits continued to pile higher. The increase is key for shareholders, offering a bit of stability in what was a stomach-churning year for the stock market. The S&P 500 index twice plunged by 10 percent, and by Dec. 17 had lost 150 points for the ... READ MORE