CategoriesFinancial Planning, Financial QB TV Videos, Investor Behavior, The Stock Market, Using A 401(k), Volatility by

When Is the Best Time to Invest?

Investing in the stock market is a great way to grow your money for retirement, but it can also be extremely nerve-wracking. The markets are always volatile, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to ride out the ups and downs.

The truth is, there’s no perfect time to invest. There will always be an element of risk involved—no matter what your investment strategy is or how much time you’ve put into researching your portfolio. But with these tips, you’ll be able to reduce some of the volatility of the market so that when things do go down (and they will!), your losses won’t be as severe. Read More

CategoriesFinancial QB TV Videos, Investor Behavior, Retirement, The Stock Market, Using A 401(k) by

Stop ESG Investing

If you are saving for retirement (or retired) it is in your best interest to get as much out of your investments in the stock market as possible. You should always eliminate political virtue signalling from your investment decision-making.

ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. The strategy means investing in companies that score high on these factors as determined by a (usually biased) third-party company or group. The assumption is that the better a company’s ESG score is, the better their overall performance.

ESG investing sounds great. It also makes you feel good about the investments you make and should help you sleep better at night. But it may not be all that it seems, especially for investors who don’t fully understand what it is and how it works. Read More

CategoriesFinancial Planning, Retirement, Retirement Income, Using A 401(k) by

What Is a 403b and Is It the Right Option For You?

A 401k retirement plan has been a standard part of employee benefits packages since the late 1970s. This type of retirement plan involves withholding contributions from each worker’s paycheck and holding those monies tax-deferred in an investment account until that worker retires. 

Nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations were not able to offer 401k plans to their workers until 1996. Before that year, the only employer-sponsored option for nonprofits and their employees was known as a 403b plan.

The 403b plan is still an option for nonprofit workers and exists alongside traditional 401k offerings. But what is a 403b, exactly, and is it a good investment? Read on to find out.

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What is a 401k? Must-Know Retirement Plan Basics
CategoriesRetirement, Risk, The Stock Market, Using A 401(k) by

What Is a 401k? Must-Know Retirement Plan Basics

Did you know that 48% of older Americans have no savings in retirement plans (such as an IRA or 401k)? If you’re one of them, there’s a good chance that you’ll face very serious financial issues as you grow older.

The good news is that it’s never too late to get started! Once you understand the must-know retirement plan basics, you can open an account and start putting money away for your future. 

Stick with us as we answer important questions like “What is a 401k plan?” and “How does a 401k work.” By the time we’re done, you’ll feel confident opening up one of your own. Read More