After years of honing your skills, you apply for a job at a company that’s generating buzz. Not only do you score an interview, the company eventually offers you the job. Employee benefits include health insurance, paid holidays and sick days. Missing from the mix: your dream job doesn’t offer a 401(k) plan or other [...]
Saving for retirement can be confusing—and even a little intimidating—yet it’s utterly essential. Though nearly every financial professional recommends opening a retirement savings account as early as possible, the myriad options and often-confusing financial terrain can cause many people to procrastinate. It used to be simpler. In 1970, 42 percent of Americans had a defined-benefit [...]
“Loose lips sink ships,” a saying popularized during World War II, is a reminder that making the wrong choice can lead to grave consequences. It’s just as applicable today when it comes to your retirement savings plan; a couple of missteps can potentially jeopardize your financial future. As you prepare for retirement, ask yourself if [...]
If you’re an employee whose company offers a 403(b) plan, it’s important to understand the difference between it and a 401(k) plan. Generally, nonprofit organizations such as schools and hospitals offer 403(b)s, though they may offer 401(k)s as well. For-profit companies may offer 401(k)s, but they are not allowed to offer 403(b)s. The similarities between [...]
It’s a common question: Should I borrow from my 401(k) to buy a house? With all that money sitting untouched in an account, it can be tempting to loan yourself some cash for a down payment on the home of your dreams—but is it a good idea? The answer depends on your circumstances, but there [...]
Ilyce Glink Show on WSB Radio: Giving real estate and personal finance advice. On this week’s WSB radio show, Ilyce discussed the economic impact of the latest unemployment figures, how to buy a home from a custom builder (without the help of a real estate agent), whether a roach-infested building is illegal and why you should [...]
After a lot of scrimping and saving, you’ve finally started building up some retirement savings in the form of a 401(k) or IRA. If you’re lucky, you may even have an emergency fund set aside in a savings account. But your financial situation could quickly change, whether as a result of a layoff, a medical [...]
You don’t need to be rich to start investing or saving money. Even people working at their first jobs or newlyweds living on a tight budget can develop the habit of saving. Here are five ways to automate your savings program to make it effortless: 1. Set up a savings account and simply arrange automatic [...]
Planning for retirement may not seem like a feasible option for some young adults in today’s economy. While the U.S. job market and economy is slowly recovering from the Great Recession, those in what is known as the “millennial generation,” who were born after 1980, have more debt and lower wealth than their parents had. [...]
Retirement may seem like paradise—endless days of spending time with family, traveling, and, most importantly, not having to be at work eight hours every day. But the ability to retire requires a lot of financial planning. “If you follow good savings habits throughout your career, you will be happier at retirement age,” says Debbie, a [...]
