Why Financial Planning Matters In the Toughest of Times

Why enlist the services of a financial planner when your holdings are down and you're facing a host of financial problems? Because as dark as times may seem, you're actually giving yourself a fresh start in building a stronger financial future. More »

Structuring Your Stock Portfolio By Sector

Investors hear a lot about portfolio diversification, and there are a number of ways to diversify. When it comes to stocks, one way to help ensure adequate diversification is to include stocks from several different market sectors in your portfolio. More »

Survival Tips for Small Business Owners

So, you've taken the plunge and started your own business. Congratulations! By now you've probably discovered just how complicated-and rewarding-an experience it can be. Unfortunately, unless things are going extraordinarily well, you've probably also run into some unexpected problems, regardless of how well you did your homework. The following sections will discuss a number of important concerns of small business owners and hopefully provide some practical suggestions for their solution.
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The Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) can make saving and investing for retirement a whole lot easier. IRA account owners can contribute up to $2000 per year tax deferred before they retire. Funds in the account may be withdrawn as early as age 59 1/2 (at the latest by April 1 of the year after you turn 70 1/2) in order to avoid additional taxes or penalties - at which time of withdrawal they become subject to federal income taxes.
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ROTH IRA CONVERSIONS FOR 2010

In 2010, anyone may convert a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. No income limits will stand in the way of the conversion.1 Should you do it? Here's why it may (or may not) make sense for you to go Roth next year. More »

Whoa's The Market!

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Uncertainty has now permeated both the Real Estate Market AND the Stock Market. It's a confusing and challenging time for both casual investors and the professionals. With higher fuel prices, food prices, job cuts and a slow Real Estate Market, it would be expected to find some worry in the average consumer. Here are some tips to weather the storm and keep your head on straight: More »

Children Can Be Costly, But Certain Tax Credits Can Help

With gas prices on the rise and affordable housing being not so affordable, we all know how expensive it is to live here in Hawaii. This can be especially true for families with small children or those thinking of starting a family. The fact is children are expensive. The good news is there are tax benefits of having children, easing the financial cost of raising them. More »

Give Your Stock Portfolio a Quarterly Review

Evaluating your portfolio's performance on a regular basis is an important step toward reaching your investment goals. While many investors wait until year-end to assess their stock portfolios, it is important to review your investment strategy throughout the year to be sure it remains in line with your objectives. In fact, many financial advisors suggest that their clients examine their equity holdings every quarter to get a clear picture of how their stocks are performing.
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The Average Person vs The SMART Investor

Do you want to be average? What does it mean to be an "average person" financially? More »

What Is Your Dollar Worth to You?

When you were a child, what could a dollar buy you? In my day, a dollar would have got me a soda and a bag of chips. Nowadays, maybe just the soda. Ask my father, and he'll tell you about the time he could enjoy the whole weekend (food, gas, entertainment) on a buck. (loco moco was 50 cents, gas at 27 cents a gallon, and a shave ice was a dime) More »