Financial planning

Confidence is an essential component of the financial system. Without it, worried depositors pull their money from banks; spooked investors don’t trade with firms that they believe won’t make good on purchases or sales; and none of us would…

Some crises seem to come out of the blue, while others take place in slow motion. The failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) qualifies for the former, while the failure of First Republic Bank (FRB) would be the later. It wasn’t a surprise…

If you want to see the effects of the Federal Reserve’s interest policy over the past three years, look no further than the nation’s residential real estate market. In its effort to keep the economy afloat amid the pandemic, the central…

The May 1st deadline to make college decisions is approaching, which means that families are deep into conversations about how to pay the looming, large bill. Before making a decision that can have repercussions for years ahead, there are…

It’s just a coincidence that the month that begins with a day dedicated to fools is the same month that we raise awareness about the importance of financial education. April is National Financial Capability Month (formerly Financial…

It’s time to clean up the inbox. Here’s a smattering of questions that I have fielded lately: Fred: Are there income limits to consider for a backdoor Roth IRA conversion? My wife and I are in our late 50s and make about $300,000. Answer:…

Chuyn | Istock | Getty ImagesIf you've dreamed of working or retiring abroad, you may be tempted by the possibility of cheaper housing or health care. But there are some things to consider before making the jump.Jude Boudreaux, partner and…

The tax filing deadline (April 18) is rapidly approaching, so clear off a workspace and start by answering two big questions. Will you take the Standard Deduction or Itemize? The standard deduction is a set amount that increases based on…

Federal Reserve officials were under fire as they convened their two-day policy meeting, during which they decided to raise short-term rates by a quarter of a percentage point to 4.75-5.00 percent. Despite uncertainty in the banking sector,…

Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), which catered to technology startups and the venture capital firms that financed them, was taken over by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). (The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government…