Too Good To Be True?

I have this friend. I know, you thought all I did was sit on the computer to blog and update facebook. But, I have a friend, and she has been telling me for years about these books that tell her if she saves x amount for x years, she will be a millionaire by the time she’s 45! Awesome, sign me up! I never can seem to get started though; the 2 problems that immediately scare... Read More

The Recovery – A New Reality?

So, two “WHEN” questions: WHEN am I going to get a REAL rate on my certificate, and WHEN will the economy around here get back to normal?  The UN-clever and UN-funny answer we need to consider is that for practical considerations, this is the new Reality. I have to consider things like this when planning for the credit union and reluctantly, I’m forced to look at things in... Read More

Want to Retire Tomorrow?

I tell members they ­might be able to, but it depends on how much money they want to live on.  Some people prefer to work longer so they can have a higher income; others are willing to live on less if they can retire earlier.  That’s why financial planning is such an individual process. Setting goals is the first most important step.  I worked with one member who needed to... Read More

The Backup Plan

I was asked a question I had never heard the other day.  A member asked me how to invest, knowing the world will end in 2012.  I was stumped for a minute, and then I said that if the world is going to end in 2012 he may as well spend all his money now.  However, he might want to consider a back-up plan, in case his information turns out to be wrong.  A back-up plan is something... Read More

Do your kids really want your house?

Do your kids want to inherit your house? You would be surprised to know that people often assume they need to do everything they can to ensure that they pass their house down to their children after their death. Often, however, they have not asked the kids whether it is important to them. Maybe they don’t even want the house. Or maybe what they really want is grandmother’s china... Read More

Home ownership is possible!

Don’t believe everything you hear about needing a 700 FICO score and 20% down to buy a home.  There are mortgages readily available that only require a 620-640 credit score and down payments as small as 3% for homes that will be owner occupied.  Some loans, such as Veterans VA and loans in rural areas, don’t require a down payment at all.  In Nevada we also have down payment/closing... Read More

When will the market recover?

Everybody seems to have a different idea.  Watch CNBC or other business channels and you’ll get as many opinions as you have speakers.  Members ask me to tell them if this is a good time to invest.  I tell them my crystal ball is broken right now.  There are always reasons not to invest—wars, gas prices, terrorism, recessions, and yes, even bank failures.  The truth is,... Read More