October 17, 2013 22:39October 9, 2013 18:17October 7, 2013 16:41October 6, 2013 19:41September 24, 2013 19:41

Expected rate of return from stocks

The expected rate of return depends on many factors, including your time frame and the types of stocks involved. Many retirement planning calculators project a portfolio’s future value based on historical returns. However, past performance is no guarantee of future results, and you should take any such assumptions with a grain of salt. You may have heard that stocks have historically averaged a 10% return. However, be careful about relying too much on that number. First, the figure on which that statement is based--9.8%--reflects the compounded annual total return of the S&P; 500 between 1926 and 2012. Friday, October 18, 2013

Home Office Deduction Rules Get a Remodel

If you run a business out of your home, it’s important to understand the associated federal income tax deductions that you might be entitled to. That’s especially true this year, with new rules that make it easier than ever for some to claim a deduction. Regular method of determining allowable deduction Under this method, you determine your actual expenses relating to your home office. Thursday, October 10, 2013

How much do you earn on your money?

If you’re like most people, you probably want to know what return you might expect before you invest. But to translate a given rate of return into actual income or growth potential, you’ll need to understand the difference between nominal return and real return, and how that difference can affect your ability to achieve financial goals. Let’s say you have a certificate of deposit (CD) that’s about to expire. The yield on the new five-year CD you’re considering is 1.5%. It’s not great, you think, but it’s better than the 0.85% offered by a five-year Treasury note.* But that 1.5% is the CD’s nominal rate of return; it doesn’t account for inflation or taxes. Tuesday, October 08, 2013

How much do you earn on your money?

If you’re like most people, you probably want to know what return you might expect before you invest. But to translate a given rate of return into actual income or growth potential, you’ll need to understand the difference between nominal return and real return, and how that difference can affect your ability to achieve financial goals. Monday, October 07, 2013

Will college debt be the next bubble?

What might a 23-year-old recent college graduate, a 45-year-old entrepreneur, and a 60-year-old pre-retiree have in common financially? They may all be hobbled by student loan debt. According to financial aid expert Mark Kantrowitz, the student loan “debt clock” reached the $1 trillion milestone last year. Wednesday, September 25, 2013