The Joy of Being Debt-Free

Understanding Your 401(k), IRA and Other Pre-Tax Investments
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-08-03 | Word Count: 1005 | Page Views: 5242 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 2.00
What does all of the bad economic news mean to you, the average investor. Well, if you are still working and contributing to your pre-tax 401(k)'s, 403(b)'s, or IRA savings your strategies for salvaging your retirement will include reviewing all of the investment options found in your 401(k), etc.

Stock Market Falls Sharply
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 879 | Page Views: 4803 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 0.83
The stock market has been having a bad week. Wednesday the market ended the day down over 300 points. I heard reports that this was the result of investors taking their profits. Happens all the time. Then within a few days, the prices on many great stocks is so low that the investors are buying the stocks right back up.

The Decline and Fall of the Retirement Empire
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-03-10 | Word Count: 1317 | Page Views: 4836 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
"I have a pension and it'll have to be enough!" As a financial Advisor over the past 10 years I have often heard this statement. It was difficult 10 years ago to explain to future retirees why this was an impossible belief to hold. 10 years ago no one would believe the changes that would occur in our world view.

The Effect of Inflation and Deflation on Retirees
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2009-10-27 | Word Count: 1324 | Page Views: 6760 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 0.86
When we worry about how long our retirement income will last, we consider so many factors. The current economy is causing a drain on 401(k)'s and IRA's. So we have become much more cautious about withdrawing money to use it as part of our pensions.

Taking Advantage of the Stock Market
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2009-07-09 | Word Count: 738 | Page Views: 4867 | Votes: 13 | Rating: 2.46
Is the market rebounding? The Dow, leveling out each week because it gets a rise in the market one day and a pullback the next day, comes from investors' taking their profits. This will probably continue for a year or so until the really large investors such as Hedge Fund Managers, Institutional Investors like Mutual Fund and 401(k) managers start purchasing the really great stocks at lower prices for the longer term. You may have questions... This article will show you how you can take advantage of the current stock market conditions...

Protection of Your Hard-Earned Retirement
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2009-07-07 | Word Count: 872 | Page Views: 4130 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.20
Many articles discuss debt, what it is, how to get out and stay out, how to learn to spend cash instead of using credit cards and how to give up the bad debt habits developed over a lifetime. More articles discuss your retirement accounts, what the mutual funds really look like internally, how to choose investments based on your tolerance for risk and different strategies for investing in today's economy. What is only lightly touched on is protection of your lifestyle today and in Retirement, which is what you will discover in this article...

Debt, America's Greatest Failure at All Levels of Society
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2009-04-21 | Word Count: 775 | Page Views: 4477 | Votes: 4 | Rating: 1.75
The truth is debt management cannot start early enough. When your debt is minimal, for needs only, you can stop the bleeding from your bank account and investments by buying less. Begin to learn how your buying and spending habits contribute to your debt. Uncontrolled Debt has the most disastrous effect on your lifestyle and retirement.

All of Author's Articles on this site: Irene A. Majchrzak Articles

Credit Card Companies Reward Consumers Who Shop Around
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-20 | Word Count: 1159 | Page Views: 7552 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 1.80
With Ronald Reagan came mass deregulation in many industries. One of the industries that benefited from deregulation was the financial industry. As a result, hundreds of new financial companies were introduced to the American consumer during the 1980's. With the sudden explosion of new competitors in this industry, credit card companies began to struggle with how to retain existing customers and to recruit new customers.

What My Mother Taught Me About Credit Cards And Family Finances
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-12 | Word Count: 1285 | Page Views: 7524 | Votes: 31 | Rating: 2.39
My mother is an amazing woman. She made some of the hardest jobs imaginable look easy. No matter how hard her day was, she always had a smile and perfect hair.

Understanding Your 401(k), IRA and Other Pre-Tax Investments
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-08-03 | Word Count: 1005 | Page Views: 5242 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 2.00
What does all of the bad economic news mean to you, the average investor. Well, if you are still working and contributing to your pre-tax 401(k)'s, 403(b)'s, or IRA savings your strategies for salvaging your retirement will include reviewing all of the investment options found in your 401(k), etc.

Xerox Follow Apple on the Comeback Trail
Written by: Jennifer Robinson | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 1238 | Page Views: 5884 | Votes: 5 | Rating: 0.20
In many ways the companies share similar fortunes. Apple (founded by Steve Jobs, Stephen Wozniak, Ronald Wayne) produced the first successful personal computer with a graphical operating system. Xerox (founded by Chester Carlson, Joseph C Wilson) were the inventors of Xerography (later called the photocopier).

Payday Advance Loans Are Now Only One Toll Free Call Away
Written by: Tom Tierney | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 599 | Page Views: 4235 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.50
A friend of mine recently went through financial troubles and asked me, knowing that I'm a finance writer, if I could push him in the right direction for a short term loan to help out with his expenses. Here's his story:

Stock Market Falls Sharply
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 879 | Page Views: 4803 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 0.83
The stock market has been having a bad week. Wednesday the market ended the day down over 300 points. I heard reports that this was the result of investors taking their profits. Happens all the time. Then within a few days, the prices on many great stocks is so low that the investors are buying the stocks right back up.

Finding the Best Credit Card Applications
Written by: Jeffrey Weber | Distributed: 2010-07-27 | Word Count: 403 | Page Views: 3824 | Votes: 2 | Rating: 0.00
Online credit card applications can be confusing. That's the way the banks want them. This article will help eliminate some of the confusion.

Do You Know the Difference Between an Investment Advisor and a Broker?
Written by: Tome Tomaj | Distributed: 2010-03-11 | Word Count: 408 | Page Views: 4622 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.00
As an fee-only investment advisor I come across clients from all walks of life. Lately I have noticed something in common with many of these investors. Many do not know the difference between an investment advisor and a broker who manages and/or makes securities recommendations for their clients' investment portfolios. With the almost unprecedented volatility in the securities markets, you cannot afford to dig your head in the sand when it comes to whom is managing your assets.

Understanding Term Life Insurance and Getting Quotes
Written by: Brian Greenberg | Distributed: 2010-01-13 | Word Count: 520 | Page Views: 4574 | Votes: 3 | Rating: 1.00
Buying term life insurance can be a scary process but understanding the different types of life insurance can remove the fear. What you should know about term life and how requesting life insurance quotes online can be easy and very convenient.

The Decline in the Personal Savings Rate - What Happened to the Discipline?
Written by: Tome Tomaj | Distributed: 2009-12-15 | Word Count: 873 | Page Views: 5247 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 1.33
As more and more American baby boomers are nearing and entering their retirement years, many of them are concerned about whether their retirement savings will last them long enough to ensure their current quality of life, and rightly so.

A Better Way To Sell A Structured Settlement - Via Auction
Written by: Clayton Frantz | Distributed: 2007-11-30 | Word Count: 1342 | Page Views: 11980 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.92
Structured settlements were introduced in Canada and the United States in the 1970's. They were introduced as an alternative to lump sum payments, common in insurance settlements and lottery winnings. In the decades since, they have also been accepted as legal financial instruments in England and Australia. In a nutshell, a structured settlement by legal definition is a statutory agreement to pay a specified sum of money over a period of time, on a payment system.

Using a 401K Loan to Stop Foreclosure
Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2008-02-11 | Word Count: 465 | Page Views: 10875 | Votes: 19 | Rating: 1.79
A bankruptcy or foreclosure can cripple one's ability to obtain decent credit for many years. In addition, some employers and landlords won't hire or rent to a candidate with terrible credit history. Thus, it is a good idea to discuss all options with a financial planner before ending in bankruptcy or foreclosure.

What Does Short, Long, Flat And Square Mean In Forex Trading?
Written by: Sam Beatson | Distributed: 2006-10-11 | Word Count: 525 | Page Views: 8709 | Votes: 22 | Rating: 2.68
Short, long, square and flat explained in terms of forex trading (Spot FX).

Why Over 3,000 US Companies Have Chosen the Frankfurt Stock Exchange to Go Public
Written by: Ron Crowe | Distributed: 2008-07-31 | Word Count: 786 | Page Views: 8640 | Votes: 18 | Rating: 1.83
The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, one of the world's largest trading centers for securities, has over 3,000 United States companies listed. North American and other foreign companies are choosing Europe, over the United States, to go public because of the punishing Sarbanes Oxley Act introduced in the United States in 2002.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Individual and Group Health Insurance
Written by: Kevin Kielty | Distributed: 2009-04-01 | Word Count: 639 | Page Views: 7785 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.00
The cost of individual and group health insurance coverage varies greatly as does the type of coverage they both offer. Making the switch can bring some surprises.

How to Hide Assets
Written by: Rocco Beatrice | Distributed: 2007-01-19 | Word Count: 507 | Page Views: 7606 | Votes: 12 | Rating: 1.08
How to hide your assets by repositioning your assets through an irrevocable trust with an independent trustee.

Credit Card Companies Reward Consumers Who Shop Around
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-20 | Word Count: 1159 | Page Views: 7552 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 1.80
With Ronald Reagan came mass deregulation in many industries. One of the industries that benefited from deregulation was the financial industry. As a result, hundreds of new financial companies were introduced to the American consumer during the 1980's. With the sudden explosion of new competitors in this industry, credit card companies began to struggle with how to retain existing customers and to recruit new customers.

What My Mother Taught Me About Credit Cards And Family Finances
Written by: Braxton Heitz | Distributed: 2012-11-12 | Word Count: 1285 | Page Views: 7524 | Votes: 31 | Rating: 2.39
My mother is an amazing woman. She made some of the hardest jobs imaginable look easy. No matter how hard her day was, she always had a smile and perfect hair.

The Effect of Inflation and Deflation on Retirees
Written by: Irene A. Majchrzak | Distributed: 2009-10-27 | Word Count: 1324 | Page Views: 6760 | Votes: 7 | Rating: 0.86
When we worry about how long our retirement income will last, we consider so many factors. The current economy is causing a drain on 401(k)'s and IRA's. So we have become much more cautious about withdrawing money to use it as part of our pensions.

How to Avoid Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)
Written by: Jim Cramer | Distributed: 2008-02-20 | Word Count: 523 | Page Views: 6659 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.00
There is more than one way to get your desired home without having the 20 percent down payment and avoid PMI at the same time.

Identity Theft: The New Threat to Your Credit
Written by: Josh Pike | Distributed: 2006-08-24 | Word Count: 363 | Page Views: 4997 | Votes: 16 | Rating: 3.00
When we think of thieves, images of burglars creeping into homes and apartments come to mind. However, there are new thieves that can take much more than your money or possessions. If your personal information falls into the hands of an identity thief, your credit and finances can be ruined.

In Fear of Retirement
Written by: Daniel Lamaute | Distributed: 2008-05-08 | Word Count: 646 | Page Views: 4426 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 3.00
Many baby boomers are staring at retirement like a deer caught on oncoming headlights. They are not sure what to do or what else to do. They fear that whatever they have in savings just might not be enough. Less than 1 out of 5 workers felt very confident about having enough money for a comfortable retirement, according to the April 2008, EBRI Retirement Confidence Survey. And with good reasons, inflation is zooming at the same time that asset values are flagging.

Do You Know the Difference Between an Investment Advisor and a Broker?
Written by: Tome Tomaj | Distributed: 2010-03-11 | Word Count: 408 | Page Views: 4622 | Votes: 6 | Rating: 3.00
As an fee-only investment advisor I come across clients from all walks of life. Lately I have noticed something in common with many of these investors. Many do not know the difference between an investment advisor and a broker who manages and/or makes securities recommendations for their clients' investment portfolios. With the almost unprecedented volatility in the securities markets, you cannot afford to dig your head in the sand when it comes to whom is managing your assets.

Medicaid Asset Protection
Written by: Rocco Beatrice | Distributed: 2007-01-23 | Word Count: 646 | Page Views: 4766 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.78
Learn how to include senior Medicaid asset protection as part of your senior tax planning strategies. What are the tax implications of Medicaid and why it needs to be planned carefully? About seniors Medicaid asset protection as part of the senior tax planning strategies. Explains the new 5-year look back provisions for seniors to qualify for Medicare assistance into nursing home program.

How Do You Make Money In Currency Trading?
Written by: Tom Howze | Distributed: 2007-12-05 | Word Count: 727 | Page Views: 3904 | Votes: 9 | Rating: 2.78
The question, "How do you make money in currency trading?" is being asked by investors and potential investors worldwide as they witness the multi-year downturn trend of the US dollar and upswings in other currencies such as the Euro or Canadian Dollar.

Equipment Financing and The Five Cs of Credit Evaluation
Written by: Sean Marten | Distributed: 2007-10-17 | Word Count: 698 | Page Views: 4557 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.75
Equipment financing lenders, as well as banks, use the Five Cs to evaluate loan applications: Character, Credit, Cash Flow, Capacity and Collateral. However, while banks look at small-to-medium size companies from a Fortune 500 perspective, equipment financing companies see applicants from a small business perspective, which highlights a sixth C: Common Sense.

Reverse Mortgage Costs Are Not Too High
Written by: N. Sioris | Distributed: 2008-07-29 | Word Count: 1120 | Page Views: 4535 | Votes: 8 | Rating: 2.75
Reverse mortgage costs are repeatedly cited as one of the main reasons for seniors not to get a reverse mortgage loan. However, the same folks that harp on costs as being a reason not to use this financial resource rarely offer a less expensive option or an alternate proposal. Don't fall into the trap of listening to the negative hype without doing your own research. Find out what the true costs are and whether they are justified or not. Compare the cost of a reverse mortgage to the cost of selling your home, downsizing or moving into assisted living. Pull back the curtain and take a good look, then make your own determination. Don't base your decision on an uninformed friend, relative or media reporter.

A Recipe for Good Credit
Written by: Josh Pike | Distributed: 2006-08-17 | Word Count: 369 | Page Views: 3991 | Votes: 15 | Rating: 2.73
If your credit is not as good as you want it to be, take action now! It's easier than you think to improve your credit.

Why You Should Buy a Home Now
Written by: Clint Wooley | Distributed: 2007-01-09 | Word Count: 588 | Page Views: 4006 | Votes: 11 | Rating: 2.73
These days there is literally too much information for first time homebuyers to make a decision sometimes. Fear can prevent first time home buyers from ever acting on their dream of home ownership. When you look at facts, though, buying a home makes as much sense now as it ever has.

How to Find Financial Freedom
Written by: Kent Jacobson a.k.a. Mr. Success | Distributed: 2006-09-26 | Word Count: 457 | Page Views: 5144 | Votes: 14 | Rating: 2.71
Many people make finding financial freedom harder than what it actually is. In order to find financial freedom all you have to do is follow a few simple steps.