Posts by Dori Zinn:
Creating a last will and testament is a common way to share your wishes for how you want your assets and affairs handled after you die. While it’s easy to proclaim that everyone should have a will, first we should understand what it does. A last will and testament is a legally bound document detailing how your heirs will receive your assets and wealth. But it doesn’t come without its limitations. Here’s what last will and testaments do and how they play a part in your estate planning process. Read more
When it comes to investing, the higher the risk the better the reward. But what if you don’t know what your risk level is? Your risk tolerance is the level of risk you’re willing to take with your investments. You can determine your risk tolerance by evaluating your comfort level in certain investments. Before you get started with investing, learn how to choose securities that suit your risk tolerance. Read more
Your net worth may be a good way to determine how much value you hold, but investable assets might be a better measure. And if you’re considering working with a financial advisor, it’s smart to know what your investable assets are and how much you should have. Read on to learn more so you can find the right investment strategy for you. Read more
An operations professional takes on a lot of responsibility within the financial services industry. They bring clients aboard, receive and deliver funds and assets, collect payments, maintain… Read more
Day trading involves a degree of risk. Day traders are buying then selling or selling then buying the same security on the same day. The high-risk, high-frequency traders known as pattern day traders… Read more
A business cycle is the fluctuation of goods and services output in an economy. They’re usually measured by real gross domestic product (GDP) or GDP adjusted for inflation. The purpose of a business… Read more
Financial advisors can earn money a few different ways. They may be fee-only, and get paid exclusively by a client for their services. Other advisors are fee-based, meaning they’re compensated by… Read more
A company can be more elective about who buys its shares if it sells them in a private placement. Shares sold in an initial public offering, or IPO, are offered to the general public and tend to… Read more
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) exists because cities can’t always be trusted with their municipal bonds. Investing in bonds already involves a degree of risk. The MSRB exists to… Read more
While your financial planner may act in your best interest, who acts in the best interest of your financial planner? The Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) is a nonprofit… Read more
A zero coupon bond doesn’t pay interest, but it could pay off for your portfolio. Choosing between the many different types of bonds may require a plan for your broader investments. A zero coupon… Read more
You don’t have to watch movies like “The Wolf of Wall Street” or “Boiler Room” to know what pump and dump scheme is about. Brokers pitch penny stocks to customers in high volume despite its… Read more
Liquid assets are things you own that can be quickly converted into cash without losing value. They’re different from fixed assets, which are good investments but take longer to convert to cash.… Read more
When you starting to invest, you take steps towards using money to earn money. You’ll take cash and buy different types of investments, or securities. There are many different securities you can… Read more
An irrevocable life insurance trust (ILIT) can provide peace of mind as you start your estate planning process. If you have a sizable estate or young beneficiaries, an ILIT can provide control over a… Read more
The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) may be the key to better investment earnings. The CAGR formula calculates year-over-year growth rates and helps chart investment performance. It also allows… Read more
The principal is the start of your your investment journey. You need some cash to open an account, and your initial deposit is the principal amount. When investing, the principal is the amount you… Read more
Dying may get you out of a lot of things, but not taxes. If you have a lot of property you want to leave to your children or other heirs, it may be subject to taxation. Federal estate taxes (and in a… Read more
There are many different ways to save for retirement. Roth IRAs and 403(b)s are among the more popular account types; the former has strong after-tax perks and is available to most savers below… Read more
Not being able to pay off your student loans, even the minimum amount, can be detrimental to your financial well-being in many different ways. Falling behind on payments could damage your credit… Read more
Age may be just a number, but it’s pretty important when it comes to retirement savings. Depending on which account you have, your age may define both when you can access your funds and how much… Read more
If you’re in search of financial help for higher education, you may have explored different scholarships and grants to pay the way. Gifted money is a great way to pay for school without having to… Read more
As you explore funding options for higher education, you’ll come across many different ways to pay for school. You can try your hand at scholarships and grants, but you may also need to secure… Read more
When choosing investments for your retirement plan, you’ll have a lot of options, including annuities and mutual funds. While both can play an important role in your retirement income plan, they are… Read more
In an interval fund, an investment company will regularly offer to repurchase shares from shareholders. Those repurchases come at various intervals, hence the name. Before you decide to invest in… Read more
