Posts by Dori Zinn:
Want to skip cramped commercial airplane seats? Tired of long lines at the airport? Or have you just always dreamed of flying? If so, you may be interested in buying an aircraft and becoming part of the nation’s general aviation community. While owning a plane is expensive, that doesn’t mean it’s exclusive to the rich and famous. But before you get started in the world of airplane ownership, you need to consider many factors, including costs, maintenance and more. Read more
Selling securities or financially advising clients requires a license, and which license a professional needs depends on a number of factors, including what type of securities are being offered for sale, what type of financial transaction is being conducted and the advice being given. The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) handles the procedures for a number of securities licenses. FINRA sets qualifications for each license and oversees the exams for each one. Here’s a breakdown of the main securities licenses. Read more
When it’s time to retire, many U.S. retirees head south. While many stop in Florida or other southern U.S. states, some keep going for destinations in Central America or South America. One popular destination is Peru, where visitors and retirees come to enjoy beautiful beaches, delicious food, low cost of living and the breath-taking vistas of Machu Picchu. Read more
Direct participation programs (DPPs) are a specific type of investment to consider. They are non-traded, pooled investments, and they commonly invest in ventures like energy companies and real estate… Read more
Buying and selling shares of company stock isn’t illegal. But what about when you do it for a company you work for or otherwise interact with? Insider trading can be tricky. One wrong move can turn… Read more
Owning a boat can be a great way to relax with family and friends — or just alone. And, for those interested in making a “statement,” nothing says luxury like sailing along in a big, immaculately… Read more
Many retirees like to head south in search of warmer climates. But what if you want to head north instead? Retiring to Canada has a range of benefits, like universal healthcare and reasonably priced… Read more
There are plenty of retirement plans for workers: 401(k)s and pension plans set up through your employer, IRAs you can manage on your own and Social Security benefits available to every American who… Read more
Getting a hefty chunk of change from an inheritance is a nice way to boost your retirement savings. But whether or not it’s enough to live off of in retirement is a very personal question. If you’ve… Read more
You buy insurance to protect you and your things. So how do insurance issuers protect themselves? Well, reinsurance is insurance for insurance companies. It minimizes the risk of any single event,… Read more
Are you ready to take your shot investing in a Broadway show? Instead of throwing your money into the stock market or even real estate, you may consider this potentially lucrative side of the… Read more
Owning a horse isn’t quite as expensive as you might think — but you should still be prepared to drop a few grand if you are looking for an equine member of the family. It’s estimated that nearly 7… Read more
For conservative investors, the stock market holds huge risk. If that’s you, maybe you stick to high-yield savings accounts or low-cost index funds or ETFs. However, investors willing to take a… Read more
Buying a home will be one of the most expensive purchases you ever make. Even on a tight budget, you can make it work. You can save up for an increase in monthly mortgage payments. You can even go in… Read more
Finding the right financial professional can be a bit of work. Even when you’ve narrowed the focus of precisely what you need, you may still have trouble finding the right expert to help you. When it… Read more
When it comes to picking an expert to handle, or to help you handle, your money, two of the more common types of experts are CPAs and CFAs. The former certification is typically earned by accounting… Read more
Owning a home is an expensive venture. But your home could be earning you money through equity and it might be time to convert that equity into cash. Read more
Gift planning can be a key element in an estate plan. Done properly, an estate plan – including gift planning – ensures that your assets are given to the people and organizations you care about and… Read more
When you sell something, you’re likely looking to profit from it. Capital gains are profits from an asset sale, like your home, business, or stocks. Capital gains come in two different forms: long… Read more
When firms or people invest in companies, there are a few different ways to go about it. For example, there are venture capitalists and private equity firms. Both have interests in helping companies,… Read more
Buying or selling a home is a major financial step. Whether you’re about to invest a lot of money in a property or make a lot of money from selling one, having the right real estate expert in your… Read more
When you go to a doctor, you may prefer one who puts your health first. When it comes to your money, you likely want a professional with your interests in mind. An Accredited Investment Fiduciary… Read more
Financial advisors often prepare for their clients an investment policy statement, which outlines your goals, risk tolerance, time horizon and asset allocation. It may also list specific securities… Read more
While investing does include stocks and bonds, it also includes many small securities put together. Sometimes portfolios have funds that are pooled, which include stocks, bonds and other securities.… Read more
Personal investing is one thing, but can governments invest too? (Hint: The answer is yes.) A sovereign wealth fund, or SWF, is a state-owned investment fund that taps into a country’s cash reserves.… Read more
