| Subject | Date Asked |
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| annuities | 10/12/2008 |
Q: in light of bank failures, etc. are annuity payments guarantied against failures.
A: Alan Your state might have a guaranty fund for that. NJ does. I am pretty certain nobody ever got ...
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| Mortgage Equity | 10/8/2008 |
Q: I am a 53 yr old female who is in process of selling my house to my son end of month. I will have ...
A: Jane Too complicated to simply toss out an answer. There are so many other variables in your life I ...
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| Financial planning | 10/6/2008 |
Q: What is the appropriate vehicle for five children to protect their mothers' assets while also ...
A: Kristen You likely won't incur mom's bils but of course mom's assets might disappear in the mess ...
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| Can I Become a Part-Time Financial Advisor? | 9/24/2008 |
Q: I plan on starting an acupuncture practice & would also love to learn more about investing & ...
A: Mike Your desire to help is admirable. I wouldn't do this part-time based on clients needing full ...
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| mother's estate in Alberta | 8/4/2008 |
Q: My mother died very recently. My father is still alive, but they had entirely separate finances, ...
A: Lee Don't know about canadian law but I'd bet you have a right to see the will and see if you ...
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| Variable Annuity | 7/27/2008 |
Q: Bruce, this may be outside your area of expertise, but I appreciate you opinion. I own a VA, which ...
A: Nathan Sucks right? Even worse is I suspect you bought a VA from a commissioned "advisor" and if so ...
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| Realestate | 7/11/2008 |
Q: My wife and I are trying to decide between selling our current home or keeping it as a rental ...
A: Richard there are too many variables as far as your total financial planning to get to an answer. ...
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| Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VNYTX) | 7/7/2008 |
Q: I am a single 65 year old NY State resident making about $60K a year. I have some savings that I ...
A: Tom None of this information is related to any specific security including the Vanguard. You are ...
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| How to best invest 200,000 | 7/4/2008 |
Q: I have a question about investing $200,000 for my church. I would like some advice as to how to best ...
A: Already answered this but I think the mail bumped back: Ben Since you indicated you might need it ...
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| How to best invest 100,000 to 200,000 | 7/4/2008 |
Q: I have a question about investing somewhere between 100 to 200,000 for my church. I would like some ...
A: Ben Since you indicated you might need it in 2 or 3 years, put it in a high yield savings account. ...
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| buyout offer | 6/28/2008 |
Q: I am 61 years old born 06/07/1947 I am getting $427. @ month for a long-term disability it pays ...
A: It might be complicated beyond this forum based on your other financial planning concerns but in a ...
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| IRA verses HELOC funding | 6/25/2008 |
Q: Bruce - We need about $20K in cash to pay for remodeling and home improvement expenses. Is it best ...
A: Jim I assume you are over 59.5 years old. If under 59.5, HELOC for sure in any case. Over 59.5, do ...
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| Retirement and college loans | 6/18/2008 |
Q: I am getting ready to retire and will have a sum of money from severance and a lump sum payment. I ...
A: YES $24K EACH DOESN'T MATTER WHERE IT COMES FROM. OF COURSE IF YOU TOOK MONEY FROM YOUR IRA, 401K ...
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| Investing | 5/23/2008 |
Q: "Hello, my late uncle left me 7 million dollars which was a solid transfer from his bank to my bank. ...
A: Sherry Sorry for your loss Your priorities look sharp. I can't recommend a specific firm but I ...
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| Nonqualified Deferred Comp Plans | 5/22/2008 |
Q: Can distributions from a nonqualified deferred comp plan 409A be rolled over into a qualified IRA.
A: Patrick This had a recent deadline of a whole bunch of new rules. Sorry I can't answer you but it ...
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| House Sale | 5/5/2008 |
Q: My widowed mother-in-law is 79 years old. Last year she was in a car accident and after spending 6 ...
A: Terri it might not work out well financially if your mother in law lives long. She is short 1600 a ...
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| 401k Transfer | 4/28/2008 |
Q: My Dad passed away November 2007 at 74. We are finding that he had many retirement accounts with my ...
A: An IRA in your moms name. The investment choice, ie CD or Stocks or whatever, is beyond this forum. ...
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| IRA | 4/10/2008 |
Q: I would like to reduce my taxable income for 2007. Can I use existing non-qualified mutual fund ...
A: TOO MANY VARIABLES PHIL. A GUESS: IF YOU CAN MAKE A DEDUCTIBLE IRA CONTRIBUTION FOR 2007 BASED ON ...
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| US taxes rules for german pension refund | 4/3/2008 |
Q: My husband and I worked in Germany for 4 years, now we are living in the US so we had claimed our ...
A: Sarin I am not certain but I expect the answer is yes you claim it. If you are US citizens, did you ...
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| Investing HELOC funds | 3/27/2008 |
Q: I'll try to be as concise as possible. I own two properties; one is a condo, the other is a single ...
A: Robert Yikes Unable to advise on that strategy it is way outside of what I and most planners can ...
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| advice on lumpsum | 3/20/2008 |
Q: We are expecting to the tune of $50K or more from a personal source. I was wondering if you can give ...
A: Swathi Roth IRAs are good ideas, $5k to each of you. To put money away for only a few years would ...
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| Selecting an RIA & various | 3/19/2008 |
Q: What are the benefits of hiring someone to manage your money as opposed to doing it yourself? The ...
A: At this point it would be turning into an engagement on my part and I also wouldn't want to ...
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| Selecting an RIA & various | 3/10/2008 |
Q: What are the benefits of hiring someone to manage your money as opposed to doing it yourself? The ...
A: John I run the exact same business so I might appear biased. If you truly know what you are doing ...
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| Legal Rights | 2/6/2008 |
Q: "My mother passed away last year, and she was survived by my father, who is not very cooperative in ...
A: Eula Sorry for your triple loss of your mother, her possessions and your trust in your father. The ...
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| Investment Strategy? Strategies? | 1/31/2008 |
Q: I'm trying to figure out the best investment strategy for myself, so I thought I'd provide you an ...
A: MJ Without getting into a full engagement I can say you are on a good path and keep going. Assuming ...
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| Mortgage vs Money Market | 1/27/2008 |
Q: I am going to purchase a home in TX. I am selling in VA. My question is should I put my money from ...
A: I generally agree with your interest bearing account idea but have to caveat the whole answer here ...
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| redeeming IRA | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I am over 65, and I have not cashed in my IRA. Do I have to? Many thanks, Edwin
A: Edwin You have to begin taking out minimum required distributions by April 1 the year after you ...
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| how to invest inheritance, bases to cover etc. | 1/15/2008 |
Q: my 91 yr old grandmother just inherited about 500K, there are 4 grandkids all adults. I would like ...
A: I'll address both emails Amandria Looks like you have your hands full and are going to get things ...
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| how to invest inheritance, bases to cover etc. | 1/13/2008 |
Q: my 91 yr old grandmother just inherited about 500K, there are 4 grandkids all adults. I would like ...
A: Amandria It sounds like you are saying your grandmother inherited $500k and you are concerned about ...
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| Variable Life Annuity/Tax Penalty Question | 1/8/2008 |
Q: It is now January of 2008 - If I have an VL Annuity and I am over the age of 70 1/2, if I forgot ...
A: Sam Beg the insurance company to postdate a transaction. Claim they lost the withdrawal form you ...
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| college fund | 1/6/2008 |
Q: I want to set up a modest college fund for 6 yr old G'son. I am 60, retired teacher. I can start it ...
A: Terry you are most often right to bust out of a VA. If you are over 59.5 years old you can leave ...
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| college fund | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I want to set up a modest college fund for 6 yr old G'son. I am 60, retired teacher. I can start it ...
A: Good for you Terry 529 plan. Period You can be the trustee. GSON can be the beneficiary. Mom and ...
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| LLC vs. Living Trust or a Combination? | 1/3/2008 |
Q: My wife and I have three rental properties in California and a personal residence in Atlanta, GA. ...
A: Bob First I am not a lawyer. Consult one in your home state who specializes in estate planning. ...
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| Variable Annuities | 1/2/2008 |
Q: Can a Variable Annuity be transferred in to a self directed traditional IRA account or other type of ...
A: Warren Yes. You simply roll over and the new company should be able to help you. Generally a good ...
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| Real estate purchase | 12/30/2007 |
Q: My wife and I are in our early 50's and about to move from Arizona to Texas. We have a 24 year old ...
A: David No. Without knowing very much about your situation, practically nobody out there does what ...
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| Real Estat financial planning | 12/18/2007 |
Q: This is a tough one. We live in Bergen County, NJ. We have two properties. 1st one is a condo, 2nd ...
A: Paul Hows about your family and mine move from Bergen County and live like normal people? How did ...
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| Saving for a house | 11/26/2007 |
Q: My fiance and I are looking to save for our first home. He thinks I should put money away in a 403B ...
A: Cari Good luck looking for a house it seems like a good time to buy. Do not take money out of a ...
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| estate and complications | 11/20/2007 |
Q: Please bear with me...I just lost my Mom on Nov. 14th to lung cancer, after only finding out she had ...
A: Sorry for your loss and the mess you have, Melissa. As far as life insurance policies, the policies ...
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| question | 11/17/2007 |
Q: At this time I have about 50K in my money market account in the bank. I need to put my mother as the ...
A: Karam Since it appears from your question you don't trust your mother, there's nothing you can do ...
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| vacation rentals | 11/14/2007 |
Q: We got into the vacation rental game 2 years ago when we upgraded our primary home and rather than ...
A: Errol, You know the answer; you even said it. You admit to lazy cash flow monitoring, admit that ...
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| Equity Index Annuities | 10/29/2007 |
Q: From what I understand, and EIA (Equity Index Annuity) is an annuity that credits interest based ...
A: Frankie Your investment is protected by the strength of the insurance company. If there is an ...
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| Gift of Stock from Grandparent to grandchild for college | 10/17/2007 |
Q: My father wishes to gift stock to my children to pay for future college. My five kids range in age ...
A: Paul Gifting stock to the kids 1. does reduce their chances for aid and 2. loses the step up in ...
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| avoiding taxes | 10/12/2007 |
Q: I am join owner of a house with my brothers. My brother is going to give me my share in cash - ...
A: First off there are a lot of variables I don't know. What kind of property, was this a recent ...
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| RMD's | 8/28/2007 |
Q: If the owner of a business is still running and working at his business does the have to take the ...
A: The 401k plan or employer sponsored plan of the place the 70.5 year old works is the plan that can ...
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| Transfer of Assets | 8/25/2007 |
Q: My wife and I are both 65. When our sons were very young we set up brokerage accounts for both of ...
A: David No advice here based on it being legal work. I won't beat you too badly, but offer a little ...
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| home mortgage | 8/8/2007 |
Q: I have been remarried since January 2007. My husband purchased a home several months prior to our ...
A: Mary That is a question for an attorney in your state, an estate planning specialist. Are you ...
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| 401K investment mix for early retirement | 7/26/2007 |
Q: I am 54 and my wife is 48. I have been unemployed since last year when my employer left town. I ...
A: I don't know your expenses Dave but I am inclined to tell you to get work and keep saving. ...
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| 401K | 6/21/2007 |
Q: I have $100,000 in a 401K (I no longer work for this company) I want to leave this money to my ...
A: Dorothy Somebody is paying tax on it no matter what, when the money hits their pocket. The general ...
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| Annuity | 6/18/2007 |
Q: Greetings. I bought an annuity 11 years ago with after-tax dollars (non-qualified). The surrender ...
A: Larry Yes And your profit is taxable as well as ordinary income. Try to find other sources to draw ...
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| Transferring 401K to France? | 6/4/2007 |
Q: Is it possible to convert a 401K/IRA to a French pension plan (France has similar private plans) ...
A: Tres Bon Jeff, for your effort and creativity, but the US won't let US citizens yank qualified ...
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| life insurance proceeds | 5/28/2007 |
Q: In the event of my husbands death, what do I do with the life insurance proceeds to insure that I ...
A: Deborah Life Insurance companies can give you his death benefit in a lump sum or as a pension, ...
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| helping parents | 5/7/2007 |
Q: I would like to pay my parents mortgage so my father can retire in the next 5 years. His idea was ...
A: Sounds like a reverse mortgage, where you are the lender. Putting a lien on it sounds like you need ...
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| annuities | 5/2/2007 |
Q: I am a school teacher. The only thing offerred by our district for a 403B are two Variable ...
A: So sorry for the delay; I had technical issues. No kidding they are expensive. You are feeding the ...
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| Annunities and Trusts | 4/28/2007 |
Q: I have two annunities that are about $150,000 each. I have not paid taxes on these annunities. I ...
A: Marilyn The accountant is the only correct advisor on these issues. With a beneficiary designated, ...
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| Capital Gains | 4/26/2007 |
Q: I am selling my home and relocating. I will be renting at first until I find a home that I would ...
A: You can't Gabriel. Then again you might not have a taxable gain. Your purchase price plus major ...
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| Rental Property Investment Choices | 3/9/2007 |
Q: Bruce, I do have follow up questions and a clarification: The main issue was 1) do I purchase two ...
A: I still like two, and bite off small chunks at a time. Not surprised at your calcs on a long term ...
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| Rental Property Investment Choices | 3/8/2007 |
Q: Do I buy 2 rental townhome using two 5% down loans or one rental townhome with a 10% down loan? I ...
A: Jeff, tread lightly in this market and be cautious with 4 future taxpayers depending on you to get ...
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| Sudden unexpected windfall | 2/18/2007 |
Q: I will be 75 in April. Last year a company purchased my mineral rights left to me by my parents. I ...
A: Leona So nice to see a warm family help each other out. Do not forget a medical power of attorney ...
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