Articles
For the 2019-20 academic year, the average cost for tuition, fees, room, and board was $21,950 at a four-year public university (in-state) and $49,870 at a private nonprofit university.1
It's easy to see why many families become overwhelmed by college expenses. Providing funds for a grandchild's college education can be personally fulfilling, and it's also a tax-friendly opportunity to pass on wealth.
When your career is reaching a peak and you are finally looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself raising children, or helping with an adult child's college or living expenses, while at the same time looking after the needs of your parents. If so, you're in the sandwich generation, caught between the day-to-day demands of caring for both children and aging parents.
Fraudsters and scam artists have always looked for new ways to prey on consumers. Many are now using their tactics to take advantage of consumers' heightened financial and health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Federal, state, and local law enforcement have issued warnings on the surge in coronavirus scams and offer advice on how consumers can help protect themselves.
Your estate plan may be your last words to those you leave behind. If you're a parent, you should think carefully about the message you'll be sending.
Parents who leave their children unequal inheritances risk fueling family feuds. But strictly equal bequests also can cause resentment if the heirs don't see the distribution as fair.
Volatile markets make most investors nervous, and a big downturn can be especially disturbing to those who are approaching retirement or newly retired. Watching the value of your portfolio decline when you may need your assets in the near term is unsettling. But it's important to stay calm and maintain perspective.