Latest from The Spokesman-Review

• Choose Guaranteed Education Tuition today for college tomorrow

  May 25, 2010 in Business on Page A8 Q. With the recent birth of our first child we were wondering about saving for college and heard that there was a program to lock in tuition prices. Sounds good, … 1

• Include fun in your funding goals

  May 18, 2010 in Business on Page A9 Q.I make a good living but just can’t seem to figure out where the money goes each month. How do I get back in control? A.There is no silver bullet …

• Keep close watch on credit score

  May 4, 2010 in Business on Page A7 What’s your credit score and, more importantly, why does it matter? More than ever, credit scores are a big deal. Lenders use your score to understand what type of risk …

• Factor age in your Social Security plan

  April 27, 2010 in Business on Page A7 Q.My wife and I are in our late 50s. Our house is paid off and our youngest child finishes college in June. We are starting to plan for retirement, but …

• E-statements ease impact on the planet

  April 20, 2010 in Business on Page A7 There’s no better time than spring to go green with your financial life. If you have investments in mutual funds or securities, I bet you are amazed at how much …

• Lay financial base before buying home

  April 13, 2010 in Business on Page A7 Q.My husband and I have been married three years. We earn $63,000 a year ($5,250 a month) and are saving to buy a house. We pay $523 a month for …

• SRI, faith-based choices let you invest in your values, issues

  April 6, 2010 in Business, City on Page A8 Q.What is Socially-Responsible Investing? A.Socially responsible investing (SRI), also known as socially-conscious or ethical investing, describes an investment strategy which seeks to maximize financial returns while also promoting the social … 1

• What to do when bonds are called

  March 30, 2010 in Business on Page A8 Q. My wife and I are retired and have a municipal bond portfolio. A lot of bonds have been called lately and we don’t know how to replace the income. …

• Save now for kids’ college with CESAs

  March 9, 2010 in Business on Page A7 Q. My husband and I just had our first child. My parents invested $1,400 in a CESA mutual fund for him. They’ve promised to do it every year if my …

• Work with partner to thrive

  February 16, 2010 in Business on Page A10 Money can be a topic of tension for all couples, especially when so many people have been laid off and discretionary money is tight. In working with couples to navigate …

• The right insurance depends on needs

  February 9, 2010 in Business on Page A7 Q.My wife and I are 32 and have an 8-month-old daughter. We bought a house two years ago, and the payments fit comfortably into our budget. I earn $42,000 and …

• Ask a planner: Watch for hidden costs on funds

  February 2, 2010 in Business on Page A6 Q.I just retired with $397,000 in my 401(k). My broker recommends rolling it to an IRA and buying mutual funds. He likes C shares because there’s no commission. What do …

• Financial planning a rewarding career

  December 15, 2009 in Business on Page A8 Dear Ask a Planner, How do you become a financial planner and what is the best way to join the field?

• College savings options abound for parents who start early

  December 1, 2009 in Business on Page A8 Q. How should couples with young children begin saving for college? A.This is a great question. While it is never too late to start saving for college, those parents who …

• Before you pop the question, make sure your financial doubts are answered

  November 24, 2009 in Business on Page A8 Q.What type of financial questions should one ask a romantic partner if they are planning to get married? A.This is a fantastic question. Too often couples tend to rush into …

• Careful planning, sacrifice can reap big rewards

  November 17, 2009 in Business on Page A8 Retirement, financial independence, security: You, too, can have it all. You merely have to define what “it” is and be willing to forgo items of lesser importance. Stephen Covey, who …

• Lump-sum distributions may result in 401(k) tax breaks

  November 10, 2009 in Business on Page A10 Taxpayers may be overlooking an important break on income tax when they take a lump-sum distribution from a 401(k) plan. A lump-sum distribution means the entire balance of the account …

• Consider risks, benefits before you add to debt

  October 27, 2009 in Business on Page A7 Over the past several decades, consumer culture has been built largely on debt and encouraged borrowing to help individuals fund lifestyles beyond their means. The numbers are sobering. Approximately one …

• Don’t put your goals at risk over impulses

  October 20, 2009 in Business on Page A8 What is it about human behavior that we so easily give in to impulse? Why is it that we don’t hesitate to spend $4 on a cup of coffee or …

• Ask a Planner: Make your wishes known while you can

  October 6, 2009 in Business on Page A16 Everyone needs an estate plan, but many fail to create one. This is surprising because it’s your chance to say how you’d like your person and property managed if you’re …

• Money talk now can help avert money trouble later

  September 29, 2009 in Business on Page A6 How well do you know your spouse or significant other? Most people probably answer “very well,” but if you haven’t talked to each other about money you may not know …

• Let a planner bring order to your house

  September 22, 2009 in Business on Page A8 Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a new weekly column written by local certified financial planners. Readers are invited to submit questions for columnists to answer in this …