Wiser Education

• Retirement Plans for the Self Employed
  
• How to pay for College
  
• How to Choose a Financial Advisor
  
• The Cruel World of Financial Advice
  
• Wiser Investing 101
  
• Wiser Advice 101
  
• Diversification, Cost, and the Long Term: Part 1 Diversification
  
• What is Risk? Part 1
  

Questions from Everyday People

• The Burden of Debt
  Posted on: January 15th, 2012 by Sonja Gonzalez

  If interest rates are too high such as to make your minimum payments too onerous to allow much wiggle room, do not be shy about calling the debt provider to ask for a reduction in the rate. They don’t have to honor your request, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Continue reading →

  
• 401k Loan Question
  Posted on: October 13th, 2011 by Casey Smith

  Hi Casey - I didnt want to take up your time but im having a question im trying to answer. Home refinancing now is looking like a great option. I have an FHA, but im over the 80% ltv and pay pmi. Thinking about our career in the near future and …

  
• How to Diversify Away From the Falling Dollar
  Posted on: August 15th, 2011 by Casey Smith

  Hey Casey-I’ve attended your last 2 retirement [Atlantic Southeast Airlines Pilot] seminars – thanks for holding them – I’ve learned a lot. Anyway, curious with the new brokerage account option, wondering if there’s a way to get out of dollars and in to a foreign currency? Thanks!    Lisa.

  Hi Lisa, Yes. …

  
• Why use Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)?
  Posted on: April 19th, 2011 by Casey Smith

  The University of Maryland has a study that shows only .06% of active fund managers from 1975 – 2007 beat their corresponding index. Continue reading →

  
• How important is diversification?
  Posted on: April 12th, 2011 by Sonja Gonzalez

  How much do you want to put your eggs in one basket? Even a few baskets? Continue reading →

  
• What is risk tolerance, and how does it factor into my investment decisions?
  Posted on: April 10th, 2011 by Sonja Gonzalez

  Risk tolerance is how much risk you are willing to take with your investments. Let’s look at the market crash of 2008-2009. In early March, when the market finally bottomed out, how did you feel? Continue reading →

  
• Which should I do first – invest for the future or pay down debts?
  Posted on: April 8th, 2011 by Sonja Gonzalez

  Would you borrow money on your house or on a credit card to buy into an investment or put in your savings account? Continue reading →

  
• Which would be better – a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA?
  Posted on: April 6th, 2011 by Sonja Gonzalez

  If you do not need to save on taxes now, a Roth IRA is your best option.  The reason is the taxation of earnings.  With a traditional IRA, you save on taxes now on the amount you contribute.  But you pay taxes when you take the money out on both …

  
• Should I contribute to my company’s 401(k) or to an IRA?
  Posted on: April 6th, 2011 by Casey Smith

  The 401(k) and the IRA offer tax advantaged savings.  The differences to consider are in maximum contribution limits and matching money.

  Employers typically will offer to match a certain portion of your 401(k) contributions to encourage you to invest for you retirement.  The level is most often a percentage of …