From the Archives of TGIF 2 Minutes…
In light of graduation season, it can be beneficial to review (or celebrate) the basics of personal finance which can lead to future peace of mind – both for ourselves and the kids, grand kids, nieces and nephews who mean the most to us. From May 2018:
My Father loved municipal bonds. The coupons were high (certainly higher than the average coupon rates of today) and supply was ample. And he loved the story behind the bond.
As a quick primer, “muni bonds,” otherwise known as municipal bonds, are debt obligations issued to fund capital expenditures by municipalities, states, counties and other government and public service-related entities like hospitals and schools. The tax treatment of the interest paid is typically Federally tax-free to the investor and often state tax free in the state where the bond was issued. Investors who buy the bonds are promised to receive tax free interest periodically and then repayment of principal upon maturity. Continue reading “Not Your Father’s Muni Bonds”
More on the topic of 401k saving: Can there be an “optimal amount” to have in a traditional 401k? At the very least, adjustments can be made to get close-to-optimal. And timing wise with the calendar approaching mid-year there is ample time (unless you have already maxed out your 401k) to make meaningful adjustments to your 2019 401k elections and start the optimizing process.
This topic is especially important for those who take saving seriously and who have at least $400,000 TODAY in a 401k or IRA Rollover accounts combined with a 401k account. (For those with less, these concepts still matter but with less urgency.)
First: How old are you?