Creating your retirement checklist Q: I’m a gay male in my 30s. My parents are nearing retirement but aren’t sure they can afford to retire. I want to make sure that when I’m their age, I’m more certain about my finances and reti...
Health planning and alternate decisionmakers Q: I’m a single woman in my 60s. If I was injured and unable to make decisions for myself, how can I make sure my wishes regarding my care and finances are carried out? A: This is such an impo...
Retirement savings vs. paying off bills Q: Should I borrow from my 401(k) plan at work to pay off my mortgage? A: This is a questions I am frequently asked and, in most cases, my answer is no. But depending on your specific circumst...
Obtaining medical insurance before Medicare Q: I’m a 60-year-old gay man considering retirement this year. But I’m concerned about obtaining medical insurance when I retire. I know I’m not eligible for Medicare until I turn 65. Can you pl...
Reviewing your credit situation Q: Can I lower the interest rate on my credit card? A: The simple answer is: It never hurts to ask! A study conducted by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group found that more than half (57 perce...
Selling your home in a depressed market Q: What steps can I take to help me sell my home in a depressed market? A: Many of us have found ourselves in a difficult position regarding our homes, especially if circumstances require us t...
After the rebound, time to review — and rebalance — your portfolio Q: My mix of investments has changed so much in the past two years. Not so much because I’ve made changes, but because the stock market has moved and thrown things out of balance. I’m not sure h...
Tips for the tax-savvy investor Q: It seems that every year I always wait until the last minute to think about my taxes. I’m trying to be more proactive this year. Do you have any early preparation tips you can share so I can ...
Is a Roth IRA conversion in your future? Q: A friend mentioned to me something about IRA conversion rules changing for 2010 and, honestly, I have no idea what she was talking about. Can you help? A: I’m happy to help. And your frie...
A look at the Credit Card Act of 2009 Q: I’ve gotten myself into a bit of trouble with my credit cards over the past year. Now I owe a lot of money on multiple cards, and I’m worried about what might happen to my interest rates and ...
After the rebound, time to review — and rebalance — your portfolio
| 4 
| 