Investing Unit 2: Saving and Investing
Investing Unit 7: Advantages of Retirement Accounts
Financial Security: Saving and Investing
Even though the words “saving” and “investing” are often used interchangeably, there are differences between the two.
Saving provides funds for emergencies and for making specific purchases in the relatively near future (usually three years or less). Safety of the principal and liquidity of the funds (ease of converting to cash) are important aspects of savings dollars. Because of these characteristics, savings dollars generally yield a low rate of return and do not maintain purchasing power.
Investing, on the other …
Monthly Investment Message: April 2019
Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
March 2019
Plan Now for Financial Security in Later Life
One of the most frequently cited financial goals of investors is having a comfortable lifestyle in later life. Ideally, investing for retirement should take place over four to five decades to maximize the awesome power of compound interest. With a long time frame, investors can also ride out inevitable downturns in the stock market.
Later life financial planning …
Monthly Investment Message: January 2019
Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
January 2019
How to Select a Financial Advisor
There are times in life when professional financial advice can be very useful. Perhaps 2019 will be one of those years. Some of these times involve significant life events such as changing jobs, retirement, getting married, having or adopting children, widowhood, and getting divorced. Others involve the need to make major investment decisions such as receiving a lump sum distribution …
Monthly Investment Message: November 2018
Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
November 2018
How to Make Your Health and Finances Age Proof
The book Age Proof by Jean Chatzky and Dr. Michael Roizen discusses a crucial intersection in people’s lives: their bodies and their bank accounts (i.e., health and wealth). The term “age proof” relates to longevity and was defined as “living strong and secure for your whole life.”
The book, which has many good insights for investors, begins …
Monthly Investment Message: October 2018
Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
October 2018
How to Build a Base of Savings
Before you can become an investor, you must become a saver. Savings provides a pool of money with which to set up an investment account. For example, different types of bonds require certain minimum amounts to purchase and mutual funds might require a $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $3,000 initial deposit.
Once an investment account is set up, even small …
Monthly Investment Message: August 2018
Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
August 2018
What You Absolutely Need to Know About Retirement Planning
What are your long-term financial goals? Most people, whether they prefer to choose to use the “R” word (retirement) or not, want to have financial security in later life. This means having enough savings to pay for household bills, health care expenses, and fun activities. How can you invest enough to feel financially secure in your 60s, …
Monthly Investment Message: June 2018
Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management
Rutgers Cooperative Extension
June 2018
How to Become a 401(k) Millionaire
Would you like to have a million dollars by the time that you retire? There are several ways to become wealthy. One wealth-building strategy is to marry a wealthy person (e.g., Bill Gates’ wife Melinda). Another is to inherit a lot of money or receive a large settlement of some kind. A third way is to invent or produce a …