Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

January 2017

Catch-Up Retirement Planning

A recent article stated that baby boomers and younger generations face a “perfect storm” of retirement planning challenges: a financial squeeze on Social Security, pension plan underfunding, and inadequate savings-and often high expenses-in 401(k)s and similar defined contribution plans. What to do? For many people, the answer is catch-up retirement planning.

 

Even people in their 50s with little or nothing invested have opportunities …

Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

Investing Lessons from American Pharoah

In October 2015, American Pharoah (AP) became the first horse ever to win the “Grand Slam” of thoroughbred horse racing: the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes) and Breeder’s Cup Classic. AP’s story is a positive antidote to negative reports about random shooters, terrorism, and politics and a great subject for a future movie. Just like Seabiscuit in 1938-1940, there was …

Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

Just Do a Few Key Things Right

Personal finance does not have to be complicated. Rather, most people can manage their finances quite well by doing just a few key things right.  Below are ten suggestions to improve your personal finances:

 

1. Spend Less Than You Earn– The only way to save and invest is to have money left over after expenses. Shop around for bargains (e.g., online

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Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

Tips for Beginning Investors

Every year, some people start to invest for the very first time.  Many investment “newbies” are young adults who have recently landed their first full-time job and enrolled in a tax-deferred 401(k) or 403(b) employer retirement savings plan. Others are older adults who have accumulated (or inherited) a lump sum of money. Below are eight tips for successful investing:

 

• Develop an “Investor’s Mindset”- When

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Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

Seize Control of Your Financial Life

 

Want to be a successful investor? Seize control of your financial life with the eight strategies described below:

 

Accept What You Can’t Control (e.g., stock market volatility, cutbacks made to employer benefit plans, and declining housing market values) and Control What You Can (e.g., spending decisions, enhanced training and education, and money contributed to an IRA or employer retirement savings plan). Buying …

Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

June 2016

Tips for Keeping Spending Plan Record

Want to be a successful investor? Start by managing your cash flow. A spending plan (a.k.a., budget) is a plan for spending and saving your income.  Two keys to developing a successful spending plan are using realistic figures for each expense category (e.g., food) and an easily manageable record-keeping system. 

 

Looking for an easy way to manage your finances?  Below …

Barbara O’Neill, Extension Specialist in Financial Resource Management

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

oneill@aesop.rutgers.edu

October 2016

Seven Side Effects of Saving and Investing

 

An important result of saving and investing is having a sum of money available to use for emergencies or to fund future financial goals such as a vacation, new car, or retirement. With savings also comes peace of mind in knowing that you’re not on the “financial edge” with little or no money in reseve to handle negative life …