A Simple Way to Earn More From Your Investments

Written by Rob Copeland | 13 November 2013

As an investor, you should focus not on what you make, but what you keep after taxes. Tax-efficient investing has always been a good idea, and because of the new tax to fund the Affordable Care Act, it's more important than ever.

The new tax of 3.8% applies to investments, including capital gains and stock dividends for singles earning over $200,000 and couples earning over $250,000 a year. That's on top of the regular tax you pay on investment income.

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How to Save Your Family 101

Written by Rob Copeland | 14 October 2013

We've all heard about—or experienced—the ugly fights that can break out over property and money after a family member passes away.

These fights are often so bitter that they can tear surviving members apart. As you probably know, the best way to avoid these conflicts is for the owner of that property and money to create very clear estate plan explicitly spelling out his or her wishes. The problem is that people put off their estate planning year after year after year—until finally memory loss occurs and they lose the ability to clearly communicate their final wishes.

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Insured Municipal Bonds Starting to Look Attractive

Written by Rob Copeland | 12 September 2013

Often the best investing opportunities are to be found when others are panicking—and that's the case now with municipal bonds, or munis for short. Muni bonds are debt taken out by municipalities like cities, counties and states to fund projects to benefit their residents. Usually the taxes collected or the revenues generated by the project are used to pay the interest and principal to the holders of the bonds.

In the wake of Detroit's bankruptcy filing two months ago, many investors are overreacting by avoiding the asset class altogether. Their logic is that Detroit's filing—the biggest ever for a U.S. city—means any other municipality could do the same.

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Does Longevity Insurance Make Sense?

Written by Rob Copeland | 15 August 2013

As Americans' average life expectancy increases, many people are afraid of outliving their savings.

One solution that has appeared recently is what's known as "longevity insurance." Longevity insurance is designed to provide guaranteed income from the time you reach old age—usually around 85—to the time you die.

The thinking is that by age 85, your savings may be depleted. The appeal of longevity insurance is that it can allow you to remain independent as long as you desire.

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