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My version of the Rapunzel story has my very pregnant wife unable to bear the August heat and yearning for a little cool breeze. Fortunately our baby didn't get locked up in a tower by a witch. I borrowed from my 401(k) and installed air conditioning. Everyone needs a little cash from time to time -...

This Thursday the Rochester office is hosting an open house for clients (advisors, staff and their families will all be present) to showcase our new office renovations . At a time when Goldman Sachs is doling out $22 billion in bonuses and news about Bank of America Merrill Lynch's "savior" John Th...

Picture a typical day. You get done with work, punch the time clock, and start the journey home, but before you get there you have to stop off at the grocery store. You pick up some Crest toothpaste, Duracell batteries, and Tide laundry detergent. You arrive home and check the kitchen for something...

Last week, the Senate approved a bill that would allow donors to accelerate the income tax benefits of charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Previously passed by the House, the bill is now cleared for signature by the President, which is expected this we...

Working my way up we have touched on my rules #10, #9, and #8, all of which are very basic "starter" rules for getting involved with your 401(k) or 403(b) plan at work. Today's rule assumes you are a plan participant and have been contributing for a while. At some point you start to think about what...

Today McDonald's announced strong fourth quarter results. In 2009 McDonalds served more than 60 million customers! This is up more than 2 million from 2008. McDonald's is a fundamentally sound company that has mastered the art of globalization as well as marketing. In 2009 global sales increased...

Today I am taking a break from the countdown of my Ten Ground Rules for 401(k)/403(b) Success. This afternoon we will hold our second "State of the Firm" meeting. Our purpose in starting this quarterly information session for our employees was to provide information on how we're doing as a firm....

I don't have a crystal ball. And if I did I'm not sure I would know how to use it. It seems like having a crystal ball would come in handy to figure out what investments to choose in your 401(k) or 403(b). You look at a list of funds or go online and see a bunch of choices, maybe read about a few, l...

I might have re-written that old axiom a little bit, but I'll bet you a new toothbrush none of the readers of this blog have ever successfully avoided the dentist. This week our Experts in You spot features dentist Dr. Ron Heinle and his wife and business partner, Colleen. Everyone has financial...

Over the next few weeks, many of us will be filling out the dreaded FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online to try to score some financial aid for our children in college. Here are some guidelines to help you maximize your future financial aid package: Save money in the parent's n...