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Note: I have absolutely no financial connection with any of the websites listed below. Some offer reprints of articles I have written; other offer links to buy my books. But I have accepted no money or other services for mentioning them. And this list contains the only authorized links from my website -- except for the links to my archives at the Chicago Sun-Times and to order my books.
RETIREMENT How can you plan if you don't know how long you're likely to, or possibly could live?
This
is the best online calculator for figuring out how much you'll need
in retirement, and how much you should be saving now. Everything you need to know about Individual Retirement Accounts - and a place to send an email question to Ed Slott, the IRA expert and accountant who maintains this site. If you're 65 you must sign up between Nov 15 and Dec 31st for Medicare Part D -- the prescription drug plan. Use the easy "Plan Finder" tool at the government website to find the best plan -- even if you currently don't take any prescription drugs. The "pension detectives" and the National Center for Retirement Benefits will examine whether your company calculated benefits correctly. They've found millions of dollars in errors -- don't charge up front, but take one-third of the extra money they find.
Home
of Jim Cramer (and personal finance articles by Terry Savage)! If
you want to know what's hot and happening in the markets at any
moment of the day, this is the place to **A Special Deal Go to www.TerrySavage.com home page and click on the blue box that says "FinancialEngines." If you enter through this box, you'll get a free one-year subscription to this unique tool that is offered by major corporate 40l(k) plans to their employees. It is free, secure, PIN-protected, and gives you individualized advice on how to allocate your money between the funds in your retirement plan. My thanks to Dr. William Sharpe, Nobel Prize winning economist who created this site, for this special offer to my readers. Charts for any stock or index over any period of time. You don't have to be a trend follower to be interested in the big picture.
Work
your way through the SmartMoney website to get to this incredible
display of what sectors of the market are hot, and which are not!
You have to see it to believe it. If
you're a novice investor or looking to do sophisticated research,
this is a great website
Find
real-time prices on municipal and corporate bonds, so you know whether
your broker is giving you a good deal when you buy or sell. This
distinctive sector of the market frequently outperforms in good
times as well as bad. Learn more about the concept and individual
REITs at this website. www.ATT.com/IR If
you owned original AT&T stock, then Baby Bells, then merged
companies - and THEN you sell some of the stock, you're going to
go crazy trying to figure out your cost basis! Click on "tax
links" on this site, and you'll get help. MARKET
ADVICE and ECONOMIC THOUGHT This
is one of the oldest newsletters around, and James Dines' unique
take on the US and global markets, metals, the economy and politics
are my favorite "must read" newletter I've been reading Bert Dohmen's newsletter for -- well, let's just say more than 25 years - and I count on his logical take on the markets, the Fed, the economy - and his unique insights into how Washington affects our world.
One
of my favorite sources of advice and information on the markets.
Jim Stack is seen frequently on CNBC and other financial shows because
he has an incredible collection of statistics and market indicators,
and a great track record. They
have all the facts on taxation, how much you pay, how it compares
historically, plus an interesting take on tax legislation and proposals. x-rates.com INVESTING
& MONEY FOR KIDS Lets
you start investing with only a few dollars, and has special information
packages for children to teach them about the stock market. Open
an account in their All-American Blue Chip fund for only $100 -
if you agree to an automatic monthly contribution of at least $30
a month, which can be deducted from your checking account. Every
state has one or more "529" College Savings plans - either
pre-paid tuition plans Start
early to teach your children about wise use of credit cards. This
site links you to banks that offer a re-loadable debit card - perfect
for the student going off to college. Mom and Dad can re-load a
monthly allowance directly from their bank. And both student and
parents can securely view all spending and cash withdrawals from
the account, using a PIN. No more midnight pleas for money without
knowing where it all went!
Find a Certified Financial Planner in your area, or search by name or specialty. This site will connect you to professional members of the Financial Planning Association. The
Association of Certified Financial Planners. You can search for
a planner by zipcode, or learn more about becoming a CFP. Financial planners who do not charge commissions on products they sell, but work for a flat fee.
The
home page of the National Foundation for Consumer Credit - with
member agencies around the country. This non-profit and its member
agencies are the only ones I recommend for advice, counseling, debt
repayment plans. When you get to the home page, click on "Take
the First Step" to search for your nearest local agency. Or
call 800-388-2227. Here's the place to search for credit cards with lowest rates and fees, secured cards to help you build, or re-build, your credit, and even get answers to your credit card questions. This is the website to get your free annual credit report from each of the three major bureaus. Just click on the links to the bureaus, and space your reports throughout the year.
If you're worried that someone's using your Social Security number,
or that someone index.credit.cards
A legitimate, anonymous, free mortgage rate search service for all kinds of mortgages. Get the "real" rates -- before hidden markups. And post questions for noted consumer credit expert Gerri Detweiler. Everything
you need to know about Treasury bills, notes and bonds - including
how to open an account and buy them online. Also, everything you
need to know about U.S. Savings Bonds - including how to value your
old bonds. Check
on savings deposit rates (and mortgage rates too) in your area and
across the country. National
Association of Elder Law Attorneys helps you find a lawyer in your
area to deal with issues of special interest to the elderly - including
estate planning, Medicaid planning, conservatorships, and much more.
The site also includes links to many other useful agencies and associations
of help to elders and their families. Running out of money? Seniors who have paid off their mortgage - or have a very low balance - should consider a reverse mortgage. It turns your home into your pension by giving you a check a month for life. You can never be forced out of your home! (I did this for my own father!!) Search the articles on my website, or read The Savage Number for more details. Don't be afraid to consider a reverse mortgage. Looking for an attorney to help you deal with estate planning and other issues for seniors? Search for a qualified attorney in your state, as well as finding in-depth information about asset transfers, senior planning and more at this site.
The
place to search for health insurance coverage, whether long or short
term, Health Savings Accounts, student policies, etc. You can compare
online, and their toll-free number connects you to individual advice. Compare
term life insurance prices, and save money! A toll-free number puts
you in touch with individual assistance in choosing the best policy. If
you have cash value life policies, you need to understand the consequences
and costs before you make a switch. Take advantage of their free
policy analysis - before letting an agent make money by changing
an old policy to a new one.
Start
your search for Long Term Care Insurance here. They are independent
agents for major firms such as MetLife, John Hancock, Genworth.
Since you'll definitely need personalized help on this type of insurance,
you can call them at 800-533-6242 Another
place to get personalized quotes on long term care insurance policies.
How
large a monthly payout can you get for life from a specific lump
sum? Just enter your age and see what various insurance companies
are offering. Also an excellent place to double check your company
plan's retirement choices. If they offer you a lump sum or monthly
payout, here you can see if you could do better. OK,
I'm giving out the contact of my personal annuity expert for many
years. He's the expert I turn to in analyzing products - and in
buying my own! If you ask me a tough question on annuities, it's
a sure thing I'm going to contact Jeffrey. So now you can do it
directly! paylessforcollege.com simpletuition.com SAT
info, College search. This is the place to start understanding the
process of college admissions, SAT tests, and to start your search
for the college that's right for you, using the "college matchmaker"
tool. Start
here for everything you need to know about financial aid, FAFSA
(the financial aid application form), advice on college costs. Even
parents of young children should start here to get information on
529 College Savings plans, which work best if you start saving early! This is the Department of Education official website, helpful for parents and students of all ages. The
Princeton Review website is especially helpful for information about
graduate school, medical school, and helps with search, admissions,
application information and financial This website bills itself as the most complete source of scholarships and grants, at both the national and local level. It can't hurt to try it, and it doesn't cost you a penny. www.collegequest.com This
is the website of the well-known Peterson's college planner, and
it can help you find international schools, culinary institutes,
nursing schools, online learning centers, and much more. Sallie
Mae - now a private company - is the nation's largest provider of
student loans. Click here for information on all sorts of loans:
Federally subsidized student loans, PLUS loans for parents, and
Student Loan Consolidations. Someone
has to compete with Sallie Mae. With student loan rates fixed by
the Federal Government, service is the defining feature. Sallie
Mae sets a tough standard but this company is a worth competitor
- they try harder! Networking
for parents of college students! This site offers advice, purchase
deals for parents/students, insights into campus issues, and other
support as you enter this new phase of your life.
The Kelly Blue Book site is a must for pricing new and used cars. Everything
you need to know to compare features and prices on new and used
cars, plus interesting postings on message boards. These two websites help you get out of your lease early by acting as a "matching service" for those who want short-term car leases, and those who want out early.
MISCELLANEOUS billeo.com
This link takes you directly to the history of the US Income Tax, which started in 1913 with a top bracket of 7% on income over half a million dollars! "Wondering how to bring up touchy subjects to aging parents or wayward young adults? Click here for hilarious video email invites to 'have the talk' and you'll be all set. (And check out these comic videos even if you don't need to have a 'talk" with someone you love!)"
The holiday season inspires generosity. But don't give to a charity unless you know they are reputable and efficient. Check up on your favorite charity at this website. This year Tax Freedom Day is april 26th -- three days later than last year, and 10 days later than 2004! Do you know who your representative is in Congress? Do you know how to contact him or her by e-mail instantly? Click here, insert your full zip code, and you'll be connected immediately. Our national debt is growing every second! This non-partisan site gives you the facts, hoping to make our nation's finances akey issue for every candidate. Get involved!
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Copyright 1999, Terry Savage Productions | The Money Lady / tm