Ask Terry Archives

You were one of the very first financial experts to call attention to the underfunding of the IL State Teacher Retirement system. What do you think is the most likely outcome for teacher pensions in Illinois ? Will current retirees lose their COLA ? Will they have their retirement recalculated downward ? Could the state…

Retired. Have hi yield bonds in vanguard also inflation protected securities bonds. Should I remain in these bond funds? I just opened the inflation protected bond fund but am now thinking I should get out. Need your opinion. Thank you so much, Jan

How do I find a financial advisor?

Hi Terry, I have student loan debt and I have been working for 15 years. I am looking for advice on how to best pay down this loan. I seem to be with an loan company that is not very good. I am looking for a solid advisor to help with refinancing and paying off…

Due to an illness, I couldn't pay credit cards, they have closed the accounts. Should I continue now to make payments on them? I saw you on WGN saying if they were written off, don't pay the collection agency, but what about if they just closed them? Thank You!

How do you buy penny stocks without a broker? 2nd Request!!!

My 25 year old daughter purchased a house on her own. I am her mother and on her checking and savings accounts. I do not contribute to her accounts. It is strictly for an emergency . An attorney (not ours) said that is a bad idea in case we were ever sued. Is there a…

Terry: Would you advise investing in these loans and, if not, why not. Thanks so much in advance and Happy New Year! Ellen

I am retired - my income is substantially less from not working - living off some non-taxes inheritance for a few years - will not be withdrawing from my SEP for a few years - no business expenses - should I pay off my home mortgage with an interest rate of 3.5%?

Hi Terry: With the downturn in the bond market due to the election and the fed increasing the interest rate, I money my investments in my bond mutual funds into money market funds. But I do not know when I should return into binds. Do you have any suggestions?

Owe about $90,000 in Home Equity. The mortgage is paid in full. Have about $120,000 in stocks. Would it be smart to cash in my stocks to pay off the Home Equity debt. Also, probably will get divorced in 2017.

Please give me the name of the budget book you discusses today available on Amazon

What is your opinion about the wisdom for the small investor of investing in crowdfunding or peer to peer lending? Thank you

Seasons Greetings,Terry! I would like to transfer money out of an IRA that's paying less than 1% to an HSA since we meet the requirements of having one. Is this better than just taking the funds from a regular checking account? We are both retired so cannot make contributions from our paychecks.

Hello, Terry. My husband and I are met a financial advisor who has a radio show on WBBM. I searched the SEC website and the disclosure information showed that this individual has two regulatory events, one customer dispute and one termination. Based on this discovery, we are not comfortable proceeding with this individual. Our question…

I just rec'd a letter from one my creditor who offer me a chargeoff amount less than half of what I owe should I take me up on this offer or is a setup

Upon retiring at 66 yrs, I recently rolled over my 401k into my existing Fidelity IRA. The total is now about 1.6 million. After years of choosing low cost index funds in my 401k, Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. has proposed actively managing my assets for a net annual advisory fee of .66%. The primary investment…

I seem to remember that you suggested a website where people can choose a charity to contribute to. We would like our grandsons to choose a charity which we would then fund or match their contribution as part of our holiday gift to them. Is this site familiar to you? Any help you can give…

Hi Terry, I'm an IL resident who recently became a father and I'm looking to open a 529 plan before year end. I've been reading a lot about Brightstart, but my guess is the higher fees will balance out the tax benefits, so I've been looking at ratings and performance. What are your thoughts on…

HELP! My daughter has more than 60,000 in student loan debt. She has consolidated these three loans and one of the three is a loan that will be paid back in 10 years and what is left is forgiven. Between rent, car payment, and living expenses she cannot make ends meet. Do not know what…