Ask Terry Archives

Hi Terry, My fiance and I were planning on getting married but she is afraid it will ruin her credit score. Will us getting married affect her credit score at all? Thanks for your time. Sincerely, James Chicago IL

Terry, I am new to investing. What is the best way to learn about stock & bond markets, Vanguards? I want to try and understand how things work and terminology. Books, websites, etc? Terry Says:  First, you need to understand how the market works.  I recommend a great little book (for which I wrote the…

I have 5 corporate bonds (laddered) and I wonder how safe these will be in the future. They are all good solid companies with the lowest rating as BBB+. The all pay very good dividends which go into cash fund. They are all held in an traditional IRA account. I am getting concerned with the…

I own shares in a company that has deregistered from the SEC Stopped trading on the pink sheets - a year or so ago The company is still operating and doing business. In my recent phone contact with the, they said my shares were still good, but they will not be trading again this year.…

for a healthy 63 year old nearing retirement in 3 years with recently taking a less stressfull job, short term disability or long term disability insurance is offered . Is there a big drawback to either?

I am 81 and employed part time in a business owned by my sons. I am required to take my 401 distribution because I am related to the owners. I reinvest the proceeds & wonder if there is something to put the money in that is tax free??

If bonds may take hit soon, how would you diversify your 403B with only 2 years to retirement? Stock,bonds,international? Terry Says:  This is a problem with company retirement plans.  They are designed for younger people in the accumulation phase -- and history says that over the long run -- IF you have the long run!…

Fixed annuity maturing 8/4 my husband took care of this ...he has been diagnosed with dementia and I am not sure what I should do with these funds...want to keep it safe not to be too aggressive any ideas? Best regards

Our current managed portfolio consists mostly of ETF's vs Mutual funds. An advisor from a different firm warned me about ETF's stating that they have risks. She sent me an example of a prospectus and highlighted three areas of concern: Authorized participant concentration risk, No guarantee of active trading market, and Trading issues. On the…

I am retired for three years. My present portfolio has a mutual fund component that is presently very diversified. So much so that I do not have the capability and acumen to manage it properly. I have been considering consolidating into various diversified index funds. My question, based on the current record high levels of…

Terry, I had a $50,000 (elc). I've paid it down to $11,000. The bank caught me at a bad time 2010 and charged me 11.49 % interest. I have the $11,000 stashed away interest free. My question is, should I pay it off or continue to pay the $258.39. Please advise Terry Says:  Well, I…

Terry, i'm a fed employee enrolled in the thrift saving plan. I will be 59 1/2 years old in November and plan to with draw 120.000 dollars from my tsp to make a down payment on a house and to pay off a parent student loan and a credit card bill. I plan to continue…

I signed up. when i got the response it gave a site to click on, but the site was not highlighted so I cut and pasted it and it went to your web page and I could not find the personal financial organizer, Just sayin Terry Says:  By now you should have received another newsletter…

Hi Terry, Should I purchase life insurance for my children (ages 6months old & six years old) with the idea being that if they are unable to get insurance as adults due to illness, etc., at least they have something? Not sure if this is a wise way to spend my money. Thanks! Terry Says: …

Do you know fiduciary financial adwaiser who speak polish? Terry Says:   I contacted Randall Bruns,  former chair of the Financial Planning Association of Illinois and he gave me a great answer:  "Try the CFP® Board’s search site at www.letsmakeaplan.org.  You can click “Advanced Search” and choose languages.  Polish is an option.

There are a few online banks offering 2% but online banks seem so intangible, as long the bank is FDIC insured it should be safe--right? Any you would recommend? Terry Says:  I have no concern with online banks, which save the costs of having branches.  But you must remember a few things.  First, make sure…

Hello Terry, I am 58 years old and a 2 year cancer survivor - I had my prostate removed. My Gleason score before surgery was 7. I am trying to obtain life insurance (approx:$100k) but no company appears to be interest unless the premium is equivalent to that of a mortgage payment ... any advice…

What do I need to do with the money. I don't want to lose it to taxes. I am 61 yrs old, Retired and on SS disability. Terry Says:  You didn't really give me much detail, but the headline gives me some clues.  First, you need to find out your "cost basis" in the money…

I am 62 yo, still working, at least for another 2-1/2 years. My 403B is with American funds with no loads. I have other investments which are in stocks and am looking at the 403B for my bond funds, any recommendations? Terry Says:   Please just remember that bond funds may balance a portfolio but they…

I signed up for your newsletter, but didn't receive the link to your "Personal Financial Organizer." Did I do something wrong, or is there a problem on the website? Terry Says:  There was such a huge response that the server crashed!  It is fixed now, but I will send out a new newsletter today with…