Ask Terry Archives

Embarrassingly it's taken too long, but I need to understand what's going on with my money and figure out how to invest it. I have some mutual funds a 401K an IRA just floating along. It's my money I want to know if it's in the right place earning what it should. How do I…

My husband and I bought a house and renovated it. We ran out of money and still had to do the kitchen. We both have excellent credit scores, so we both opened up 12 month interest free credit cards with a credit line of $20,000 each. I had $5,000.00 on my card which has been…

Can you give me the name or names of reputable debt consolidation companies? I greatly appreciate it.

Will my monthly social security continue to increase if I defer but do not work past age 63 ?

A while ago, we started using a Fidelity CC that accumulated points that could be rolled into an IRA account at Fidelity. We have been doing that for a while and it turns out that I cant roll over my benefits into either of the IRA accounts i have with them (one Simple IRA another…

My question is in regard to "Total investment expenses: 0.120% $1.20 (per $1,000 invested). .120% seems expensive on its own. When my 401k starts to grow that "per $1,000 invested" expenses gets very expensive. Am I understanding the expenses correctly?

I am now overseeing my mother's finances since my father has passed on. She pays a wealth advisor quite a large sum for managing her portfolio. I am concerned that 60% of her portfolio is invested in ETFs. She has a home of approximate one million dollar value with approximately half that amount mortgaged. My…

Good Morning, I will apply for Medicare at 65 (all parts). However, I plan to take Social Security at my fully retirement age of 66 and 2 months. Since Medicare is typically deducted from the Social Security check, how will I pay for Medicare if I'm not yet receiving SS. I'm sure there's a way,…

Would you be willing to comment on this Buy/Sell agreement between me and my significant other whom I am buying a house with in Florida. The house will be in both of our names "tennants in common with right to surviorship". However if there is a falling out between the parties, and one wants "out"…

Terry, Is there a better fund to invest money for grandchildren's education? I am with scottrade and can not decide if to pull out funds with go with scottrade. Dan

Update on Reverse Mortgages, R.V. Good or Bad?

Hi Terry, I am 60 years old and currently I handle all my own Investments through Charles Schwab and Fidelity. I also have online savings at Synchrony and Ally to maximize the rates I receive. I do my own, as well as my son's and daughters taxes using TurboTax. My wife and I each have…

Hi Terry, My company does not offer a 401K, I want to know who and where can I go to set one up. I want to be able to go to one I can trust and point me in the right direction. I want to start a 401K, I am late to the game but…

I received a check from a Joint account UTMA, that is made out to myself and son that the bank will not accept, because he is no longer a minor. I never changed the account, my fault. Computershare will not change the names on the check, bank won't accept it. Catch 22... any suggestions. Check…

I heard a popular Financial Expert mention that a safe bet to make good returns is to invest in a Commercial Real Estate Fund. You can expect 6-8% returns with no fees on a $25k minimum investment. Seems too good to be true. What am I missing here?

Terry, My wife and I are in our mid 50's and I plan on retiring from 597 fitters union in 2 years or less if possible. I would like to meet with someone who could look over what we have and move it to protect us before the market drops. Who can help us get…

We have no mortgage payment. Should we pay off our car loan of $30,000 with our equity line so we will have a mortgage exemption. Equity line interest is 5.25% fixed

There is some confusion about your 5-7 column(san diego union tribune) regarding the decision one makes as to when to start taking social security benefits.You wrote"It's a decision that,once made,cannot be changed".Yet on the same day and in the same newspaper another financial expert,Liz Weston wrote " those who started Social Security early have the…

Have 60% in Vanguard, 20% real estate (0 debt) & 20% parked bank @ .04%. (80K ) was thinking to put in CD 3 YR.. BUT NOT sure. Do not forsee needing for at least 5 yrs.. searched bankrate for CD rates. Thank you for your opinion!

Can you offer resources for how to create a Medicaid Trust that shelters assets and qualifies people to be eligible for Medicaid benefits? Attorneys in our area sell their services but cost for creating such a trust is about $10,000.00 for each of us, husband and wife. We are having difficulty finding out how to…