Ask Terry Archives

I am looking into 3D Printing companies to invest in. What is yor opinion on this sector of the market. I think that are a couple good companies in this area, I.E. Autodesk (NASDAQ: ADSK), 3D Systems (NYSE: DDD), and Stratasys (NASDAQ). Do you think that this may be a good direction to go or…

where can i go to buy little pieces of stock to teach my children how to invest smart Terry Says:  Go to www.Sharebuilder.com, where you can buy stocks, no minimum, for only $7.95 per transaction.

I am 85, just diagnosed with acute leukemia. I think my own affairs are OK, but my daughter who lives in a Milwaukee suburb is going to need help in managing what she inherits. This will be a house worth about 200K, plus several hundred thousand in asset. Any suggestions on a financial advisor? Thanks…

Once you get timely making all required payments after a few years of being delinquent (particularly regarding student loans), how long does it take to make a marked improvement in one's scores? I know a young man who was behind on his student loans for a couple of years, recently contacted the lender and has…

Future of high quality munis and industrial high yield bonds Terry Says:  When interest rates rise, bond PRICES fall.  The longer the maturity of the bond, the greater the drop in price.  That has nothing to do with the credit qualify of the company or municipality that did the borrowing.  If they get into financial…

I attended your talk at the Economic Club of Southwest Michigan in October and you gave several web sites. I have downloaded your Financial Organizer piece, but I remember that you recommended two other pieces--one on determining how much is needed for retirement and another for how long one may live. I am sharing these…

We decided to cash in one of our retirement Roth IRA Funds for 68,000 we have paid 5% to the state and 20% to the federal government but will there be additional tax charges when we file that we should be aware of? My husband makes 70,000 a year but we have a 35,000 dollar…

After the second election, we went to 90% in cash money market. Should have waited but he scares me. Do you see a major correction in 2014, or should we jump back in? Terry Says:  I never give stock market timing advice!  If I were that good at it, I'd be spending my time sitting…

Hi Terry, I need to obtain some advice. I'm in my late 20's and trying to establish credit. I currently have a Mastercard with a $300 limit which I've had for close to two years and have never missed a payment. I always pay in full too. I'm having a hard time applying for different…

I'm retiring and recently sold my home and downsized to a smaller home in Florida. I picked Florida because of lower property taxes and no state income tax. Tired of paying Illinois high rates on everything. I purchased a town house in a golf community with no mortgage. After purchasing this town home I have…

Terry Is it a good move to start putting money into a lirp from an annuity and 401k ? I will be 60 years old in 2 weeks Terry Says:  I assume you are talking about a Life Insurance Retirement Plan, which is a fancy name for getting you to buy more life insurance than…

Have already retired (4 years; 64 years old) and still maintain a mortgage on my home. Recently refinanced (HARP) for a 3.6 interest rate. Have a 401K and considering paying off home loan but would leave very little in the 401K account. No other excess debt and only one credit card. Pension being received from…

I purchased a rental house 10 years ago that has never been profitable. Over the last 10 years I have had to make several mortgage payments out of pocket when I could not find a tenant. I am severely under water, and can't find a tenant. The house is worth 51K, and I owe 76K.…

Could you recommend an on line site to buy stock, ? Terry Says:  That all depends on how much money you have in your account, how frequently you want to trade.  Some online brokerage firms give volume discounts to active traders.  But since it appears you are just getting started, I'd go to www.Sharebuilder.com, where…

My son decided to take 7K of his hard earned money and invest it in Bitcoins. Are Bitcoins the really deal or just a scam? I've read many articles about them. What is your professional advice on this, I guess new money.... Terry Says:  Honestly, I'm still working on understanding them.  This is a global,…

How do we find a qualified debt counselor or can you recommend a person or firm that specializes in debt counseling for individuals? Terry Says:   I always recommend that you contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling -- the non-profit, national group you can trust.  If you call their toll-free number (always on the home…

i had jp chase for my loan on my house I applyed for a modifcation and was denied the federal one so they gave me one through there company the interest rate is over 7 percent it was two years go back and forth with them saying they didn't get are paper work. Now they…

Hi, Terry, I have (2) separate accounts with Edward Jones- a single type account in which I hold individual stocks and an IRA retirement account in which I hold the majority of my investments. Do you think it is a waste of my time to consolidate both those accounts into the single account for retirement?…

Terry, On WGN the other day you mentioned you no longer recommend the IL pre-paid plan for saving for college. I own 2 pre-paid years that I bought in 2005 & 2006. I read your comment about a rip off in 2008 and that is why you no longer like the plan. There were rumors…

Hi Terry, I am trying to figure out my income tax for 2013. I am an elderly widow, have combined income from Soc. Sec., pensions, RMD from IRA of approx. $ 36,156. for the year. I do know that the tax bracket to stay uner the 15% bracket is $ 36, 250. I was hoping…