Don't Ignore Retirement Savings

In part 1 of this blog series we talked about how succession plan is especially important if you want your business to continue well beyond your career or your lifetime. It also matters if you need to monetize your investment by selling the business in future. The first step is to figure out what you want for and from your business in the long term.

Building a business is kind of like being a parent. You start with an infant enterprise that needs constant attention and often deprives you of sleep, absorbs a big chunk of your savings, and pushes all of your hobbies to the back burner. You foster it through various stages of growth, including some rocky times, and help it stand on its own. Eventually, you may rely on it to carry on your legacy and take care of you financially.

Business Owners Should Consider Their Total Risk Factor Most investors understand the notion of diversification.

We hear all the time that spreading our portfolios' holdings across many asset classes is the best defense against losses when the bears hit Wall Street. But as a business owner, there is a good chance that your diversification strategy may not work as you intended. Here's why.

Creating a Risk Management Plan

Small business owners make up most of the U.S. economy. While the statistics are not often reported by the media, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), almost 50 percent of Americans either own or work for a small business.

FUNDING YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION WHILE PRESERVING YOUR RETIREMENT

 Save early, save often and understand the alphabet soup of options...

The cost of a college education increases every year, largely unbeknownst to you until you receive the bill. The pile of money you must save is staggering. If you have children, plan for college costs as soon as possible.

When it comes to saving for retirement, maybe you've done everything right. You started early, maxed out your 401(k) plan, invested in a diversified portfolio and avoided costly mistakes, such as cashing out your retirement plan. Fantastic. But now comes the hard part: making sure you don't outlive your money.

Whether retirement is around the corner or decades away, there are more options than ever to help you plan for it. Let's look at Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans, which offer tax benefits that can help you save for your future.

The recent tax overhaul has repealed the deduction for investment-advisory fees and effectively will eliminate your ability to deduct them. This will effect not only the tax return of investors but also their net investment returns after fees.

No matter your age, just about everyone can benefit from these retirement savings tips. Learn how to set yourself up for a successful retirement with savings tips you can start using now.