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Let's face it, these are difficult times; fear and uncertainty appear to rule the day. Too many people are investing without a plan. They are blindly chasing returns, or have sold everything, taken their losses, and are sitting on the sidelines, waiting for the bottom. Unfortunately, the stock market does not offer a road map to the future; the only clear view of the market is through the rear view mirror. The market downturn of 2008-09 and the more ...
There are many ways in which grandparents can help their grandchildren pay for a college education. These include affiliation and legacy scholarships, tuition assistance programs, educational awards for volunteering and community service, college savings plans, Roth IRAs, and direct gifts to institutions.
Scholarships for Grandchildren
Most often scholarship awards are based on a parent's affiliations, but there are some awards more ...
Eric Linser, CFA | April 12, 2010
(an article on the US stock market and technology shares)
Will April showers bring May flowers? Or, for investors, will first quarter earnings reports be enough to justify the market's positive strides made in March, and in the first quarter? We will soon find out, beginning in earnest this week.
Spring is upon us and April is typically a month of market bloomers that lays the groundwork for the spring more ...
529 college savings plans aren't just for kids or grandkids, pre-retirees and baby boomers can take advantage of 529 plans too. Today, retirement can mean taking on a whole new career or a commitment to a hobby which, in turn, means heading back to school to prepare. Why not advantageously finance your own upcoming academic endeavors? Use the same tax-free dollars in a 529 college savings plan that you would use for college-bound children.
Here are examples of the more ...
Smart Gifting Strategies
Most individuals use 529 plans to help meet a family member's college savings goals. But 529 plans are more than a tax-savvy college savings vehicle and you should look to take advantage of their more creative applications -- for their potential of tax free growth outside the account owner's estate, for reducing or eliminating estate tax, as well as flexibility and control for designating beneficiaries, are but a few of their more ...
What is a 529 College Savings Plan?
Named after Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, this state-sponsored college savings program allows individuals to accumulate tax-advantaged funds for financing college expenses for a beneficiary.
Section 529 plans, also known as Qualified Tuition Programs (QTP), are among the best ways of saving for your children's college education. There are two types of section 529 plans, prepaid tuition more ...
Don't panic; there are options available. You could make a switch to a better asset allocation mix, move the funds to another 529 plan altogether, or change beneficiaries.
In looking back on the events of 2008 to early 2009, it's highly likely that your account lost a lot of its value. If your child is in diapers you have the benefit of time healing all wounds, but if he or she is college-bound soon, a sinking or a poorly allocated 529 could pose serious problems. Here are more ...
What are Qualified Education Expenses?
Funds that come out of 529 plans are tax free if they are spent on qualified education expenses. The IRS defines these as “tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for enrollment or attendance at an eligible educational institution.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009 (stimulus bill) added a few items to more ...
The advantages clearly outweigh any disadvantages
While college is expensive, parents have a small arsenal of tax-advantaged vehicles -- such as Coverdell accounts, the Uniform Gift to Minors Act/Uniform Transfer to Minors Act (UGMA/UTMA) and 529 plans -- to lessen the bite. Increasingly, parents are opting for 529s as the way to save for college. It's easy to see why -- there are no income caps, the plans have high yearly deposit limits and earnings are tax-exempt.
The more ...
A 529 Plan is a way to save money for post-secondary or higher education that can used at schools across the country, and outside the US. The name “529” refers to section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code (Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. § more ...
Disclaimer: All articles are for informational purposes only and do not constitute offers/solicitations to sell or purchase any security or investment product or service; this information is provided solely for your personal use and is not intended to be investment advice; all investments are subject to risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested; diversification does not protect against a loss in a declining market or ensure a profit; stocks of companies in emerging markets are generally more risky than stocks of companies in developed countries; foreign investing involves additional risks including currency fluctuations and political uncertainty; prices of mid- and small-cap stocks often fluctuate more than those of large-company stocks; investments in bonds are subject to interest rate, credit, and inflation risk; past performance is no guarantee of future results; nothing constitutes tax or legal advice; investment products described herein are not bank deposits; are not insured by the FDIC or any other governmental entity; are neither obligations of, nor guaranteed by Green Valley Wealth Advisors, LLC. We are not responsible for the accuracy or content on third party websites; any and all links are offered only for use at your own discretion; and our privacy policies do not apply to linked websites.
