In financial planning, people usually play offense: It's about finding the right strategy to get to the goal. But it's just as crucial to have a good defense. Cal Brown, a financial planner and author of the new book When Life Strikes: Weathering Financial Storms, shares some of his defensive plays with DailyFinance's Laura Rowley.
There's something about life insurance that just freaks some people out -- we'd prefer not to consider our mortality. But September is life insurance awareness month, and lack of knowledge breeds fuzzy thinking. So we've sorted some facts from fictions and debunked an even dozen myths about life insurance.
Having a plan in case of a major life crisis is important and, according to State Farm's Financial Plan B survey, 81% of us know it. But only 45% of those surveyed said they've actually planned ahead for that crisis. If you have a plan, it may not be a solid as you think. And if you don't, here's how to begin creating one.
For children, excursions with grandmother are an adventure. As time passes, however, the ride into the golden years can get bumpy; if you're financially unprepared, it can take a dramatic turn for the worse, and even drive you and your family into bankruptcy. Here are some steps you can take to prevent that.
You love your dad, but you don't have to buy everything he taught you about money. DailyFinance celebrates Father's Day by debunking six financial myths he might have held held true. He still deserves the socks and the cologne. Just don't necessarily trust him with your portfolio.
Ordinary insurance policies cover the basics -- but what if you want more? The industry will happily take more of your money to give you the added piece of mind that a rider can provide. The question is, when are riders worth it?
The KISS frontman may still want to rock all night and party every day. But lately he's been getting up relatively early, putting aside the makeup and fake blood and embracing financial responsibility -- pitching the financial advisory services from Cool Springs.
AIG, which wants to spin off its Taiwan-based Nan Shan Life Insurance unit, has a few live ones nibbling on the line to snap it up, according to a Bloomberg report. The company has disclosed in an SEC filing that Nan Shan has attracted unsolicited offers ranging from $2.15 billion to $3 billion.
After the Great Recession and with volatile stock markets and unemployment keeping Americans jittery, more people are ready to commit to improving their personal financial situation in 2011. Here are a dozen steps that can help put you on the road to fiscal security.
More people are selling their life insurance policies for much-needed cash while they're still alive. But are these "life settlements" a bad deal? Here's why they can come with a high cost, both for investors and for sellers -- along with some tips to keep both from getting burned.
