HOW ARE YOU?

- Private group -
Fri, 05/01/2015 - 4:00pm

Tax season, as you’ve been reviewing last year’s income and outgo, is a good time to review your “financial fitness,” your personal portfolio of assets and debts.

Last year, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 18,000, but that doesn’t—and shouldn’t—match your personal portfolio. The Dow tracks just 30 large American companies, not what a balanced investment portfolio holds. Experts recommend a mix of low-cost investments tracking assets all over the world and—most especially—avoiding this month’s hot, trendy stocks. 

Experts also recommend saving more, at least enough in your company’s retirement savings plan to max out the employer’s matching contribution. Aim toward saving 12 to 15 percent of income; it may mean starting lower and adding just one more percent each year.

Utilize every deduction and tax help you can: an employer’s dependent care account for child care, the pre-tax FSA for health-care spending, any accounts for public transit and parking. Reimbursements? Stick them into a 529 for college savings. Protect against disaster with disability insurance.

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