For a variety of reasons, many people, particularly those in the baby boom generation, are considering retiring later than they might have originally planned. If you’re in this group, you’ll want to take full advantage of those extra working years by contributing as much as you can to a retirement plan that can help you build resources, defer taxes and, ultimately, maximize income. And if you own a small business, you’ve got some attractive plans from which to choose.

Let’s look at two of these retirement plans — the “owner-only” 401(k) and the defined benefit plan. read more »

The tax-filing deadline arrived on April 15. Will you be getting a refund? If so, take the time to consider how best to use it — because, when used wisely, your tax refund can give you a few added steps on the road toward achieving your financial goals.

Of course, if you filed your taxes weeks ago, you might have already received a refund. read more »

For most of your working years, your investment strategy, by and large, has probably revolved around achieving sufficient growth to help you meet your long-term goals, such as college for your kids and a comfortable retirement. But once you have retired, you can’t just sit back and put your investment portfolio on “autopilot.”

What types of portfolio moves should you make as a retiree? Here are a few possibilities: read more »

Do you remember any of the New Year’s resolutions you made for 2005? If you don’t, it may not be such a tragedy. After all, you still may have had a good quality of life even if you didn’t get to the gym three times a week, learn a new language or take that gourmet cooking class. On the other hand, you can make a big difference in your future if you make - and keep - financial resolutions for the coming year. read more »

Most people agree that home ownership is a good thing. But is a home really an “investment”? In a way, it is. But keep this in mind: Your home, by itself, is almost certainly not the type of investment that’s going to help you meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement. read more »

As an investor, if you want to get the new year off to a good start, consider fully funding your IRA right away. It’s a smart move that can pay off for you — perhaps even more than you’d think.

You’ve got until April 15 to put in the maximum of $3,000 into either your traditional or Roth IRA for 2003. So, if you haven’t completely funded your IRA for this year, take care of that first. But after you’ve “maxed out” on your IRA, don’t wait another year to fund it for 2004 — because the earlier you contribute, the sooner your money can start working for you. read more »