The Secret Upside to Donating to Charity Directly From an IRA

Q: Is there an additional tax benefit to contributing required minimum dist...
Q: Is there an additional tax benefit to contributing required minimum distribution dollars directly to a charity versus reporting the funds as a charitable contribution at the end of the tax year? -- Susan Lutterman...

Can I Tap My Retirement Savings Penalty-Free at Age 55?

Q.: I want to retire at 55 and was under the impression I had to wait until...
Q.: I want to retire at 55 and was under the impression I had to wait until I was 59½ years old to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty on my retirement savings. I recently...

Will Our Emergency Fund Count Against Us for College Financial Aid?

Q: I've been socking money away in CDs for our emergency fund, but I worry ...
Q: I've been socking money away in CDs for our emergency fund, but I worry that when we eventually fill out financial aid paperwork for my daughter's college, the money will be considered in determining...

I Inherited Stocks. How Can I Reduce the Taxes I Owe?

Q: Will I face a tax bill if I inherit stocks, bonds, or mutual funds? A: D...
Q: Will I face a tax bill if I inherit stocks, bonds, or mutual funds? A: Death and taxes—few things are as certain, though in this case the link isn't always a simple one. When...

How Do I Use the Bucket Approach for Retirement Income?

Q.: When using the bucket approach to retirement investing, what is the tim...
Q.: When using the bucket approach to retirement investing, what is the timing and strategy for replenishing the money market bucket? How do you do this and try to avoid moving money from the more...

Should You Refinance to a 15-Year Mortgage?

Q: I'm eight years into my 30-year mortgage, but I want to pay it off faste...
Q: I'm eight years into my 30-year mortgage, but I want to pay it off faster. Am I better off refinancing to a 15- or 20-year loan, or just paying a bit extra toward principal...

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