Investing

Even with a thriving economy, many Americans continually struggle to save money.  While it’s certainly tempting to spend that extra cash, socking it away for the future in an IRA or investing in stocks makes much more sense. Try out a few of these tips, and you may find yourself with extra money to put aside for college or retirement.

Here are the answers to some of the most common investment questions you’ve always wanted to ask.

Giving money to philanthropic causes is important to many of us. Year end giving in particular is popular with both donors and charitable organizations. The most common way to give money for most people is to simply write a check or put a donation on a credit card. The charity then typically sends us a receipt for our donation, and everyone is happy.

Not so fast.

Of all the things you’ll purchase in your lifetime, it’s likely that your home will be the largest, most expensive purchase you will ever make. While homes vary widely in price throughout the U.S., the median price of a home today is close to $300,000.

As the go-to investment option for most companies and their employees, 401(k) plans provide many benefits to plan participants, including deferment of taxes, the likelihood of an employer match, and a high maximum allowable for annual contributions.  But for those that are self-employed, or whose employer does not offer a 401(k), a traditional or Roth IRA is an option.

Introduced in 1989, reverse mortgages were designed for homeowners nearing retirement age. The premise behind a reverse mortgage is to allow those aged 62 or older, with at least 50% equity in their home, to tap that equity in the form of a payment that will be made to them monthly.