When recessions strike, companies try to cut costs, often via offering early-retirement packages to employees. The current COVID-driven recession has been particularly hard on the travel sector, so unfortunately it wasn’t a surprise when Delta rolled out their...
How We Process Risk — and How This Affects Investing Decisions When it comes to investing, there’s a direct relationship between risk and reward. In other words, the more risk you’re willing to assume in the form of lost money, the higher your potential reward (or...
If you follow your investments closely in the Thrift Savings Plan, you’ve probably read about the controversy surrounding the TSP and China. One of the few issues with the TSP has been the lack of an investment option that includes emerging markets. Those are broadly...
Years ago, before I became a financial advisor, I had a job that required me to fly a lot. I’d routinely log a few hundred thousand air miles a year, and somewhere along the way I developed a fear of flying. I cast about looking for ways to alleviate that fear, and I...
If you are a long-time Clark Howard listener or you’re familiar with NAPFA, you likely understand the advantages of working with a fee-only financial advisor. However, if you’re early in your search for an advisor or aren’t really sure how advisors are compensated and...
If you are wondering how to find a financial advisor, you’re not alone as the process can be challenging. The industry has long lacked consistent standards, and anyone can call themself a financial advisor. To make matters more confusing, what financial planning...
Many years ago, my wife, 6 year old cat and I made the move from Chicago to St Simons. It was a long journey – over 1,000 miles of driving – and we were exhausted when we finally made it to St Simons. After two days of driving, we had a yin for frozen yogurt, so we...
One of the most unsettling aspects of retirement can be the idea that there will no longer be a regular paycheck. This shift can be scary but does not have to be a traumatic event. Retirement is the part of life when you shift from a single income source that...
When it comes to understanding your TSP withdrawal options, it is useful to differentiate between taking a withdrawal while you are still a Federal employee versus after you have separated from service. We have covered TSP account options at federal retirement here...
