Imagine two farmers. One farmer’s crop consists entirely of corn. The other grows a mix of corn, wheat, soy and potatoes. Then one season a terrible blight destroys many corn plants and significantly reduces yields. Which farmer is going have more of a problem?
Diversification is at the heart of a sound investment plan. An effective diversification plan helps manage risk by spreading funds across various asset classes and types of investments. The reasoning behind this strategy is that market conditions can affect each type of asset differently — through diversification, losses in one area can be offset by gains in another.
Perhaps you’ve lost a job, faced an illness or have been delt a family crisis that emptied out your emergency fund. What are your next steps?
You’re eyeing center-hall colonials in your neighborhood and dreaming about the garden you want to plant in the backyard and all the holiday celebrations you’ll host. You’ve saved toward this goal and think you’re ready to pull the trigger. But the real question is: How much house can I afford?
Or is it?
Social Security’s financial cliff is coming closer into view. Experts project that the fund that pays for government retirement benefits through FICA taxes will be depleted within the next 15 years.
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