by Michael Lecours | Feb 17, 2015 | Rule of Thumb, Saving, Uncategorized
A client needed about $50,000 for an emergency expense. He was in a bind and didn’t have much in his checking or savings account. His only option, or so he thought, was to tap into his IRA. There are a lot of drawbacks to using IRA funds before retirement: If taken...
by Michael Lecours | Jan 29, 2015 | Saving, Uncategorized
Taking full advantage of your employer’s 401(k) match can be one of the best strategies to save for retirement. In a study of 401(k) millionaires in Fidelity Administered plans, most took advantage of the employer match. In fact, 28% of the balances came from their...
by Michael Lecours | Jan 28, 2015 | Rule of Thumb, Saving, Uncategorized
I was recently quoted in an article about what parents-to-be should look for when buying a home. There are several great issues to keep in mind. But the author saved the most important for last – Affordability. Buying a Home With Parenthood In Mind
by Michael Lecours | Jan 19, 2015 | Retirement, Uncategorized
Money Magazine recently wrote a great article about happiness and retirement. Here are a few key take-aways: People rate happiness highest in their teens and twenties. Then it drops down between their 30’s and 60’s. But it rises again in retirement. The age at which...
by Michael Lecours | Jan 18, 2015 | Asset Allocation, Investment Strategies, Retirement, Rule of Thumb, Uncategorized
Research out of Investment Company Institute found that 11% of investors have not rebalanced their investments in the last five years. As the US stock market continues its bull run, the value of US stocks represent a larger and larger portion of the portfolio. All of...
