Regardless of chronological age, boomers are an intrinsically youthful generation -- and we all like to "talk about our generation" any chance we get. Since an increasing percentage of the American population is over the age of 65, this group is redefining the meaning of retirement lifestyle. Don't call them...

Question: How will we fund the independence we dreamed of in our retirement?

Given the volatile economic climate, the road to retirement has never been bumpier. Many Americans are underwater on their homes and are desperate to get out of them. According to a recent feature at American Public Media,...

What do young adults need after graduating college?

A steady, well-paying job would be nice -- but as we all know, such entry-level positions have been few and far between these past few years. With companies increasingly relying on interns, independent contractors or outsourced labor, getting one's proverbial foot in...

Are there truly gifts that last a lifetime?

No matter what the state of the economy, nearly all of us wonder what will make for the best gifts this holiday season. iPads for kids? Gift certificates for mom and dad? These are all well and good -- but what about...

It is an affliction many long to have. It strikes lottery winners, first-round NBA draft picks, and overnight IPO millionaires alike. Sudden Wealth Syndrome is a term coined by psychologist Stephen Goldbart to describe the stress, guilt, social isolation and confusion that often accompanies a giant windfall. While coming into...

Too many people postpone what they really want to do until an undefined time in the future when they feel they can finally afford it. Though that may sound like a safe, conservative strategy, it is actually fraught with risk. What if "someday" never comes?

I encourage my clients...

It's no secret that raising kids is expensive. But apparently unloading the offspring out into the world isn't cheap either. Once the children leave the nest, parents can live it up! Suddenly, they're free from the role of provider, and the combination of pent-up desire and newfound discretionary income is...

Money can't buy you love, but fighting about it can buy you a whole lot of marital strife. In fact, money issues are the primary reason many couples untie the knot. Though it may not sound romantic, tending to your finances is a key part of nurturing your relationship. Here...

Retirement communities have become the answer for an increasing number of seniors looking to get out from under the burdens of home ownership, focus more on hobbies and health and increase their social and recreational opportunities. But with so many types of communities and ranges of services available, navigating the...

Watching the drama unfold in the Eurozone, one can't help but draw parallels to ancient Greek mythology. Icarus' hubris and Pandora's Box are just two comparisons that come to mind, as the grim realities of default and contagion hang over the global economy like the sword of Damocles.

The debt...

You may have known what to expect when you were expecting, what to expect during the toddler years and how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk. But parenting experts never addressed what to do when your adult child asks you for financial help.

It's...

Young people are our country's greatest natural resource. They are technologically savvy, confident and diverse. They are creative, expressive and well educated. Unfortunately, they are also often -- no other way to put this -- financially illiterate. A recent Journal of Consumer Affairs study found that nearly three...

When most people think of estate planning, they think of creating wills and trusts to distribute their financial assets. If our legacy is to be lasting, we must do more than merely preserve and pass along our valuables; we must preserve and perpetuate our values as well.

According to...

It's one of those awkward conversations that no one looks forward to. Discussing mortality or disability is not something anyone likes to do over lunch. But getting a handle on your aging parents' finances is something you must not put off. It's important to develop an open, trusting relationship with...

Being unprepared for class is one of the most common nightmares, however, an inability to pay the tuition bill can be even more frightening. Rising costs and diminished portfolios are putting many parents to the test. If you're cramming to prepare to cover the cost of college, here are five...

Remember the comedy film, "Failure to Launch," where Matthew McConaughey played Tripp, a 35-year-old slacker living at home? That was back in 2006, when unemployment was below five percent, the real estate bubble was still inflating and the term "boomerang generation" had yet to become a household word.

Today,...

When President Obama signed the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 on December 17, it averted a situation in which tax rates would have increased on January 1 for all income brackets and the estate tax would have been reinstated at a rate of 55%...

Every parent wants to see their children grow up to be independent and successful adults. But in today's world where attitudes of entitlement prevail, this task can seem daunting.

By setting expectations and boundaries, as well as implementing reasonable and relevant consequences and rewards, parents can help children develop...

As an investment advisor to high net worth individuals, I often encourage clients to consider diversifying their portfolios into alternative asset classes such as fine art and antiques. Antiques and fine art can add diversification, not only to a portfolio, but to one's life, with many benefits including the opportunity...

An estimated 1.5 million students graduated from college this year with hopes of landing a job as the U.S. economy continues to recover. It's likely to still be a tough job market though. Most employers who participated in a recent national survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and...