The Hard Times Guide to Retirement Security. Practical Strategies for Money, Work, and Living

Investors, shell-shocked by the «Great Recession» of 2008-2009, are looking for answers, for something fresher than the old 'buy-and-hold' mantra. They hunger for stability, yet yearn for growth to rejuvenate their battered portfolios. Ray Lucia's The Buckets of Money Retirement Solution: The Ultimate Guide to Income for Life provides just that—a reassuring and scientifically proven strategy that gives investors both growth and income. Lucia, a Certified Financial Planner who's helped thousands of people invest more than $2 billion, explains how to spend down 'safe' buckets (containing, for example, Treasuries, CDs, bonds), while leaving a riskier bucket (real estate, stocks and alternative investments) to grow long-term. This strategy shields investors from the short-term ups and downs of the market. And it gives them the courage and discipline to stay invested no matter what the future holds. Written in a breezy, accessible style and loaded with tons of examples and clear, specific calculations, the book explains how to set your financial goals, divvy up your money accordingly, and then invest intelligently. With this book as your guide, readers will learn how to achieve both income and growth while at the same time reducing risk. «All in all,» Lucia writes, «this plan is akin to a sports car that seats six, approximating the best of both worlds. In this case by being a conservative strategy that’s also growth-oriented.» Almost every kind of investment—stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate—plunged in the past year or two, turning off millions of investors who'd been planning for and counting on a reasonably comfortable retirement. These retirees or near-retirees need solutions … something fresher than the old 'buy-and-hold' mantra. Yet here's what they hear from the financial-services industry: Set up an asset-allocation model, then take a systematic withdrawal to support your retirement … remembering, of course, to rebalance the accounts to remain in sync with the model. Wrong! That maximizes the advisors' fees but doesn't protect the investors' assets during the tough times.

Praise for Money & Happiness «Laura Rowley makes us all understand the money-happiness connection in our own lives so that we spend our time and our efforts wisely. She gets to the heart of why money can bring feelings of stress, joy, and freedom, and Rowley offers insight that every reader can use to make smarter decisions that will lead to living a rich life in every possible definition of the term.» –Lucy Danziger, Editor in Chief, Self magazine «This is a wry and companionable guide to getting your finances in better sync with your values, and who wouldn't be enriched by that?» –Melinda Henneberger, Contributing Editor, Newsweek «Money and Happiness takes cold, hard, financial information and warms it up through the voice of your best friend. You'll find out how to achieve your life dreams, and avoid money nightmares. The cost of this book may be the best investment you'll ever make.» –Kevin McKinley, CFP, author of Make Your Kid a Millionaire and host of public radio's On Your Money «Let Laura Rowley guide you to a rational and rewarding life by helping you re-order your approach to your financial well-being. This book covers all the dimensions you need to know about how to plan properly for your reality. She teaches that you need not be loaded to be happy. And she shows you how to set, then achieve, your goals. For your sanity, Rowley is a welcome antidote to the wave of materialism washing over our culture.» –Allan Dodds Frank, Bloomberg Television

AWARDS: Silver Living Now Book Award, Mature Living/Aging 2014 (Silver) If you’re one of the 25 million single women over the age of 45 living in the United States today, AARP’s The Single Woman’s Guide to Retirement is your new best friend. Walking you through the challenges of retired or pre-retired life, from managing your finances to staying healthy in body, mind, and spirit, dealing with divorce, and even looking for love or work, the book covers the issues that really matter to you. Whether you’re looking for a retirement home or planning a cruise, this book is packed with specific details to help take the guesswork out of retirement. Author and retirement expert Jan Cullinane has gathered real-life stories from women just like you to illustrate your options and give you fresh new ideas about how to make the most of your retirement years.

A detailed guide for avoiding the pitfalls of retirement funding In Stop the Retirement Rip-Off, author David Loeper provides the necessary tools for investors to take action and make the most of their retirement plans. It offers a road map for employees to understand the fees and costs associated with their plans; document the excesses in a presentation to management; then organize themselves to protest and, if necessary, bring the documentation to the Labor Department in a complaint. Written in a straightforward and accessible style, this book is filled with sensible strategies for making the most of retirement funds and putting future retirees back on the right financial track. Filled with strategies that can help employees stand up and secure their financial future Addresses how to make the most of your money, and your life, after fixing your retirement plan Outlines a practical approach to understanding your organization's retirement plan and overcoming its potential inefficiencies This important book contains the much-needed information that employees need to plan for retirement and ensure a secure financial future.

The Bogleheads are back-with retirement planning advice for those who need it! Whatever your current financial situation, you must continue to strive for a viable retirement plan by finding the most effective ways to save, the best accounts to save in, and the right amount to save, as well as understanding how to insure against setbacks and handle the uncertainties of a shaky economy. Fortunately, the Bogleheads, a group of like-minded individual investors who follow the general investment and business beliefs of John C. Bogle, are here to help. Filled with valuable advice on a wide range of retirement planning issues, including some pearls of wisdom from Bogle himself, The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning has everything you need to succeed at this endeavor. Explains the different types of savings accounts and retirement plans Offers insights on managing and funding your retirement accounts Details efficient withdrawal strategies that could help you maintain a comfortable retirement lifestyle Addresses essential estate planning and gifting issues With The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning, you'll discover exactly what it takes to secure your financial future, today.

Tax facts and strategies every self-employed person needs to know If you're thinking about starting a business, or have already begun one, you are not alone. There are more than 23 million workers who are already self-employed and file Schedule C to report their income and expenses. As a self-employed person you have to handle many, if not all, of the aspects of running your business. J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment is intended to help you with some business aspects with which you may not be familiar—but which have a great impact on your bottom line. It skillfully focuses on taxes as well as many legal and financial matters that may pertain to your business. Informative and accessible, J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment is designed for you, the self-employed person working alone as a service provider, to help pin down all of the tax breaks to which you may be entitled. Divided into three comprehensive parts, this reliable resource will help you: Learn the basics of tax reporting: from what it means to be self-employed and an overview of what you have to report—as well as where and when—to becoming familiar with Schedule C Discover the various types of deductions and credits you can claim to reduce revenue that's taxed Become familiar with an array of planning strategies that you can use to make better business decisions throughout the year as well as other strategies you can employ as your business grows And much more Don't be intimidated by taxes and other responsibilities of being self-employed. Instead, embrace the opportunities that a better understanding of tax, legal, and financial responsibilities can produce. Let J.K. Lasser's Guide to Self-Employment show you how. Don't forget to view the free online supplement to this book at JKLasser.com for late tax changes made by Congress and other up-to-the-minute developments.

The ultimate reference on compensation for small business owners Beyond 401(k)s for Small Business Owners presents strategies for reducing taxes, planning for your retirement, and rewarding high-performing employees. Expert advice from attorney and CPA Jean Sifleet will help small business owners maximize their own rewards and create an environment in which employees know that their hard work will mean a better future for themselves. In clear, simple language this book helps you figure out what kind of plan you can afford, what your employees want, and what to do. Important tax and insurance issues are covered in detail and step-by-step guidance lets you design a compensation strategy that works for both you and your employees. Case studies, sample plans, and helpful references make this book your one-stop source for complete coverage of alternatives, from cash bonus programs to employee stock option plans (ESOPs) and everything in between. With Beyond 401(k)s for Small Business Owners you'll have all the tools you need to: * Maximize owner benefits, reduce taxes, and enhance your retirement income * Use creative compensation to motivate your employees * Understand qualified and nonqualified plans * Address the unique issues of family businesses * Get the best deal on insurance and benefits for your company * Avoid expensive pitfalls * Measure your progress and keep your plan on track

An essential resource for anyone who has a close relationship with a person who is bipolar This book provides a much-needed resource for family and friends of the more than 5 million American adults suffering from bipolar disorder. From psychotic behavior that requires medication to milder mood swings with disturbing ups and down, this book offers a warm and often humorous user-friend guide for coping with bipolar loved ones, colleagues, and friends. The book includes Guidance for identifying bipolar disorder symptoms and how to get the diagnosis confirmed Strategies for dealing with rants, attacks, blame, depression, mania and other behaviors Crucial information on medication and its effectiveness and potential side-effects Techniques for dealing with attempts to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol How many people with bipolar disorders can care for themselves, get help, feel supported and go on with their own lives This important book contains real-life illustrative examples and a wealth of helpful strategies and coping mechanisms that can be put into action immediately.

Praise for Living for the Weekday «If you want to have a team where leaders and employees are working hand-in-hand to build a culture of employee engagement, then you need to read this book. I'm confident it will help you become a weekday warrior.» —Jon Gordon bestselling author of The Energy Bus and Soup «In Living for the Weekday, Clint Swindall has rounded out a powerful message. Each individual has a personal responsibility, a singular opportunity to be highly engaged as an employee and, more importantly, highly productive and happy in all aspects of life.»—Barry Malcolm, Managing Director, Scotiabank Bahamas Ltd. «If you want to unlock your potential and the potential of those around you, Living for the Weekday is a must read.» —Mike Crownover, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Valero Energy Corporation «Employee engagement is a two-way street with both employers and employees responsible for creating a positive and productive work environment… Living for the Weekday presents employees with a practical and powerful approach to taking control of their own happiness.»—Roger C. Ahlfeld Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Training, Uno Chicago Grill «Clint Swindall lays out a clear plan that anyone can apply to become more engaged in their work and in their lives.» —Dennis Snow, author of Unleashing Excellence

Uncover the rules, conventions and policies on spelling, grammar and usage followed by the journalists, contributors and editors working on the Times newspaper.Assure or ensure? Affect or effect? Even the most accomplished writer will run up against these and many similar problems in the quest for clear, elegant and grammatical writing.The Times editors answer these and hundreds of other usage conundrums with a comprehensive collection of entries covering the quirky minefield of the English language.Although no literary straitjacket, this authoritative guide is the foundation of correct English usage for all Times journalists and contributors and provides a benchmark style, the essential ingredient of all well-written English.