Overview : A typical vacation planning checklist is bound to include the usual considerations: booking a rental car, making hotel reservations and testing how much can really fit into that carry-on luggage. But not as many travelers consider what they would do if a serious health crisis were to occur on their trip. Following is advice on how to prepare and deal with such an experience while traveling. Two couples vacationing together at a resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, were surprised when one person in their party fell ill with Read more...

Overview: For many investors, fixed income (or bonds) is an important part of their investing equation. The following focuses on the quality of fixed income in light of recent headlines about municipal bonds. In February, American Airlines parent company AMR Corp. asked a bankruptcy judge to permit AMR to stop payments on $1 billion of airport special facilities bonds for the Dallas-FortWorth International and Alliance Airport. American Airlines filed for bankruptcy in November 2011. It remains unclear what the recovery rate will be for invest Read more...

Overview: Wealth counselor and psychotherapist Marilyn Wechter shares insights into how parents can better communicate with their children about the topics of money and wealth. Marilyn also offers practical tips on establishing effective allowances and budgets. Talking About Money With Children Under 18 Q: At what age should children begin to be educated about money? A: You talk about it as soon as they can start understanding those concepts. When children are in elementary school, you can introduce the concepts of planning and savin Read more...

Overview: Every year, Larry Swedroe takes a look back at the investing lessons the markets provided in the past year. In 2011, the markets offered investors a chance to revisit a few remedial courses by teaching lessons it had introduced in prior years. So, this year’s list includes a few reminders that we are just as likely to lose our discipline in good times as we can in bad times. Lesson 1: Ignore All Forecasts — All Crystal Balls Are Cloudy Financial analyst Meredith Whitney made a forecast that caused quite a stir in December 2010, Read more...

Overview: Following are 10 principles we have adopted to help us serve as a trusted advisor.   Act in the best interest of the client We provide advice and recommendations that are in the client’s best interest. Period. Not because we are legally obligated to (although we are). Not because it works well as a business model (it does). Simply because it is right. Our other goals are selected to achieve this guiding principle.   Pursuant to the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, we follow a fiduciary duty standard of care. This is often ref Read more...