Financial planners

How employee stock purchase plans worksTypically offered to all employees, ESPPs may allow you to purchase company stock at a discount of up to 15%, capped at $25,000 per year for tax-qualified plans.The plan collects after-tax contributions from each paycheck during an "offering period," and uses the funds to buy company stock on a specific date."The gold standard for a plan is going to be a 15% discount with a lookback feature," said Bruce Brumberg, editor-in-chief and co-founder of myStockOptions.com.A "lookback"…

domoyega | E+ | Getty ImagesAs credit card debt swells and interest rates spike, many spenders are fearful about high balances.Nearly 1 in 5 Americans are afraid to check their credit card statements, according to a recent report from travel website Upgraded Points, which surveyed 3,500 people in April 2022. While Americans trimmed credit card debt in 2020, steep balances have returned amid soaring costs for staples like gasoline, groceries and housing.Indeed, credit card balances jumped $71 billion year over year,…

Marko Geber | DigitalVision | Getty ImagesAfter battling downturns in the stock and bond markets, more financial advisors looking to further diversify their clients are turning to alternative investments, according to a recent survey from Cerulli Associates.Falling outside of traditional asset classes, alternative investments are typically added to portfolios for more diversification, income and the possibility of higher returns. The report, surveying 100 advisors during the first half of 2022, found average alternative…

With increased fears of a possible recession, investors seeking steady income may turn to stocks paying quarterly dividends, which are part of company profits sent back to investors.Historically, dividends have significantly contributed to an asset's total return, sometimes providing a boost during economic downturns.From 1973 to 2021, companies paying dividends earned a 9.6% total annual return, on average, beating 8.2% from the S&P 500 Index, and eclipsing the 4.79% yield from non-dividend payers, according to a…

seksan Mongkhonkhamsao | Moment | Getty Images1. Review tax withholdingsWhen starting a new job, you fill out Form W-4, covering how much your employer withholds from your paychecks for federal taxes. But you need to revisit those withholdings, especially for major life changes such as marriage, having children or starting a side business.Top reasons to adjust your withholding:1. Tax law changes2. Lifestyle changes like marriage, divorce or children3. New jobs, side gigs or unemployment4. Tax deductions and credits…

The demand for Series I bonds, an inflation-protected and nearly risk-free asset, has skyrocketed as investors seek refuge from soaring prices and stock market volatility.While annual inflation rose by 8.6% in May — the highest rate in more than four decades, according to the U.S. Department of Labor — I bonds are currently paying a 9.62% annual rate through October.That's especially attractive after a rough six months for the S&P 500, which plummeted by more than 20% since January, capping its worst six-month start…

designer491 | iStock | Getty ImagesWith the threat of a recession looming, more financial experts are sharing how to prepare — including how much cash it may be smart to set aside.  The end of June marked a turbulent six months for the S&P 500 Index, which dropped by more than 20% since January, capping its worst six-month start to a year since 1970.The future may be unclear, but stock market volatility, soaring inflation, geopolitical conflict and supply chain shortages have weakened Americans' confidence in the…

Historic row houses in Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington.amedved | iStock | Getty ImagesMillion-dollar homes aren't common in the U.S., but you're more likely to find these properties along the coasts.That's according to a LendingTree study that ranked the country's 50 biggest metropolitan areas by the share of owner-occupied properties worth $1 million or more.The average share of million-dollar owner-occupied homes in the 50 biggest metros is 4.71%. But in San Jose, California, 52.89% are worth $1 million or…

The Supreme Court last week limited the Environmental Protection Agency's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change — and that may leave eco-conscious investors wondering what they can do.Certain investment managers offer funds meant to promote values such as environmental preservation and social good, and those funds have become more popular in recent years.Trying to pick a so-called environmental, social and governance fund — especially one that aligns well with your interests — can seem…

Phonlamaiphoto | Istock | Getty ImagesMonths of stock market volatility, surging inflation and rising interest rates have left many investors wondering if a recession is coming. The stock market tumbled again on Thursday, with the S&P 500 capping its worst six-month start to a year since 1970. In all, it's down more than 20% year to date. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite are also down significantly since the beginning of 2022, dropping more than 15% and nearly 30%, respectively.Meanwhile, consumer…