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• Burns at Large
• Financial Planning
• Q&A (from print)
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• Taxes & Other Disasters

• The Value of America, in Barrels

  By Scott Burns Most of us view the world through dollar glasses. It’s perfectly reasonable. Dollars, after all, are the currency we use in daily life. And the lens, until recently, was distinctly rosy. When we asked, “How much is that in dollars?” we... Posted May 09 2008, 02:30 PM by admin with | with 5 comment(s) Filed under: Burns at Large, Government

• A Truly Splendid Exchange

  By Scott Burns Sometimes while watching a particularly gruesome edition of the evening news, I think dark thoughts about the human race. You probably have them, too. Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if we were all wiped out by a new and horrible virus. Rather... Posted Apr 18 2008, 02:30 PM by admin with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Burns at Large, Government

• Ending Insider Rating and the Credit Crisis

  By Scott Burns and Laurence J. Kotlikoff "... let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself -- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." -- President... Posted Mar 28 2008, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Burns at Large, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• What Can We Do about Government Debt?

  by Scott Burns Some columns bring more responses than others. My recent column on the $2 trillion difference between the stated federal deficits and the actual increase in total federal debt since 2000 brought mail from readers of all ages. But this email... Posted Dec 05 2007, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Government

• How to Protect Yourself From a Falling Dollar

  by Scott Burns Q: Due to the declining value of the U.S. dollar, I would like to look for a non-dollar investment to balance my portfolio. Would international stock and bond funds meet this purpose? -- L.L., by e-mail A: Hedges against inflation and a... Posted Nov 21 2007, 03:00 PM by admin with | with no comments Filed under: Government

• Magic in Finance, Part 4: Government, The Big Magician

  by Scott Burns When it comes to financial magic, the government of the United States takes the prize. Sleights of hand and clever distractions by purveyors of line-of-credit mortgages, living-benefit variable annuities and equity-indexed life insurance... Posted Nov 16 2007, 03:00 PM by admin with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• The Darkest Horse

  MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The road to Saint Anselm College is marked with long Burma Shave strands of political placards. The name I see most is Biden. But all the Democratic Party candidates for president will be there. A two-hour debate between candidates... Posted Jun 09 2007, 11:00 PM by scottb with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Who Will Get Your Employer's 401(K) Contributions?

  Today's Rude Opinion Poll: Which description best characterizes our elected representatives in Washington, regardless of party affiliation? They are hapless boobs, constantly passing laws that contradict each other. They are scheming miscreants, relentlessly... Posted May 27 2007, 12:00 AM by scottb with | with 26 comment(s) Filed under: Retirement, Social Security, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• April 15th and the Rising Price Of Civilization

  Thanks to a good accountant, the Burns family tax return was ready a week before deadline this year. Proud of ourselves, my wife and I signed it. Then we contemplated its enormity. While far shorter than "War and Peace," the heft of our 40-page return... Posted Apr 21 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 9 comment(s) Filed under: Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• A Flat Tax, with bumps and potholes

  We already have a flat tax. It just has bumps and potholes. The fact that neither political party will acknowledge this is one of the reasons both parties are a useless disservice to the voting public. Instead, both parties have a vested interest in the... Posted Jan 27 2007, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 24 comment(s) Filed under: Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• It's All about What We Spend

  Q. I have often heard that a couple should plan on replacing 70 to 85 percent of pre-retirement income in retirement. I have questioned that guidance because I believe it is more important to replace expenses than it is to replace income. Of my current... Posted Oct 25 2006, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Why Do You Favor the Fair Tax?

  C.C. in Houston writes to say there is nothing fair about the Fair Tax plan for a single flat sales tax. He quotes a letter from another concerned citizen to the editor of the Houston Chronicle. "The so-called Fair Tax scheme is a blatant attempt by the... Posted Oct 18 2006, 06:00 PM by scottb with | with 29 comment(s) Filed under: Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Taxes: Government's Way of Telling You not to Work

  Q. I am in the top tax bracket and contribute the max to my 401k. The phase out rules and limitations of Roth IRAs close that option. I am trying to decide whether a low-cost Fidelity annuity is better than investing in a tax efficient mutual fund. Is... Posted Aug 17 2006, 03:38 PM by scottb with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: Q&A (from print), Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Should You Save, or Spend, in your 50's?

  Q. Would you please write about empty-nesters who put their retirement in jeopardy or delay it by moving up to more expensive homes, buying boats, vacation homes, etc.? Many people (including my husband) have a golden opportunity to catch up with their... Posted Aug 10 2006, 03:46 PM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government

• Learn How To Avoid "Taxable Events"

  Q. Most retirement investment advice assumes a person's savings are in taxable accounts or a combination of tax deferred and taxable accounts. What is the advice for a retiree when all of their savings are in tax deferred accounts? Is it wise to convert... Posted Jun 15 2006, 10:34 AM by scottb with | with no comments Filed under: Q&A (from print), Retirement, Taxes & Other Disasters, Government