Lifestyle

Put your money in a 401K and get a tax break now. Then, let the money accrue tax free and pay taxes later. Alternatively, switch that 401K to a Roth IRA this year, pay the taxes and let the money grow tax free and take it out tax free.

Bargain hunters looking to get their hands on a new car should look into a program called European Delivery, which can potentially save them big money while giving them a chance to enjoy a pleasant European vacation.

Two emails came across my desk yesterday, each with part 1 of a 5-part series that I thought you'd find valuable as you look to ways to form, and succeed at, your entrepreneurial physician venture or medical practice.

Open up a tax-deferred IRA at age 25 and put in $200 a month, with interest you'll earn $700,000 by age 65. Wait 10 years to start and you'll only have $300,000. That's the miracle of compound interest.

New credit card industry regulations went into effect February 22, but Congress' "cure" has some serious side effects, and customers are already feeling the pinch.

The numbers don't paint an inviting picture, indicating that physician practices that have integrated electronic medical records into their daily workflow are in the minority. From concerns over the cost to skepticism over the benefits, physicians have found myriad reasons not to switch to electronic records.

Since the beginning of the Republic, there have been at least 16 banking panics, all due to banks loaning out far more than they had deposited. To prevent future bubbles, then, the fix is obvious.

Since I am now maintaining two blogs, I thought I'd share an article from my Physician Website Secrets Blog.

As with most of bogus deals, thieves play on headline stories to paint believable pictures of their offers. As a result, many scams that made the list are just old rip-offs in modern dress.

In most cases, unless you're over age 59 1/2, you'll pay a 10% penalty on any amount you withdraw, in addition to paying income tax on that amount at your regular tax rate. There are some exceptions, however, that allow you to take money out of your IRA penalty-free.

There is a very cool new tool, with a minimal learning curve, to assist you with your appointment and meeting scheduling nightmares. No more back-and-forth emails or assistant calls needed.

1) Do you have enough money outside of your IRA to pay conversion taxes? 2) Do you expect your tax rate after retirement to be the same or higher? How you answer will tell you whether the conversion will save you money over the long term.

Citing what it termed "adverse selection," Anthem Blue Cross of California, a subsidiary of Wellpoint, announced that some Golden State residents would get hit with a premium increase as high as 39%.

When it comes to estimating the number of physicians using an electronic prescribing tool, the percentages fluctuate based on variables like geographic location and size of the medical practice. But one thing the percentages have in common is that they're small.

Thinking spring brings on thoughts of all those outdoor chores you've been able to avoid all winter, so they may not be all that pleasant. But those jobs have got to be done, so here's a checklist.

I'm staring at my screen this Monday after 10 days off on vacation and wondering how I am going to get my engine started again.

You turn over a chunk of cash to an insurance company and they send you money for the rest of your life. The problem, say, financial advisers, is that payouts are currently low compared to past years.

While we may let credit card errors slide, the biggest area from which we leak money is in our private practices. Hire a practice consultant to review the following systems with you...

Safe winter driving starts before you even get into your car, and that doesn't just mean clearing ice and snow out of sightlines. This involves a bit of mental prep as well.

All physicians need guidance on financial planning, but the level of need varies widely as the incomes of each individual practitioner. All the more reason to work with a team, large or small, who can offer the experience and guidance physicians need.

When the markets fell off a cliff, workers took a one-two punch in 401(k) losses and employer contribution cuts. Now, however, four out of five companies plan to restore the match this year, according to a survey by Hewitt Associates.

In order for a physician business owner to survive and thrive, they must focus on three tax issues: deductions, asset protection, and flexibility in plan design.

While it's tempting to tap into your home's equity by way of a reverse mortgage, consumer advocates advise caution as there are several downsides to the process.

While many of the ten issues will be significant, the greatest concern will be new legislation. With healthcare reform in flux, how programs will be affected remains uncertain.

High cost of injectable therapies will limit overall uptake in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

That happy feeling you get from entering the highest bid at an auction does not come from winning the item. Something else is at work and it tends to result in habitual overbidding.

Over time, I have gleaned a few jokes about things financial, but it has been harder than you might imagine, much as we might need suchlike. So cast aside your tax prep work, your ruined retirement fantasies, and the latest headlines warning of medicare cuts, and have a chuckle.

While credit card issuers have gotten busy figuring out ways to get around Congress' new rules, a savvy credit card holder can find many ways to tailor card use to get their hands on some perks.

A recent study found that more than 80 percent of older policy owners did not know they could sell their policy for cash. Educate yourself on this and four other characteristics of life insurance that can significantly increase expenses.

For physicians considering involvement in free clinics, this guide will give you insight into how to handle scheduling issues, developing a mindset for volunteer work, and gaining the support of team members in your everyday practice.