Mary C. Hanson, MBA, CFP®

Mortgage Acceleration

This calculator can help you determine how soon you can pay off your mortgage.

Taxable Equivalent Yield

Calculate the rate of return you would have to receive from a taxable investment to realize an equivalent tax-exempt yield.

Tax-Deferred Savings

Compare the potential future value of tax-deferred investments to that of taxable investments.

IRA Eligibility

Use this calculator to determine whether you qualify for the different types of IRAs.

More Calculators →

New Rules Are in the Cards

In 2010, the federal government issued a dizzying array of rules and reforms affecting consumer credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards. This article explains some of the important developments resulting from enactment of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009.

Roth IRA Conversion Mistakes Can Be Costly

One popular way to fund a Roth IRA is by transferring assets from a traditional IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan. This type of transaction, called a Roth IRA conversion, is simple in theory but can be complicated in practice. If you make certain mistakes, you could lose some key advantages.

What Do Price/Earnings Ratios Really Have to Offer?

It's not hard to find the price/earnings ratios of publicly traded companies or even the market as a whole reported in the news. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to understand what the numbers mean without the ability to make meaningful comparisons.

HOT TOPIC: Why Global Investors Are Worried About European Debt

European officials are working on a bailout deal to help debt-laden Greece avoid default, but some are worried a broader eurozone financial crisis may be waiting in the wings. How likely is a Greek sovereign debt default, and how could it affect European and U.S. financial markets?

More Newsletters →