Some HELOC rates now start below 3%. Tempting, but is a home equity line of credit right for you?

Marketwatch.com- December 3, 2024 This article discusses what to do with an old 401(k) plan when you leave an employer and a new federal registry designed to help people track down missing 401(k)s. In the article, David Schneider points out that “Transferring it to your new employer’s plan simplifies your life and simplifies the management of your money.” He also mentions that another advantage of consolidating accounts is that you may be able to take a loan from your current employer’s plan, which isn’t an option if funds are left in an old plan. Mr. Schneider also states that “transferring to an IRA gives you full control and maximum flexibility with a wider range of investment options.” He adds, “You want to consider where the fees will be the lowest and where your options are broad enough for your plans,” noting “it may be sufficient at your current employer’s plan, or the choice of investments at an IRA could be worth it. Read More: Marketwatch.com

AARP.org – October 21, 2024 This article by AARP stresses the importance of seniors being vigilant about monitoring their credit. In it, David A. Schneider states, “It’s very important that seniors pay attention to their credit reports, because there are (fraudsters) out there trying to get their information on a constant basis,” Read More: aarp.org

Financial Planning Magazine, July 3, 2024 Financial Planning Magazine recently asked advisors to answer a reader's question about the fairness of a scenario in which a woman's boyfriend owned a home, but she was paying half the mortgage. The reader felt the situation was unfair since the girlfriend was helping him build his equity, yet she had no home ownership. Mr. Schneider answered by saying, "I understand how you feel, but if your sister isn't paying more than 50% of the fair market rent for the home, plus half of the ongoing monthly expenses, she is being treated fairly. She doesn't have the right to live in the house without contributing to the monthly expenses simply because her boyfriend's name is on the deed. Given the fact that she is paying $600 now versus the $1,350 per month for her last apartment, she's probably making out pretty well." Read more 

Bankrate.com - January 20, 2024 In this article about retirement income, David A. Schneider states, “Many people can benefit from waiting until 70 to collect Social Security since it is the only government-guaranteed, inflation-protected income source.” The article says, “Schneider points to the fact that filing for benefits early can hurt your monthly payout while waiting to claim after full retirement age can boost your benefit 8 percent a year. The upshot: If you claim at age 62, you can earn a check that’s just 70 percent of your full retirement benefit, while if you wait, you can boost your payout to about 124 percent of your full benefit.” Read More: Bankrate.com

MarketWatch.com - December 30, 2023 This MarketWatch article discusses planning strategies for people approaching retirement. In the article, David Schneider states, “Make sure you have a plan. If you don’t do the planning, you really won’t have a successful retirement,” adding, “Your 50s are a really important time to be very serious,” and to “Hunker down and get serious. Every investment needs to be prudent and diversified. Increase any savings, if possible. Make catch-up contributions, if possible.” Read More: Marketwatch.com

Fortune- July 31, 2023 This article discusses the pros and cons of owning bank CDs in an IRA. In the article, David Schneider points out that “In order to get the best yields, you’re going to have to shop around and find the banks offering the most attractive rates at the time you’re funding the IRA,” and adds, “That could mean opening lots of small accounts at different institutions based on what was attractive at the time, which can be a nightmare to manage as the CDs mature.” He also mentions “If you compare a CD with a maturity of five years or less to a corporate bond of the same maturity, you’re usually going to get a better yield with a CD.” He also notes that “In general, by laddering and taking your maturing dollars and putting them in a longer-term CD, you’ll end up averaging the higher rates from longer-term CDs,” says Schneider. Read More: Fortune.com

Investment News – June 20, 2022 This Investment News article weighed the pros and cons of direct indexing, a strategy that uses individual stocks instead of ETFs and funds as the building blocks of an indexing strategy. The article states “David Schneider, founder of Schneider Wealth Strategies, is also a fan of direct indexing for… Continue Reading Direct indexing gains appeal as taxable losses mount

Forbes.com – May 25, 2022 This Forbes article discusses the Federal Reserve, interest rates and the risk of a recession. In it, David Schneider points out that “An economic downtown is undoubtedly possible. That said, it is worth noting that the yield curve that has the best track record of predicting recessions” He notes that… Continue Reading May FOMC Minutes: Big Rate Hikes On Tap At June And July Fed Meetings

Marketwatch.com – January 19, 2022 This article discusses HELOCs and how to get the best rate on them. In the article, David Schneider states that “Generally, I advise people to go to their local banks because they will be interested in those loans.” The article also says that “borrowers may be surprised by just how… Continue Reading One surprising thing people think is a dealbreaker to getting a home equity loan or HELOC