Finance Globe

When you start your own small business, you'll have many decisions to make. One of them will be whether to tackle all the responsibilities of business management as a sole proprietor, or to get some help. Having one or more business partners can alleviate much of the burden that you would otherwise have to handle on your own in running a business. As with any business choice you make, there are pros and cons to a...

401(k) loansAmerican workers may find themselves considering their 401(k) plans when they're in need of a loan. 401(k) loans are pretty easy to get, especially when compared to other types of loans. First of all, there's no credit check and no collateral required, since you're borrowing money from yourself. And, the payments and interest you'll pay are going back into your 401(k) account. A loan on your 401(k) is always better than taking an early withdrawal...

Investments within your 401(k)Your 401(k) is your tax-advantaged retirement account, sponsored by your employer. You've made a smart decision if you participate in your company's 401(k) plan. But simply putting money into a 401(k) isn't enough to ensure a comfortable retirement. You must manage your 401(k) portfolio just like you would with any of your other investments. Proper investment management is vital to your future security, whether your 401(k) is one of your many investmentaccounts, or...

Americans are fickle with their employers, and many will change jobs as often as they change cars. And considering that the 401(k) is the retirement plan of choice for most large companies, there's a good chance you'll need to decide what to do with your old 401(k) when you move on to greener pastures.So what do you do with your 401(k) when you move to your next job? You basically have four options: Take it and...

Is a contract really necessary?There is no law that requires a partnership to draw up a written contract. The mutual agreement, between two or more people, to run a business together is really all it takes to form a partnership. It's possible that a very simple, straight-forward business with little financial investment may be successfully run without a written contract, but the more complicated your business, the more important it is to get it in writing....

What the heck is a 401(k) and how does it work? I remember the first time I ever heard of a 401(k) plan. I was barely twenty-one years old, and was just hired for my first good job that offered benefits. At the time, I didn't really understand much of what the human resources director told me about it all, except that I could buy company stock, they would match part of what I put in,...

Among the many other decisions you'll have to make when starting your new business, you'll need to decide on your business' legal structure. Before you decide what business entity is best for you, consider the complexity of your business, the financial risk involved in running your type of business, and the tax consequences of each business structure. There is too much information to put into one article about the various business structures, but this is meant...

When a couple decides to get married or live together under a joint financial arrangement, there are quite a number of financial subjects that should be dicussed. Couples often mistakenly assume they learned all they need to know about their partner through their courtship, but soon learn differently when they move in together. Talking honestly about those subjects will help a couple understand where they are compatible, compromises that must be made, the type of expenses...

Couples may be hesitant to mention the subject of money to each other, either because it's an uncomfortable subject, or because past attempts at the topic have resulted in getting no where. But as difficult as it may be, it's vital that couples communicate to each other about money. Effective communication about money matters will give you both a clear picture of where you are, and where you want to be. Money issues have done damage...

When couples get together, they're often attracted to their loved one's looks and personality. They have a spark, a knack for communicating with each other. They can laugh about the same things, and enjoy the same type of activities. They may anticipate a future together, sharing a home, having children, and growing old together. These happy couples often plan out their whole life together, but too many of them overlook one major issue that can often...