http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com For hard-working ordinary people who want to live extraordinary lives Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:18:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Talk to a parent about paying for college, and chances are you'll soon be discussing student loans. But your options go far beyond borrowing at the time your child enters school. Numerous possibilities are available to save in advance of college and to win scholarships.  What's your best college savings ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/11/paying-for-college-beyond-student-loans/ My six-year-old niece asked for an iPod this past Christmas.  Not some kid-sturdy version of a portable CD player, not an MP3 player, but specifically an iPod.  She didn't get it (thanks to my sister-in-law's good sense). But the fact that she knew to ask for it-an expensive name-brand electronic ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/10/good-money-sense-in-an-i-want-it-now-society/ Have you ever gone to the doctor, auto mechanic or other professional and left their office more confused than when you walked in?  Last week I met with a new attorney for a consultation.  Between our two businesses, we have five different lawyers we use for various purposes.  I'm not ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/10/is-the-complicated-simple-financial-planning-made-easy-in-santa-maria-ca/ If you've followed my writings for a while, you may have noticed my slant on financial planning is less about money and more about a rewarding and satisfying life.  Money is a necessary part of life, but not the purpose of it.  Sometimes we get so focused on earning money, ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/retirement-planning/2009/10/whatsthepoint/ In my last post I suggested that the hourly wage your employer exchanges for your life is worth far less than you think.  In this post I'm going to help you get a better handle on what that number really is. To correctly estimate how much you're worth per hour, you ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/09/how-much-is-your-life-worth-part-ii/ Bonds called Treasury Strips have buttressed many portfolios during the recent stock market downturn. As fear replaces greed as the driving force in the market, panicked investors are seeking safety, and one of the safest investments is a U.S. Treasury bond. Investors compete to buy these bonds, driving up their ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/09/all-about-strips/ Have you ever wondered how much your life is worth?  I'm not talking about your net worth, which is the value of everything you own minus your debt.  I mean how much you're trading your life, in exchange for your employer's money?  Strange idea, isn't it? This will be no surprise ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/08/how-much-is-your-life-worth-part-i/ If you've considered using Facebook to promote your financial planning practice, or any business for that matter, check out Kristen Luke's article. She always provides great information specifically for financial planners that want to improve their marketing. I was fortunate enough to be quoted in her most recent ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/interviews/2009/08/marketing-your-financial-planning-practice-on-facebook/ This is not a very good question from an academic perspective, and some experienced investors may frown on my article when they read the title. But since I'm asked it so often, that makes it a great question.  A 401K and an IRA are not investments.  They are tax privileged ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/08/whats-a-better-investment-for-retirement-401k-ira-stocks-bonds-cds-or-mutual-funds/ ARLIGHTON HEIGHTS, IL, Chuck J. Rylant of C.J. Rylant Wealth Management in Santa Maria, CA has been accepted for membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS (NAPFA). Membership in NAPFA is granted only to Fee-Only financial advisors who are paid directly by their clients. NAPFA members receive no commissions ... http://www.cjrylantwealthmanagement.com/financial-planning/2009/07/local-financial-advisor-joins-leading-national-organization/