Wisdom on Wealth

Q: My granddaughter has been through a lot. Her parents divorced and she has struggled in school. She wants to go to college, but neither parent has enough money to send her. She can get a loan to go to college, but she says I will have to co-sign for her to get it. It won’t cost me anything to co-sign so I don’t see what the harm is. What do you think?

A: I think you need to ask a lot more questions. Or you might get an education you didn’t count on.

Q: I’ve been at my new job for enough time that I can now participate in my company’s 401K plan. I’ve heard mixed messages about these things. But if I don’t do a 401K plan, what else is there to prepare for retirement on day?

A: When you decide to build a new house, what’s the first thing you should do – go hammer shopping?

Q: I’ve made a big mess of my financial life and I wonder if I’ll ever get over it. This is the first Christmas I’ve had since falling on hard times and it’s not exactly merry. Do people as deep in the hole as I am ever get out?

A: Yes they do. But only if they learn.

Since it’s Christmas morning, let me borrow from Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol and say that in order to move beyond your past failures and present difficulties into a bright future, you’re going to have to learn…from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present and Christmas Yet to Come.

Q: I am single with no children or dependents. Just me and my dog. I will probably work five more years. I have no one in particular I am trying to leave money to, so how do I make the most of my money? One thing I want to make sure of is that I don’t run out of money before I die because there is no one else to take care of me.

A: The fact that you are single both simplifies and complicates your choices.