Honolulu is a beautiful destination on the south side of Honolulu Island and is the state capital of the Hawaiian islands. It’s a popular vacation spot, with people coming from all over to enjoy the warm beaches and tropical paradise that the island provides. If you’re visiting Honolulu, or are lucky enough to live here, then you should take advantage …

Face it: College is expensive. Luckily, when it comes to saving for college, you have numerous possible choices. Two of the most well-known savings programs that offer tax benefits are the 529 plan and the Coverdell education savings account (ESA) plan. While both offer tax-free earnings when you withdraw money to use for education expenses, they do differ slightly, so it’s …

Honolulu is often known as “The Gathering Place.” This is an apt name for a destination that offers a plethora of delights that can draw the family together. If you’re looking for something fun to do with your children, partner, and other family members, we have plenty of smart suggestions. Whether you’re staying in one of Hawaii’s outstanding hotels and …

Forty is a milestone birthday for many. It’s a time of reflection and perhaps realizing you need to make some changes in your financial planning. Unfortunately, many don’t capitalize on the rich opportunities when starting to invest in early life. This period is also a time in which your financial goals may be at odds with each other. Perhaps you’re …

Knowing the difference between top-down and bottom-up investing is a crucial distinction to make, and choosing the right one at the right time is essential for your financial health. On the other hand, the wrong choice can be detrimental to your portfolio. Let’s examine the pros and cons of top-down and bottom-up investing so you can make the right decision …

Hedge funds and private equity funds often attract investors of the same type. However, the goals of hedge funds and private equity funds and the type of investments the fund managers seek are different. Private equity funds and hedge funds appeal to investors with a higher net worth; many of these funds require a minimum investment of $250,000 or more. …

Annuities are contracts between a policyholder and the contract holder, often an insurance company. Policyholders give the insurance company a specified amount of money in exchange for future payments. The timing and amount of the payments depend on the terms and the type of annuity. Policyholders fund annuities through a lump sum or multiple payments. Annuities are available in many …

Retirement nest eggs come in many types, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Finding what retirement options work best for your unique circumstances means balancing risks over rewards and maximizing employer contributions. Both pensions and 401(k) investments are qualified, which means they offer protection of investments and tax benefits by meeting Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) guidelines. Assets in …

When building an investment portfolio, are stocks or bonds the best fit for you? The answer depends on what you’re looking for and your financial goals. Individual stocks and index funds each have advantages and disadvantages you should compare before investing. What Is Individual Stock Investing? When you buy shares of stock in a company, you’re simply purchasing partial ownership of that …

Whether your retirement plan is qualified or nonqualified depends on whether it meets federal guidelines protecting retirement income and providing transparency to account information. Qualified plans are offered to most employees, while nonqualified plans are customizable and commonly geared toward executives. Qualified Retirement Plans Qualified retirement plans offer protection of employee investments as well as a degree of transparency into …