Check Out your Financial Advisor - Before You Invest!

 The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has created a website to help people check the registration, license, and disciplinary history of financial professionals. This website is called CFTC Smartcheck and it describes 6 steps to take before making an investment, including:

• Determine if your financial advisor is registered with the CFTC or the NFA, using the website's BASIC search tool.
• Use the BrokerCheck tool to see if the financial professional is registered with the SEC or FINRA.
• Check to see if the professional has a CFTC disciplinary history.

 In addition to these search tools, the Smartcheck website has investor news, tips to avoid fraud, and interactive videos about common investment scenarios. You can also report any sketchy offers or shifty sales tactics as a confidential tip here.

New "Sandwich Generation" Report

 The Pew Research Center has just published a study about the Sandwich Generation. This generation is 40-59 years of age and many of them are responsible for caring for both their own children and their aging parents. The Pew study surveyed 2,511 adults in this age group. They found that nearly half of the people surveyed have a parent age 65 or older and are either raising a young child or financially supporting a grown child (age 18 or older). In addition, about 15% of middle-aged adults are providing financial support to both a child and an aging adult. Here are some additional findings:

• 75% say adults have a responsibility to provide financial assistance to an elderly parent who is in need.
• 52% say parents have a similar responsibility to support a grown child.
• Among all adults with at least one parent age 65 or older, 30% say their parent or parents need help to handle their affairs or care for themselves.
• Among those whose parents need care, 31% say they provide most of this help, and an additional 48% say they provide at least some of the help. 

You can access the full report here. 


http://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2013/01/30/the-sandwich-generation/

Mymoney.gov - Reliable Financial Information

Twenty-one different government agencies have partnered to create Mymoney.gov.  This website brings together unbiased and reliable information about financial topics, so that you can make smart financial decisions.  The website organizes information by "life events" such as "starting/buying a business" and "planning for retirement".  The "planning for retirement" section includes information on 401(k)s, long-term care information, step-by-step social security retirement benefits planner, and more.  In addition, there are tools, such as a savings calculator.  You can also request a free Personal Financial Toolkit by calling 1-888-mymoney.

New Books to Help You Manage your Finances in Tough Times

Here are some new library books that can help you to save money, find a job, manage your finances, and plan for retirement:

The Ultimate Cheapskate's Road Map to True Riches: a Practical (and fun) Guide to Enjoying Life More by Spending Less by Jeff Yeager.

J.K. Lasser's Guide for Tough Times: Tax and Financial Solutions to See You Through by Barbara Weltman.

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey.

AARP Crash Course in Finding the Work You Love: the Essential Guide to Reinventing Your Life by Samuel Greengard.

The Social Security Answer Book: Practical Answers to over 200 Questions on Social Security by Stanley A. Tomkiel.



The Retirement Challenge: Sink or Swim: A Complete Do-It-Yourself Toolkit to Navigate Your Financial Future by Frank Armstrong, III and Jason R. Doss.



The Estate Planning Toolkit: The Ultimate guide to Planning Your Estate by Daniel Sitarz.