Feel the pinch: year of the crab set to cling on

There are two unavoidable truths. First, nobody knows the future. Second, putting your money anywhere, even under the bed, involves a risk

There are two unavoidable truths. First, nobody knows the future. Second, putting your money anywhere, even under the bed, involves a risk

There are two unavoidable truths. First, nobody knows the future. And second, putting your money anywhere, even under the bed, involves a risk

This year, courtesy of the fiscal cliff deal and the payroll tax hike that Congress passed in early January, the majority of Americans are facing higher tax bills.

Government officials in China used to live the high life. In order to grease the wheels of the government's machinery, companies often gifted them expensive treats like grain spirits and mooncakes, or fancy dinners featuring delicacies like hairy crabs. 

Recently, my husband and I sat down to map out our savings plan for three months of travel at the end of next year. We figured out how to live off of one of our salaries right now, and put the rest into savings—both for retirement and toward a special account we opened and labeled “Chris and Cheryl Go Traveling.”

If you're in your 40s, you could be considered either a "late baby boomer" or member of "Generation X." Either way, you're at a time in your life when you're putting youth aside and should be doing some financial planning for your future and your family's future.

ByMartin Vlcek:This article shows how to beat the S&P 500 results by 3.17% annually on average, with lower risk and just two trades per year. This represents a 45% higher return than the S&P 500 buy-and-hold strategy.