Throughout my 20 years of Internet marketing experience, I have learned that monitoring your competitors can provide invaluable insights into their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. So when we ask our clients who their top competitors are, they typically give us a list of companies they compete against based upon traditional methods of marketing and
I read your column about making catch-up contributions to an IRA and 401(k), starting in the year you turn age 50. Can I also make catch-up contributions to my health savings account? Yes, although you have to wait until the year you turn 55 to begin catch-up contributions for a Health Savings Account (HSA). As
Saving for retirement is an important financial goal, but many people struggle with it. Some are concerned that it means locking up funds and making them inaccessible for other financial goals. But this, in fact, is a myth. For example, a young 28-year-old entrepreneur once asked me if she could use some of these funds
You wouldn’t dream of running a marathon without undergoing months of training. Or heading into the wilderness without making sure you have adequate provisions. Or betting your life savings on a business venture you haven’t thoroughly researched. But when it comes to entering retirement–when a failure to plan can have devastating consequences–a surprising number of
Parents are saving for college at record levels — but they’re still coming up short. According to Fidelity’s recently released 10-Year College Progress Report, 72% of parents reported saving for college this year — a record high — compared to 58% in 2007. But despite this increase, the study found that just 29% of parents
People like to feel and be in control. That thought is not necessarily articulated but when a customer is not in control, he or she is not happy. How can your associates create happy customers? Give the customer your full and complete attention. It’s not sufficient that your associates think they are giving their full