Related Articles

There are plenty of articles out there on all sorts of subjects. But, not all of them are like First Tech articles. We've compiled a group of articles you might find useful.

Charitable Giving Strategies - What and how to give [read more]
The American public continues to be generous to their favorite causes. It is estimated that over $200 billion was given to charities in 2000. Along with enabling their favorite charities to continue their good works, many include charitable giving as part of their overall income tax and estate planning strategy. This article identifies some of the issues you may want to consider as you plan your charitable giving activities. You should always make sure the charities you are considering are legitimate and you should consult with your financial or tax advisor to better understand how the tax laws apply to your situation.

Estate Planning Is More Than Minimizing Estate Taxes [read more]
Many people think of estate planning only as a way to reduce taxes. Actually, it is a lot more and here are some of the issues you should consider.

Getting the Life Insurance You Need [read more]
What’s best for you and your family. Protecting your family against the financial consequences of your death should be part of your total financial plan.

Inventory Your Belongings - How to help your insurance claim [read more]
One of the most important things you can do to protect your belongings is to know what you have. You probably have a homeowners or renters insurance policy that will pay to have your household items replaced if they are stolen, lost or damaged. However, few individuals take the time to adequately prepare a listing of those items. If there is a fire, flood or theft, having an inventory is essential in making a claim.

Long Term Care Insurance - How to help you and your family [read more]
Have you ever worried about medical costs consuming your savings? Rising medical costs and longer life expectancies are making this a concern for many. There are some government programs like Medicaid and Medicare that can help cover some expenses of long term care. However, there are restrictions on what is covered and qualifying for these programs may only be possible after you have used all your personal savings.

Life Insurance Trust - Why is something so ordinary so important [read more]
Life insurance proceeds are generally part of your estate and may be subject to estate taxes depending on the size of your taxable estate. This influx of cash to the estate, while usually quite large and often needed for funeral expenses, taxes and debts, can cause confusion. In some cases, the life insurance proceeds are what increases the estate to the size where it starts to owe taxes.