Roger Wohlner

Betterment is one of a number of robo advisers that have sprung up in recent years to offer investors an alternative to more traditional human financial advisers. Robo advisers have evolved over time and there are a number of alternatives to choose from. Betterment is one of the larger players in this space.
What Is Betterment?
Betterment was founded by Jon Stein and several others. They launched their service in 2010.
Download Now: To be a profitable investor you first need to know the rules...

What is a stock option?
A stock option is a financial instrument that allows the option holder the right to buy or sell shares of a certain stock at a specified price for a specified period of time.
Stock options are traded on exchanges much like the stocks (Apple, ExxonMobil, etc.) themselves. The price of the option itself can be higher or lower than the original price when it was first listed. Most listed options in the U.S. conform to an options calendar and typically expire on the third ...

A key aspect of investing is measuring your results: How much has your portfolio gained or lost over a given period of time? This information in and of itself is meaningful, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.
It’s important to also measure your performance against some sort of benchmark to determine how well your portfolio’s performance stacks up. If you're investing on your own, this is a helpful way to track your progress over time. If you're working with a financial advisor who manages y...

A balance sheet is one of the key financial statements provided by a company. Along with the income statement and the statement of cash flows, the balance sheet helps provide a picture of the company's financial position at given point in time.
What Is a Balance Sheet?
The balance sheet is a statement showing the company's assets, liabilities and shareholder's equity at a point in time.
What Items Appear on a Balance Sheet?
Download Now: To be a profitable investor you first need to know the ...

Non-disclosure agreements have been in the news in recent months surrounding President Trump's alleged dealing with various women. The agreements, known as NDAs for short, have been around for a number of years and can cover many types of business arrangements. Here is a look at what a non-disclosure agreement is and some of the situations in which it might be used.
What Is a Non-Disclosure Agreement?
An NDA is a contractual agreement between two parties that defines a confidential arrangemen...

One of the key decisions that you will need to make as a business owner is the structure of your business. This might be dictated by the size of the business, the number of employees, the nature of the business, or what product or service you will provide.
The right business structure can provide tax benefits for the owners, allow for future growth and provide a shield from personal liability. This decision should be made with the help of an outside adviser such as an attorney or accountant.
...

IRAs are a great way to contribute money and save for your retirement on a tax-deferred or tax-free (in the case of a Roth IRA) basis. IRAs are also a great destination if you are looking to roll money over from an employer-sponsored retirement plan like a 401(k) when leaving an employer.
We will take a look at the similarities and differences in the two types of IRA accounts to help you make informed choices about using IRAs for your retirement savings.
Traditional IRA vs. Roth IRA
Before de...

The earned income credit is a benefit for those who are working and have low to moderate incomes. To qualify you must file an income tax return. Here is a look at the rules surrounding this credit and the requirements for claiming it.
What Is the Earned Income Credit?
The earned income credit (EIC) is a tax credit available to low to moderate income taxpayers. The credit can be worth up to $6,431 for 2018 and up to $6,557 for 2019. A tax credit is better than a tax deduction in that the credi...

Your credit score is one of the most critical numbers in your financial life. It can affect your ability to rent an apartment, buy a house or get a job. A low score can result in higher interest rates and may even prevent you from obtaining credit in the first place.
In common credit scoring models, 300 is typically the lowest possible score. However, scores that low are extremely rare.
There are two major credit scoring models: FICO and VantageScore. FICO is the older and more common model, ...

The Simplified Employee Pension, or SEP IRA, is a retirement option for self-employed or small-business owners. It is easy to open and requires minimal paperwork compared to other types of business retirement plans.
What Is a SEP IRA?
A SEP IRA is a type of traditional IRA available to business owners and the self-employed. Contribution limits are higher than traditional or Roth IRA accounts. Accounts can be opened at a variety of custodians including Charles Schwab & Co. (SCHW - Get Report) ...

Disability insurance should be a key part of your overall financial planning. Insurance is designed to cover losses that are too big to cover with your own out-of-pocket funds. Life insurance provides a benefit to your beneficiaries should you die. Health insurance covers the cost of medical care should you or your family need it. No less important is disability insurance that covers lost income in the event that you are unable to work due to a disabling injury or illness.
What Is Disability ...

For many of us, buying a house is the heart of the American dream. Whether this means a modest single-family home, a condo unit or a waterfront mansion, home ownership offers a chance to establish roots. Buying a house is also one of the most important financial transactions you’ll ever make, but for those with bad credit, it can be a real challenge. Here is a look at some of the financial issues facing aspiring homeowners with bad credit.
Credit scores
Unless you are paying cash, you will ne...

More than half of small businesses use credit cards on a regular basis—but is that resource being leveraged as effectively and powerfully as it could be?

Whether you’re new to the world of business credit or are simply considering your options, this concise guide can help you position your company to effectively use and manage this tool.

Using a business credit card vs. a line of credit

For newer businesses or those who haven’t used credit extensively, choosing between a business credit card ...

Money conversations between parents and adult children are difficult at best. Issues such as investments, retirement planning, estate planning wishes, and elder care are never easy. A study by Fidelity Investments entitled, Intra-Family Generational Finance Study, highlights some of the key issues involved.
A lack of communication and planning can be costly to the family in terms of taxes and other issues involving transferring parent's wealth to the next generation and making sure they are c...

A SIMPLE IRA, or savings incentive match plan for employees, is a small-business retirement plan employers can offer their employees. A SIMPLE IRA can be a good alternative to a 401(k) or other types of retirement plans because there generally is less paperwork and fewer procedures to follow with a SIMPLE IRA. A SIMPLE IRA can be a solid option for many small businesses that otherwise might not be able to offer their employees a retirement plan because of the cost and administrative burden.