Quote:
|
member of IATSE Local 695, I have whatever they offer, but I know for certain, I do not participate in a 401k or 403b.
|
I checked your union's website but at least in the public access section, I saw no mention of any retirement plan except for the pension. On the member-only section of the site, they probably give more details. Check it out or speak to your HR person or union rep.
Quote:
Who do I go with? should I stick with one of the "big 3" like Fidelity, Vanguard, or T-Rowe Price? (was able to regurgitate those names, because I have been reading as much as I can digest online with regards to ROTH's).
And what about what MonkeyMama says below? Is my investment horizon just too far gone now for this to be of any real benefit to me?
|
The "big 3" are the "big 3" for a reason. Great customer service, low expenses and a wide variety of investment choices. You could do far worse. I think any one of these 3 companies would be a great choice. Personally, I'm with Vanguard but I have absolutely nothing negative to say about the other two.
Quote:
|
We have 2 car loans that total just over $600.00/month (A) with an $8,000.00 balance @ 6-1/4% and (B) with a 12,800.00 balance at 5-1/4%
|
As already stated, pay these off. It makes no sense at all to keep them. Your cash is earning next to nothing and these loans are costing you a fortune. Get rid of them. Call the lenders and get the pay off amounts and then write a check to each and be done with them.
Quote:
|
Still, I need help with figuring out how to keep my house and whatever equity may be there when I retire, so I can give the girls something to get their lives started with when I am gone.
|
The best thing you can do for your kids is to make sure you are able to support yourself and your wife for the rest of your lives so that the girls don't need to do it for you. The other best thing you can do is educate yourself on proper money management so that you can then teach them the same so that 30 years from now, they don't find themselves in the same situation that you are currently in.