Articles by Lance Cothern

Lance is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Virginia and he covers money management, budgeting, financial products, and more. He is also the founder of Money Manifesto, a personal finance blog, where he writes about his family's relationship with money. Education: B.B.A. in Accounting from James Madison University.

Coinsurance vs. Copay: How Much Will You Pay Out of Pocket? Learn the difference between coinsurance and copay when it comes to paying for out-of-pocket medical costs Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA: How Do You Choose if You're Self-Employed or a Small Business Owner? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Solo 401(k) vs. SEP IRA: How Do You Choose if You're Self-Employed or a Small Business Owner? As a self-employed individual, you don’t have access to a workplace benefits... Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules: How to Avoid Penalties Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Roth IRA Withdrawal Rules: How to Avoid Penalties You've made the smart move to build retirement savings in a Roth IRA. That... Contingent Beneficiary: How to Choose One for Your Life Insurance Policy Find out what you need to consider when choosing a contingent (or secondary) beneficiary for your life insurance policy and estate planning purposes. Donor-Advised Funds: A Better Way to Donate Charitable Funds and Get a Tax Deduction? Learn about investing in donor-advised funds, which is another way that you can make charitable donations and still get a tax deduction. Death of a Spouse in Retirement: How You’re Affected Financially and What to Do Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Death of a Spouse in Retirement: How You’re Affected Financially and What to Do Retirement is often the last major stage of life. Many people look forward to no... Penny Stocks: 5 Reasons to Avoid This Investment Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Penny Stocks: 5 Reasons to Avoid This Investment Penny stocks are sometimes seen as a way to get rich quick. They don’t cost much... Are Life Insurance Payouts Considered Taxable Income? Find out whether life insurance payouts and death benefits are considered taxable income for beneficiaries and when taxes may affect the value of your policy. Compare Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loans & HELOCs for Retirement Income Compare reverse mortgages and home equity loans or a HELOC to help generate retirement income to fund spending and living expenses in your later years. Best Health Insurance Options for College Students Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Best Health Insurance Options for College Students Paying for college in the United States is outrageously expensive on its...