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.

Pregnancy & Health Insurance: How to Get the Right Coverage Long Term Disability Insurance: How Does It Work? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Long Term Disability Insurance: How Does It Work? If you become disabled, it impacts your life in many ways. Disability can make... What Does a Financial Advisor Do to Help Improve Your Finances? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern What Does a Financial Advisor Do to Help Improve Your Finances? Managing your finances can be tricky. Most people can handle the day-to-day... Should You Reinvest Dividends or Take the Cash? Find out whether you should reinvest your dividends or cash out based on the pros and cons of each options--and matching them to your current financial needs. 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...