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.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance: How Does It Work? Learn how indexed universal life insurance policies can grow the cash value of your policy and find out whether it's the right choice for you and your family. Pregnancy & Health Insurance: How to Get the Right Coverage Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Pregnancy & Health Insurance: How to Get the Right Coverage Whether you’re pregnant or hoping to get pregnant, one thing is for... 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? Learn how financial advisors can help you along your financial journey, from answering questions about complex financial matters to handling your investments. 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? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Coinsurance vs. Copay: How Much Will You Pay Out of Pocket? Coinsurance and copays are the two major cost-sharing models used by health... 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 Learn about the withdrawal rules that apply to Roth IRAs so that you can withdraw your retirement savings without incurring any penalties (or taxes). 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? Photo of Lance Cothern Lance Cothern Donor-Advised Funds: A Better Way to Donate Charitable Funds and Get a Tax Deduction? The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 doubled the standard deduction. However, the...