Byron Watkins & Marta Curry, Waddell & Reed

Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Investing. With a Plan.®

Welcome to our Web site, where you’ll find a wealth of information in the form of newsletter articles, calculators, research and more. 

We hope your visit will help you understand the opportunities and potential rewards that are available when you take a proactive approach to your personal financial situation. This Web site was created to help you gain a better understanding of the financial concepts behind insurance, investing, retirement, estate planning, and wealth preservation. Most important, we hope you see the value of working with a skilled professional to pursue your financial goals.

We're here to help educate you about the basic concepts of financial management; to help you learn more about who we are; and to give you fast, easy access to market performance data. We hope you take advantage of this resource and visit often. Be sure to add this site to your list of "favorites" in your Internet browser. Information is updated frequently, and we wouldn’t want you to miss any developments in the area of personal finance.

College Funding

Use this calculator to estimate the cost of your child’s education, based on the variables you input.

Cost of Retirement

Use this calculator to estimate how much income and savings you may need in retirement.

Impact of Inflation

Estimate the future cost of an item based on today’s prices and the rate of inflation you expect.

Loan Payoff

How much will it cost to pay off a loan over its lifetime?

More Calculators →

Never Retire? Don't Count on It

In a recent survey, just 40% of wealthy individuals indicated they are totally confident they will have enough money for retirement. The other 60% said they will shun traditional retirement and work as long as possible. However, it could be dangerous to believe that a retirement income shortfall can be overcome by working past the traditional retirement age.

For Better, For Worse: Communicating About Retirement

A recent study indicates that couples are not communicating clearly about retirement goals and strategies, even as they approach retirement age. This article offers suggestions to open a dialogue and encourages couples to discuss their retirement needs and desires with each other and with their financial advisor.

HOT TOPIC: Will Federal Reserve Tactics Help the Ailing U.S. Economy?

This article looks at policy tools that the Federal Reserve has used in the past and may use going forward in its attempts to spur economic growth. It also explains the possible implications of a long-term, low-interest-rate environment for investors, savers, and retirees.

Why Realistic Expectations May Be Great

Although positive thinking can be powerful, there's a fine line between optimism and unrealistic expectations. There are possible pitfalls when overestimating how a portfolio will perform.

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