Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
September Is National Life Insurance Awareness Month
September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage. Life insurance is one of those “someday” things for many people – but the cheapest time to buy it is probably today.
Read MoreWhen To Begin Collection Social Security
Deciding when to retire and begin collecting Social Security is an important life decision. Some people may feel they don’t have enough savings to retire and delay their retirement plans to continue working, which means...
Read MoreManaging Risk With Diversification
When you first considered investing, it probably seemed like a good idea to focus heavily on what worked best for you from the beginning. If stocks from a particular company brought you high yields, why not double up on your original...
Read MoreMaking Sense Of Medicare Parts A, B, C, AND D
Medicare is available to virtually all U.S. citizens and legal residents 65 years of age and over who have previously worked and paid U.S. taxes or who are/were married to someone who did. There are four key parts to Medicare...
Read MoreHow To Manage Your 401(k) When You Switch Jobs
In the past, baby boomers and Generation Xers often held on to jobs for 10 or more years. Some professionals stayed with the same company for most of their working lives. The Great Recession changed this for many. Now, people have...
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Considerations When Purchasing Life Insruance
There are a number of different life insurance products and features to consider when evaluating plans.Discussing the importance of owning life insurance can be a sensitive topic — after all, few people like to talk about death....
Read MoreCaring for Aging Parents
There are important steps you can take to help your aging parents find health care and living assistance, and to secure financing for the cost of the care.Many adults have aging parents who are in need of health-care and living...
Read MoreBudgeting for a Family
If you’re expecting your first child, establishing a budget that includes your growing list of expenses is important for helping you manage your finances.Starting a family is one of life’s most rewarding experiences....
Read MoreBeyond Retirement: Consider Your Other Goals
Retirement savings isn’t the only financial goal you should consider in your lifetime. There are other milestones that you ought to take into account as well.When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Value of Mentorships
The mentors in our lives haven’t always gone by that title, but we’ve all had one. Whether it’s been a friend, coach, teacher, sibling, parent, co-worker, or boss, we’ve benefited from the guidance and...
Read MorePay It Forward
Looking To Teach a Child Some Important Money Lessons? Consider a Roth Custodial IRA.You started early and have saved hard in your 401(k). You’ve also paid close attention to your investing strategy over the years. And you...
Read MoreTop of Mind
Practicing Mindfulness With Money Can Help Boost Your Financial Wellness Many people practice mindfulness through yoga, tai chi or other forms of movement, often incorporating breathing exercises. Others rely on their smart watch or...
Read MoreHelp Prevent Scams Targeting Older Adults
Learn how to protect loved ones—and yourself—from fraud.Face it. We’re all getting older. And, while age comes with wisdom, it can also come with vulnerability. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) reports that scams...
Read MorePlanning for your Financial Future
Do you have a financial plan that will help you send your kids to college, take the trips you’ve dreamed about, and enjoy your golden years? If not, you may want to start planning now.Creating a financial plan may help you avoid...
Read MoreRetirement in Motion
Knowledge is Retirement Power Looking to see more of the world during retirement? Some countries have created visa policies designed specifically for retirees. These retirement visa programs may also provide special benefits and...
Read MoreSmart Shopper
Keep Your Money Safe With These Online Shopping Security Tips - The 2022 holiday gift season is now in the rear-view mirror. If you’re like many other people, chances are you did a good amount of shopping online. After all, online...
Read MoreChoose the Executor of Your Will Wisely
An executor administers a deceased person’s estate, i.e., the person’s net worth at the time of death. Choose an executor you trust to carry out your directives honestly and fairly.
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
Read MoreWhat Happens If You Die Without a Will?
About two out of three Americans do not have a will.1 The implications are worth exploring. When you die without a will, a state court judge can decide who gets what, even when it doesn’t accord to your wishes.
Read MorePractical Self Care You Should be Doing for Yourself
Self-care is more than a new-age mantra being thrown around. It’s a very real need in terms of physical, mental, or emotional health. The more consistently you care for yourself, the better your work will be, too.
Read MoreGo Back to School at Your Age? Why Not!
Why Going Back to School After Retirement Isn’t Such a Crazy Idea. As you peek into the future to see what retirement might look like for you, have you considered the possibility of returning to school?
Read MoreFour Things You Can do Now to Protect Yourself Online
Many folks depend on the internet for work, social contact, information, and entertainment. The more you use the internet, the more you should defend your privacy from outside attacks.
Read MoreEliminate the Guesswork
Most people don’t spend too much time thinking about end-of-life planning on a daily basis. But you may have loved ones who will soon face those issues. While it’s not pleasant to think about, you may be the one who ends up having.......
Read MoreBeyond Retirement: Consider Your Other Goals
Retirement savings isn’t the only financial goal you might want to consider in a lifetime. There are other considerable milestones that you want to take into account as well.When it comes to financial stability, people tend to...
Read MoreGlobal Grub
We all look for healthier ways to eat from time to time, or just expand our food horizons. If you’re looking to shake things up a bit, consider incorporating some of these healthy eating habits from other cultures around the world.
Read MoreMoney in Motion
Like most people, you’re likely to change jobs several times during your working life. And you’ll likely have a 401(k) account through your former employer to deal with. Here are the four options for what to do with an old 401(k) account.
Read MoreMoney Mantras
Market swings causing you some anxiety? These four money mantras can help you overcome it.Whether it’s the continuing presence of the COVID-19 pandemic, a sudden boost in prices related to gas, food, housing and other essentials,...
Read MoreRetirement in Motion
Tips and resources that everyone can use - Knowledge Is Retirement Power
Read MoreThe Big Advantage You Have as a Young Investor
The Power of Compound Interest - You earn interest when you put money into a savings account. Through compounding your interest grows faster. The sooner you start saving, the more compound interest you’ll earn. Compound interest is...
Read MoreWhy Career Development Goals Can Help Your Bottom Line
How to Maximize Your Earning Potential - Career goals give purpose and direction to your professional development. They also can help you build the wealth you will need to improve your lifestyle and provide for a comfortable retirement.
Read MoreFrustrated with the Balance on Your Retirement Savings? Consider Doing This Now
It’s Never Too Late to Start Saving for Retirement. Even if your retirement savings feel a bit light, there’s no reason for gloom and doom. You can take steps right now to help put your savings back on track.
Read MoreOne-Day Adventures the Whole Family Can Enjoy
Looking for Some New Family Fun Options? Are you having a hard time coming up with new ways to spend a free day together that everyone can get excited about? Here are some ideas for family adventures you can have in a single day...
Read MoreHow Often Should You Revise Your Will?
It’s essential to revisit your will, and indeed your entire estate plan, every three to five years and after significant life events. Failure to do so could easily lead to undesirable outcomes.
Read MoreFeeling Stuck? Try Setting a Few Mid-Year Resolutions
Get Your Goals Back on Track with some Mid-Year Resolutions - The middle of the year is a perfect opportunity to set goals (or to revisit the goals you set at the beginning of the year). Get out of the rut of routine and give yourself a...
Read MoreSimple Ways to Manage Your Money
Managing your money is central to meeting your financial goals. The problem is many folks have hectic lives that leave them short on time. A few simple tips can streamline your money management process.
Read MoreFinancial Planning 101
Financial planning addresses a person’s current circumstances and long-term wealth objectives, along with ways to work toward those objectives. Learn what a financial plan contains and why it can be important.
Read MoreAre You Prepared to Manage Your Money After College?
Get a Handle on Your Finances Before You Leave College. As graduation approaches, it’s time to start thinking about your finances for the day after they hand you a diploma.
Read MoreVolatility Continues
2022 has been a challenging year for investors so far. The S&P 500 Index just had one of its worst Aprils in decades, and May is off to a rocky start. Bond investors have not fared much better as rising interest rates have pushed down.....
Read MoreTeaching Your Children the Value of Money
Here are some positive tips to help parents teach their children about responsibly using money to help achieve their goals. Only 17 states require high school students take a personal finance class.
Read MoreHow Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
Determining How Much Life Insurance You Need. You should consider having sufficient life insurance to realistically support your family’s lifestyle without spending too much on insurance premiums. Should the worst happen, the...
Read MoreRisk vs. Reward in Retirement Planning
A Financial Professional Can Help Determine Your Risk Tolerance Risk tolerance is a measure of the amount of market risk you are willing to assume. That is, it expresses how sensitive you are to the markets’ ups and downs....
Read MoreConsideration When Buying Your First Home
Purchasing your first home is a tremendous financial commitment. There are a number of factors to consider before signing off on that long-term mortgage. So, you’re looking to purchase your first home. Congratulations! It’s...
Read MoreHow to Avoid Overspending in Retirement
Retirement Leaves You with a Finite Amount of Money. Be Smart and Make a Plan. It requires preparation and discipline to live within your means during retirement. You would be wise to plan out your retirement expenses and income so...
Read MoreReality Check on Your Retirement Savings
Whether you’re 23 or 35, it’s important to know whether you are saving enough for your retirement. There is no time like the present to ensure you are allocating enough funds to your retirement account.With folks routinely...
Read MoreAn Annual Review with a Financial Professional is a Good Investment.
Even in the best of times, life is constantly changing. New jobs, marriage, kids, your first home – all require a fresh look at your financial plans. During uncertain periods, an annual review with a financial planner becomes...
Read MoreNo More Excuses. Start Saving Today!
Small Steps You Can Take to Save for Retirement Saving for retirement can seem impossible when you are saddled with so many daily expenses: student loans, mortgage/rent, car payments, childcare, and more. But there is nothing wrong...
Read More2022 Retirement Plan Contribution Limits
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. For workplace retirement accounts (i.e. 401(k), 403(b), amongst others), the contribution limit rises $1,000 to $20,500.
Read MoreMoney Well Spent
A fresh approach to spending can help put some sizzle in your retirement savings. Despite all the budgeting and cash flow tracking apps available, many people still struggle to manage their spending habits on a daily basis. What if...
Read MoreTeach Your Children Well - 10 Steps to Financial Education
Teaching your children to be financially responsible is one of life’s critical lessons. As your children mature, you will have many opportunities to teach them about good financial management, from kindergarten to adulthood....
Read MoreManaging a Budget During your Retirement
Unless you have accumulated substantial wealth where money is not a concern, you face a critical task when you reach retirement to make sure that your assets will support you through your lifetime. When you retire and no longer earn an...
Read MoreThe Elusive Buy/Sell Strategy of Perfect Timing
Buying low or selling high is a prudent strategy for most investors, an effort to maximize returns. But buying lowest or selling highest is an elusive strategy, one that is difficult to execute and that may lead to lower returns and...
Read MoreMaking Sense of your ROTH 401(K)
The Roth 401(k) has become an attractive investment account, with investors attracted to their qualified tax-free withdrawals and contributions which receive after-tax treatment. But like other 401(k) plans, the Roth 401(k) carries...
Read MoreConsideration When Purchasing Life Insurance
Discussing the importance of owning life insurance can be a sensitive topic — after all, few people like to talk about death. However, if others depend on your support, or if you have substantial assets that you wish to transfer...
Read MoreSeptember Is National Life Insurance Awareness Month
It’s time for your life insurance checkup.September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...
Read MoreBegin Investing While Young
You’re never too young to begin building an investment portfolio. There’s a simple word that has profound implications for savings and investing: compounding. Like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a hill, compounding...
Read MoreThe Basics of Financial Fitness
There’s a subjective uncertainty associated with financial wellness. Are you financially fit? And if so, how fit are you? While there is no clearly defined threshold for answering affirmatively, much less grading your level of...
Read MoreGone Phishing: Protecting Against Online Attacks
Identity theft is a growing concern that impacts millions of Americans every year. According to a recent study1, more than 14 million Americans fell victim to online theft in 2018, with 23% of of those incurring unreimbursed personal...
Read MoreNeed a Life Insurance Policy Review?
Life changes quickly; that’s why it’s important to periodically evaluate your financial and life insurance needs. When was the last time you looked at your life insurance policies? How long ago were they purchased? Have...
Read MoreHow to Manage Your 401(k) When You Switch Jobs
In the past, boomers and generation Xers often held on to jobs for 10 or more years. Some professionals stayed with the same company for most of their working lives. The Great Recession changed this for many. Now, people have become...
Read MoreOil Prices on the Move
At this time last year, it was still unknown that a deadly global pandemic was on the rise, eventually stalling economic growth and sending crude oil prices into negative territory. But recently, oil prices have surged, with crude...
Read MoreSPACs Take Center Stage
The acronym “SPAC” is showing up more often these days because there is some big money behind the revitalized investment approach.SPAC stands for Special Purpose Acquisition Company, and they are sometimes referred to as...
Read MoreIRA 101: Know the Facts
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are one of the most common assets people rely on to save and invest for retirement. In fact, more than a third of households in America own an IRA. If you’re thinking of opening an IRA for...
Read MoreHow to Reduce Your Credit Card Debt
Credit card debt can be an all-consuming matter that should be addressed sooner, rather than later in life. This article outlines steps to get started. As of 2020, the average credit card balance has reached over $6,200. It is not...
Read More12 Common Financial Mistakes to Avoid
Just as to-do lists can be a key part of planning, do-not-do lists can be helpful reminders to avoid mistakes that others have made. 1. Impulse investing. Avoid investing based on a whim or a tip. Don’t invest a certain way just...
Read MoreFive Common Investment Mistakes When Planning for Retirement
Only about 23% of American workers say they are "very confident" they will have enough money to live comfortably throughout retirement.1 To help reduce such uncertainty in your life, consider these five common investment pitfalls --...
Read MoreSpeed Bumps & Headlines
As an investor, it can be tempting to get caught up in daily news headlines. Consider how news about the election and COVID-19 vaccines have moved the markets over the past several weeks. But having a financial strategy can help you...
Read MoreDoes Your Portfolio Reflect Your Risk Tolerance?
When it comes to investing, many people associate risk with losing money. But investing entails different types of risk. Understanding each type -- and the potential return associated with your retirement portfolio -- can help you...
Read MoreRecognizing and Avoiding Online Scams
According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, the annual number of records exposed rose 126% in 2018, even while the annual number of data breaches fell by 23%. The business sector experienced 46% of the data breaches in 2018,...
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