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5 Must-Have Items for Your Financial First Aid Kit
Do you have the documents you need if you find yourself required to vacate your residence suddenly? Do you know how to get in touch with your financial providers? Do you know how to get a new driver's license? Do you have a way to access...
Read More5 Ways to Practice Financial Self-Care
Smart self-care does not just mean spa days and movie nights: there are other therapeutic ways to reduce your mental and physical stresses, including how you manage your money...
Read MoreOwnership of Life Insurance: Estate Planning
In estate planning, life insurance is purchased for several reasons: (1) to provide cash to the insured's family for daily living expenses, (2) to provide cash for potential death taxes and estate expenses, and (3) to provide a shelter...
Read MoreTax-Advantaged 529 Accounts - What families need to consider
Thankfully, much like tax-advantaged accounts designed to help us save for retirement, there are tax-advantaged accounts designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. Named after Section 529...
Read MoreThe Facts of LIFE (Living Independently For Elders): Financial Planning and Senior Independence
Navigating elder care and elder care finances in the U.S. can be a challenge even for the most well-prepared households. So what, exactly, is involved in senior financial planning? What steps can you take now to help you be prepared...
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Investing in Humanity: Humanitarian and Resilience Investing
Stimulated by the World Economic Forum's 2019 launch of an initiative to strengthen the resilience of the most vulnerable communities and economies, humanitarian and resilience investing (HRI) has become increasingly popular over the...
Read MoreAlternative Savings Options: When You Already Have A Knack for Budgeting and Saving
If you've moved beyond basic financial advice—live below your means and set aside funds for a rainy day—you may be wondering what to actually do with these rainy-day funds. With inflation on the rise,...
Read MoreEducation Tax Credits and Deductions
Tax credit vs. tax deductionA tax credit is more valuable than a tax deduction of the same amount. Why? A tax credit reduces any taxes owed on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a tax deduction simply reduces the total income on which...
Read MoreStocks: Tax Planning
What is investment tax planning for stocks?Investment tax planning for stocks takes advantage of the tax rules with the goal of achieving the best after-tax return on these investments. Strategies will differ depending on whether you...
Read MoreFinancial Independence for the Sandwich Generation
The “Sandwich Generation” faces a lot of struggles. If you’re unfamiliar with this term, it describes a demographic where usually middle-aged individuals must support aging parents at the same time they’re...
Read MoreWall Street is Not Sweating the Debt Ceiling – Yet
The press – not Wall Street – is most concerned about the June 1st deadline The debt ceiling refers to a legislative limit imposed by the U.S. government on the amount of debt that can be issued to fund its activities. It...
Read MoreSmall Business Owners: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Financial Independence
Being a small business owner can be rewarding but also may bring a lot of stress. You may be experiencing the pressures of trying to grow your company while providing a solid future for your employees. On top of all that, you will also...
Read More7 Ways to Save Money Quickly
We all have dreams in life, and oftentimes those dreams cost money. If you have a financial goal or responsibility coming up soon or simply want to build up an emergency fund, follow these tips to help you spend less and save money...
Read MoreInsurance Needs in Retirement
Your goals and priorities will probably change as you plan to retire. Along with them, your insurance needs may change as well. Retirement is typically a good time to review the different parts of your insurance program and make any...
Read MoreTax Issues Related to Marriage
If you're married (or about to be married), financial planning is certainly important. It's also important for you to be aware of the income tax ramifications of your decisions...
Read MoreAnnuities: Pros, Cons and a Huge Heap of Details
Annuities get a bad rap because of the pure insurance feature they provide, but annuities come with pros, cons and a huge heap of details, including:
Read MoreRemarkable Rise Of ESG Investing
Responsible investing is widely understood as the integration of environmental, social and governance factors – hence the ESG acronym – into investment processes and decision-making. ESG factors cover a wide spectrum of issues that...
Read MoreAlzheimer’s Disease: Caring for Your Loved One
While caring for someone with Alzheimer’s can be challenging, there are several options available to help you prepare for the level of care involved at various stages of the disease...
Read MoreThe Financial Impact of Mental Health
Often, financial problems or worries may impact your mental wellbeing, especially if you’re anxious or depressed about your situation. Mental health complications impact people in various ways, sometimes even causing financial strife...
Read More4 Key Investments You Should Consider as a Small-Business Owner
Business success may depend on many incremental investments you make along the way. By including investments that fall outside the financial realm, you may better position your business and yourself to take advantage of future opportunities
Read More4 Tips and Resources to Help Seniors During Periods of High Inflation and Market Volatility
For retirees and seniors on a fixed income, the true costs of inflation and market volatility can be much higher. With these concerns in mind, there are several ways seniors can navigate the effects of inflation and market volatility...
Read More2 Ways for Nurses to Take Control of Their Finances
For any nurse looking to take back their financial reigns, here are a couple of powerful tips to put you in the ideal position to pursue your financial goals.
Read MoreRaising Financially Aware Kids in the Internet Age
Today's kids have more information at their fingertips than past generations could ever have dreamed—but not all this information is always accurate. And when it comes to financial literacy, the ability to weed out misinformation is...
Read More5 Social Security Benefits You Might Be Missing Out On
Most people know that once they approach retirement age, their reward for years of work comes from Social Security payments they put money towards during their employment. Deciding when to file for your Social Security payments is likely...
Read MoreRe-fired Not Retired: Making The Best of the Rest of Your Life
While retirement is a time to enjoy the things you have worked hard for in life, the next chapter may leave some a little anxious. Retirement doesn't mean you have to retire from the excitement in life.
Read MoreWomen’s History Month: Retirement Focus
Women’s History Month has its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed and authorized a resolution and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.”
Read MoreA Heart-to-Heart About Heart Health
February is American Heart Month and the perfect time to get serious about your heart health. Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans and a disease that may be prevented and treated with proper health and screening.
Read MoreWays to Support Black Business
As the call continues to come for following through on support of minority-owned businesses,[1] many are wondering how they may lend their support to black businesses. Whether through direct investment or community support, there are...
Read MoreWhy Plan Sponsors Are Feeling More Responsible for Employee Financial Wellness
Bank of America's Workplace Benefits Report recently revealed that a whopping 19 in 20 surveyed employers felt responsible for their employees' financial wellness.1 But because financial wellness is such a holistic concept,...
Read MoreWays to Minimize Tax on an Investment Portfolio
Improving return by minimizing taxesAlthough we are all obligated to pay our fair share of taxes, few of us would be pleased to pay taxes unnecessarily. Because taxes lower the actual return on your investments, you should be...
Read MoreConsiderations for Your Charitable Giving
Points to think about as you contemplate giving to others and causes. Any endeavor worth undertaking, especially one that may affect others, deserves our careful consideration before we begin.When contemplating charitable giving,...
Read More6 Ways to Minimize Your Tax Liability Throughout the Year
You don't need to wait until the end of the year to look for ways to minimize your tax liability. Tax planning should take place throughout the year to have you prepared well ahead of tax season. Here are six ways to minimize your tax...
Read More5 Key Steps To Help Women Strengthen Their Business and Their Retirement
As a female entrepreneur, you may face different challenges than your male counterparts. For example, women were disproportionately affected by the COVID pandemic. 1 They also tend to earn less than their male peers—largely in...
Read MoreSetting and Targeting Investment Goals
Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire.It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...
Read More401(k) Rollover Options to Consider
When people are leaving their employer, one of the decisions they need to make is what to do with their 401(k). A retirement plan participant typically has four options (and may engage in a combination of these options), each choice...
Read More3 Common Financial Planning Fears and How To Conquer Them
If the thought of reviewing your finances with the help of a financial professional strikes more fear into your heart than giving a public speech, you are not alone—two in every three Americans report regularly feeling stressed...
Read More3 Things to Know about College Planning and Financial aid
Planning how to pay for the expenses of attending college or a technical school is essential, and there are ways to save to make secondary education more affordable. Here are three things to know about secondary education planning and...
Read MoreResources for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Small businesses face many problems related to their size, capital, and capability, and for women-owned small businesses, the challenge is sometimes even greater. The good news is there are many professional organizations out there...
Read MoreHow To Financially Prepare for a Disaster
Natural disasters like wildfires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and long-term power outages don't discriminate—they may impact anyone at any time. However, you don't need to live your life under the constant stress of expecting...
Read MoreNational Life Insurance Awareness Month
It’s also a good time to talk about the insurance crisis facing baby boomersBaby boomers’ huge numbers and surprisingly shaky health threaten government old-age benefits. That’s why you need to bolster your own...
Read MorePreparing for Retirement is Not Entirely Financial
Your degree of happiness in your “second act” may depend on some factors that don’t come with an obvious price tag. Here are some non-monetary factors to consider as you prepare for your retirement.What will you do...
Read MoreInvestment Planning: The Basics
Why do so many people never obtain the financial independence that they desire? Often it's because they just don't take that first step — getting started. Besides procrastination, other excuses people make are that investing is...
Read MoreA Place for Everything: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Finances Organized
Have you ever found yourself scrambling for spare cash to send with your child for school lunch? Have you paid a late fee because you simply forgot when a bill was due? Have you woken up in a cold sweat trying to remember if you paid...
Read MoreBack to School Checklist
It’s so easy to get caught up in the bliss of summer that, before you know it, the new school year is a week away. To avoid being struck with last minute panic, here are a few things to ask yourself before the first day of school...
Read More5 Tips For Budgeting Like A Boss
When it comes to creating your own monthly budget, sometimes planning is easier than the practice. Keeping track of finances can be tricky, but, with a few guidelines and time, you can take charge of your bank account once and for all...
Read MoreThe Simple Life: 3 Tips for Simplifying Your Financial Life
If you sometimes feel like your financial life has too many moving parts, you may be looking for ways to get back to the basics—without letting anything slip through the cracks. Fortunately, simplifying your finances does not...
Read MoreSecuring Your Future with Life Cycle Planning
If you sometimes feel like your financial life has too many moving parts, you may be looking for ways to get back to the basics—without letting anything slip through the cracks. Fortunately, simplifying your finances does not...
Read MoreTips to Shape Up Your Fiscal Fitness this Summer
Many people realize that the best way to stay in shape is to develop an appropriate fitness regimen and then stick with it. If you start a fitness program and drop out, you never give yourself a chance to become physically fit. In the...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom vs. Financial Independence: Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both
Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...
Read MoreSmall-business Owners and the Value of Insurance in Your Financial Plan
A solid financial plan for small businesses is vital, and part of that financial plan should be insurance. Insurance is essential to preserve small businesses, cover their assets, and safeguard their employees. Here are some types of...
Read MoreFatherly Advice: 7 Timeless Financial Tips Our Fathers Taught Us
Although many things have changed in the financial world over the past 20 years, some nuggets of financial advice are timeless. Here are a few tips that have remained constant for several generations.Always Spend Less Than You...
Read More5 Ways a Financial Professional Could Be a Small-Business Owner's Best Friend
As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten employees, or some other tangible measure. However, financial professionals may...
Read MoreWhat Homeowners Should Know About Estate Planning
If you have always thought estate planning was just for those nearing retirement or already retired, think again. If you own a home, it is important to have a plan in place. Without a will or other arrangements that allow your home to...
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