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U.S. Credit Card Debt Just Passed $1 Trillion
For the first time ever, the United States has witnessed a concerning milestone in its financial landscape: our total credit card debt crossed the monumental threshold of $1 trillion dollars. During the second quarter, credit card...
Read MoreEstate Planning and Asset Protection: Are They The Same?
You may sometimes hear the terms "estate planning" and "asset protection" used interchangeably. They actually have different meanings, and it's important to incorporate both strategies into future financial plans. Below, we discuss key...
Read MoreHappy 3rd Anniversary, River's Edge Wealth Partners!
September 8, 2023 Dear Clients and Colleagues, Time flies when you are having fun. September 8th marks the 3rd Anniversary of River’s Edge Wealth Partners. Although we have been serving our clients and...
Read MoreRetirement Security Starts With Visualizing Your Future
Planning for your financial future and retirement looks much different now than in previous years. Some people must supplement their Social Security to have enough to maintain their desired lifestyle. This means financial planning is...
Read MoreFinancial Management 101
Business Owners, Are You Doing Your Homework? As a business owner, prudent financial management can help ensure your business remains healthy and stable. But what does good business financial management look like in practice?...
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High-Net-Worth Retirement Planning
6 Ideas to Help You Get Your Finances in Order Do you consider yourself a high-net-worth individual (HNWI)? Most people tend not to categorize themselves or see themselves as anything more than a spouse, parent, sibling, neighbor, boss...
Read MoreThree Massive and Often Hidden Costs of Divorce
Navigating health insurance, retirement accounts and real estate Divorce, while an emotionally taxing experience, also comes with several financial implications that, if not properly managed, could result in long-lasting financial...
Read MoreThe Untapped Potential of Homeownership
Home might be where a significant portion of your retirement assets reside In the pursuit of a prosperous retirement, investors often focus on building portfolios composed of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Yet, there's a significant...
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About FAFSA
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education distributes more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study awards to millions of college students. With these financial aid programs, tuition, room and board, books, and other...
Read MoreThe In-Law Suite Life
At first glance, multigenerational living arrangements may seem unusual, but they were once the rule, not the exception. In mid- to late-nineteenth-century America, the majority of elderly parents and grandparents lived with their...
Read MoreDebt Ceiling & Potential Impact on Asset Classes
Failing to raise the ceiling by June 1st could lead to short-term challengesThe debt ceiling, a crucial aspect of fiscal policy, has long been a subject of debate and concern within the United States. As the nation grapples with the...
Read MoreInflation: The Nemesis of Every Single Retiree
With proactive planning and smart strategies, its impact can be mitigatedAs a retiree, one of the significant financial challenges you may encounter is inflation. The rising costs of goods and services can erode the purchasing power of...
Read MorePlanning Matters When Retirees Start Traveling
Practical tips to embark on peaceful and confident adventures in retirementRetirees often have the time, freedom, and desire to explore new destinations and make the most of their golden years. With careful planning and attention to...
Read MoreFederal Reserve Interest Rates
As expected, the Federal Reserve (Fed) paused its rate-hiking cycle at its latest meeting earlier this month after 15 consecutive months of tightening. The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) unanimously voted to keep interest rates
Read MoreStars, Stripes, and Stocks: 3 Ways Investors May Pursue Financial Freedom
What does the term "financial freedom" mean to you? For some, it means freedom from a particular workplace or industry. For others, it means the opportunity for an early retirement or the ability to start a long-desired business....
Read MoreBuilding Wealth in the LGBTQ+ Community and Closing the Generational Wealth Gap
Members of the LGBTQ+ community face a broad range of financial challenges that heterosexual people do not need to deal with—and often are not even aware of. The media often portrays the "typical" gay couple as a high-earning...
Read More7 Simple Ways to Control Your Spending
Financial responsibility isn’t always easy to learn, but it’s an essential part of taking control of your finances and using your income to its fullest. This responsibility can lead to better spending tendencies that can,...
Read MoreRetirement Revolution: 3 Reasons to Rethink Your Retirement Plan
Retirement is a time that many of us look forward to our entire careers. It is the reward for a lifetime of work and the time to indulge in hobbies and enjoy much-needed vacations. While everyone looks forward to this seemingly-magical...
Read More529 Plans: The Ins and Outs of Contributions and Withdrawals
529 plans can be powerful college savings tools, but you need to understand how your plan works before you can take full advantage of it. Among other things, this means becoming familiar with the finer points of contributions and...
Read MoreCrazy to Think a Salary of $100k Is Not Enough
Managing expenses, saving, and investing wisely may bring financial confidence.A new study of the 76 largest cities in the United States has revealed that a $100,000-a-year salary, long considered a benchmark of financial success, may...
Read MoreWhat to Know Before Drafting a Will
A will is an important document most people don’t want to think about, but it’s crucial to have in place to protect your assets and ensure your loved ones receive what you want them to.It can be wise to have a lawyer write...
Read MoreThere's Still Time to Fund an IRA for 2022
The tax filing deadline is fast approaching, which means time is running out to fund an IRA for 2022. If you had earned income last year, you may be able to contribute up to $6,000 for 2022 ($7,000 for those age 50 or older by December...
Read MoreSVB and Signature Failures Evoke Memories of 2008
The scale of the bank failures that have hit the U.S. financial system are, when looking at the total associated assets, on an alarmingly similar scale to those recorded in 2008 - albeit being caused by just two banks: Silicon Valley...
Read MoreTalking With Clients About Social Security’s Finances
How should financial planners respond to client worries about Social Security’s future? Most Social Security experts assume that Congress will address the program’s financial problems sooner or later. But lately, later looks...
Read MoreIncome Tax Planning and 529 Plans
The income tax benefits offered by 529 plans make these plans attractive to parents (and others) who are saving for college or K-12 tuition. Qualified withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax free at the federal level, and some states also...
Read MoreInvesting in Your 60s and Beyond
Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents? The answer often lies in a...
Read MorePursue Financial Fitness Like You Do Your Physical Fitness
OrganizationIndividuals who exercise regularly and focus on better health, developing their bodies, stamina, and mental clarity understand what it encompasses. There are steps that people take when they engage in physical fitness and...
Read MoreTrust as Beneficiary of Traditional IRA or Retirement Plan
A trust is a legal entity that you can set up and use to hold property for the benefit of one or more individuals (the trust beneficiaries). Every trust has one or more trustees charged with the responsibility of (1)...
Read MoreSpousal Lifetime Access Trust (SLAT)
So you are thinking about making a series of gifts protected from gift tax by the annual exclusion, or a large gift sheltered from gift tax by the applicable exclusion amount, but have concerns about losing access to the gifted...
Read MoreKeep Calm and (Financially) Plan On
Navigating Money Stress with a Financial ProfessionalMoney worries may be one of the biggest sources of stress—from wondering how to pay for an unexpected expense to making retirement calculations when considering leaving a job....
Read MoreThe Gender Investing Gap: How Do We Bridge It?
In the U.S., men are investing and accumulating wealth at a greater pace than women, fueling the gender investing gap. Closing the investing gap is essential so that women accumulate enough retirement assets for their entire lives. On...
Read MoreSectors to Consider if Inflation Continues to Rise
In general terms, the bond market will rally when increases in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) (inflation) are small and the bond market will fall when increases in the CPI are large. The equity markets generally follow the same trend...
Read MoreCredit Credibility: 3 Types of Credit You Should Consider With Caution
Without credit, it may be difficult, even seemingly impossible, to participate in modern society. But some credit comes with high-interest rates, tricky terms, and other potential risks that could send you into excessive debt. What...
Read MoreFinancial Survival After a Job Loss
You may have lost your job already, or it's something you're concerned about. Either way, the keys to surviving a job loss financially are to plan ahead, take stock of your income, and cut your expenses. Plan ahead if you haven't been...
Read MoreImplementing and Monitoring Your Spending Plan
How do you implement your spending plan? Once you have identified your budget goals and created a spending plan to meet them, you are ready to put your plan into action. Before you begin, though, here are some tips to avoid common...
Read MoreSocial Security Gets a Massive 8.7% Raise, But…
In October of 2022, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 70 million Americans will increase 8.7%.The adjustment will increase monthly Social...
Read MoreTax Consequences of Business Formation
What are the tax consequences of business formation, in general? When starting a business, you must consider a number of factors. One very important factor is taxation. Although business tax planning is a complicated area, the first...
Read MoreThe Facts of LIFE (Living Independently For Elders)
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...
Read MoreTax Planning for Business Owners
What is business tax planning?When starting a business, you must consider a number of tax-related issues. Although business tax planning is a complicated area, it is essential to understand three major topics: tax consequences when the...
Read MoreWhat Does a Strong Dollar Mean for the U.S. Economy
In late September 2022, the U.S. dollar hit a 20-year high in an index that measures its value against six major currencies: the euro, the Japanese yen, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the Swedish krona, and the Swiss franc. At...
Read MoreHoliday Snippets from River's Edge Wealth Partners
Please enjoy these Holiday Snippets as the River's Edge Wealth team shares some holiday and festive cheer from our office to your home!
Read MoreA Path to Setting and Reaching Your 2023 Goals
Setting goals for a new year can feel overwhelming. We all know that resolutions don’t last, but we also feel the energy that comes with a new year of possibilities. Here’s a clearer path for setting and reaching your...
Read MoreTake the 7-Day Declutter Challenge
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a dreaded time of year. If you’ve added decluttering to your list of spring cleaning tasks, this seven-day challenge will get your home tidy and organized in no time—and with little...
Read MoreIRS Adjusts Tax Brackets to Account for Inflation
On October 18, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax year 2023 adjustments for tax returns filed in 2024.From the IRS directly:“The tax items for tax year 2023 of greatest interest to most taxpayers include the...
Read MoreIf Long-Term Care Insurance Isn't for You: Other Options
Long-term care insurance (LTCI) isn't for everyone. Not only is it expensive and sometimes hard to qualify for, but there's no guarantee you'll ever use the benefits. But if you decide not to buy LTCI, what are your alternatives? You...
Read MoreWhat Business Owners and Employers Need to Know About State-Mandated Retirement Plans
State-mandated retirement plans result from legislation requiring employers to provide their employees with retirement savings opportunities. Businesses can comply with these laws by enrolling their employees into a state-sponsored...
Read MoreConverting Savings to Retirement Income
During your working years, you've probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings...
Read MoreTips for Preventing Homeowner Identity Fraud
Anyone can be a victim of homeowner identity fraud, including wire, mortgage, and title insurance fraud. The financial implications can be damaging and long-lasting.Use these tips to protect yourself from being scammed and defrauded...
Read MoreEnduring Market Volatility With a Financial Plan
If you hope to retire soon and are concerned about what the future may hold for your investments, you are not alone. Inflation has many retirees and soon-to-be retirees worried about outliving their savings and investments.1 What...
Read MoreTrusts and Year-End Planning: A Checklist
A trust is a legal vehicle that protects your assets that contains instructions for your assets when you die or become incapacitated. When you set up a trust, you transfer assets from your name into your trust's name while you still...
Read MoreIn-Service Withdrawals from 401(k) Plans
You may be familiar with the rules for putting money into a 401(k) plan. But are you familiar with the rules for taking your money out? Federal law limits the withdrawal options that a 401(k) plan can offer. But a 401(k) plan may offer...
Read MorePlanning For Unexpected Costs Before You Retire
Your open heart and your relatives can combine to threaten your retirement savings – savings you soon may need. Learn the true cost to your future before you write that well-intentioned check. If you’re close to joining the...
Read MoreAsset Protection for Women - Beyond Insurance
As women continue to work and earn money, become the main breadwinners, and run their own businesses, it's important to take measures to protect your lives, businesses, and simply the things you own. That's why asset protection...
Read More401(k) Plan Fees
If you direct your own 401(k) plan investments, you'll need to consider the investment objectives, the risk and return characteristics, and the performance over time of each investment option offered by your plan in order to make sound...
Read MoreSmall Business Health Insurance Can Be Affordable
Health insurance is one of the most important benefits a company can offer to its employees. A good health insurance plan that balances quality and cost can help you attract and retain qualified employees. However, many small employers...
Read MoreReading, Writing, and…Education Planning
The month of August is when many parents are preparing to send children back to school this fall. While the checklists grow and the kids soak in the last few minutes of summer break, it’s important to remember college planning...
Read MoreHappy Two Year Anniversary River's Edge!
🎉 Another year, another great reason to celebrate! We’re celebrating our 2nd anniversary and couldn’t be more grateful for your support. Here’s to many more years! 🎉 Please follow us @RiversEdgeWP on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Read MoreFrom the Desk of Tara McCarten: My First 100 Days at River's Edge Wealth Partners
On my 100th day with @RiversEdgeWealthPartners, I reflect on life post pandemic and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to bring Wall Street to Main Street in my role as River’s Edge Chief Operating Officer...
Read MoreTreat Yourself to These 5 Retirement Savings Tricks
Your retirement is the reward after years of hard work and saving. You might dream of traveling, want to invest in a vacation home, or want to take up a new hobby. For an enjoyable retirement, saving is critical. Take charge of your...
Read MoreCash Value Life Insurance for Education Savings
How can cash value life insurance be used to fund your child's college education?The purpose of life insurance is to provide a sum of money (the death benefit) at the death of the insured. When you use life insurance as part of your...
Read MoreUnderstanding Life Insurance Beneficiary Arrangements
In the language of life insurance, a beneficiary is the recipient of the policy’s proceeds when the named insured dies. The owner of a life insurance policy has a great deal of flexibility in naming beneficiaries and,...
Read MoreHow a Morning Routine Can Set You Up for Success
Look at any of the most successful people in the world and you’ll find that the one common denominator is how much they stick to their morning routines. Many consider this to be the foundation for a successful and productive day,...
Read MoreInsurance Concerns of Divorcing Couples
Few life changes are of more consequence than a divorce. In addition to the financial and emotional difficulties, you'll face special concerns about your insurance coverage. Planning for these changes should begin long before the...
Read MoreGender Inequality and How it Affects Women in Retirement
The concerns of lack of preparation for retirement are even more significant for women. Several factors are driving gender inequality in retirement. Consulting with a financial professional who understands these issues may help women...
Read MoreGrowth vs. Value - What's the Difference
With the wide variety of stocks in the market, figuring out which ones you want to invest in can be a challenging task. Many investors feel it's useful to have a system for finding stocks that might be worth buying, deciding what price...
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—potentially jeopardizing a comfortable retirement. Though Social Security's annual inflation adjustment is likely to be...
Read MoreSummer: Great Time to Teach Kids About Money
Teaching your children the fundamentals of money management early on may help them build a financially independent future. Check out these suggestions for introducing your little one to the world of finance.
Read MoreSome Things Investors Need to Know About Booms and Busts
Economies and markets are cyclical. "Boom and bust" cycles may last anywhere from a few months to a few years or longer. Follow these tips to try avoiding the stress of the boom-bust cycle while remaining confident in your goals.
Read More5 Budget Friendly Ways to Beat the Heat This Summer
When the mercury rises, it can be tempting to retreat into the air-conditioned indoors. However, running your A/C at full blast day after day can wreak havoc on your summer energy bills. Below are five more budget-friendly ways you and...
Read MoreGone Fishin' - 6 Fishing Lessons for Investors
While it may seem that fishing and investing are completely unrelated, believe it or not, there are some characteristics that make a person good at fishing that can also transfer to investing. Here are six fishing lessons you can apply...
Read More4 Financial Aid Resources for LGBTQ Students
While those in the LGBTQ+ community have previously struggled to pursue higher education, there are now many financial aid opportunities to consider. With college expenses continually rising year after year, having financial aid to...
Read MorePoorest Americans are Hit Hardest by Soaring Prices on Necessities
The fastest rate of inflation in 40 years is hurting families across the U.S. who are seeing ever-higher prices for everything from meat and potatoes to housing and gasoline. But behind the headline number that’s been widely...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Advantages of an HSA in 2022
HSAs can be particularly beneficial to those who are young and healthy A Health Savings Account (HSA) can be a good alternative to traditional health care, especially for those who are young and healthy. With an HSA, you put money away...
Read MoreNearing Retirement? Make Sure You're Managing This Risk
If you're avoiding looking at your 401(k) balance during periods of market volatility, you're not alone. While the S&P 500 has historically produced an average annual return of 11%, recent market downturns may be impacting your...
Read MoreWill Rising Mortgage Rates Slow Down Housing?
Housing prices have increased every single month for the past 12-years The housing market has been frustrating for buyers and a boon for sellers, but there are signs that those frustrations might be easing – depending on where...
Read MoreFederal Student Loan Repayment Postponed for Sixth Time
On April 6, the U.S. Department of Education announced a record sixth extension for federal student loan repayment, interest, and collections, through August 31, 2022.1 The fifth payment pause was set to end on April 30, 2022. The six...
Read MoreCOVID May Have Made Us Less Materialistic (new research)
The early days of COVID brought a new sense of urgency to shopping for certain items. Toilet paper, pasta and bread flew off the shelves as people stocked up on vital supplies. Then came the must-have purchases to help with the tedium...
Read MoreWhy Trying To Time The Market Is Unwise
Market timing is a “strategy” of deciding when to buy and sell stocks by attempting to predict which way and when stocks will move. Let’s look at an example and the data to determine why market timing is unwise....
Read MoreEven Google Agrees There's No Going Back to the Old Office Life
The great enforced global experiment in working from home is coming to an end, as vaccines, the Omicron variant and new therapeutic drugs bring the COVID-19 crisis under control. But a voluntary experiment has begun, as organizations...
Read MoreFive Common Financial Questions
Five Common Financial Questions: What is the Most Suitable Answer? At every stage of life, you may have financial questions that you don’t know the answers to. But not every question has a definite right or wrong answer because...
Read MoreHolding Equities for the Long Term - Time vs Timing
Legendary investor Warren Buffett is famous for his long-term perspective. He has said that he likes to make investments he would be comfortable holding even if the market shut down for 10 years. Investing with an eye toward the long...
Read MoreSpring-Cleaning for Your Finances
With spring’s arrival, you may be eager to jump into your list of spring-cleaning tasks for your home and yard. However, there is another area of your life that may need some tidying up—your finances. Even if you keep up...
Read MoreWho is Doing Your Taxes?
Who is Doing Your Taxes? Are They Qualified? Make sure they can certify your tax returns and have the right credentials Tax season looms, but who will prepare your return? If you don’t do your own, then make sure your preparer...
Read MoreWomen’s History Month: The Single Woman
Ten financial tips for single women in order to live life on their terms 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...
Read More10 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund
As we approach tax day 2022, you may be expecting to receive a tax refund. While you may have a temptation to spend your tax return, other options may be more beneficial to your financial situation. Your tax refund is for overpayment...
Read MoreBlack Swans: Short-term Crisis, Long-term Opportunity
Considering the high levels of uncertainty, what should investors do? Buy on Fear, Sell on Greed? Legendary investor Warren Buffet is a big proponent of this strategy. When others are greedy—typically when prices are boiling...
Read More3 Estate Planning Tips for Small-Business Owners
For business owners, estate planning may seem like another task to do on a long to-do list. Having a solid estate and succession plan in place may be crucial to your business's long-term success. If you are incapable of making business...
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation and Caregiving: Financial Impacts to Retirement Saving
Many people care for a loved one out of necessity as their family members can no longer care for themselves. More than one in ten people in the United States also care for an adult, spending about three hours each day on caregiving...
Read MoreHow to Manage Savings for Retirement
Whether you dream of a travel-filled retirement or would prefer to relax and enjoy spending more time at home, you are probably wondering what you might consider to make your golden years as stress-free as possible. For those who spent...
Read MoreA Single Parent's Guide to Retirement Planning
"Two can live as cheaply as one" is a common saying with some truth behind it—a single parent can pay just as much in housing and tuition costs as someone who is partnered with children.1 This means that single parents need...
Read MoreMarket Pullbacks Can Provide Opportunity
But take a look at your investment policy statement before you do anything How this January 2022 market turbulence affects you depends upon how old you are. For people in or near retirement, it is scary – yet there are ways to...
Read MoreWhy You Should Resist the Temptation to Cash Out Your 401(k) Early
For some investors, it might be tempting to tap into your 401(k) to help pay down debts, purchase a home or take a once-in-a-lifetime vacation. However, doing so may seriously cost you, both now and in the future. Here are some...
Read MoreWhat to Know About IRA Investing
Although it's not hard to find doom-and-gloom articles that bemoan many Americans' lack of preparation for retirement, these don't tell the whole story. One in three adults save for retirement outside their 401(k) in a traditional or...
Read MoreRepayment of Federal Student Loans Extended to May 1, 2022
During Dec. 2021, many of those with federal student loans were preparing to resume payments in Jan. 2022 after a nearly two-year hiatus. On Dec. 22, President Biden provided a much-anticipated reprieve, extending the pause on student...
Read MoreUnderstand the Stages of Change to Make Your Resolutions Stick
If you have trouble keeping your New Year’s resolutions, you may benefit from taking a more scientific approach. In the late 1970s, researchers studying the experiences of smokers to learn why some were able to quit on their own...
Read MoreTake a Mental Break
Sometimes we get so caught up taking care of our work, family, and friends that we forget to take care of ourselves. By taking daily mental breaks, you will perform better mentally and physically in your daily responsibilities by...
Read MoreYear-End Charitable Giving
With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year approaching, we pause to give thanks for our blessings and the people in our lives. It is also a time when charitable giving often comes to mind. The tax benefits associated with...
Read MorePractical Tips to Starting a New Business
Simple steps to help you bounce back from challenging situations Building and sustaining a business is not a task for the faint of heart. As anyone who has launched a business from the ground up knows, transforming an idea into a...
Read MoreEnd of Year Planning: Set Goals and Reduce Taxes
By the last few months of the calendar year, you're likely to have a pretty good idea of what your annual income will be and whether any major expenses or big life changes await you. This can allow you to engage in more robust tax...
Read MoreSave money when traveling abroad by thinking like an economist
A record number of tourists and business travelers visited a country other than their own in 2017, and this year is already on pace to exceed that tally. One thing you definitely need when traveling abroad besides a passport is local...
Read More10 Tips for Small Business Owners
Small business owners should conduct an annual assessment of their personal finances. Owners of small businesses have much the same concerns as everyone else, except they are personally responsible for the fortunes of their enterprise....
Read MoreCharitable Ideas for What to Do With Your Money
Learn from the great givers and let your financial professional be your sounding board Giving away some of your money is a great way to support the people and organizations you love. But there are smart ways to do it, minimizing your...
Read MoreMid-November Means Open Enrollment Time
Reviewing your benefit choices will maximize your employment benefits Open enrollment for employee benefits kicks off this month. While you plan your Thanksgiving menu, review your benefit choices. Even if little changed in your life...
Read MoreFinancial Planning at Every Age
In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2 Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....
Read MoreWhat Physicians Should Know About Choosing a Financial Professional
As a group, physicians are among the highest-earning professionals out there—and this specialized and life-saving career comes with some specific financial needs. Because of this, physicians should seek out a financial...
Read MoreFour Financial Planning Essentials to Ease Your Retirement Fears
When it comes to planning for retirement, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Putting together a financial strategy can be complicated at any time of life, what with changing regulations, ups and downs in the market, and disagreements...
Read MoreUnique Financial Planning Considerations for Women
Retirement savings are supposed to last through your lifetime. That’s the plan, of course. But with the average life expectancy of women roughly five more years than it is for men — 81.1 years vs. 76.1 years1 — the...
Read MoreOctober is National Financial Planning Month
Five tips to finding a financial professional that fits you and your family The financial professional you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions may affect your retirement and other major financial goals...
Read MoreStudent Loan Debt is Costing Recent Grads Much More Than Just Money
How much student loan debt is too much? Kate Padgett-Walsh, associate professor of philosophy at Iowa State University Student debt is too much when it threatens the physical and mental health of young borrowers. Today’s college...
Read More529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Options
529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but they're not the only way. When you're investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options. Mutual funds Mutual funds are an option to...
Read MoreCreative Solutions for College Sticker Shock
Imagine your reaction to the following scene: You return home from work one night to find your teenage daughter running gleefully about with a letter in her hand. When you calm her down, she tells you that she has just been accepted to...
Read MoreDiverse Communities & Their Unique Planning Priorities
Originally published by WealthManagement.com: Diverse Communities Are Getting Wealthier, Bringing Unique Planning Priorities. Research shows different priorities and values among diverse demographic groups when it comes to wealth...
Read MoreBack to School for College Kids
Many college students are looking forward to getting back to campus to continue their higher education and resume their normal life post-pandemic. Whether you're a first-year student or well-versed in college life, understanding...
Read MoreDo You Have FOMO When it Comes to Investing?
Fear-of-missing-out is a very real emotion – but it can derail your portfolio Every day we’re bombarded with reports of what’s hot and what’s not – fueling a fear-of-missing-out (FOMO) on some great...
Read MoreHow Financial Asset Management May Help Investors Stay the Course
Most people who decide to purchase stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investment vehicles do so understanding that there are risks associated with investing, but believing that the potential growth they may realize over time...
Read MoreRetirement Income Investing: Beyond Annuities
Some retirees put all their money into bonds, only to suffer from the impact of years of inflation. If you get a 4% return and inflation is 3% annually, your real return is only about 1% — not counting any fees or taxes....
Read MoreAll About Medicare and How It Impacts Financial Planning
Since July is Medicare’s birthday month, there is no better time to discuss what Medicare is and how it may benefit you. At its core, Medicare is a federal health insurance program for Americans who are ages 65 and older and...
Read MoreWhy Invest?
To accumulate wealth, people may choose to invest their money into various types of investments. Investing creates opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to manage due to the consistency of contributing to the investment....
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed
LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond. While the speed can be exhilarating as economic growth accelerates, it can also be...
Read MoreFive Financial Mistakes You Should Avoid
These simple steps might save you a great deal of money and heartache We all make mistakes, and through them, we learn. But when it comes to finances, trial-and-error may not be the most suitable approach for you. Maybe you’re...
Read MoreWhy the Inflation Rate Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story
Markets, economists and policymakers have been fretting about inflation for months, worried that the trillions of dollars being spent in recent and future government stimulus programs could overheat the economy and send prices soaring...
Read MoreAging Parents and Money
Getting old is hard. Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age. Helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you need to approach carefully. When you hit a certain age of your life, you...
Read MoreThe Best Money-Saving Travel Tips for 2021
If 2020 made you fantasize about a trip as soon as travel restrictions were lifted—and you’re still waiting—you aren’t alone. Although 2021 was poised to be a comeback year, it is shaping up to be another...
Read More5 Common Financial Concerns for the LGBTQ+ Community
Whether you are single, married, or in a domestic partnership, you likely face unique circumstances when it comes to your financial health. In fact, nearly two-thirds of the LGBT community say they’ve experienced financial...
Read MoreYour Retirement Portfolio: Five Things to Consider Before Market Turbulence
It is human nature to seek advice when things aren't going well or when an unforeseen event occurs. Often, people seek financial advice from a professional only when the stock market and their investments are experiencing turbulent...
Read MoreHow Technology Can Improve Your Financial Wellbeing in 2021
The coronavirus pandemic has motivated financial professionals to take full advantage of technology. Many of them are pairing various tech solutions with their unique human touch to help clients work towards their financial well-being....
Read MoreRefinancing Your Home Mortgage
There is perhaps nothing more appealing for a homeowner than refinancing one’s mortgage to a lower rate. The possibility of lowering monthly payments, month-after-month, year-after-month, holds immediate and long-term appeal....
Read MoreHow to Teach Your Children Financial Wellness
Teaching children about financial wellness should start at an early age. Learning how making money, saving, and spending is related and the first step in teaching your child how to understand the value of money. Children learn from...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional
Unbeknownst to many investors, companies have the option of offering their employees a new different type of tax-advantaged retirement plan: the Roth 401(k). Not all sponsors of traditional 401(k)s have adopted the Roth feature, but it...
Read MoreNow is a Great Time to Revisit Resolutions
Did you make a New Year’s resolution at the start of the year? For 2021, many Americans are making the resolution to adopt healthy habits – concerning their bodies, minds and finances. As the following Statista Survey shows...
Read MoreThree Basic Retirement Questions to Ask Yourself
We’ve all been there: scratching our heads wondering what to do with all the retirement savings accounts. Too many choices can be overwhelming, until you step back and realize that there are actually only three questions. Once...
Read MoreThree Key Components of Financial Literacy
Financial feats that were once unheard of—from investing in cryptocurrency to instantly paying someone through an online payment system—have now become commonplace in many parts of the country. But these sophisticated tasks...
Read MoreHow to Build a Retirement Plan
A recent survey revealed that four out of every 10 Americans don't believe they'll ever be able to afford to retire.1 But this pervasive belief may be too pessimistic. Even if your retirement account balances are behind schedule, there...
Read MoreTop 5 Tips for Making Sound Financial Decisions
Everyone needs to make smart financial decisions that steer them toward financial independence. When people thrive financially, they may feel less financial stress, leading them to accomplish short and long-term financial goals. Here...
Read MoreTips to Help Financial Stress
With so much going on in the world today—from a global pandemic through economic hardship—it comes as no surprise that many people have recently found themselves under heavy financial stress. Whether it is due to the loss...
Read MoreThe Rule of 55: What Do You Need to Know?
If retirement is on your horizon, you may not expect to be able to withdraw any funds from your 401(k), 403(b), or other tax-deferred plan until you reach age 59.5—unless you want to pay a 10 percent penalty.[1] However, one...
Read More4 Retirement Planning Tips for Millennials and Gen X
In 2014, almost one-third of baby boomers had nothing saved for retirement. For those who did save, the median was around $200,000. This is a far cry less than the $1 million experts recommend for a 30-year retirement plan. Luckily,...
Read MoreWomen, Wealth, and Legacy Planning
Women play a central role in establishing and preserving family wealth -- whether nurturing the values of children, fulfilling charitable goals, or making investment decisions that affect the financial security of themselves or their...
Read MorePhysicians: Why You Need a Financial Professional Who Understands Your Industry
As a physician, you've devoted a lot of time to educating yourself, building a career, and providing top notch care that enriches your patients lives, and in the midst of all that, it can be easy to overlook your finances. To ensure...
Read More5 Tips to Get Started With Tax Aware Investing
Ultimately, the goal of investing is to try to make as much money as possible, and of course, you don't want to let taxes eat into your gains. Tax aware investing helps you minimize the effect of taxes on your investment portfolio....
Read MoreThe Different Components of Car Insurance
Whether buying car insurance for the first time or reviewing your current policy, consumers need to understand the different types of automobile insurance coverage. Auto insurance policies consist of a variety of different elements,...
Read MoreMarriage Financing for the Millennial Generation
A few personal finance tips so that your married future will be bright Young adults born between 1981 and 1996, the Millennial Generation, face a variety of challenges in their quest for financial security – especially those...
Read MoreRetirement Income Planning
For investors approaching retirement, it is important to begin thinking about retirement income planning. This involves a mindset shift from accumulating an investment portfolio designed for growth to creating a portfolio of retirement...
Read More3 Ways Your Financial Advisor Spots a Mutual Fund Hoax
There are two types of mutual fund capital gains – short-term and long-term. Simply stated, if a mutual fund (not the mutual fund investor), has held a stock for more than one year, then the profit from a sale is treated as a...
Read MoreNew Year's Resolutions to Get Your Finances in Order
New Year's is traditionally the time to review your life and make resolutions for change. In addition to thinking about working out, eating healthy, and meeting personal and professional goals, you should also think about your finances...
Read MoreHealth Care Costs Expected to Jump in 2021
Will your 2021 benefits include telehealth and mental health services? As we approach the end of the year, employees and employers are both wrestling with changes to employee benefits for 2021. While every year always brings about...
Read MoreHow the Winter Solstice Can Impact Your Budget
Last year, the average American spent nearly $1,000 per person on holiday gifts, up from about $885 per person in 2018.1 Though the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weigh on the retail sector (and many Americans' bank accounts), some...
Read MoreCreating a Business Plan for Entrepreneurs
Want to be your own boss? Ready to turn your hobby into a career? Got a great idea and thinking about launching a business? If you've answered yes to any of these questions, you are ready to become an entrepreneur. This can be an...
Read MoreCharitable Giving and Donating Toys
As the holidays approach, many children start to make wish lists, but unfortunately, not all children have someone to give them gifts. Luckily, there are many charities that help get holiday gifts and joy to children. If you're...
Read MoreSmart Shopping During the Holidays
The holiday season is just a short time away, which means the shopping season is about to be in full swing. Shopping for holiday gifts is stressful but also a little fun, especially when you think bout the joy you will bring to those...
Read MoreWhat High Net-Worth Women Should Know About Health Savings Accounts
Health savings accounts (HSAs) offer tax savings for account holders—contributions are tax-free going in, tax-free coming out (with some exceptions, discussed below), and investment gains are tax-free as well. For high net-worth...
Read MoreGet SMART: Tips for Effective Goal Setting
Regardless of which phase of the business life-cycle you’re in, you can get SMART about setting goals to motivate yourself, move forward to grow your business, and track your success. SMART goal setting for small business owners...
Read MoreProper Financial Planning for Women
A key goal of investing for retirement is making sure you save enough to make your money last throughout your lifetime. On this score, women may need to save more than men. The current life expectancy of a female at birth is roughly 81...
Read MoreYear-End Tax Planning
As the end of the year approaches, it's time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your current tax...
Read MoreSix Tips To Take Control of Your Financial Health
Similar to taking care of your personal health by proactively incorporating healthy habits and annual checkups, you can also take control of your financial health when you are proactive and engaged in managing your finances. And also...
Read MoreDivorce Rates Spike During COVID Pandemic
Divorce lawyers, marriage counselors and the U.S. court systems are bracing for a surge in divorce filings once quarantine restrictions are lifted. And while it might be months or years until we begin to fully understand the true...
Read More5 Types of Retirement Plans for Small Business Owners
Small business owners are different from the average hourly employee in a lot of ways. One often- overlooked difference is how they plan for retirement. Although small business owners may offer a classic 401(k) for their workers along...
Read MorePaying for College and the Impact of COVID-19
With the coronavirus shutting down educational institutions and moving classes online, the face of education across the country has changed. While the focus has been primarily on completing the educational requirements to get K...
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