Having a baby or adopting a child to grow your family is one of the most fulfilling decisions you can make. And it’s never too early to start teaching your kids about financial literacy — or planning for higher education costs. Household discussions on saving, investing, responsible spending, and how to develop money management skills can help ensure the next generation starts out strong. But like with estate planning, many [...]
It’s that time of year again when millions of people make New Year’s resolutions they have every intention of keeping. Unfortunately, only about 9% actually do. The key to sticking with it is setting specific and challenging goals that you can pursue passionately. Focusing on smaller goals as stepping stones helps you reach your larger target. It’s the same when it comes to increasing your financial literacy, making responsible money [...]
Sometimes referred to as “the butterfly effect” in popular culture, chaos theory is actually the science of surprises — a highly interesting and popular area of study that deals with randomness and unpredictability, and how these concepts affect complex systems like extreme weather and the stock market. One key principle of this theory states that the smallest alteration in a process can create a massive shift in the outcome. So [...]
You might think that only the well-to-do need a financial planner, but the truth is that everyone can benefit from individualized guidance and insights based on years of experience. Effective financial advisors do much more than just tell you what stocks to buy — they also offer invaluable knowledge on shifting market trends, building your retirement fund, estate planning, budgeting to reach your goals, and so much more. While stock [...]
Many people instinctively recoil from retirement planning or just put it off until later, but the sooner you start, the better off you’ll be. Building a solid nest egg is even more crucial in these uncertain times. There’s no guarantee that Social Security will have the necessary resources to provide for the massive wave of Americans about to hit retirement age. An experienced financial advisor can help you select and [...]
Social Security is a contributory program that allows senior citizens and others who are no longer able to work to receive vital funds for their living expenses. It also offers disability-based payments (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for those facing significant financial challenges. In the Depression-era 1930s, the US was the only industrial country without a national safety net. Thanks to FDR’s Social Security Act of 1935 and its [...]
If you have retirement savings, a family, or a worthy cause that you champion, you should know exactly where you stand when it comes to estate planning. Many people assume that it’s just for the very wealthy or something you can put off forever. But it’s vital to address your situation in the current moment, make a plan, and start preparing, especially if you have dependents. It’s also a good [...]
Trusting someone to manage your life savings is a giant leap of faith. Before you work with someone who won’t make your financial success a priority, you must find out everything you can about their experience, qualifications, fees, and more. It’s also vital to know your own goals. Are you looking for a specialized tax professional, wealth management, retirement planning expertise, or investment and stock market wizardry? Do you want [...]
Any size business can offer its employees a 401(k) retirement plan, even a sole proprietorship. However, not all plans are managed well, and no one wants to watch their hard-earned savings disappear. Many small companies have thus far avoided offering retirement plans as they’re typically costly and difficult to administer. But offering a 401(k) has huge advantages for both the owner and the staff, especially if you partner with a [...]
You’re never too young to start saving for retirement — and it’s never too late, either. But your investment strategies in your twenties should probably look quite different than when you’ve got a lot more experience under your belt and you’re getting closer to your target retirement age. A skillful and qualified financial planner can help you develop a suitable investment strategy for your age to maximize your assets and [...]