When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your financial life changes – and your approach to managing your money may change as well. To succeed as a couple, you may also have to succeed financially. The good news is that is usually not so difficult. At some point, you will have to […]
Annual Financial To-Do List: Things You Can Do For Your Future As The Year Unfolds
What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building your retirement fund to managing your taxes. You have plenty of choices. Read on for a few ideas […]
End-of-the-Year Money Moves: Things to Consider Before Saying Goodbye to 2020
What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s one step. Did you retire? There’s another step. Did you start a family? That’s practically a pirouette. If notable changes occurred in your personal […]
Financial Resolutions for Millennials in 2018
Do you have a list of resolutions for the new year? For many, January is the time to evaluate life and make changes. Perhaps you want to get in shape or pursue a new hobby. Maybe you want to improve your relationships, further your education or travel to new destinations. If you’re like many millennials, […]
2 Strategies to Pay for Long-Term Care
You’ve worked hard your entire life to provide for your family. Along the way, you’ve probably accumulated assets and built a sizable estate. When you die, you probably want to pass that legacy on to your loved ones. Many retirees share that goal. Unfortunately, there is one significant obstacle that could stand in the way. […]
Should You Use a Will Substitute?
You probably know that a will is the most fundamental part of any estate plan, but did you know that a will doesn’t have to be the only component in your plan? A will can achieve many things, including the distribution of your assets to the appropriate heirs. However, a will can’t do everything, and […]
What’s the Difference Between Bad and Good Debt?
Who will retire with substantial debt? It seems many baby boomers will – too many. In a 2014 Employee Benefit Research Institute survey, 44% of boomers reported that they were concerned about the size of their household debt. While many are carrying mortgages, paying with plastic also exerts a drag on their finances. According to […]
The Long History of Annuities as Income Tools
If you’re preparing for retirement, you may know better than anyone how many different financial tools and products are available to help you generate income and minimize risk. From a broad range of investment and insurance products to different account types, you have many tools at your disposal. It may be hard to make sense […]
Why Retirees Need Good Credit Scores
We spend much of our adult lives working, borrowing, and buying. Good credit scores are our ally along the way. It retains its importance when we retire. Retirees should do everything they can to maintain their credit scores. A FICO score of 700 or higher is useful whether an individual works or not. For example, […]
Why Financial Literacy Matters
If only money came with instructions. If it did, the route toward wealth would be clear and direct. Unfortunately, financial literacy matters but many people have inadequate financial knowledge, and for them, the path is more obscure. Are most people clueless about financial matters? That depends on what gauge you want to use to measure […]
