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2022 Holiday Spending Guide

Once again it’s that time of year to revisit our annual Holiday Spending Guide!We’ve added a few new tips this year, but even if you’ve read this article before, every tip is a great reminder of smart holiday spending...

Social Security: Facts, Myths and Concerns

Social Security is a topic with differing perspectives, depending on what you read or which television program you watch. Some experts believe the program needs a few adjustments, while others will proclaim the program needs massive reform.

Everything You Need To Know About Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program of the United States government that subsidizes healthcare services. People of retirement age (65 and up), younger people who meet certain health criteria, and those with particular conditions are...

Why You Should Consult Your Advisors When Choosing your Benefits

When we talk about taking a holistic approach to your wealth management, your health is included in that discussion. Your benefits coverage impacts your financial plan as you grow older. When we break down for you the importance of...

All About Premium Financing

Premium Financing is a strategy used by High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) to cover the expense of large life insurance premiums by taking out a third-party bank loan to pay for the policy’s premiums.

Five Common Financial Aid Myths

Financial aid is saddled with misinformation. How much do you know about this important piece of the college financing puzzle? Consider these five common financial aid myths.

5 Tips to Teach Your Kids About Money

We help our kids learn how to walk, talk, read, write, and even how to swim. So, why don’t we teach them about money?

Do I Need Supplemental Disability Insurance?

Whether or not you need supplemental disability insurance is an essential question that is often asked. The answer can come from answering a few other questions that will help you get a full understanding of disability insurance.

The Income Replacement Endemic

10 Life Insurance Questions You Should Ask Yourself

Life insurance – we’ve heard of it, we know how important it can be, we think we probably need it, but do we know how it works? What are we paying for when we make monthly policy payments? If you’re single with no children, do you still nee

Crypto-Mania

Cryptocurrencies have gone mainstream. But they’re not for the average investor. Before even considering investing in crypto, make sure you know how they work and the risks of crypto‐investing.

Determining Your Personal Risk Profile

Determining Your Personal Risk Profile Pt. 2

In our first blog, Determining Your Risk Profile, we’ve focused on your personal risk profile as it relates to your investment strategies, but it’s important to understand that your profile can be affected by other factors in your life.

Using Leverage in Your Estate Plan

Estate Planning for Special Needs

It’s no secret that families of children with special needs must exercise special care when it comes to financial planning. Whether the child is of age or still a minor the main goal of the parent should always be the well-being of the chil

Estate Planning Lessons from the Rich and Famous

2021 Year-End Planning Checklist

Look at this list and check it twice. Before you know it, the giant crystal ball will be dropping in Times Square and 2021 will be no more. Before we turn the calendar to a new year, it is critical to review these year-end financial...

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans: The Basics

A nonqualified deferred compensation (NQDC) plan, also known as a Section 409A plan, is a contractual fringe benefit often included as part of an overall compensation package for key executives. It can serve as an important supplement...

How to Navigate the Complexities of Post-Retirement Planning

Over the last 15 years, I have worked in the financial wellness sector in corporate America, teaching workshops offered through their employer on financial management, Social Security planning, estate planning, utilizing a Roth IRA, an...

Should I Convert My Term Life Insurance?

Should I convert my term life insurance? As one’s term policy nears its expiration date, plenty of people wonder what to do next. Should they let the policy expire? Convert the policy to whole life? Or purchase another term...

Options for Business Succession Planning

Whether it is now or in the future, 100% of business owners will move on from their business at some point. Regardless of this fact, very few business owners take the time to develop a succession plan. If you are a business owner, it...

Not All Strategies Are Created Equal

Succession planning, exit planning, and business planning may seem interchangeable in most people’s eyes. However, each type of planning plays a very different role in designing and then implementing a strategy for leaving your...

Growing Business Value When Times Are Tough

Some business owners will panic and bury their heads in the sand in times of great uncertainty or disruption. Some will sit tight and wait for things to settle down, but others will create opportunity and future growth. Which will you...

Ingredients to Jumpstart the Planning Process

Taking on any large project can be manageable when you have a reliable process in place. When deciding to exit your business, for example, you will need a proven process in place to ensure you have covered all the bases. Just like...

How Much Risk Is In Your Portfolio

Pandemics, social upheaval, market volatility, oh my! If you read news headlines, it may feel like our world is spinning out of control, which can lead to panic and a whole lot of emotion. For many of us, one of our first thoughts in...

Life Insurance: What You Need to Know

Owning life insurance is necessary to protect your family in the event something was to happen to you. Many are aware of the need for life insurance but unsure how much and what type is adequate for their situation. We answer common...

What to Know About a 401(k) Rollover

What to Know About a 401(k) Rollover When changing employers, it is important to consider what to do with your 401(k). Although the process itself is simple, it is important to know special tax considerations and any potential...

Purchasing Real Estate in Today's Market

Mortgages rates are currently at an all-time low and the demand for real estate has been increasing. Many people are making the decision to put the “for sale” sign on their front lawn or to move out of their rental and...

Guide to Achieving Your Financial Goals in 2021

A new year is upon us and plenty of us are hoping for a much different year than the one prior. One thing that most likely remains the same though are our goals for the new year. Many of us have New Years resolutions – if your...

Should I Work With a Financial Planner?

Financial advisors assist individuals with achieving their financial goals. But what does this mean? A financial advisor’s role is to understand your priorities and where you stand relative to those goals today – whether...

End of the Year Money Tips

It is the end of the year and many of us are bombarded with thoughts of how to wrap up a chaotic year. While we take care of last minute shopping for the holidays and are still overwhelmed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can’t...

Demystifying Annuities: The Single Premium Index Annuity

Demystifying Annuities: The Single Premium Index Annuity The annuity landscape is one of the most complicated areas of personal financial planning. With regard to buying an annuity contract, it can be as complex and varied as...

Five Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor

When it comes to your financial situation, utilizing the services of a professional is invaluable. Advisors assist with navigating major life decisions and developing a plan to help you achieve your financial goals. Deciding on the...

4 Instances in Which it is NOT Smart to Save for Retirement

Despite the general rule of thumb that it is critically important to save regularly for retirement – there are times in a person’s life when it may make sense to pause this. Before such action is considered, I strongly...

What to Expect from Your First Financial Planning Meeting

Meeting with a financial advisor may appear overwhelming. Many people are often reluctant to trust their planner and provide personal information regarding their financial situation and their goals. However, your advisor is working...

Laid off or switching jobs? Here is what to do with your 401(k).

If you are laid off from your job or transitioning to a new employer, we recommend one simple tool – opening up an IRA. Each time you leave an employer, you can determine if it makes sense to roll your funds over into an IRA....

Avoid These Common Retiree Mistakes

Avoid These Common Retiree Mistakes Retirement is an exciting period for many people who are eager to say goodbye to long days at the office and hello to long days at the beach. However, entering retirement also means saying goodbye to...

5 Money Saving Tips You Probably Don't Know

5 Money Saving Tips You Probably Don’t Know When choosing to save money, we immediately consider reducing our spending to have the ability to put more into our savings accounts. We may decide to eat out less or forego the annual...

Are You on Track for Retirement?

Are you on track for retirement? No matter your age, saving and planning for retirement is necessary. The sooner you begin putting money aside, the more prepared you will be when the time comes for this next chapter of your life. But...

6 Steps to Consider if You're Nearing Retirement

Six Steps You Should Consider if You’re Nearing Retirement The closer you get to retirement, the more concern you probably have regarding your portfolio. If you find that your portfolio is underperforming your expectations,...

Merging Finances as a Couple

Take These Steps Before Merging Finances Merging finances as a couple can be an exciting, but challenging time. Taking this next step with your partner is one that requires open communication and it is imperative for both parties to...

Is a Roth 401(k) for You?

Is a Roth 401(k) for You? When considering retirement savings methods, the most common option people consider is their employer-sponsored 401(k). Although not as often utilized, a Roth 401(k) is another beneficial way to plan for...

Investing in Your Child’s Education

Investing in Your Child’s Education Education is important to many people. After all, education provides more opportunities, regardless of whether you go to college, learn independently, or study a trade. Parents often plan to...

Habits Effective Leaders Use

Leaders all have their own habits that help them conduct a successful day of work. These habits vary widely, but they are all useful in their own way. To help yourself be the most productive and effective leader possible, try...

Financial Skills Teens Need to Have

Financial Skills Teens Need to Have When growing up, many people do not learn the basics of financial education. This can cause them to make poor financial decisions in early adulthood that can lead to crippling debt amongst other...

It's Best to Invest Now

Investing is a topic many people push off until they are well-established in their lives. People in their 20s may assume that since they have 40+ years until they retire, they can invest when they’re a bit older. However, it is...

Ways to Learn About Investing

Ways to Learn about Investing Investing is a complex topic that many people are only familiar with on a surface level. However, it can be beneficial to spend the time learning about the many investment options available to you. To get...

Potential Debt-Repayment Strategies

Debt is an unfortunate part of many people’s lives. Whether it be from student loans, mortgages, credit cards, or something else, debt can cause many people to get into financial situations that they need to dig their way out of....

How COVID-19 Impacts Investments

COVID-19 is a pandemic that has not been rivalled in modern times. The impact it has in all areas of life is tremendous, and thus, there are naturally going to be impacts to people’s investments. Although the scope is...

Setting Work Boundaries as a Leader

As a leader, it can be tempting to overwork yourself for the good of the team. After all, many people rely on you to help them fix their problems, so saying no is not always an option. However, far too many leaders work late nights and...

Emergency Savings Everyone Should Have

Emergency Savings Everyone Should Have Nobody wants to be caught in the midst of an emergency without money. Unfortunately, for many Americans, emergency savings just aren’t something they have readily available. However, it is...

Stock Investing Reminders

When it comes to investing, the first thing many people think of is the stock market. Stocks are a high-risk, high-reward option. As such, they can be really beneficial, but they can also cause people to lose a significant amount of...

Challenges of Investing

Investing is practically a necessity if you hope to retire or live a more comfortable life in the future. Although you can get by on savings when done right, investing provides an opportunity to increase your wealth without making too...

How to Teach Kids About Finance

Financial education is, unfortunately, not as prevalent in the modern American school system as it should be. Kids and teens are growing up unaware of how to manage their finances, which can lead to poor financial decisions as adults....

Stock Investing Reminders

When it comes to investing, the first thing many people think of is the stock market. Stocks are a high-risk, high-reward option. As such, they can be really beneficial, but they can also cause people to lose a significant amount of...

Top 4 Ways to Take Control of Your Finances

Taking the first step toward control over your finances is a big move, but it can pay off well in the future. Financial health can play a role in many areas of your life, from day-to-day quality of living to your retirement plans....