Abby VanDerHeyden, CFP®

Determining what to do with an old 401(k) is an important decision, but it does not have to be complicated. The Wall Street Journal recently reported about 30% of workers leaving jobs elect to cash out their 401(k) accounts and pay taxes – and often 10% penalties! Is that the smartest option?

Many students have financial decisions to make due to the COVID-19 pandemic. How does the CARES Act affect student loan borrowers and those who used a 529 plan for college expenses?

As important as it may feel to conquer your student loan debt, do not lose sight of setting money aside for your future. Develop a savings strategy that aligns with your financial goals.

It is common for spouses to title property they own together as “joint with right of survivorship.” But things can get messy when the other joint owner isn’t your spouse. If you own property with a non-spouse, how can you safeguard to mitigate the risks, if possible?

Many of us have likely turned down the travel insurance offered while booking a flight to our vacation destination. But perhaps we shouldn’t. Travel insurance can be a lifesaver when it comes to the unexpected, especially while traveling abroad. Unsure if travel insurance would be worth your money? We’ve outlined how to determine if the cost is worth it for you.

Not all retirements are created equal – in fact, a 2018 study indicates that 72 percent of today’s workers are looking forward to semi-retirement rather than leaving the workplace altogether. What are the advantages and disadvantages of semi-retirement, and how do you prepare for it in your financial plan? We have the details to help you decide if semi-retirement might be the right choice for you.

Estate planning is an important part of any financial plan – even for young adults with no children. Whether you’re on your own or married, it’s critical to communicate your wishes through incapacity documents and a last will and testament. We’ve detailed the documents you should think about as you create your estate plan.

HSAs are rising in popularity, and some are using these accounts as investment vehicles. So how do you know if you’re getting the most out of your HSA? It’s important to understand the details of HSAs and your financial situation to determine if investing these funds makes sense for you. We’ve outlined the basics, along with questions to be sure to ask yourself before deciding.

If a visitor falls at your home or an accident occurs with your car resulting in serious damages, will your insurance cover all the costs? It depends. Your homeowner and auto policies provide for liability coverage.

When contemplating a pregnancy or an adoption, be sure to understand your employment benefits. Parental leave policies and insurance benefits can cover associated costs as well as provide income while you are away from work.

The allure of extra money from a “side hustle” can be tempting to many and even necessary for some. While this extra influx of money can certainly be a positive, it’s important to fully weigh the pros and cons of a side gig and understand what it really means for you financially. We’ve laid out the areas to consider being starting your own side hustle.

It’s time for spring cleaning, and that means tidying up your personal finances! While most think of spring cleaning as straightening up the house and yard, your finances need a regular once-over as well. Our four-point checklist should get you well on your way to spic-and-span finances!