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Roth IRA: Jump Start Your Child’s Retirement Fund
Chances are your teen isn’t thinking about saving for her retirement quite yet. But contributing now to a Roth IRA can give her a leg up on her retirement savings. Unsure if your teen will want to contribute any of her hard-earned money? No worries – anyone can contribute to a Roth IRA on her behalf. Read on for the details and what to watch out for.
Valentine’s Day: Give the Gift of Financial Security
This Valentine’s Day, switch it up and give the gift of financial security. Read our tips for the best Valentine’s Day gift.
Do Reverse Mortgages Deserve Their Bad Rap?
What do you think of when you hear the term “reverse mortgage”? Chances are it might not be positive. But the reverse mortgages of yesteryear are being replaced by more evolved loans that can be helpful to some. The key is to understand the changes in the newer mortgages, and then to talk with your advisor to be sure it’s a viable strategy in your comprehensive financial plan. We have the details…
New Standard Deduction: Do you still Itemize?
It’s almost tax time, and along with that comes a new standard deduction that could shake up how you file your taxes. If you’ve been used to itemizing your deductions, this year might be the first where you take the new larger standard deduction. We’ve broken down who might itemize versus who will likely benefit from taking the deduction, along with tax strategies you can employ right now to benefit your tax situation in 2019.
Medicare and HSAs: Don’t Get Caught in the Dark
Medicare can create quite a bit of confusion: When should I enroll? What coverage do I need? What happens with my HSA? Unfortunately, if you’re contributing to a Health Savings Account, enrollment in Medicare can create an issue. Be sure you understand how Medicare will impact you and your family so you can make informed decisions about your health coverage and avoid any penalties.
Market Volatility – Fodder for Financial Fears
The Dow Jones and S&P 500 took investors on a roller coaster ride in December 2018. While the market volatility left investors feeling uneasy about their portfolios, it’s important to keep these fluctuations in perspective. We’ve compared the recent highs and lows to those of 2008 to better understand just how recent market swings really stack up.
20 Percent Down Payment - Debunked or Not?
A 20% down payment used to be the rule of thumb when purchasing a home. Avoiding private mortgage insurance (PMI) and lowering the interest rate on your loan were some of the benefits. But times have changed! If you’re unable to afford a 20% down payment, you have options - but be sure you understand the pros and cons first!
Socially Responsible Investing
What is socially responsible investing? While there’s no standardized definition within the investment industry, there are definitely certain steps you should take when considering adding socially responsible investments to your portfolio. We’ll walk you through the basics of socially responsible investing and share what to look out for when adding SRI to your investment portfolio.
2018 Investment Review: Top Three Surprises
Most investors will remember 2018 for the stock market’s wild ride in the 4th quarter. But there was plenty more going on this past year. We’ve outlined our top three investment strategies for 2018 that stood out, either for good or bad reasons.
Put Your Finances on Autopilot
There are a plethora of tools that can help you streamline your finances – from automatic transfers to bill paying services to auto escalation for retirement accounts. Taking advantage of this technology can go a long way in helping you meet the financial goals you’ve defined, setting you up for continued success in the future.
Lifelong Gifts from My Financial Role Model
Who’s your financial role model? It makes sense to turn to experts for advice and guidance when it comes to things like investments, retirement planning, and tax strategies. But what many might not realize is that each of us has someone who shaped our financial literacy and perception of money at an earlier stage in life – be it good or bad. Kate shares three money lessons she learned from her financial role model – her Dad – and demonstrates the importance of playing that role in a child’s life, shaping their future perception of how to handle financial decisions.
What’s Your College Student’s Financial Intelligence?
Your child is heading to college…The car is packed, and you’re ready to move her in. But aren’t you forgetting something? Have you talked with her about finances and making good financial decisions while she’s away? Now’s the perfect time to have that chat and make sure she’s ready to face all the financial intelligence “tests” she’ll encounter in college.
