Bedel Blog

Anyone who has worked with a realtor has a general idea of the basics of the job, but there’s much more to real estate than showing homes and brokering deals. It turns out realtors can provide many services to their clients that you might not be aware of. If you’re in the market to buy or sell, be sure to check out several ways your realtor can be working for you.

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.

Credit card balance transfers can be a useful tool in paying down credit card debt more quickly and with less money owed. But there’s more to it than just that. It’s important to understand if a balance transfer works with your unique financial plan. We’ve explored the details to help you make a smart decision.

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…

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.

This Valentine’s Day, switch it up and give the gift of financial security. Read our tips for the best Valentine’s Day gift.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.