Bedel Blog

Nearly half of Americans still feel the wrath of inflation and higher living costs, which is a great reason to go back to the basics with your financial-related New Year resolutions.

Retirement is a numbers game. Know your numbers and turn in your retirement notice with confidence. If you don’t feel comfortable running the numbers yourself, hire a financial planner to do the work for you.

Dreaming of retiring in your 30’s or 40’s but not sure that could be your reality? The FIRE movement (Financially Independent Retire Early) is increasing in popularity, but there are definite pros and cons to the movement. Be sure you’ve critically assessed your financial situation, and that your financial plan is structured to provide you the means for early retirement. We have the details…

There is no right or wrong way to manage personal finances as a couple. There are several budgeting approaches to consider. Be open and honest about your status and hash out a plan together.

It’s easy for wasteful spending to go undetected, especially if you’ve developed any of these bad habits. You work hard for your paycheck, so make sure you’re spending it in the right places. We cover some of the easiest places to spend more money than you need to. Read on and then celebrate Financial Planning Month by reviewing your budget for wasted money.

Youth sports can bring a host of benefits to the athlete, but it can be a real drain on a parent’s wallet. Before diving into the world of youth athletics, it’s important to understand the full costs you’re committing to when your child participates. Read on for one staff member’s experience with elite youth sports – hopefully you’ll benefit from her naiveté and be better prepared for the financial impact.

High school graduations are just around the corner and in the past year you’ve likely spent a lot of time helping your child determine their field of study as well as the right college.

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.

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.

Last minute shopping…It’s not nearly as popular as it once was, thanks in large part to online shopping. But 57% of holiday shoppers still believe they’ll be finishing up their gift-purchasing in December.

Everyone would love to be a millionaire overnight – so why isn’t everyone doing it?! While there are avenues to grow your money quickly, they’re usually filled with risk and, more often than not, lead to failure. Instead, follow our lead – living within or below your means, combined with saving and investing, can be that rewarding combination you’re looking for, without the high risk.

We’re coming off the best year for existing home sales in 11 years…so is now the right time for you to downsize? Many might advise you to take the money and run, but it could come at a cost. We’ve outlined the pros and cons for downsizing, and what each might mean for your bottom line.

It’s 8:30 p.m. and you’re sitting on your couch drinking a glass of wine and reading political Facebook posts, trying to decompress after ...

With the holiday season upon us, it’s important to make a plan for all the expenses that come along with the festivities.

Everyone wants a great future! Then why don’t people plan? Many do nothing and leave their future well-being purely to chance.