Kathryn J. Hower, CFP®

Becoming the trustee of a trust or choosing a trustee for your trust is not a decision that should be taken lightly. There are many traits you should be looking for and responsibilities you should be aware of before committing to choose or become a trustee. We’ve broken down the responsibilities, as well as what qualities a trustee should possess to help make the process a bit easier for you.

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.

It’s May in Indy, the race car engines are revving and everyone is gearing up for the big race – but be aware of overspending on credit cards during the festivities or you could be on a collision course with bad credit. We break down the details on avoiding credit score dents to help you win your race for financial security!

Teaching children financial literacy skills early in life can help set them up for future financial success, but where’s a parent to begin? At Bedel, we encourage parents to teach the three S’s – saving, smart spending, and sharing. Read on for the details on each.

Anyone with a pet knows that veterinary care can be costly, especially when faced with a more serious illness. Enter pet insurance – providing pet owners with the means to provide care for their furry friends in the event of illness. We’ve outlined the basics of pet insurance, along with things to consider when deciding if it’s a good purchase for you and your pet.

Is your child’s identity at risk? That might sound like a crazy question, but young children are prime targets for identity theft. We’ve outlined how children’s identities can be stolen, warning signs to look for, and what you should do if you find out your child has become a victim.

Do you know what post-high school educational expenses qualify for tax-free reimbursement from your child’s 529 account? It’s important to know what expenses do qualify in order to avoid paying taxes and a penalty for those expenses that don’t.

What happens if you die without a will in place? Who decides where your assets go, and more importantly, who cares for your children? Without a will, these decisions are left up to the state…and you might not like their choices. Drafting a will enables you to clearly articulate your wishes for the disposition of your estate, as well as the care of your children, ensuring your final wishes are carried out. Read on for our tips on creating your will.

Buying a car and keeping it for seven to ten years or longer will generally provide a better financial result than leasing. However, if your personal preference is to lease, then be a smart consumer.

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.

Inheriting an IRA can be a blessing. Dealing with the IRS distribution rules can be a headache. Understand your options!