It’s Not About Inflation, It’s About Volatility
Inflation is driving the headlines and wreaking havoc on budgets. But for long-term investors – mostly everyone – short-term inflation isn’t the biggest risk to financial plans. Volatility is. It’s being fueled by the Federal Reserve’s efforts to balance bringing down inflation with keeping the economy out of recession. The Fed is raising the key […]
Retiring in a Volatile Market: Control What You Can
Retirement during a volatile market is unsettling. Whether you are on the cusp or have already made the leap, a market downturn’s impact on your savings will be felt now and potentially for years to come. How do you keep your plan on track and your desired lifestyle in place? If you can’t control income, […]
Retirement Strategy: Preparing to Retire Early
Do you dream of retiring before you turn 60? How about before you turn 50? If so, you might want to think twice before you make the move. If your heart is set on leaving work early, be sure you leave with the right mindset and the right estimation of your financial potential. Retire with […]
How to Have “The Talk” With Your Aging Parents
Whether it builds gradually or something happens to spark it – there’s a moment in adulthood when you realize that you need to care for the people that cared for you. Getting a plan in place to care for your parents means balancing your respect and love for them with their autonomy and independence. […]
Planning for the Five Big Tax Challenges in Retirement
Creating a retirement paycheck that generates the income you need while keeping you in the lowest possible tax bracket isn’t as easy as it seems. All the planning you did while working – like saving retirement funds in tax-deferred accounts and diversifying by purchasing a second home, can turn into tax bombs as you move […]
Do You Need a Budget in Retirement?
You saved diligently, invested carefully, and now you have a sizeable nest egg that can most likely replace 80% of your pre-retirement income. Why should you go through the tiresome process of creating a budget? No matter how carefully you plan, many things are out of your control that can impact the income your plan […]
A Disability Insurance Primer
Should you have disability insurance? A sobering statistic from the Social Security Administration (SSA) might be helpful: the SSA reports that a 20-year-old has a more than one-in-four chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is part of the social security tax you pay each year that you work. But […]
Should a Trust Be Part of Your Estate Plan?
Trusts used to be seen as an estate planning tool for only the very wealthy, who have complicated family situations to sort out, and high-value assets to protect. Times have changed. Modern lives are complicated, asset values are high, and good estate planning is for everyone. Let’s look at typical couple: Jean and […]
Keeping Your Balance: Lowering Volatility and Managing Risk
Determining the right investment plan for you usually comes at the end of your financial planning process. After an extensive review of your current situation, assets, debt, income, and future goals, the final step is to select the correct mix of investments. This is your asset allocation, and it is designed to keep your plan […]
Insurance Basics: Auto Insurance
Given the sheer number of cars on the road and the distractions drivers deal with every day, the chances of using your auto policy are higher than ever. You’re at risk literally every single day you get in your car. It’s important to understand what your coverage options are, not just for your car but […]
