-
People who care
-
Solutions you trust
-
The purpose of estate planning is to distribute your assets to heirs in a formal, legal process. If you do not have any heirs to speak of, you might not feel the need to do this. However, your assets will go somewhere, so you may…
Bonds are designed to deliver both capital preservation and income, and are generally considered lower risk than stock investing. The purchase price of a bond is basically a loan to an issuer, such as the federal government…
No matter how well you know someone, you usually learn a lot more once you’ve traveled with them. We are all different in this activity, from people who prefer aisle seats over window seats, to Airbnb renters or hotel…
Retirement planning starts with retirement spending. Ideally, retirees are mortgage free and relatively debt free before they leave the working life behind. In retirement, a key strategy is to maintain low monthly staple…
Financial windfalls are not uncommon. Every year, entrepreneurs who build their businesses from scratch sell them for millions in profit. In 2024 alone, state lotteries paid out a combined $70.2 billion to prizewinners. Additionally…
If the IRS sends notice that you’re being audited, you’re likely to become anxious. However, not all audits mean you did something wrong. In most cases, it is simply a matter of verifying information on a tax…
Hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes and earthquakes are becoming more severe and more frequent with each passing year. Without sufficient protection, these events can cause lasting financial disruption. While no…
When investors think about building a strong equity portfolio, U.S. stocks often dominate the conversation. The United States is home to many of the world’s most innovative, profitable and well-known companies, and has a history of delivering…
Wiring money is like sending cash: Once you’ve sent it, it’s gone. It is very difficult to retrieve – in fact more difficult than recovering physical dollar bills.
If wire fraud takes place due to a security…
Campaign messaging would have you believe retirees just scored a major victory. The talking point is everywhere: Social Security benefits are now tax free. But anyone who reads the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will discover something…
In 2024, the median household income in the United States was $83,730. However, the national average annual cost of 24-hour paid long-term care (LTC) for a retiree age 65 and older was more than $125,000, according…
The rules for IRAs inherited after 2020 changed when Congress passed the Secure Act in 2019. The new rules eliminated the opportunity for non-spousal beneficiaries to “stretch” inherited…
It can be hard to build up your own business, but it can be harder to sell it for what it’s worth. In fact, only around three in 10 family-owned businesses survive for the next generation. Whether family…
Not everyone can make large charitable contributions. But there are ways to be charitable without spending your discretionary income while at the same time lowering your tax bill. Even those who can make large…
Young adults may not see much reason to purchase life insurance, especially if they have no dependents and/or a partner who makes plenty of money. However, there are several reasons why folks in this situation…
If you are in the market for a new job or interested in extracting more value from your current one, consider some of the newer trends in company benefits. The following is a primer on what might be available to help supplement…
The appointed executor of a will is the person responsible for paying the debts and taxes of the will’s owner once he dies and then distributing what is left in the estate to named beneficiaries according to instructions…
Marriage isn’t just about two people who fall in love and choose to spend the rest of their lives together. It is also a contract. And while that contract might not be forever binding, marriage does come with certain financial and…
Municipal bonds (also known as munis) are issued by a state or local government. Interest income is typically paid out twice a year and is not subject to federal taxes. When an investor purchases a bond issued…
Identity theft is when someone steals your personal information and then uses it to commit fraud. They may access your Social Security or Medicare number, employee ID, utility, credit card or bank account numbers. Once the scammer has this…
With a Roth IRA, the owner can make limited contributions each year. In 2025, the limit is $7,000; $8,000 if age 50 or older. Only people who earn less than $150,000 (single filers) or under $236,000 (married filing jointly) can make a full Roth IRA…
Whether you file your income tax return early or at the last minute, there are ways to simplify the process and reduce what you owe – or even increase your refund – before the deadline…
Step 7: Find Your Raison d’Etre
What do you consider to be your purpose in this world? Few people think about their life that way. In Japan they call it your ikigai. In France they refer to your raison d’etre.
Step 6: Looking to Legacy Planning to Address Future Needs of FamilyHow do you want to be remembered? People often view their legacy as a way of disseminating assets to charitable venues…
The value of an estate plan is twofold. Yes, you want to pass your assets on to heirs in a seamless and tax-efficient manner. But it is also a roadmap to help your heirs understand the full breadth of your assets, where…
Step 4: Putting Together a Health Plan
Planning for healthcare in retirement is tricky business. Some hardcore smokers live past 100 while some hardcore exercise and fitness gurus…
Step 3: Develop a Financial Plan
We all have a different vision for our golden years – and we are also on individual financial tracks to meet our financial goals for retirement. But if you’re not where you think…
You’re never too young to start a bucket list. That’s because some things (such as bungee jumping) you probably want to knock out in your twenties. Women may want to have children before their forties…
