Tag Archives: financial planning

Growing a family, buying a home and retiring from your professional career are exciting life events that people talk about but few plan for. If you put off planning for these happy occasions, imagine how little time you devote to preparing for life’s unfortunate realities, such as losing a job, becoming disabled or passing away, […]

Spouses saving for an eventual retirement during their working years often have different timelines for leaving the corporate world behind. While a difference in retirement dates can eliminate one income stream and help couples ease slowly into their golden years, careful planning can help ensure their financial goals stay on track. Following are three tips […]

The equity markets provide investors with opportunities to build wealth, but not without risks. Before putting any money into the public markets or any investment vehicles, you should take the time to consider your long-term goals, risk tolerance and time horizon. When these factors are accounted for in a well-thought-out strategy, you may be better prepared […]

Planning for retirement is often the last thing recent college graduates consider upon entering the job market and earning a steady income. However, there is no minimum age when people should start thinking about saving for the future, whether it is for the purchase of a new car or home, to support a growing family, […]

Your income can come from various sources, including employment wages, business income, investment returns and even lottery winnings. As you receive money, it is important to recognize what you are required to report to the IRS and the amounts subject to federal taxes (and sometimes state and local taxes as well.) Understanding these concepts can […]

One of the most critical yet often forgotten steps in estate planning is preparing a surviving spouse to take over a family’s financial affairs. Even if you checked off all the boxes on your estate-planning to-do list, creating a will, properly titling accounts, naming beneficiaries and structuring assets for tax efficiency, your plan may fail […]

The emotional rollercoaster individuals endure during and after a divorce can be debilitating. Equally devastating are the financial fallouts that can ensue from these life transitions. However, there is a ray of sunshine beyond the storm when women take a moment to assess the facts of their newly single life and rebuild a solid financial […]

Novice investors often use the terms saving, investing and speculating interchangeably.  However, there are significant differences between each of these approaches to wealth accumulation. Savvy investors will understand these distinctions and recognize when one strategy may be preferential to another. Saving The dictionary defines saving as preservation from danger or destruction. When applied to personal […]

Trusts have become an increasingly popular estate planning tool among individuals at all income levels who want to avoid probate and ensure the quick and private transfer of assets to their loved ones upon their death. This level of control complements the use of a will and provides users with the added peace of mind […]

Navigating major life transitions is stressful, regardless of whether they are anticipated rites of passage, such as a marriage or the birth of a child, or unexpected events, such as a divorce, personal illness or death of a spouse. While these changes are inevitable, they need not be emotionally or financially devastating. This is especially […]