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Make sure you keep asking until you understand before you make a decision. (Ideally, you want to understand well enough that you can explain it to someone else a week from now.)Asking questions helps you to:Learn so you can do it...

Change can often seem hard, requiring too much effort and discipline. Whether we are changing our eating habits, exercise habits, or quitting a bad habit, our systems and routines can help make or break us.Financially, it's the same...

We rarely have 100% of the information when we make decisions. But we still need to avoid the "paralysis of analysis." Have a mindset that does not require perfection, but allows things to be "good enough." Then we can take action and...

People often ask us about how much money they should keep available for an emergency. Some experts recommend at least $3,000 and we have met some people who keep much more than that.Here are two ways to determine how much you need:Keep...

This is the big one. Financial independence. Freedom. Let's tackle the big rocks first. Here are our four considerations, focusing on retirement.GOAL: To help estimate the amount you need, use this free calculator. CLICK HERE...

If you get disabled and are unable to work, what happens? Will you receive insurance benefits that replace some or all of your income? Will you be able to pay your bills? Here are some considerations regarding disability.GOAL: To...

Odds are that we live to our life expectancy. However, what if you die unexpectedly and sooner than normal? Will your family's standard of living be maintained? You don't want one tragedy to turn into two tragedies.GOAL: To estimate...

Almost 70% of people aged 65 will have a need for long-term care sometime in their life (source: ACL.gov). In 2020, the average annual cost of nursing home care in the United States was $95,706 (source: comparelongtermcare.org). Here...

This is usually a high priority for parents and grandparents. Be careful that you do not sacrifice your retirement goal while trying to fund private school, college, and graduate school for your kiddos. Here are some things that may...

Whether you are saving up to buy a house* or another expensive purchase, you want to be sure that your purchase is either fully funded or that you are on track to fund it on time.Are you putting enough money away for this goal?Is the...

GOAL: Portfolio design is a balancing act between two objectives:A high likelihood reaching your goals, andYour portfolio should match your risk tolerance. To estimate your risk tolerance, use this free tool, CLICK...

It's inevitable. None of us gets out of this alive. If you have assets over $100,000 (including life insurance benefits), you should have an estate plan. Here are a few things to consider:GOAL: Everything goes according to your wishes....

WHO MAY BENEFIT?: EveryoneWHAT IS IT?: Risk capacity is the maximum and minimum risk your portfolio can take and still achieve your goal with a high likelihood of success. This is about math and probabilities, NOT your personal...

WHO MAY BENEFIT? Anyone taking withdrawals or wanting to optimize their returns over time.WHAT IS IT? Income returns come solely from dividends and interest payments. Total return includes income AND growth from capital gains...

WHO MAY BENEFIT: EveryoneWHAT IS IT?: Basically, this is the mixture of asset categories like stocks/bonds/cash/other in your portfolio. It may also include "asset classes," which are more narrow types within those categories. For...

WHO MAY BENEFIT? EveryoneWHAT IS IT? Within each asset class, broad diversification involves owning hundreds or stocks/bonds/etc rather than a few.WHY IS THIS VALUABLE? Rather than being a "throw in the towel" cop-out,...

WHO MAY BENEFIT? EveryoneWHAT IS IT? Selecting investment solutions that have lower expenses than their category averages.WHY IS THIS VALUABLE? Every dollar paid for fund expenses, trading costs, and taxes is a dollar...

WHO MAY BENEFIT? EveryoneWHAT IS IT? Rebalancing aligns a portfolio back to the intended asset allocation.WHY IS THIS VALUABLE? Rebalancing keeps portfolio volatility in line with your goals and risk tolerance.HOW DO I...

WHO MAY BENEFIT? Anyone still saving and/or anyone whose bank accounts are growing beyond their day-to-day needs.WHAT IS IT? Invest in your strategy regularly and if possible, automatically.WHY IS THIS VALUABLE? This...

IDEAL FOR: Discerning Investors Exploring Tactical Tax StrategiesDECODING THE STRATEGY: Regular market ebbs and flows can sometimes lead to temporary losses in specific investments. Tax-Loss Harvesting transforms these potential...

BREAKING IT DOWN: The strategy of Asset Location holds significant power in determining the lifetime tax effects across various account types. Here's a quick primer on the three main account categories:- TAXABLE ACCOUNTS: These are...

IDEAL FOR: Discerning Investors with Multiple Accounts of Similar TypeUNRAVELING THE STRATEGY: Consolidation allows you to merge accounts of the same type under the same ownership. This includes transferring 401k...

IDEAL FOR: Forward-Thinking Investors with a Lump-Sum Goal within Three YearsUNPACKING THE STRATEGY: Short-term investing is a tailored strategy to meet lump-sum financial goals within a three-year horizon. It's designed with the...

IDEAL FOR: Earnings-Driven Investors Prioritizing RetirementUNVEILING THE STRATEGY: Regular contributions to your Roth IRA or Traditional IRA account are a key aspect of strategic financial planning.WHO STANDS TO GAIN? Anyone with an...

IDEAL FOR: Farsighted Investors Anticipating Higher Future Tax RatesDECODING THE STRATEGY: A Roth conversion is a tactical move where you transform Traditional IRA money into a Roth IRA. This move requires you to pay current income tax...

IDEAL FOR: Thoughtful Investors Concerned about Outliving Their Resources, with a Preference for Reliable Income Streams Amidst Market VolatilityDEMYSTIFYING THE STRATEGY: View your guaranteed income sources (like pensions, social...

IDEAL FOR: Future Retirees and Their Spouses Eyeing Social Security Retirement BenefitsEXPLORING THE STRATEGY: Proactively reviewing various start dates for your retirement benefits along with the corresponding amounts. If you're...

IDEAL FOR: Informed Investors Embarking on Withdrawals from Their Investment PortfolioILLUMINATING THE STRATEGY: The craft of choosing a withdrawal strategy is an exercise in aligning your financial choices with your unique goals and...

IDEAL FOR: Prudent Investors Initiating Withdrawals from Their Investment PortfolioILLUMINATING THE STRATEGY: Deciding the order of withdrawals from different account types (taxable, Roth, traditional IRA/401k) to achieve your...

IDEAL FOR: Forward-Thinking Individuals Who Identified the Need for Additional Disability Income Insurance in Post 11ILLUMINATING THE STRATEGY: Taking proactive steps to sign up for Disability Income Insurance to ensure financial...

IDEAL FOR: Individuals Recognizing the Need for Life InsuranceILLUMINATING THE STRATEGY: Exploring options and deciding on a life insurance policy that suits your unique needs.WHO STANDS TO GAIN? Anyone who wishes to ensure financial...

IDEAL FOR: Individuals Acknowledging the Need for Long-Term Care InsuranceDEMYSTIFYING THE STRATEGY: Long-term care insurance provides coverage for personal and custodial care for individuals who are unable to perform basic activities...

IDEAL FOR: Everyone.DEMYSTIFYING THE STRATEGY: Beneficiary designation determines who inherits your assets when you pass away. It's a direct and legally binding way to distribute your estate.WHO STANDS TO GAIN? Anyone who wants to...

IDEAL FOR: Everyone.DEMYSTIFYING THE STRATEGY: This process involves preparing and signing important legal documents like Powers of Attorney (“POAs”) for financial and healthcare decisions, wills, trusts, living wills, Do...