Blog
1 - Your Personal Guide to Making Smart Financial Decisions
Be sure to consider (1) your Goal, (2) possible Risks, (3) Other People who may be impacted, and (4) how Time may be a factor when making financial decisions.
Read More2 - Mindsets Part 1 - Organizing Your Financial Information
Can you find what you are looking for with a minimum of effort? Where are those important documents and papers? What are the passwords and user names? Do your key family members know how to find those things too?Don't just get...
Read More3 - Mindsets Part 2 - Mastering the Art of Prioritization
“How can we prioritize when EVERYTHING is important?”Here are some ways to continually prioritize your list:ELIMINATION – If you can only do one item on your list, which one would it be? Let that be your...
Read More4 - Mindsets Part 3 - Focusing on Controllables
Morningstar research showed that people who feel in control of their finances tend to be happier about their finances. Who doesn't want more happiness?We CAN control:Our own behaviors and actions,Habits we form or break,Who we choose...
Read More5 - Mindsets Part 4 - Embracing Simplicity and Effectiveness
Above all else, you want your financial decisions to be EFFECTIVE. However, you only have a finite amount of time, energy and resources. To make the most of it, make things as SIMPLE as possible for yourself, but not so simplistic that...
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6 - Mindsets Part 5 - Ask, Understand, and Decide
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...
Read More7 - Mindsets Part 6 - Systems and Routines: The Key to Financial Success
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...
Read More8 - Mindsets Part 7 - Good Enough is Good to Go
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...
Read More9 - Common Goals Part 1 - Building a Solid Emergency Fund
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...
Read More10 - Common Goals Part 2 - Achieving Financial Independence in Retirement
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...
Read More11 - Common Goals Part 3 - Disability Risk
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...
Read More12 - Common Goals Part 4 - Managing the Risk of Premature Death
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...
Read More13 - Common Goals Part 5 - Navigating Long-Term Care Risk
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...
Read More14 - Common Goals Part 6 - Fund Education
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...
Read More15 - Common Goals Part 7 - Fund Major Purchase
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...
Read More16 - Common Goals Part 8 - Investments Match Risk Tolerance and Goals
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...
Read More17 - Common Goals Part 9 - Estate Plan is Accurate and Executed
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....
Read More18 - Investing Controllables Part 1 - Assess Risk Capacity
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...
Read More19 - Investing Controllables Part 2 - Total Return vs Income Only
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...
Read More20 - Investing Controllables Part 3 - Asset Allocation
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...
Read More21 - Investing Controllables Part 4 - Broad Diversification
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,...
Read More22 - Investing Controllables Part 5 - Use Low Cost Investments
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...
Read More23 - Investing Controllables Part 6 - Rebalance Regularly
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...
Read More24 - Investing Controllables Part 7 - Invest Systematically
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...
Read More26 - Investing Controllables Part 9 - Tax-Loss Harvesting
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...
Read More25 - Investing Controllables Part 8 - Mastering Asset Location
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...
Read More27 - Investing Controllables Part 10 - The Power of Account Consolidation
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...
Read More28 - Investing Controllables Part 11 - Navigating Short-Term Goals
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...
Read More29 - Planning Controllables Part 1 - Strategic IRA and/or Roth IRA Contributions
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...
Read More30 - Planning Controllables Part 2 - Potential of Roth Conversions
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...
Read More31 - Planning Controllables Part 3 - Lifetime Income Options: A Strategy For Longevity
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...
Read More32 - Planning Controllables Part 4 - Navigating Social Security Options
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...
Read More33 - Planning Controllables Part 5 - Tailoring Your Withdrawal Strategy
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...
Read More34 - Planning Controllables Part 6 - Optimizing Your Withdrawal Sequence
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...
Read More35 - Planning Controllables Part 7 - Security with Disability Income Insurance
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...
Read More36 - Planning Controllables Part 8 - Navigating Life Insurance
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...
Read More37 - Planning Controllables Part 9 - Establishing Long Term Care Insurance
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...
Read More38 - Planning Controllables Part 10 - Ensuring Beneficiary Accuracy
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...
Read More39 - Planning Controllables Part 11 - Create and Execute Legal Documents
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...
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