Financial Planning
Browse our resource library for information about all aspects of smart financial planning.
What is FinTech – And How Does It Affect Me?
Financial technology, or FinTech, is a branch of technological innovation that focuses primarily on monetary transactions and investments. Learn more about how financial technology can benefit your business or personal finances in this informative FinTech breakdown from Forbes.
Three Major FinTech Trends to Watch in 2022
Technology changes fast, and it was difficult to keep up with the latest solutions and products even before the global pandemic necessitated new remote approaches to everyday transactions. To help cut through the noise and focus on the most relevant tools available to you, here are three key FinTech trends to keep your eye on this year.
8 Ways to Prepare Your Finances for a Transition
Think you have a good handle on your finances? Check out this list of ways to ensure you’re fully prepared to make sure you’re setting yourself up for success rather than leaving your financial fate to chance.
Life Transitions Can Upend Your Financial Wellbeing
It isn’t enough to know you’re “making ends meet” or that you’re “financially comfortable” – it’s important to know exactly how comfortable, and what your actual reserves are in the event of an emergency. If you’re someone who only has a general sense of “I make enough”, you may be in for an unpleasant surprise when life decides to take a turn on you. Read more to learn how an ounce of financial preparation can reduce the risk of financial ruin, and start planning your financial security.
‘Proceed with caution’: here’s what Wall Street analysts see for the U.S. stock market in 2022
In early 2020, the COVID pandemic made a global impact – not just on health and social policy, but also on the world’s economic systems. Almost two years later, the fallout continues, and Marketwatch believes 2022 will be a crucial year for trying to bring financial stability back into equilibrium. Learn more about investment predictions for next year in this market analysis.
6 Tips for Organizing Your Records
Economist Edmund Burke once said, “Good order is the foundation of all things.” We certainly believe that to be true of your money management! Be ready for anything by building better systems for storage, access, and recollection of your financial records with this helpful guide.
2021 Year End Financial Checklist
Be sure to check THIS list twice! Forbes offers a roundup of year-end financial planning tips and strategies to help you maximize your financial benefits and wrap up 2021 efficiently. Let us know if you have any questions!
What to Do If You Are Appointed Guardian of an Older Adult
Guardianship can be difficult to navigate, especially since it operates at the intersection between loving caregiving and dispassionate decision making. Here are five tips that will help you balance responsibility in your role as guardian.
How the Elderly Lose Their Rights
Staying active in the care and guardianship of aging adults in your family is important not only for their comfort and familiarity, but can protect their rights and property. Each state approaches court-appointed guardianship differently, and not being familiar with your state’s laws and procedures can devastate your loved ones. Learn more from this cautionary tale.
5 Things Needed to Claim the Guardianship of an Elderly Parent
If guardianship is the right fit for your family, it is important to know the steps you’ll need to take, and the documents required along the way, to enact your role as legal guardian. Following the proper procedures can make this transition much smoother and may prevent future complications. Here’s what you need to know to start the process.
What Is a Conservatorship or Adult Guardianship?
Caring for aging relatives presents unique challenges, especially when the person reaches a stage of their life where they no longer have the capacity to make clear decisions or take care of themselves. Guardianship is a legal arrangement that can help provide better care for aging adults. Consider the pros and cons of a conservatorship or guardianship to determine if setting one up is right for you and your loved ones.
How well do YOU understand basic finances? The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has compiled a quick, six-question financial literacy assessment that can give you a gauge for measuring your money management knowledge. Take the test and see how you stack up against your fellow Americans!
30 Steps to Financial Wellness
Even if you scored well on a financial literacy assessment like the FINRA quiz, building your financial literacy is an important lifelong endeavor. Money management trends and options continue to multiply, data and rates change, and your life situation fluctuates. Here are 30 ways to continue building your financial health and literacy.
Understanding Guardianship for Older Adults
Issues of responsibility, capacity, and guardianship can be very difficult subjects to broach with your loved ones. Balancing your elderly family member’s rights and dignity with their decision making abilities doesn’t have a clear cut, one-size-fits-all solution, but understanding the aspects of guardianship and capacity can inform those discussions and decisions when they become necessary. Consider these questions before approaching a guardianship situation.
Why Financial Literacy is So Important
A long time ago, financial management used to be somewhat simple: cash was king, and you either kept it or spent it. Modern times have introduced many more variables into financial planning, including interest rates, buying on credit, investments, bonds, and more. Find out how learning to navigate the world of modern finances is crucial to better understanding your money management.
Motivational Quotes from Legendary Wall Street Investors
The COVID environment can feel overwhelming and challenging. However, in times of trouble, we can find inspiration from those who have risen out difficult times and were made stronger from it. This article includes quotes from legendary investors that may give you the motivation you need to get through this difficult time.
An Overview of Asset Transfer Strategies
You never know what might happen next – and where you might need to move funds in response or in preparation. While some of these life changes that necessitate financial adjustments may be obvious, others are less so. Discover what situations may prompt you to rearrange your finances, and some foundational transfer options, in this article.
2020 Annual Financial Literacy Survey
The COVID-19 global pandemic served as a serious eye-opener for millions of American families in 2020. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) measures financial literacy data every year to benchmark key indicators of American financial challenges, and the 2020 findings reveal severe weaknesses in both short and long term planning that accounted for much of the pandemic’s financial impact. Find out more about the NFCC’s data and analysis in their annual report.
Is a Cash Windfall in Your Future?
The moment when you come into a large amount of cash can be exciting and overwhelming. If you are aware of a cash windfall coming soon, be proactive in preparing a plan so you can be ready when the time comes.
The Millennial Balancing Act of Paying Off Student Debt and Saving for Retirement
Many Millenials are facing the common problem of trying to pay off their student debt while also trying to save for retirement. With the steep costs of student loans debt and the large expenses projected in retirement, Millenials will need to plan their budgets wisely.
4 Common Elder Scams – How to Stay Safe and Fight Back
The elderly are often a target of scams – in fact, over two million become victims to them every year. It’s important to understand the common signs to look out for and what to do if you or someone you know is being targeted. This article outlines the most common types of scams and how to notice them before you become a victim.
Why a Credit Freeze is the Best Response to a Data Breach
Hackers and data breaches are part of the fabric of operating in a digital world, and they can devastate a business’ finances. Beef up your financial data security to be proactive against potential breaches before they happen, rather than reactive once your data has been compromised.
Financing a New Baby: The Cost of Parenthood
Family planning and financial planning go hand in hand, and a little foresight can go a long way as your family starts or continues to grow. Understand all of the costs you may be facing before welcoming a new child so you can better prepare for their future.
Sell or Rent: Deciding What to Do With Your Home
When a change in location becomes imminent, homeowners are often faced with the option to either sell their current home, or to rent the home while retaining ownership. Clarify your long-term goals and make an informed decision using this handy guide.
Creating A Financially Organized Life
Managing your finances can be tricky enough, but trying to handle your financial planning without a strong organizational system can be more than stressful – it can have a significant impact on the health of your financial life. Discover strategies for better filing, budgeting, and scheduling to better control your financial health.
10 Ways to Protect a Small Business From Hackers
If you own a small business, set time aside to make sure your business is protected and you’re aware of the common tactics used by hackers so you can help your business and yourself be safe and secure.
What is Your Money “Archetype”?
Understanding your inner investor’s habits, tendencies, and attitudes can give you a leg up in the financial world. Discover and analyze your conscious and subconscious behaviors towards money handling to develop a better relationship with your finances and investments.
The end of a marriage is always difficult. It can be nearly impossible to make sense of how to handle your life and your finances through such a tumultuous life change. We’ve compiled a list of issues to consider and documentation to gather as you prepare to navigate through this troubling time.
50 Things: What a Financial Professional Does for You
We certainly believe there are ample benefits to working with financial professionals, but don’t just take our word for it! Check out these 50 items that you may or may not realize a financial professional can do for you.
5 Ways to Boost Your Security Against ID and Credit Card Theft
It has become very common to hear news about someone’s identify or credit card information getting stolen. Take a look at some ways to protect yourself from this type of theft.
Understanding Guardianship for Older Adults
The role of guardianship over the elderly used to be a very all-or-nothing scenario that caused a lot of issues, but it has since been revised and adapted to be more helpful to both the older adult and the potential guardian.
Planning Opportunities Coronavirus Checklist
The Coronavirus pandemic has thrown a wrench into many financial plans, goals and ideas. Situations like being out of work, receiving the stimulus check, having a business that needed to close, etc are all things that have gotten people everywhere worrying about their plans and how to use their finances (or lack thereof) in the best way possible. This checklist is full of questions that are not meant as recommendations, but more so a way to encourage thinking and starting conversations about planning opportunities. If you have any questions or want to begin implementing changes to your current financial plan, contact your financial advisor to talk them through.
11 Financial Tips to Make Caregiving Easier
Being a caregiver for a family member or loved one takes a lot of love, patience and understanding. While it can be emotionally overwhelming, the financial aspect can be just as difficult, and this sector often doesn’t get the attention it needs. This article offers 11 tips that can help you manage your loved one’s finances in a more effective way. In addition, discussing this issue with your financial advisor can help further by offering more tips, guidance and resources.
Disaster Planning – Steps for Guarding Your Assets
Disaster Planning can often be forgotten about when people think of their financial strategy, but it’s a very necessary aspect to consider as it can be a key to help protect you, your family and your assets during or after a sudden emergency.