Thinking about where to invest your money can be overwhelming and confusing, especially for those who are unfamiliar with all options for investing. If you’d like to take advantage of the ease of stock trading with the diversification of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can potentially give you the best of both worlds. Here are some key things to know about ETFs before investing. ETF Basics Exchange-traded funds are baskets of securities—stocks, bonds, commodities or...
If you have a child graduating from high school or college and entering the workforce, they may have the opportunity to open up a 401(k) through their new employer. In some cases, that employer will also offer matching contribution funds up to a certain percentage. While it sounds like a no-brainer to take advantage of these benefits early,many younger employees do not participate in their employer's 401(k) plan. It’s essential to teach your children the...
If you and your spouse are making plans to retire, you’re probably wondering whether it’s a good idea to retire at the same time. Many couples go through the same thought process and, in fact, one in four couples quit their jobs within a year of each other. But retirement is a decision that should be carefully thought out. Here are some things to consider when deciding whether to retire at the same time as...
Many older Americans rely on Medicare for their health care needs. But it’s not always easy to figure out what’s covered and how much it will cost. Medicare benefits change from year to year, and 2021 is bringing an increase in premiums for participants. The good news is, there are other ways to save on Medicare costs. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s changes in Medicare. Changes to Part A Medicare Part...
The Pandemic Challenge: College Edition If you’re a parent of a high school senior, chances are you have spent a significant amount of time helping your child navigate the college application process this year. It’s a demanding rite of passage that has been made more stressful than usual by COVID-19. Last year, almost every aspect of the college recruiting and admissions process was disrupted and that’s likely to be the case for part of 2021...
What You Need to Know About the New Covid-19 Stimulus Package President Trump has signed the new $900 billion economic relief and spending bill passed by Congress. While most of the focus has been on a second round of relief payments to most Americans, there is plenty more in the 5,000-plus pages of the stimulus package. The goal of this bill is to continue to offer assistance to businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, provide extra unemployment...
While it may be prudent to use a financial professional when you start your investment journey, there are a lot of things you can do before you ever speak to a financial professional. Investing, like everything else in life, has no guarantees, and even the hottest stock or the best tip may not always perform the way we would like. Keeping that in mind, here are a few things you can do (or not do)...
4 Reasons You May Consider Keeping It When it comes to retaining life insurance in retirement, there are two schools of thought regarding its necessity. The primary purpose of life insurance is to protect your family against a loss of income should you or your spouse pass away. Life insurance benefits are especially important for individuals who still have dependents or have accrued a significant amount of debt. So, if you don’t fit this description...
There’s no doubt that it feels great to help someone in need through charitable giving. There are more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States that range from food banks and disaster relief centers to churches and cultural centers. And in 2018, Americans contributed over 4 billion dollars to charitable organizations. While you may have altruistic reasons for donating to a charity that you support, there can also be tax benefits that come...
As a young gun in the industry, you might not care about your employee stock options, but for those who pay attention, there are potential benefits. In this article we are going to look at two things, first what exactly are employee stock options, and secondly why you may want to consider taking advantage of them. What are stock options Employee stock options are simply an opportunity for employees of a particular company to buy...
Proper financial planning should always be a focus, but for those who are dealing with a physically ill spouse or loved one, it is crucial. There are several financial considerations that you will need to ponder, and naturally, these will not work with every situation, and chatting with a professional financial planner is one place to start. Cash Flow If your spouse or loved one is still in the workforce, you may be able to...
Your Retirement Savings and Change in Employment Whether you leave an employer for a wonderful new opportunity or lose a position because of the pandemic, it’s easy to forget about the money you have saved in your retirement plan. Sometimes, retirement plan savings can stay in a previous employer’s plan. Other times, your money can’t stay in the plan, and you need to take action or your employer may move your money. The circumstances depend...
