Comprehensive Financial Planning

Planning for retirement feels relatively straightforward in many ways: Save and invest to build wealth, and you’ll have the recipe for a comfortable, secure, and happy retirement. While that is true, there’s a bit more to it. Even though saving as much as you can and starting early is the go-to advice for preparing for retirement, it’s not quite as simple as that. There are quite a few nuances to the multistep process of retirement planning. Here’s a quick list of 20 things everyone should know as they get serious about setting retirement goals. Getting started with your retirement Read More

It’s that special time that always comes at the end of the year. We’re not talking about the holidays. We’re talking about open enrollment, those few weeks in November and December when you can make changes to your health insurance policy, enroll in your company benefits program, or ditch coverage. The benefits you opt in to (or out of) can have a significant financial impact — positive or negative — so it makes sense to review each option carefully. As a financially savvy individual — someone who has their personal finances in order and who’s on track toward accomplishing Read More

In order to meet your personal and financial goals, you need a plan. So how do you get there? Here we look more closely at how the financial planning process can help assure you the financial future you’re aiming for.  Have you reached a point in your investing and saving where you realize you need to seek the expertise of an outside resource? To get you started, here’s a helpful overview of the financial planning process.  Step 1: Establish a relationship with a financial professional.  Why is this the very first step? Do you absolutely need to engage a Read More

World and national events continue to have an impact on our financial lives. If you’ve been needing to double check that your financial plan is still on track, or if you’re wondering whether you should make certain adjustments to your strategy, keep reading.  Here are a few recommendations for ensuring your financial plan is on solid footing heading into the next several months of continued uncertainty.  Don’t panic. If you’ve been watching the market this year with gritted teeth, wondering if you should be selling, don’t. Pulling money out of the stock market in a panic is an understandable Read More

If recent events have taught us anything, it’s the importance of being financially secure. National and global turmoil in any era can create upheaval in the markets and trouble for businesses, derailing individuals and families who are not financially prepared.  So how does one reach financial security and avoid their financial futures getting thrown out of whack by uncontrollable circumstances? Of course, there are never any complete guarantees — life is full of uncertainties, and finances are part of that — but there are steps everyone can take to achieve financial security.  Financial Security Defined What is financial security? Read More

Are you interested in working with a wealth management firm to help you reach your financial goals? Find out how to identify the right wealth manager match for you. When it comes down to it, the services offered by one financial advisor aren't the same as the services offered by another. Financial advisors and wealth managers come with different certifications, college degrees, qualifications, and even credentials. And the firms they work for are just as diverse.In order to get the most value for your hard-earned buck, it might make sense for you to locate a wealth manager that offers a number Read More

You’ve already taken the necessary steps to plan for your own future needs, and now you want to make sure your kids or grandkids start off on firm financial footing. Here’s everything you need to know about setting your children up for financial success. First Things First: A Financial Education Here we’ll discuss a few of the choices you have when investing in your child’s future, and we believe that one of the best ways to get started is to have open, regular conversations with your children about money and finances. A financial education is a critical step in Read More

It’s likely you’ve thought a lot about how you’ll spend your time during the so-called golden years. Whether your plans include working part-time, more travel, more time with family or friends, or investing in a new hobby, you’ll want to be financially prepared. Here are our top five tips for setting yourself up for a satisfying, fulfilling retirement. #1: Define a clear vision You already know that daydreaming about life in retirement isn’t enough. You’ll want to create a formal, written vision of what you would like your days and years to look like when you’re in retirement age. Read More

You’re already well versed in the basics of personal financial planning: Spend less than you earn, and invest and save wisely. Create a plan that sticks to those fundamentals to help you attain your financial goals and you should be set, right?  But sometimes our best laid financial plans don't go according to plan. This is the case for many as they’ve tried to figure out how to navigate the rough financial waters of a global pandemic. Retirement savings have taken a hit, cash flow has been tighter than ever, and many have had to dip into their emergency funds.  Read More