Comprehensive Financial Planning

The end of the year isn’t the only time to tackle financial to-dos. The first of the year can be a great time to wrap up tasks you didn’t quite get to in Q4, or to set yourself up early for wealth planning success in the coming months. If you’re ready to start 2021 on solid financial footing, rather than putting things off until later on in the year, then check out our first-of-year wealth and financial planning checklist. #1 Review your 2020 finances and investments and make necessary adjustments. Take a look at your spending, savings for retirement, cash Read More

The perks of 401(k) plans are many: They offer tax-deferred savings, employer matches, and a consistent, reliable way to ramp up your retirement planning. But does that mean you should make the maximum contribution? With an employer-sponsored plan, your 401(k) contributions are deducted from your paycheck, pre-tax, which automates and accelerates your retirement savings — certainly a no-brainer. But what takes a little more brain work? Determining exactly how much is the right amount to contribute in a given year. Should you contribute the minimum (usually 3%) to get the employee matching contribution (also known as free money), or Read More

Whether you’re an individual strategically planning for a comfortable retirement, or you own a small business, some year-end planning is in order. Here’s your checklist of things to do before January 1. For many of us, 2021 can’t come fast enough. But if you want to set yourself or your business up for financial success next year, now is the time to do some important planning. Get a start with this list. Make sure you’re on track For individuals: Whether or not you’re working with a financial professional, this time of year is always prime time for a comprehensive Read More

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