If you’re having trouble wrapping your head around inflation, you aren’t alone. Many economists are perplexed by the trends these days because it seems like, only yesterday, our country was faced with deflation. The most recent CPI went up compared to predictions, at a record level of 8.3% compared with last year’s figure.1 That much inflation can signal future price changes for us down the line, so this is something to keep your eyes on.

Managing Drug Costs How can households meet the challenge? Are prescription drug costs burdening your finances? Some people find it a challenge to manage the cost of prescription drugs. Americans pay an…

College Funding Options You can plan to meet the costs through a variety of methods. How can you cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be key for…

Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, some classic financial missteps plague retirees. Calling them “mistakes” may be a bit harsh, as not all of them represent errors in judgment. Yet whether they result from ignorance or fate, we need to be aware of them as we plan for and enter retirement.

The SECURE Act Long-established retirement account rules change.  The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement savings…

Your Changing Definition of Risk in Retirement Some things to consider. During your accumulation years, you may have categorized your risk as “conservative,” “moderate,” or “aggressive,” and that guided how your portfolio…

Financial Strategy for Athletes Step One: Find a trusted financial coach; Step Two: Listen to your coach. Whether you are a professional athlete, a college amateur, or an aspiring Olympian, you probably…

Your digital assets should not disappear into a void when you die. When you think about your estate, you may think about your personal property, real estate, or investments. You also have other, less-tangible assets – and they deserve your attention as well.

Taking Charge of Your Financial Life Delegating responsibilities to others may lead to problems down the road. When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate responsibilities. One spouse…

Why DIY Investment Management Is Such a Risk Paying attention to the wrong things becomes all too easy. If you ever have the inkling to manage your investments on your own, that…

The Importance of TOD & JTWROS Designations A convenient move that could ward off probate on your accounts. TOD, JTWROS – what do these obscure acronyms signify? They are shorthand for transfer…

Are You Retiring Within the Next 5 Years? What should you focus on as the transition approaches? You can prepare for your retirement transition years before it occurs. In doing so, you…

If you are between 40 & 60, beware of these financial blunders & assumptions. Mistakes happen, even for people who have some life experience under their belt. That said, your retirement strategy…

Perhaps both traditional and Roth IRAs can play a part in your retirement plans. IRAs can be an important tool in your retirement savings belt, and whichever you choose to open could…

Breaking down the basics & what each part covers. Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, you should understand the parts of Medicare – what they cover and…

Two financial unknowns may erode our degree of confidence. The financial uncertainties we face in retirement may risk reducing our sense of confidence, potentially undermining our outlook during those years. Indeed, according to…

How do these investment approaches differ? Ever heard the term “strategic investing”? How about “tactical investing”? At a glance, you might assume that both these phrases describe the same investment approach.  While…

Behaviors worth changing. Do bad money habits constrain your financial progress? Many people fall into the same financial behavior patterns, year after year. If you sometimes succumb to these financial tendencies, now…