Welcome to the first installment of our Social Security series: An Introduction to Social Security. This article, and the others within our Social Security series, will focus on the particulars related to retirement and survivorship benefits.
Read MoreA key component within the overall estate planning process is estate administration. Estate administration is the procedure by which a person’s financial dealings are managed and distributed to their heirs after they die. In other words, when a person with assets and property dies is when the estate administration process begins for the executor of the estate.
Read MoreEstate Planning can be complex and overwhelming, as there are many nuances to keep track of and potential pitfalls for the unaware. For that reason, it is best to consult with an attorney specializing in Estate Planning matters and seek their professional assistance in drafting documents. Even then, there are several estate planning matters that often get overlooked that no one warns you about. With that in mind, let’s look at the top 5 mistakes – detailed here:
Read MoreFor most investors at or nearing retirement, bonds have long been a place where you can go to get a secure and predictable stream of income. That experience that many have gone through since the 1980s is now being questioned as to whether it will continue for the years to come. The bond market through the first 3 quarters of 2022 has been historically bad and some would say doesn’t seem to offer much hope for the “bond-like” returns that we’ve grown accustomed to.
Read MoreAlas, the answer to the title question of this article is… it depends. I was tempted to say “yes” and make this a very quick read. However, I didn’t want to shatter anyone’s retirement dreams. As a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) practitioner, my goal is to do the opposite of that. Really, the honest way to assess this question is to examine if a retiree’s financial resources are enough to last them their lifetime. Doing so will go a long way towards determining whether or not they should consider unretiring during a stock market crash.
Read MoreWhenever markets start to face some head winds, one of the most common questions to come thereafter becomes, “what to invest in during a recession?”. The easy answer is that there are no recession proof investments out there. The more realistic answer is that not all recessions are built the same way. Some recessions are due to pandemics, while others can be due to rising interest rates, a faulty housing dynamic, over extended stock markets, or a number of things.
Read MoreAs of the most recent consumer price index (CPI) reading on Aug 10, inflation came in at 8.5% annualized. While the rate has come down from the 9.1% reading in June, it remains to be seen if this is a temporary step in the right direction or if inflation has in fact peaked. Any way you slice it, Americans are experiencing the worst level of inflation since the end of 1981.
Read MoreThis is a quick update for our readers about what the markets are doing and what our outlook is.
Read MoreOn average a 65-year-old couple will spend about $300,000 on health care throughout their retirement, therefore it is one of the most common worries for those nearing retirement. This can be such a worrisome topic, that some affluent people may opt to delay retirement and continue working - just so they have medical coverage until reaching Medicare age.
Read MoreMarkets delivered exceptional performance in a year that had a little bit of everything: politics, bubbles, meme stocks, inflation, runaway rallies, and sudden drops. Let's take a look at how markets performed last year and what we expect will happen in 2022.
Read MoreAre you planning to live in a foreign country? If yes, you’re one of the many U.S. citizens who want to leave their native country for greener pastures or lower costs of living abroad. They learn from many expats that living in some countries can be a great way to save and make money.
Read MoreHomeowners in a seller’s market face a conundrum. On one hand, their home is worth more than it has ever been. But on the other hand, if they decide to sell it and buy a new one, they’re going to face stiff competition. You can expect high prices in a competitive housing market where homes are selling in record time. It can be tricky to know exactly what path to take. Should you buy a house before selling your current home, or should you sell your house first then buy?
Read MoreOwning a condominium is sort of the “cousin” of renting – and many in the Jacksonville area choose to own a condominium instead of a stand-alone home. In this article, Kath discusses using government loans to finance a condo – an option many people did not know exists.
Read MoreDuring times of market or economic uncertainty – when we are not sure what will happen to our 401K balances or if we will still have a job at the end of the coming quarter. One thing that is for sure to happen, almost every “news” outlet gets covered by headlines: “Best 10 stocks to own during a recession” or “Best Recession Proof Stocks” or my favorite “How to make money during recession”.
Read MoreWith that in mind, we created a 5-page powerpoint style guide that explains how Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) works.
Read MoreAn important aspect that applies to all is that the funds you buy or sell are potentially subject to trading commissions, which are charged by your custodian (e.g. TD Ameritrade or Fidelity).
Read MoreFrom pre-approval to interest rates and mortgage insurance, determining and understanding what mortgage suits your needs can be a difficult and complex task
Read MoreBuying a house, especially for first time homebuyers, typically begins with a sense of excitement. However, without a good plan and team around that buyer, that initial excitement can quickly turn into an overwhelming process.
Read MoreSure planning a family has always been a "thing." However, such a decision in today's world is putting a heavier burden on the next generation of young adults than ever before.
Read MoreA much more enviable position to be in is when someone can simply write a check when the rainy day arrives. Having the ability to do so is much less stressful than being forced to borrow at double-digit interest rates.
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