“Financial literacy refers to the set of skills and knowledge that allows an individual to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finances. Education on the management of personal finances is an essential part of the planning and paying for post-secondary education.”- Webster’s Dictionary. Financial Literacy includes having a basic understanding of how to...
Insurance is not always an exciting topic to talk about, but financial planners are well aware of the risks their clients can face when they are underinsured. Whether it is homeowners insurance or life insurance, the different types of risks people face can easily wipe out a portfolio or...
It is human nature to seek advice only when things aren’t going as planned or when some unforeseen situation arises. Take one’s health for example- some people routinely have an annual exam, while others seek medical advice only when they suspect a health problem and the symptoms have become...
The good news is we are living longer, but the bad news is that having regular employment, good health and the premature depletion of retirement assets is becoming a reality for many Americans. Despite plans for retiring later (compared to previous generations) at age 69 or into the 70’s,...
In today’s economy, offers of an early retirement buyout for a current employee or a pension buyout directed at a former employee are becoming common as companies look for ways to cut costs. Many large employers are offering employees who are not yet at retirement age the option to take...
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total of everything produced in a country, even if it is made by a foreign company or foreign workers within a country’s borders. GDP counts the final value of a product, but not the parts that go into producing it as a way...
Most parents want what is best for their children, but sometimes have habits themselves that equate to teaching their children poor financial habits. Children learn by watching their parents and other adults (modeling) and as they mature their mistakes and bad habits become hard to correct. Bad financial decisions...
For many parents, planning to leave their estate to their children is a common practice. There are many things to consider when planning to leave your children an inheritance, but the complexity increases when your child is beneficiary to someone else’s estate. What happens when the minor child becomes...
This is the first tax filing season since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (The Act) was passed. Even though 2018 is over, there are tax planning strategies you should think about before you file and plan accordingly for 2019. There still remain 7 income tax brackets and the marginal...
A credit freeze is a way to protect yourself from a new account or loan being opened with your personal information by businesses (or criminals) without your permission. With a credit freeze the process of accessing your credit information from the credit reporting agencies is blocked. Freezing your credit at the...