Blog

The importance of retirement savings has been gaining traction among younger workers, with Generation Z and Millennials taking a proactive approach to secure their financial futures. According to new research from Vanguard, younger workers today are participating in their workplace retirement plans at higher rates and saving more compared to 15 years ago.

Summer is almost here, which means your college vacation is around the corner. However you plan to spend your time off—whether it’s working a summer job, hanging out with friends, or taking a class or two—you’ll need to find ways to stretch your income and savings so you can cover your expenses while still having money for fun activities. Follow these six tips, and you may have money for activities like shopping and travel, and maybe even set aside funds for the fall semester.

For many younger adults, the dream of homeownership is often overshadowed by the looming challenges of student loan debt. The burden of educational expenses can create a significant hurdle on the journey to owning a home. However, the good news is that with strategic planning and informed decisions, younger investors can overcome these obstacles and turn their homeownership dreams into a reality.

As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten employees, or some other tangible measure. However, financial professionals may benefit small-business owners no matter what the stage of their business. The earlier you seek financial advice, the more this advice might help your business as it grows. Here are five ways a financial professional could be your ally as a small-business owner.

Just because your military service is up doesn’t mean your benefits disappear. You spent many years of your life serving and protecting your country. With that sacrifice, you can access various benefits created to help you readjust to civilian life and build a future for yourself and your family.

From 2008 to 2022, the cost of in-state tuition at public universities rose nearly 80%.1 The high price tag now associated with a college education makes it critical for families to carefully plan how to pay for higher education expenses. Part of this careful planning involves reducing tax liability—the more you pay in taxes, the less you will have available for these other important expenses. Here we discuss four especially tax-efficient ways to help your kids afford college.

There are several ways high-net-worth individuals can benefit from life insurance. It is a vehicle that could provide loved ones with an income stream, it can be used as an investment strategy, it may help to lower your estate tax burden, and it could also be a potential safeguard for business owners.

Being an educator requires expertise and that you stay current on developments in your field. However, that level of ongoing attention can make it difficult to find the time to stay on top of issues that affect your finances, or to put together a comprehensive financial plan. Whether you work directly with students or focus on research, whether you are just starting your career or have achieved distinction in your field, you may benefit from working with a financial professional.

Today's kids have more information at their fingertips than past generations could ever have dreamed—but not all this information is always accurate. And when it comes to financial literacy, the ability to weed out misinformation is crucial when it comes to developing healthy financial habits. What can parents do to encourage their kids to become financially aware adults? 

Although you may personally handle many of your financial affairs, sometimes you may need the services of a financial professional. Financial professionals include financial planners, attorneys, securities brokers, and other specialists. Selecting the right financial professional means evaluating the services they can offer and their credentials, and finding someone whom you can rely on to give you good advice and/or service when you don't have the time.

April brings more than possible rain showers. It also marks Financial Literacy Month in the U.S. Whether you’re interested in a quick refresher or seeking to learn something new, it may be worth the effort to brush up on some financial concepts that give you a broader knowledge base from which to make financial decisions. Here are several ways to invest in your financial education for this Financial Literacy Month.

Learning financial literacy, such as money management, budgeting, and investing, can seem daunting, but is no different than learning how to speak another language. Being financially literate allows you to have a better, more intelligent relationship with your money, allowing you to make financial decisions more quickly and efficiently.

Proactive tips to help you and your family pursue a confident financial future   As you enter the workforce and start to earn a regular income, it's easy to get carried away with newfound financial freedom. However, this can often lead to costly money mistakes that can have long-lasting consequences. Here are some common money mistakes that young professionals often commit. Overspending and Living Beyond Means One of the most common money mistakes is overspending and living beyond

Regardless of the stage of life, your credit score is an essential component of your financial health when you're in retirement. A consistently strong credit score can pave the way for greater confidence, easy loan access, and lower interest rates. Many retirees overlook the importance of maintaining a suitable credit score after they stop working or that credit scores lose relevance in retirement. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Here's a detailed look at why your credit sc

The federal income tax filing deadline isn’t until April. However, the start of tax season is nearly upon us. Here are some tips for navigating the tax filing process to help lessen some of the stress you may feel as Tax Day arrives.  Gather up and organize your tax documents Compile your tax documents and organize them. Print off digital documents so they are all together (unless you are e-filing) for a more manageable filing year. Determine your filing status Your filing status

Like dandelions in a spring lawn, credit card offers pop up everywhere--stuffing your mailbox, flashing on the Internet, even falling from the magazines in your doctor's waiting room. And they all sound so attractive. "0% APR until next year!" "No fee if you transfer a balance now!" "Low fixed rate!" You're thinking of applying for a card, but how do you decide which offer is best for you? Learn the lingo In order to evaluate credit card offers, you'll

It’s easy to carry the stress of home to work, and work to home. A lot of times, this can impact your time to relax with friends, family, and your productivity in the work place. Here are a few ways to balance your professional and personal life.

Over the last year, nearly 4 in 10 Gen Z individuals have found themselves grappling with financial setbacks, according to recent surveys. This has led to a shift in spending habits and lifestyle choices. Here are a few tips to newer economic challenges.

Finding a suitable investment mix can be satisfying, just like the joy of discovering your favorite piece of chocolate in a chocolate box! In honor of Valentine's Day next week, read how portfolio diversification can be sweet like a box of chocolates.

Tax planning might be complex, but it's also essential—especially for high-net-worth families, where missing tax breaks or failing to optimize income could cost significant dollars over a lifetime. These tax planning tips may help you optimize your finances.

Creating budgets isn’t always the most fun activity, but it can be easy to budget if you take the time to make a template that works for your needs. We're sharing a step-by-step guide on how to create a personal finance spreadsheet.

Did you know -January is Financial Wellness Month? If you're asking yourself "What is financial wellness and why is it important?" read this blog for an overview of the concept.

How does your financial life affect your social life? It's important to understand the relationship between the two in order to benefit your financial future. Read about this difficult balance in our most recent blog post.

Post-holiday spending can feel like a burden. Perhaps you spent more than you originally planned, or maybe you aren’t even sure how much you spent on holiday gifts, decor, travel, and various other expenses. Read our tips on how to get back on track.

Add cleaning up personal finances to your New Year's Resolutions! It may seem overwhelming, but that's why we're here to help. We're sharing a month-by-month to-do list to help cultivate better financial health in 2024.

Preparing your home for a winter storm can be a hassle, especially when done last minute, so make sure to plan ahead and take these necessary precautions this winter season.

With the year rapidly coming to a close, and the upcoming tax year looming, consider updating your tax strategy. Check out some strategies on our website and then chat with us so you’re prepared for any potential tax changes in the New Year.

The holidays should be full of joy, so don’t let the potential for significant spending on gifts and travel linger over your head. Instead, use these tips from our financial advisors to look ahead and bounce back to a comfortable financial situation if you end up spending more than you intended.

Cyber Monday is one of the most popular shopping days, competing each year with Black Friday when it comes to scoring holiday deals. While online shopping continues to grow in popularity, it also opens the door even wider for those looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Here are a few tips for practicing safe shopping this Cyber Monday.

As the year’s end approaches, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) must prepare for one of the most critical monetary tasks: year-end tax planning. Due to the nature of their holdings and dynamic financial situation, HNWIs often grapple with complex tax management issues. With astute planning, mitigating significant tax liability may be possible.

As a current member or veteran of the U.S. armed forces, you may be entitled to a number of military benefits. The term benefits, as used here, includes military pay as well as other programs set up to improve the lives of military personnel. Learn more about military benefits.

Tis the season for charitable giving! The tax benefits associated with charitable giving could potentially enhance your ability to give and should be considered as part of your year-end tax planning.

As high school comes to an end, a new chapter of life awaits high school seniors. It's an exciting and transformative time, but it also brings about new responsibilities and financial challenges. To help high school seniors navigate the world of personal finance, here are five essential financial planning tips to set them on the path to financial well-being.

When you say you want credit, you are probably asking for payment terms on a purchase. You are seeking to purchase goods or services today and forego all or a portion of the payment until a later date. Learn why credit is so important and how to establish good credit history.

Whether you're still living at home, in school, or starting your career, your late teens and twenties present a prime opportunity to think about your financial future. Here are a few of the helpful financial planning tips for young adults.

Former NFL player Michael Oher, the subject of the book and movie “The Blind Side,” recently filed a petition to end the conservatorship over him that he alleges he signed unknowingly when he was 18. Oher alleges that the thought he was signing adoption papers and only recently realized he was not actually adopted.

Smart self-care does not just mean spa days and movie nights: there are other therapeutic ways to reduce your mental and physical stresses, including how you manage your money. If your goal is to create healthier habits involving your personal finances, keep the following self-care essentials in mind. 

At some point in your life, you'll probably be faced with the question of whether you need life insurance. Life insurance is a way to protect your loved ones financially after you die and your income stops. The answer to whether you need life insurance depends on your personal and financial circumstances.

During turbulent financial times, having a financial emergency plan might provide you with a proverbial life preserver. Whether it is an emergency fund to help you tackle an unplanned expense, insurance to cover an unexpected accident or disaster, or a "go bag" that contains all your most important records, organizing your finances may help you feel prepared to handle anything that might come your way.