prepared and that your loved ones will be taken care of after you’re gone can provide peace of mind to everyone involved. While it’s a tough conversation to have, you can’t afford to put it off. In fact, as the boomer generation enters its golden years and is set to bequeath a historic amount of…
At first glance, the data looks bleak: Nearly three-fourths of Americans are in some kind of debt. While that may sound troubling, consider that not all debt is bad. In fact, borrowing sums of money with a legally bound promise to pay it back can demonstrate trustworthiness to institutions and is often a major milestone…
As a consumer, you’ve probably visited a franchise at least once in the last month. But have you ever thought about owning one? If you’re the entrepreneurial type and looking for a career change or another income stream, it might be worth considering. This kind of business venture allows you to be your own boss…
Are you one of the millions who wears a fitness tracker? This technology has become so mainstream, even high-fashion and well-known designers are joining the craze and creating custom devices and stylish accessories to personalize them. Is this just another fad or do wearables actually deliver? Not a Silver Bullet A fitness tracker may help…
No matter how much fun your summer is shaping up to be, it’s no time to put your finances on pause. Take a look at the past six months to gauge how you can adjust your strategic or tactical actions to ensure you’re making steady progress toward your financial goals. Check In With Your Cash…
If your family is gearing up to make a college decision in the coming months, a tour of prospective campuses may be on your agenda. Here are a few strategic tips to help you compare higher education choices and get the most from your visit. Explore Your Tour Options Well in Advance Every college and…
A long-term savings strategy like planning for retirement relies on small steps taken over an extended period of time. Make sure you’re on track by avoiding these common mistakes. Underfunding Retirement Accounts Are you among the 71 percent of Americans who aren’t putting enough away for retirement? The most effective determining factors of a well-funded…
Like estate planning, long-term care insurance is a critical component of a financially secure future, but many people tend to put it off or actively avoid it. Planning ahead helps you avoid burdening your family and loved oneswith the mental and financial costs of providing care. Read on for more about adding a long-term care…
It may seem early, but the start of a new year is an ideal time to get your ducks in a row when it comes to tax preparation. Use the following tips to get some work done now and avoid the panic of procrastination. Revisit Your Usual Routine The bulk of tax prep comes down…
One common trait among the highly successful is their endless drive to improve and learn. Take a page from their book during your downtime this holiday season by feeding your curiosity and keeping your mind engaged. Make space on your digital device for some of these popular finance-focused podcasts: National Public Radio’s Planet Money tackles…
