The 4th of July is a time for backyard BBQs, dazzling fireworks, and a powerful reminder of the freedom and independence our nation fought for. As we celebrate this profound concept on a grand scale, it's worth considering what "independence" truly means in our own lives, particularly when it comes to our finances. For many, financial independence isn't about accumulating vast wealth for wealth's sake. It's about Read More

If you’re using a 529 plan to save for college or your student is receiving scholarships congrats! That’s a smart step toward reducing the cost of higher education. But here’s something many families don’t realize: the IRS plays a bigger role than you think in how those funds are taxed (or not taxed).  Done right, a 529 plan can be a tax-advantaged powerhouse. Done wrong, and you could end up with unexpected taxes Read More

Have you seen the latest "can't miss" investing tip or "secret" money hack making the rounds on social media lately? What about the buzz around the "next big crypto" or promises of shortcuts to an early retirement? If you're on any social platform, it's nearly impossible to avoid the financial "experts" talking a big game. The so-called "influencers" are everywhere these days, peddling get-rich-quick schemes and Read More

Truth vs. Trend: The Dangers of Social Media Finfluencers What’s the latest “hot” financial tip or “secret” you’ve seen on social media? Maybe it was a retirement hack, a crypto opportunity, or some “groundbreaking” investing strategy? If you’re like most social media users, financial advice from so-called “finfluencers” is almost impossible to escape. These self-proclaimed financial experts are Read More

Planning your estate is one of the most important steps you can take to secure your legacy and protect your loved ones. Yet, many individuals unknowingly make mistakes that can create challenges or even derail their intentions. Below, we explore 13 common missteps in estate planning and provide actionable solutions to help you avoid them. 1. Failing to Plan The most significant mistake is not creating an estate Read More

How long will your retirement last if you stop working at age 60? There’s obviously no definitive answer, but the latest data on life expectancies can tell us a lot. These days, retirement can last at least 20 to 25 years if you retire at 60.1 That’s around a decade longer than a 60-year-old retiree 50 years ago.2 And if you’re not retiring for another 10+ years, you could be looking at an even longer life Read More

When do you talk about money? Who do you talk finance with? If you’re like most people, you’re not discussing money at all — and you’d rather talk about death, politics, and addiction, instead of finance.1, 2 That may be surprising, but it’s not totally out of left field. Many of us are uncomfortable talking about money because of deeply ingrained cultural taboos. We think it’s rude, showy, and maybe even Read More

As someone who invests in their future, you're likely eyeing what drives investment returns. But it’s all-too-easy to be distracted by a number of investment myths. These are nothing but short-term noise that can cause you to miss the big picture of long-term gains. And it’s no one’s fault. These investment myths are so widespread that even seasoned pros might swear by them. To make smarter money moves, you Read More

(By that, I mean that renewed fears of a "hard landing" recession have emerged from the grave and are walking among us.)1 Many analysts were convinced that the U.S. economy could achieve a coveted “soft landing,” but they might be overly optimistic. Want to skip the economics? Scroll to the bottom for my big-picture takeaway. What makes some economists worry about a recession? Some of the latest concerns Read More