Articles to help you with all your financial plans, from planning your insurance coverages to your retirement to your estate.
Let’s start with the stats. The reality is that when many people plug their investment account balance into the common retirement income calculators, the results are discouraging and, frankly, depressing. According to Fidelity Investments, the average 401(k) account balance for 50-somethings is a meager $160,000….
If you don’t have a will, or it’s been some time since the drafting of yours, you’re probably wondering what estate planning costs today. Looking for legal help isn’t like shopping for new shoes; it’s not easy to compare legal fees online. Estate planning doesn’t…
Rarely anything happens without a plan. Even your daily to-do list is essentially a plan. If something isn’t on that list, the chances of it getting done go down dramatically. So your financial security certainly isn’t going to happen without your attention. But I’m Going…
Calculating your personal savings rate is one of the best ways to see how well you’re doing financially and how quickly you can expect to reach financial independence. It’s also one quick and easy measure of how this year compares financially to prior years. What…
Many employers recognize there’s more to employee’s lives than work. Stress, anxiety, grief, and trauma affect all aspects of life, including job satisfaction and performance. So, many companies use Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) to support employees with life difficulties. An EAPs goal is to catch…
Most of us have at least some medical bills each year. And with the rising cost of medical care, they can add up even when you have health insurance. The good news is, most people with employer health plans have access to tax-deductible medical savings…
We all make mistakes, some big, some small. The good news is we can learn and recover from most if not all of them before it’s too late. When it comes to family, finances, and medical care in terms of estate planning, people make several…
With a record-high stock market and low-interest rates from the Federal Reserve, inflation if not already here, seems to be right around the corner. Inflation, a general increase in prices for goods and services, which reduces the purchasing power of money, may sound scary. Yet…
Storms such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, and Hurricane Imelda are happening with greater frequency and greater intensity every year. The World Health Organization lists floods as the #1 natural disaster in the world. The NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts that the…
Have you ever taken a cross-country trip without a second thought about a potential health emergency? What about when traveling abroad? Most of us assume our health insurance fully covers an emergency when we are away from home, but medical coverage varies by provider. If…
Financial planning might sound boring. Yet what it can do for your financial future is anything but dull. A financial plan is a guide for reaching your goals and dreams—it gives you a picture of where you’re at, where you want to go, and how…
Congratulations on finishing college and entering the workforce! Life after school is exciting. But it can also be overwhelming. There’s so much to do to establish your adult life after college. So, where do you start? Don’t worry; we’re here for you with some practical…
Homeowners insurance is designed to protect you against the high cost of property damage. But just because you have home insurance doesn’t mean you have protection from all disasters and mishaps. For example, most homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Yet flood damage in the U.S….
One of the biggest concerns those self-employed, unemployed, or early retired have is how to pay for healthcare. According to EHealth, the average non-subsidized healthcare plan for a family of four was $1437 per month in 2020. And that is just the cost of premiums!…
There’s no doubt about it – college is expensive. Students who want to lower the soaring costs of higher education look to community college as a more affordable option. At community college, you can get a two-year degree or transfer your credits to a four-year…
No matter when you retire, you want to know what role Social Security will play in your financial future. Will it go away? How much can you expect? When should you start benefits? When Social Security started in 1935, it was created to provide support…
You’ve almost surely heard of a 401(k) plan, but what in the world is a 403(b) plan? Simply, a 403(b) plan is a tax-advantaged retirement account for employees of schools, churches, and nonprofits. In order to offer a 403(b), a non-profit has to be tax-exempt…
As the weather turns colder and the daylight becomes shorter, you may be busy planning for the holiday season. But something else worth focusing your attention on during this season is your finances. Like your physical health, your financial health needs a check-up at least…
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Each year, one of every 20 households file insurance claims due to theft, fire, wind, and water damage. In 2019, losses from natural disasters topped $25 billion, and 2020 is shaping up to outpace that number. It’s not something anyone likes to think about, but…
As a parent, we always want to do what’s best for our children. Paying for a college education is a difficult choice to make for several reasons. But, no one wants their kids to be weighed down with tens of thousands of dollars of student…
Retirement can be a daunting concept, especially if you have thoughts like “Will I ever be able to retire?” or “ I have no idea how much I need in retirement” floating around in your head. Truth is, these are common concerns for many people…
It’s 2020; old age is looming closer, accompanied by the threat of a lackluster retirement. Of course, you’re anxious about your financial future. But you’re too busy taking care of everyone else to do anything about it. According to this study by Employee Benefit Research…
This post is sponsored by Haven Life. There’s a good chance you have family or friends who have lived into their 90’s. Or maybe even a few to age 100 or beyond! The Social Security Administration reports approximately one in three 65-year olds today will…
Of all the decisions you make in life, estate planning is one of the most important. An estate plan is essential for protecting your family after you’re gone. When done correctly, an estate plan will ensure your final wishes are carried out while minimizing taxes…
Whether you’re already a stay-at-home parent, or considering the possibility, money is a primary concern. When deciding to have one parent stay home, your priority is figuring out how to live on less income. But you also need to understand that the parent who quits…
What happens to your assets when you die? Unfortunately, there isn’t a cut and dry answer to that question. Some of your things will go through probate, while others won’t need to. It depends on the type of property you have and where you live….