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Fluctuations in your 401(k) or workplace retirement savings account can stir up negative emotions, making you want to hit the panic button. But in turbulent times, it’s more important than ever to remain calm and stay on course toward your long-term retirement savings goals.

Retirement planning is complicated. Many individuals put off saving, thinking that retirement is years away—until it isn’t. Then, in their 40s and 50s, they start to panic and wonder how they’ll catch up. One strategy, made possible beginning in 2010 by a provision to the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005, presents a way for some individuals to potentially put away more money for retirement, in a tax-advantaged way.

To parents with aspirations of sending their children to college or university, the costs associated with doing so can be daunting. For decades, the price of higher education has risen at a rate close to three times that of the Consumer Price Index. And although the rate of increase recently has subsided to some degree, this expense continues to be among the most significant faced by parents. 

Planning Your Charitable Giving for 2019

A new year has begun. It’s time to evaluate what worked well for you financially in 2018 and whether you need to make any changes for 2019. As you do that, you’ll want to put together a plan for this year’s charitable giving.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Every time I hear this quote, I think about how true it is. Don’t get me wrong, wishes are good things. I still make a wish when blowing out the candles on my birthday cake—I hope it comes true, but I don’t necessarily expect that it will.

I don’t think that any of us would decide to take a road trip, blindly hop in the car, and start driving, hoping that we make it to our intended destination. Rather, we would likely sit down, research where we want to go, what we want to do, and develop a plan to get there. Not only would we plan out what we’d do while on vacation, but we’d also think about the financial part of it:

As a self-employed individual or small business owner, you have the ability to establish a simple and cost-effective retirement plan for you and your employees. There are a few options available, but one you may want to consider is the simplified employee pension (SEP) IRA. This plan type is an attractive choice for self-employed individuals or small business owners who want to maximize their own retirement contributions.

For many of us, the start of a new year is synonymous with setting new goals, and while this is an important first step, achieving the goal requires more than simply writing it down on paper.  Whether your goals are related to your personal finances, getting healthier, or pursuing your passion, there are simple things you can do to increase your chances of successfully achieving them.

When it comes to retirement accounts, many investors fail to think about required minimum distributions (RMDs). This oversight can lead to unnecessary tax burdens and other financial issues. In order to handle RMDs effectively, an understanding of the rules and common misconceptions can be beneficial.

According to the department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people over age 65 will need some type of long-term care services and support during their lives, and 20% of those will need it for longer than five years. 

For a married couple, this means that there is a 91% that one of them will need long-term care.  These odds are simply too significant to ignore.  Let’s talk about what you need to know about long-term care.

As consumers, we know that having a good credit score is important. Whether you are applying for a loan or signing up for a credit card, your credit score plays a major role in determining if you will be approved. Your credit score can also have a significant impact on loan terms and borrowing costs.

What is a credit score?

When you borrow money from a lender or sign a contract pledging to make payments, the other party needs to assess how likely it is that you will fulfill your obligations. Your credit score is a measure of risk that helps lenders quantify this likelihood in real time.