Tip of the Month

Here we are in yet another new year. The obligations and celebrations are over. Chances are, you’ve spent a fair amount over the holidays and might need a plan to help kickstart 2025 with some actionable financial goals. Here are a few ideas. Create a Budget This one never gets old. Why? It’s one of the keys to successful budgeting. You can set up a budget for the year that includes essentials, entertainment, and nice-to-haves, aka your Wish Farm. Then place it in your planner or app – there are many good ones out there. In fact, there’s a TikTok trend called loud budgeting, whereRead More →

Yep, it’s the end of another year! Chances are, you didn’t keep every resolution you made last year, for example, those goals about working out. (No shame here; we all do this!) However, the good news is that your fiscal goals can be a bit easier to achieve. Here are a few financial resolutions that are no-brainers, simple, and, best of all, no sweat. Get a snapshot of your net worth. This is critical. Sit down and calculate this. When you know how much you have in terms of assets and liabilities, you can more easily determine where you need to make changes to yourRead More →

It’s that time of year again. Halloween has just come and gone – and now we’re hurtling headlong into Thanksgiving and Christmas. For holiday shopping, it’s tempting to turn a blind eye and put everything on your credit cards. However, if you don’t want to have a financial hangover in January, February (and so on), you might want to take a look at these tips. Create a Budget and Stick To It The earlier you sit down and do this, the better. Decide on a financial cap per gift per person, then shop. Then, get creative. For instance, what if you bought a pre-loved itemRead More →

Annuities are one of many products that folks have in their nest egg. But first, what exactly is an annuity? Simply put, it’s a contract with an insurance company that promises to pay the buyer a steady stream of income in the future. It can be either a fixed or variable income stream. The term “annuity” can also refer to a sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals. There are some things to know before you charge headlong into putting your assets into an annuity. So, here are a few watchouts to consider before you head in that direction. Ask the Right Questions FirstRead More →

Annuities are one of many products that folks have in their nest egg. But first, what exactly is an annuity? Simply put, it’s a contract with an insurance company that promises to pay the buyer a steady stream of income in the future. It can be either a fixed or variable income stream. The term “annuity” can also refer to a sum of money payable yearly or at other regular intervals. There are some things to know before you charge headlong into putting your assets into an annuity. So, here are a few watch outs to consider before you head in that direction. Ask the Right QuestionsRead More →

Drafting a will is not something that people, for the most part, want to think about. But no one gets out of life alive. So if you want to have a say in what happens to your property and assets after you’re gone, a will is very smart idea. Here are a few specific reasons having a will makes good sense. Facilitates Probate First, a definition: Probate is the legal procedure your estate goes through after you pass. During this process, a court will start the process of distributing your estate to those you designate. When you have a will, the probate process has aRead More →

For many parents and kids, living independently after college or trade school has been a challenge – a big one, thanks to rising inflation, student debt, and high rent. However, whether your kids are headed for a university or a hands-on career, there is hope. Here’s a quick snapshot of what majors and skills can potentially yield the highest paychecks so that financial independence is achievable. Engineering and More According to Kiplinger, college-bound kids who have an aptitude for math and science make the most money right out of school. Not a surprise, given that technology changes at what feels like warp speed. For instance,Read More →

Since it’s summer and reading lists are at the top of your mind, now’s the perfect time to expand your knowledge of money management and wealth building. So, whether you’re a retiree, a beginning saver, or even a child, we’ve got a book for you. The Classics If you haven’t had a chance to dive into these titles, you might want to grab them, starting with The Millionaire Next Door. Authors Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko published this in 1996 and learned something critical: most millionaires were those who don’t blatantly flash their wealth but live below their means and save, save, save.Read More →

There are probably few things as exciting and daunting as becoming a new dad, especially when it comes to finances. But we’ve got you! Here are a few tips to help you turn those challenges into opportunities as you walk this new life path. Create a Budget This is probably super obvious, but here’s a way to break it down into sections so you’ll have a roadmap. Look at current finances. This includes income, checking, and savings. Plan for new expenses. Make an exhaustive list of everything you can think of that your baby might need. Prioritize and cut. Identify these areas, then make hardRead More →

Gosh, it feels great to get that tax refund. Dreams of a much-needed vacation or a splurge on something you’ve been craving might be running through your mind. However, as unexciting as this sounds, you might want to spend this chunk of change on things that really matter. Here’s a list of smart uses for your tax refund that you’ll be glad you acted upon. Build an Emergency Fund Let’s face it. We depend on our machines to make life easier. However, these metal contraptions can (and will) break down. When this happens and you have money socked away, you won’t have to shell outRead More →