When you think of your financial advisor or financial plan, how do you feel? Gratified? Anxious? Indifferent? How much would you say your advisor has contributed to your sense of emotional and financial well being? Most of us probably don’t ask ourselves those questions and yet, according to a 2016 Morningstar study, When More Is…
Recent news about a new fiduciary rule has left many folks more confused than ever about fee structures, and concerned about whether they’re getting the best value from their financial advisor’s fees or their brokerage firm’s fee structure. According to a recent podcast from the Wall Street Journal, it’s not only how much you pay…
For many parents, the Spring months are full of happy news, as high school seniors announce their college choices. For parents of younger children, however, those happy announcements may make them wonder if they are being savvy about starting to save for college. One thing any parent will tell you is that time flies. Before…
A year ago the Department of Labor expanded the number of financial advisors required to adhere to the fiduciary standard for retirement asset and accounts. This was clearly good news for investors. Adoption has now been delayed, however, and the future of this consumer protection is not clear. Fiduciary means “Trust” The word “Fiduciary” (from…
You’ve made the commitment to start “adult-ing,” a very important first step. Don’t start to build from the roof down, though: make sure that you’re laying a strong financial foundation. In our last post we talked about 8 Financial Mistakes to Avoid in Your 20s and 30s. Here are five more money mistakes to watch…
Last week the Federal Reserve raised its key short-term interest rate to a range between .75% and 1%, the first increase this year and the highest it has been since the Fed lowered rates in response to the financial crisis of 2008. Why does it matter? This rate determines the interest rate at which the…
Financial differences rank among the leading causes of divorce among couples, both young and old. The statistics are alarming, but perhaps not surprising. How we handle money is not usually a topic of that comes up while we are dating. As a result most couples don’t discuss financial compatibility before saying “I do”. When the…
Your Financial Plan We live in a time of great personal freedom when we have the opportunity to choose our own life goals and paths. While it’s true that very few 26-year-olds are likely to be retiring, you might be that lucky one who just sold an app to Facebook and is considering philanthropy. While…
Confused about the difference between Fee-Only Financial Planning and Fee-Based planning? You’re not alone. Financial planning jargon can be daunting when you’re just getting started. Understanding the difference between Fee-Only and Fee-Based, however, is important and could be the key to your long-term planning success. What is Fee-Only Financial Planning? Fee-Only financial planners are legally…
Time for a New Financial Plan? The market’s wild ride after the presidential election might have you wondering if a change in leadership should mean a change in your financial strategy. While no one can ever predict with certainty what will happen to the market – or even on Twitter these days – there are…