According to a recent survey, 16.1 percent of organizations have suspended matching employer contributions due to financial hardships caused by COVID-19. Worse yet, 1.3 percent of businesses have terminated their 401(k) plans altogether.1 401(k) plans and their matching employer contributions are relied on by millions of Americans to bolster their savings for retirement. If your…
We’re all spending more time at home these days and it’s likely that money and finances are a stress for many during this pandemic. As the markets continue to be extra volatile, many people are feeling a lack of control when it comes to their money. Even though there isn’t much we can do about…
If someone were to ask the famous Nobel Prize winner Richard Thaler this question, I think his answer would clearly be “managers and executives”. And to be honest, he makes a pretty compelling point. As a man who has spent his career studying human behavior, Thaler draws the conclusion that humans are predictably irrational and…
Now that you’re done spending money on clothing, food, child care – and don’t forget the biggest expense, education – it’s time to focus on your own financial needs. After all, the average cost of raising a child today in middle-class America is nearly $250,000, excluding college tuition expenses. These types of numbers leave many…
Many feel they don’t have the money they need to invest, so they forego savings altogether. Sound familiar? If this is you, the time has come for you to stop shooting yourself in the foot, and start saving today. Consistency while saving is key, and can make all the difference over time. Each dollar that…
One of the most important elements of a good financial plan is regular saving. Unfortunately, it is one of the biggest stumbling blocks as well, with 57% of Americans reporting they had less than $1000 in savings in a 2017 survey. To make matters worse, 1 in 3 American has no retirement account, and only…
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…
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…
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…
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…