As parents, we have a responsibility to teach our children how to save, spend, and invest wisely.  Trying to explain these principles, in theory, can be difficult for a parent to communicate as well as for a child to understand.  However, a Kid’s Roth IRA can give a parent an …

I was recently listening to the podcast “Secrets of Wealthy Women,” hosted by the Wall Street Journal. One of the wealthy ladies being interviewed, a successful business owner, made a comment which stopped me cold. When asked about her investing philosophy, she replied nonchalantly, “Oh I don’t like risk, so I just …

Have you ever had a huge task in front of you that seemed so daunting it just made your stomach sink?  Oftentimes we approach our financial tasks with this sinking feeling.   It’s not fun, so we find ourselves behaving like small children who don’t want to clean up their bedrooms.  …

It may seem like a waste of time, digging through your records, faithfully documenting your Roth IRA contributions when you file your tax return each year.  There’s no immediate tax benefit, so why bother? There are 3 compelling reasons to be diligent about this reporting, believe it or not.  Two …

A wise friend recently asked me: “What should I be doing now to prepare for the next economic recession?”  Whether you think the next downturn is nearly upon us, or is still years away, this is an excellent question to ask.  Having lived through several economic downturns and having observed …

If your New Year’s Day list includes these 3 things: Nurse a hangover Take down holiday decorations Return gifts you’re probably not alone.  But what about doing something different, something that could actually improve your future life? Here are 3 smart and simple things you can do to get off …

This has got to be one of the most important, and often one of the most difficult, questions that I am asked.  Couples have a unique opportunity to build a bright, positive future together, with the power of TWO, rather than one.  But how do you do that? Believe me, …

Last month, we discussed the 5 key questions to consider when nearing retirement.  These covered the areas of health care, housing, lifestyle, and family.  This month, we’ll get down to the question of income, the next important part of this adventure. The first part of this question is usually “How …

Ever wish you had a friend who had successfully retired and could tell you what you need to do?You’re not alone.  After helping clients to retire successfully over the years, I’ve observed there are some common, practical steps that help lead to a smooth transition. Whatever retirement may look like …

Last month, we talked about WHY you may want to consider carrying life insurance coverage.  We used the acronym LIFE to clarify four different purposes that life insurance can potentially serve.  Using those four reasons, we then discussed the amount of life insurance that may be aligned with your purpose. …