Resources

Financial wellness can be defined in many ways given how encompassing of a concept it is. A simple definition is the ability to have a healthy financial life in the present and in the future. January is National Financial Wellness Month. If you are a plan advisor or plan sponsor, now is a good time to start a conversation with your retirement plan service provider about developing a financial wellness strategy for employees.

Famously, Ebenezer Scrooge was visited by the three notorious ghosts of his past, present and future, in hopes of learning from the error of his ways. So too, investors can look to their own specters to learn the lessons of successful investment planning and management.

“A diversified investment portfolio is like a fruit salad; you need more than just apples and oranges.” As hokey as that sounds there is a cherry pip of truth in it. A well-balanced, globally diverse mix of stocks, bonds and liquidity investments within your accounts guards against concentrated risk and smooths your path for long-term growth.

Sales and specials and limited time offers, oh my! It’s that time of year again when holiday shoppers are gearing up for the big gift giving season. Given the special circumstances we face today, traditional shopping and spending is so 2019.

As we approach year end, the holiday season provides a time for us to reflect on our health and happiness and make charitable gifts for those less fortunate. On this Giving Tuesday, I could not think of a better time to do so! While personal financial situations vary, luckily there are several strategies we can use to give charitably that benefits both sides.

As we approach the end of 2020, we can, with a slight sigh of relief, put the tumultuous year behind us and dare to look ahead.  The holiday season and the prospect of a new year tend to bring a renewed sense of energy and hope.  And I think we can all use a healthy dose of that these days! 

Social Security. We pay into it but we’re constantly questioning if we’ll ever see that money when we need it. I was recently interviewed by PLANSPONSOR about how "Social Security Burdens Fall on Younger Workers" and it got me thinking. What are we young savers to do?

Many people often utilize borrowing techniques to help them achieve their financial dreams and goals. One thing we can't borrow is our retirement. During this year of uncertainty due to COVID, it's more important than ever to keep retirement in mind and contribute to a 401k and IRA.

Working with a financial advisor can provide many benefits for investors, especially during times of uncertainty, but it’s vital to do your homework before you hire someone. I recently added commentary for an article in U.S. News and World Report, outlining common mistakes investors make when hiring a financial advisor.

In a year where everything feels out of sync and in many ways out of control, there is no better time to celebrate and recognize October as National Financial Planning month.

On that sweltering Belmont Park afternoon in front 69,000 plus spectators, Secretariat delivered one of the most iconic moments in American sports history. While the last six months of stock market movement isn’t a “moment” in time we can all point to, it has most definitely been momentous for investors and non-investors alike.

Earlier this summer I was asked to submit a retirement investing tip for an article in US News and World Report. Ironically, just within the last few months, a niece and two of my nephews (ages 20-23) each asked me how to get started as well. I shared these five simple strategies with them.

For the last 30 years or so, the retirement industry at large has done a good job at hiding or complicating fees so that only the savviest of investors have a chance at finding them. Here are 5 questions you need to ask your provider about plan fees.

If you’ve lately checked the headlines of most financial news sources, you’re bound to be somewhat confused. In a time of extreme uncertainty comes extreme takes on where the market is headed and what actions investors should be doing.

Retirement readiness takes years of careful planning and customized strategies. The rapidly-changing environment is prompting nearly everyone to reassess their lifestyle, spending habits, career plans and future goals. But for those nearing retirement, it might leave some to wonder if they have achieved or are close enough to their goal of retirement readiness.

We’ve all dreamed of winning the lottery and sailing off into the sunset footloose and fancy free! In celebration of National Lottery Day, which just so happens to be today, we’ve put together a few steps to take to help make your dreams become reality.

Estate planning can be overwhelming. Before you make an appointment with your attorney it’s a good idea to look at your situation and if needed, talk to your advisor. Here are some tips on how to get your financial matters organized.

I was recently reading Skin In The Game by Nassim Taleb and was captivated by a chapter in the book titled, “The Merchandising of Virtue.” In that chapter, Taleb discusses the importance of virtue, or colloquially, what you do when no one is looking. To be, rather than to seem. This maxim is particularly relevant to the retirement plan services industry and fiduciary duty.

In the world of investing, four of the most dangerous words you can ever say are, “This time is different.” Throughout history, experts have warned “this time is different” when facing various crises that in their opinion render historical precedent, flawed at best and irrelevant at worst. The amount of history being witnessed right now does lead one to ask the age-old question: is this time different?

Events like we have seen in early 2020 leave many investors wondering: Is volatility management part of my plan for retirement? And if not, what do I need to do to make that happen?