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Booker T. Washington once said, "Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others." In 2022, Americans gave $499.33 billion to charitable organizations, making America one of the most generous nations in the world. The...

Retirement planning is a constantly evolving process. Strategies that may have worked fine a few years ago may no longer be the optimal direction to continue. Your life may have taken unexpected turns, you may have different retirement...

Ah, vacation! It’s a time to let loose, have fun, and leave your worries behind. But you don’t want to be too footloose and fancy-free during your jaunt, lest it cause financial headaches when you return home. Follow these...

Even if you are already retired, it doesn't mean you should stop trying to grow your savings. Inflation, unexpected medical bills, and changes to your lifestyle or family may result in the need for additional income than you initially...

Mutual funds have been one alternative for many investors seeking professional money management. But when you buy shares of a mutual fund, your assets are pooled with those of other fund shareholders. You gain professional money...

The world is facing an unprecedented economic challenge as the inflation rate continues to rise. People are trying to understand why their wallets are feeling lighter, and they are looking for someone to blame. Unfortunately,...

Annuities often get a bad rap as insurance products – and often rightly soLife insurance buys financial protection against your premature death. Here’s the how-to on another insurance that can protect you from living too...

Unable to meet withdrawal requests triggered by depositor panic, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was placed into receivership by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) on March 10, 2023. SVB represents the second-largest bank...

Improving spending habits can help you work toward financial stability and securityAll of us have bad spending habits that we would like to change in order to take better control of our finances. Let’s explore five specific...

What is it?You can elect to receive retirement benefits earlyAs you approach retirement, you must decide when to start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits. You may elect to start receiving Social Security retirement...

Especially during times of challenging markets, 401(k)s might fare betterDespite the challenging market conditions, 401(k) balances often fare better than IRAs, providing a little more hope for retirement investors.Here are 5 reasons...

Tips to combat banking failures, inflation, rate hikes and market correctionsGetting ready for retirement involves more than just calculating how much you will need and the rate you can draw down your savings. The years before you...

Tips to help your retirement planning as you move towards your goalsGeneration Z, the youngest working generation, is commonly thought of as being consumed with the present and uninterested in the future. However, recent research has...

Consolidating retirement accounts can help your retirement immensely For many individuals, changing jobs can be an exciting opportunity to advance their career or pursue new interests. However, it can also present a challenge when...

What is it?You may view getting older with mixed emotions. While you look forward to retirement, you worry about your finances and the cost and availability of health care, and you wonder what will happen to you if you become unable to...

What’s Driving Gen Z's Early Retirement AmbitionsGeneration Z, also known as Gen Z, is the demographic group born between 1997 and 2012. This generation is characterized by its confidence and ambition, and many members of Gen Z...

What is it?You may receive retirement and/or survivor's benefits from sources other than Social Security. Perhaps you are a federal employee, or maybe your employer pays you a pension. You can plan better for retirement if you know how...

What are marital and related trusts?The term "marital and related trusts" refers to the several types of trusts that married individuals can establish to maximize use of their estate tax applicable exclusion amounts (the amount that...

Planning financially for retirement can help you age with confidenceYes, there are good things about being old, such as increased happiness, less stress, better marriages and deeper friendships. You seldom hear that: People...

In 2022, the top 10 tech stocks lost $4.6 trillion in market cap (Japan’s GDP)After years of crazy growth, the tech sector was hit particularly hard in 2022, with the NASDAQ turning in its worst year since 2008, as it lost about...

What is it?If you're the beneficiary of a large inheritance, you may find yourself suddenly wealthy. Even if you expected the inheritance, you may be surprised by the size of the bequest or the diverse assets you've inherited. You'll...

Stock markets in the U.S. and around the globe turned in a rotten 2022, with fears of inflation, rising rates, and supply chain issues swirling around the economy and markets all year. Seven interest rate hikes from the Fed, 40-year...

Financial wellness is the ability to have a healthy financial life and feel good about your financial situation. Financial wellness doesn't have just one meaning because it can mean something different to each person. Financial...

It is considered a truism that owning a home is a better financial option than renting. After all, the logic goes, why should you pay your landlord’s mortgage when you can pay your own? Intuitively, it feels true, but how true is...

Someone once told me that quitting smoking is easy. He had already done it a half-dozen times. The same can be said for many of the resolutions people make, whether it’s getting more exercise, eating right, or setting a...

A planner can be a game-changing tool—one that really causes you to not only plan for change, but to stick to it. It’s something you can go back to when you need a reminder of your daily tasks, long-term goals, or any...

If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help...

It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven't given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a...

The fourth quarter holidays are often seen as one of the prime times to take out your checkbook — not only do many charities put in extra efforts helping others this time of year, but donating is also a smart financial move....

Things to Consider Going into “The New Year" (Year-End Planning Checklist)The end of the year is necessary to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. With all that is involved, it...

Giving Tuesday is a day to extend the goodwill that the holiday season may bring to help others. With so many in need, the holiday season is a reminder to help those less fortunate. Whether you want to donate your time or contribute...

‘Tis the season to give thanks for the many blessings that you have received throughout the year and blessings that help you as you move into the future. One thing to be truly thankful for is financial wellness. When you are...

You’re an entrepreneur and you’re not looking back. You’ve opened your own business, whether alone or with partners, and you’ve achieved success. Now you’re thinking about retirement, not just for you, but...

Many of us grew up in a world where it was customary to be friendly, courteous, and trusting. Unfortunately, assumptions concerning these standards of conduct can sometimes get us into trouble. Con artists offering a variety of...

Whether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness. Are you aware of these common estate planning mistakes?

Major considerationsHow much will you need in retirement?When do you plan to retire? What kind of lifestyle do you desire? How much do you have right now that you can count on for your retirement? What about Social Security; do you...

You don't need to wait until the end of the year to look for ways to minimize your tax liability. Tax planning should take place throughout the year to have you prepared well ahead of tax season.

The sandwich generation is a term commonly used to describe those between the ages of 40 and 59 who are responsible for raising their family and are also often helping their aging parents manage their ongoing needs.