Blog
The 4 Biggest Myths About Life Insurance
There’s nothing exciting about life insurance…or is there?Life insurance is meant to take care of you and your loved ones. Life insurance is designed to protect your income in the unfortunate event of your passing, whether too early or...
Read MoreTake Control of Your Financial Future with These 6 Financial Steps.
According to Bankrate’s 2025 Retirement Savings Survey, about 3 in 5 American workers say their retirement savings are behind where they should be. A 2024 AARP survey found that 1 in 5 adults over 50 have no retirement savings at all....
Read MoreDon’t Let Retirement Outlast Your Money
Running out of money in retirement is become one of the defining fears of modern life. According to the 2025 Annual Retirement Study by Allianz Life, 64% of Americans say they’re more worried about running out of money than dying....
Read More6 Financial Literacy Skills for Small Business Owners
According to the SBA’s Office of Advocacy, there are 36.2 million small businesses in the United States as of 2025, employing nearly 46% of the private-sector workforce. But for all their economic power, small businesses face serious...
Read MoreTrump Accounts: A New Starting Point for Long-Term Financial Planning
For decades, financial professionals and policymakers have wrestled with the same fundamental challenge: how to help families start saving earlier, stay invested longer, and build durable financial security across generations. The...
Read MoreShow All
Paying Yourself as a Business Owner: What Most Get Wrong
For many small business owners, one of the simplest questions can be difficult to answer: “How much should I be paying myself?” Some owners take too little, reinvesting everything back into the business. Others take whatever is left at...
Read MoreHow Business Structure Impacts Taxes
When most business owners start their company, one of the first decisions they make is choosing a legal structure. They form an LLC, elect S corporation status, or begin operating as a sole proprietor, often based on simple advice or...
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately?
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...
Read MoreWhen Your Personal Wealth Is Trapped in the Business
For many business owners, success looks strong from the outside. Revenue is healthy. The team is growing. The business has real value. Yet when asked a simple question:“How financially secure are you, separate from the business? The...
Read MoreWhen the Business Can’t Run Without You
For many business owners, success looks like this: steady revenue, a growing team, and a full calendar. On paper, things are working. But beneath the surface, no one discusses the quiet reality: the business depends too much on you.If...
Read MoreHow Bonuses Are Taxed: What to Know Before You Spend It
Have you recently received a bonus from your employer? While bonuses can be a welcome boost to your income, they often come with questions—and surprises—at tax time. Understanding how bonuses are taxed and withheld can help you plan...
Read MoreEvaluating an Early Retirement Offer
In today's corporate environment, cost cutting, restructuring, and downsizing are the norm, and many employers are offering their employees early retirement packages. But how do you know if the seemingly attractive offer you've...
Read MoreNavigating the 2026 Economic Outlook
As we step into 2026, it's essential to understand the economic forces shaping the investment landscape. While the future remains uncertain, current projections offer valuable insights for investors seeking to align their strategies...
Read MoreFinancial Resolutions That Stick: Building Better Money Habits
Every new year brings the opportunity to set financial goals, but many resolutions fizzle out before February. Whether your priority is saving more, paying down debt, or investing for the future, creating a realistic plan and adopting...
Read MoreNew and Continuing Needs for Life Insurance in Divorce
What is it? You and your spouse have recently divorced or are planning to divorce. Either one of you may have life insurance policies in effect, and you probably have questions about your new and continuing needs for life insurance....
Read MoreFunding a Buy-Sell Agreement with Life Insurance
As a partner or co-owner (private shareholder) of a business, you've spent years building a valuable financial interest in your company. You may have considered setting up a buy-sell agreement to ensure your surviving family a smooth...
Read MoreYour Insurance and Protection Plans
The end of the year is a natural time to take stock of your financial picture. This includes the insurance coverage that protects your income, family, and assets. Life changes, inflation, and shifting financial goals can all affect how...
Read MoreYear-End Review: Investments and Portfolio Allocation
As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time to check in on your investment portfolio. Market fluctuations, changing interest rates, and personal milestones can all impact whether your investments still align with your goals and...
Read MoreWorking During Retirement
Planning on working during retirement? If so, you're not alone. An increasing number of employees nearing retirement plan to work at least some period of time during their retirement years. Why work during retirement? Obviously, if you...
Read MoreAppropriate Checklists for Year-End Tax Planning
What are appropriate checklists for year-end tax planning? Tax planners often develop checklists to guide taxpayers toward year-end strategies that might help reduce taxes. Typically, suggestions are grouped into several different...
Read MoreSpend Smarter This Holiday Season
The holidays can be joyful and expensive. With higher prices on everything from travel to groceries and endless options for gifts, it’s easy for spending to spiral. A thoughtful plan can help you keep the season merry without straining...
Read MoreNew Twists on Classic Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving brings together two of life’s best things: food and family. Whether you’ve been heading to grandma’s house for the past 20 years or you’re hosting your first Friendsgiving in a tiny apartment, the same beloved traditions...
Read MoreLife Insurance and Charitable Giving
Life insurance can be an excellent tool for charitable giving. Not only does life insurance allow you to make a substantial gift to charity at relatively little cost to you, but you may also benefit from tax rules that apply to gifts...
Read MoreFive Keys to Investing for Retirement
Making decisions about your retirement account can seem overwhelming, especially if you feel unsure about your knowledge of investments. However, the following basic rules can help you make smarter choices regardless of whether you...
Read MorePlanning for the Financial Impact of Children
Children are a special blessing and their arrival brings boundless love and joy into our lives that you can't put a price on. But adding a child to the household impacts the family budget in very measurable ways. Whether this is your...
Read MoreThe Spending Plan: Setting and Prioritizing Your Budget Goals
What are budget goals? Think of your budget goals as your financial wish list and your spending plan as a way to make those wishes a reality. Without clear budget goals, your financial life may remain in disarray. Like any other goals...
Read MoreIs Your Retirement Plan Adaptable to Life's Unexpected Twists?
The traditional image of retirement often involves a clear-cut path: work for X years, retire at age Y, and live comfortably on a pension and Social Security. While appealing, this retirement picture is rapidly changing. Today, the...
Read MoreHow Men and Women Approach Financial Planning Differently
When it comes to something as personal as our finances, it's natural that our individual perspectives, experiences, and even our gender can shape how we approach money and who we trust for advice. A study conducted by Barnum Financial...
Read MoreLife Insurance: The Underwriting Process
The underwriting process is how an insurance company evaluates the risk of insuring an applicant to determine their eligibility for coverage and set the appropriate premium. It's a comprehensive review that assesses a wide range of...
Read MoreWhy Most Americans Value Life Insurance (And How to Bridge the Gap)
In the world of financial planning, few tools are as universally valued as life insurance. While some people may put off having the conversation, our Study of Working Americans reveals a powerful truth: those who have it, value it...
Read MoreMaximizing the Estate Planning Value of Life Insurance
What is maximizing the estate planning value of life insurance?Simply put, maximizing the estate planning value of life insurance means getting the most bang for your buck. That is, it involves keeping as much of the proceeds as...
Read MoreEstimating Your Retirement Income Needs
You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as easy as it sounds, because retirement...
Read MoreScore Smart Savings During Connecticut's Sales Tax-Free Week (August 17-23, 2025)
As the Connecticut summer winds down, an opportunity emerges for savvy shoppers and families gearing up for fall: the annual Sales Tax-Free Week. From Saturday, August 17th, through Friday, August 23rd, 2025, residents of Connecticut...
Read MoreRetirement Planning for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs face distinct challenges when securing their retirement. Their fluctuating business income, coupled with the inherent uncertainties of a dynamic business plan, creates a unique landscape compared to traditional employment...
Read MoreRepaying Your Student Loans
You vaguely remember signing a form every year at college registration time. Now that you've graduated, it's all become painfully clear — those forms were promissory notes detailing your student loan obligations. Your loans aren't...
Read MorePreparing the Next Generation for Lasting Wealth
As the summer winds down, many families find themselves in a natural moment of reflection – shifting focus from leisurely pursuits to the long-term stewardship of their legacy. August, often a quieter period, presents a strategic...
Read MoreYour Mid-Year Check In
Life's an unpredictable journey, isn't it? One moment you're cruising, and the next you're navigating a sharp turn. It could be a new job, a growing family, or an unexpected expense. These shifts, big and small, directly impact your...
Read MoreReaching Retirement: Now What?
You've worked hard your whole life anticipating the day you could finally retire. Congratulations — that day has arrived! But with it comes the realization that you'll need to carefully manage your assets to give them lasting potential...
Read MoreERISA: Safeguarding American Workers' Benefits
A Look at Its History, Importance, and Evolving Landscape The American workplace has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past century, and with it, the nature of employee benefits. In the midst of this evolution, one piece of...
Read MoreAn Update on Medicare in 2025 and What It Means for You
Medicare, the federal health insurance program for Americans aged 65 or older and certain younger individuals with disabilities, is constantly evolving. The updates primarily driven by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), aim to...
Read MoreCreating a Lasting Legacy Through Philanthropic Planning
We all have causes that stir our hearts, issues that ignite a desire for change. Often, our generosity manifests as a check, a contribution made with good intentions. But what if our giving could transcend a single transaction, and...
Read MoreCommon Factors Affecting Retirement Income
When it comes to planning for your retirement income, it's easy to overlook some of the common factors that can affect how much you'll have available to spend. If you don't consider how your retirement income can be impacted by...
Read MoreThe Art of the Deal (and the Return)
Investing in Collectibles as an Alternative Asset Imagine stumbling upon a dusty painting in your attic, only to discover it's a lost masterpiece worth a fortune. Or perhaps the carefully preserved vintage baseball card you inherited...
Read MoreLiving with Your Parents: Should You Stay or Should You Go?
You're an adult, and that distinction comes with some privileges, benefits, responsibilities, and choices to make, including the potential decision of whether to live with your parents or move out. Not surprisingly, there are pluses...
Read MoreTen Ways to Lower the Cost of Disability Income Insurance
If you don't have disability income insurance because you can't afford the premiums, you should know that there are several strategies you can use to make disability coverage more affordable. These strategies include eliminating...
Read MoreRisk Management and Your Retirement Savings Plan
By investing for retirement through your employer-sponsored plan, you are helping to manage a critically important financial risk: the chance that you will outlive your money. But choosing to participate is just one step in your...
Read MoreDisability Insurance in Your Financial Plan
Save your money. Stick to a budget. Invest in a 401K. Plan for your children’s education. Prepare for retirement. As we all work in our various career fields, these are the phrases we hear consistently. Building a financial plan is...
Read MoreABCs of Financial Aid
It's hard to talk about college without mentioning financial aid. Yet this pairing isn't a marriage of love, but one of necessity. In many cases, financial aid may be the deciding factor in whether your child attends the college of his...
Read MoreWhy Financial Literacy Matters for Your Future (and How to Improve It)
We live in a world where financial decisions are woven into the fabric of our daily lives. From managing student loans to planning for retirement, the ability to navigate the complexities of personal finance is more crucial than ever....
Read MoreLife Insurance Policy Evaluation and Comparison Methods
What is it? Evaluating and comparing life insurance policies is complicated. After determining how much life insurance you need, you must decide what type of life insurance to buy. Should you buy term insurance? A whole life policy? A...
Read MoreFederal Student Loans: Resolving Delinquency
If a former student is past due on a Federal student loan, there is an obvious way to bring the loan account current. The borrower simply pays the past due amount and continues on with his or her payment plan. However, most delinquent...
Read MoreAddressing the Emotional Barriers to Life Insurance Planning
Life insurance. It's a topic that often elicits a mix of emotions: concern, perhaps a touch of anxiety, and for some, a sense of overwhelming dread. We know, as financial professionals, that it's a crucial component of a sound...
Read MoreRetirement Plan Considerations at Different Stages of Life
Throughout your career, retirement planning will likely be one of the most important components of your overall financial plan. Whether you have just graduated and taken your first job, or are starting a family, enjoying your peak...
Read MoreHow Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren with College Costs
As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents and start gifting what's...
Read MoreAm I Having Enough Withheld?
If you fail to estimate your federal income tax withholding properly, it may cost you in a variety of ways. If you receive an income tax refund, it essentially means that you provided the IRS with an interest-free loan during the year....
Read MoreAdvanced Estate Planning Concepts for Women
You will need to think about the disposition of your assets at your death and any tax implications. Statistically speaking, women live longer than men. So if you are married, you'll also probably have the last word about the final...
Read MoreStudents Are Applying for Aid with New FAFSA
Submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step for all students seeking Federal, state, college, and private financial aid. To improve the financial aid process, the FAFSA Simplification Act (the...
Read MoreShould You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest?
Owning a home outright is a dream that many Americans share. Having a mortgage can be a huge burden and paying it off may be the first item on your financial to-do list. But competing with the desire to own your home free and clear is...
Read MoreRetirement Income Investing: Beyond Annuities
One of the challenges of investing during retirement is providing for annual income while balancing that need with other considerations, such as liquidity, how long you need your funds to last, your risk tolerance, and anticipated...
Read MoreDeciding When to Retire: When Timing Becomes Critical
Deciding when to retire may not be one decision but a series of decisions and calculations. For example, you'll need to estimate not only your anticipated expenses but also what sources of retirement income you'll have and how long...
Read MoreDealing with Catastrophic Property Loss
Disasters can strike anybody at anytime, resulting in catastrophic property damage and loss. Fires in dwellings and natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, severe storms, mudslides, and wildfires cause significant...
Read MoreUnderstanding Defined Benefit Plans
You may be counting on funds from a defined benefit plan to help you achieve a comfortable retirement. Often referred to as traditional pension plans, defined benefit plans promise to pay you a specified amount at retirement. To help...
Read MoreThe Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenthood
Parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Children give gifts only a parent can understand — from sticky-finger hugs to heartfelt pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. You raise them with a...
Read MoreStaying on Track with Your Retirement Investments
Investing for your retirement isn't about getting rich quick. More often, it's about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. You wouldn't expect to be able to play the piano without learning the basics and...
Read MoreRetirement Planning Considerations for a Stay-at-Home Spouse
Married couples often decide together that one spouse should be the primary breadwinner while the other stays home to take care of family members. Although this often works out well for childrearing or eldercare responsibilities in the...
Read MoreSudden Wealth
What would you do with an extra $10,000? Maybe you'd pay off some debt, get rid of some college loans, or take a much-needed vacation. What if you suddenly had an extra million or 10 million or more? Now that you've come into a...
Read MorePlanning for Incapacity
What would happen if you were mentally or physically unable to take care of yourself or your day-to-day affairs? You might not be able to make sound decisions about your health or finances. You could lose the ability to pay bills,...
Read MoreFour Things Women Need to Know about Social Security
Ever since a legal secretary named Ida May Fuller received the first retirement benefit check in 1940, women have been counting on Social Security to provide much-needed retirement income. Social Security provides other important...
Read MoreDecisions, Decisions: Choosing Among Retirement Plan Contribution Types
If your employer-sponsored 401(k) or 403(b) plan offers pre-tax, Roth, and/or non-Roth after-tax contributions, which should you choose? How do you know which one might be appropriate for your needs? Start by understanding the features...
Read MoreStarting or Buying a Business
Planning for your own business Before you start your own business or buy an existing business, you should do some initial planning. You may have already decided what type of business you want — your own restaurant, retail outlet,...
Read MoreRetirement Planning Tips for Women
Women often face special challenges when planning for retirement. For example, if they are the primary caregivers in their families, their careers may be interrupted to care for children or elderly parents, which means they may spend...
Read MoreHow Much Annual Income Can Your Retirement Portfolio Provide?
Your retirement lifestyle will depend not only on your assets and investment choices, but also on how quickly you draw down your retirement portfolio. The annual percentage that you take out of your portfolio, whether from returns or...
Read MoreGift and Estate Taxes
If you give away money or property during your life, those transfers may be subject to federal gift and estate tax and perhaps state gift tax. The money and property you own when you die (i.e., your estate) may also be subject to...
Read MoreThe Barnum Financial Group Study of Americans in the Workplace
Barnum Financial Group is dedicated to empowering Americans in the workplace to achieve their financial goals. We understand the complexities of navigating today's financial landscape, and we're committed to providing the guidance and...
Read MoreSticker Shock: Creative Ways to Lower the Cost of College
Even with all of your savvy college shopping and research about financial aid, college costs may still be prohibitive. At these prices, you expect you'll need to make substantial financial sacrifices to send your child to college. Or...
Read MoreHealth Insurance in Retirement
At any age, health care is a priority. When you retire, however, you will probably focus more on health care than ever before. Staying healthy is your goal, and this can mean more visits to the doctor for preventive tests and routine...
Read MoreCoordinating Long-Term Care Insurance with Government Benefits
If you're a senior, the future may present more of a concern than it once did--you may wonder what you'll do if your health deteriorates. If you must enter a nursing home, for example, how will you pay for it? Fortunately, you may have...
Read MoreTeaching Your College-Age Child about Money
When your child first started school, you doled out the change for milk and a snack on a daily basis. But now that your kindergartner has grown up, it's time for you to make sure that your child has enough financial knowledge to manage...
Read MoreReplacement and Conservation Considerations for Life Insurance Policies
What is it? Life insurance can be complicated. Yet many people have life insurance because they recognize the need to provide adequate resources for their dependents when they die. Many others treat their life insurance policies as...
Read MoreLife Insurance and Estate Planning
Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed...
Read MoreFive Keys to Investing for Retirement
Five Keys to Investing for Retirement Making decisions about your retirement account can seem overwhelming, especially if you feel unsure about your knowledge of investments. However, the following basic rules can help you make smarter...
Read MoreFinancial Survival After a Job Loss
You may have lost your job already, or it's something you're concerned about. Either way, the keys to surviving a job loss financially are to plan ahead, take stock of your income, and cut your expenses. Plan ahead If you haven't been...
Read MoreA Business Plan Can Be Your Guide to Growth
Whether you're a current business owner or a budding entrepreneur burning with the next great idea, one of the most important steps you can take on your road to success is creating a business plan. Why? A well-thought-out and...
Read MoreProtecting Your Loved Ones with Life Insurance
How much life insurance do you need? Your life insurance needs will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your family, the nature of your financial obligations, your career stage, and your goals. For example, when you're...
Read More10 Years and Counting: Points to Consider as You Approach Retirement
If you're a decade or so away from retirement, you've probably spent at least some time thinking about this major life change. How will you manage the transition? Will you travel, take up a new sport or hobby, or spend more time with...
Read MoreUse Your Annuity to Pay for Long-Term Care Insurance
The cost of long-term care can quickly deplete your savings and affect the quality of life for you and your family. Long-term care insurance allows you to share that cost with an insurance company. But premiums for long-term care...
Read MoreMaintaining Your Financial Records: The Importance of Being Organized
An important part of managing your personal finances is keeping your financial records organized. Whether it's a utility bill to show proof of residency or a Social Security card for wage reporting purposes, there may be times when you...
Read MoreChanging Jobs? Know Your 401(k) Options
If you've lost your job, or are changing jobs, you may be wondering what to do with your 401(k)-plan account. It's important to understand your options. What will I be entitled to? If you leave your job (voluntarily or involuntarily),...
Read MoreBusiness Succession Planning
When developing a succession plan for your business, you must make many decisions. Should you sell your business or give it away? Should you structure your plan to go into effect during your lifetime or at your death? Should you...
Read MoreWhat To Know About Inheriting Retirement Savings Accounts
The SECURE Act of 2019 and the SECURE 2.0 Act, passed in December 2022, dramatically changed the rules governing the inheritance of IRA and retirement plan assets. Retirement savings account owners and their loved ones should...
Read MoreManaging Your Mental Health And Finances
Mental health and finances are often intertwined. Financial challenges can trigger anxiety and depression, which when left untreated, can morph into severe mood disorders. On the other hand, mood disorders can lead to overspending or...
Read MoreLump-Sum Investing Vs. Periodic Investing
Whether to invest a large amount all at once or over a short period of time (lump-sum investing), or to invest gradually over a longer period of time (periodic investing) is an investment strategy decision you’ll have to...
Read MoreA Post-Graduation Guide To Launch Into Financial Independence
Graduation is a time of anticipation, excitement, and eventually, financial anxiety. In most cases, you’ll have an education loan to repay, an impending job search, and the potentially overwhelming aspect of being an independent adult...
Read MoreConverting Savings To Retirement Income
During your working years, you’ve probably set aside funds in retirement accounts such as IRAs, 401(k)s, or other workplace savings plans, as well as in taxable accounts. Your challenge during retirement is to convert those savings...
Read MoreCrunch Time For The FAFSA Rollout
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the means by which students obtain their fair share of the billions of dollars in Federal, state, and college financial aid to help defray the cost of college. The problems affecting..
Read More529 Plans: The Ins And Outs Of Contributions And Withdrawals
529 plans can be powerful college savings tools, but you need to understand how your plan works before you can take full advantage of it. Among other things, this means becoming familiar with the finer points of contributions and...
Read MoreChoosing The Right Disability Insurance Plan: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever wondered how you would manage if you suddenly fell ill or were in a debilitating accident? What would you do if you’re unable to earn a living or financially take care of yourself and your loved ones? According to data...
Read MoreInvesting For Major Financial Goals
Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don’t take any money out until you’re ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn’t it? But that’s what...
Read MoreQualifying For The Home Office Deduction
Working from home can certainly provide you with personal benefits, such as a flexible schedule and more family time. But increasing numbers of people are discovering the tax advantages as well. It’s no secret that you generally can’t...
Read MoreTeach Your Children Well
Even before your children can count, they already know something about money: it’s what you have to give the ice cream man to get a cone or put in the slot to ride the rocket ship at the grocery store. So, as soon as your children...
Read MoreRetirement: It’s More Than Just Saving Money
Have you ever wondered about retirement beyond the savings account? Your retirement should be more than just numbers on a statement. Go beyond financial planning and think about a holistic lifestyle. Here is a guide to help you prepare...
Read MoreEmpowering Seniors: Financial Literacy For A Secure Future
One skill that doesn’t lose value even as you age is financial literacy. Seniors struggle with maintaining a fixed income essential for comfort and increasing medical needs. They’re also increasingly vulnerable to fraud, making them...
Read MoreClosing Gaps In Your Insurance Coverage
Buying insurance is about sharing or shifting risk, but you may think you’re covered for specific losses when, in fact, you’re not. Here are some common coverage gaps to consider when reviewing your own insurance coverage....
Read MoreParents Hire Their Children To Help Pay For College
Business owners hire their children for sound reasons such as instilling a strong work ethic, teaching responsibility, encouraging entrepreneurship, reducing taxes, and saving for a college education. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of...
Read MoreWills: The Cornerstone Of Your Estate Plan
If you care about what happens to your money, home, and other property after you die, you need to do some estate planning. There are many tools you can use to achieve your estate planning goals, but a will is probably the most vital....
Read MoreGuard Against Student Aid Scams
One reason for the establishment of the U.S. Education Department (ED) in 1979 was to assist students in paying for a post-secondary education. Like corporations that market to consumers, the ED conducts much of its business...
Read More5 Tips For Targeting Your Retirement Savings Goal
What if you’re saving as much as you can, but still feel that your retirement savings goal is out of reach? As with many of life’s toughest challenges, it may help to focus less on the big picture and more on the details.
Read More3 Key Differences Between Traditional And Roth IRAs You Need To Know
There are such things as good and bad retirement accounts, but which is which often depends on your situation. Take traditional and Roth IRAs, for example. They’re similar in a lot of ways, but one of them is probably going to...
Read MoreAvoiding A Retirement Income Gap
There are a lot of articles aimed at people who realize as they grow closer to retirement, they will not be able to generate enough income in retirement to meet their needs. They include tips like: Delay retirement: 65 is just a number...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Personal Finance Checklist Before You Turn 30
The 20s are a wild decade. One moment you’re graduating college, without a worry (just a bit of student debt) in the world, the next, you are hitting the big 3-0. There are two types of people in the world — those who get...
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Risk Tolerance
One of the questions we often get, particularly from newer investors or people who are moving into another stage of their investment lives, is “how can I gauge my risk tolerance?” Risk tolerance is an investment term...
Read More7 Mantras To Grow Your Wealth
The Covid-19 pandemic exposed how financially vulnerable many people are and forced us to rethink everything we once knew about money management. The impact of the coronavirus revealed the harsh truth of how unpredictable the future...
Read MoreUmbrella Liability Insurance
When your local weather forecaster tells you that it's going to rain, what do you do? That's easy--you reach for your umbrella. So why not purchase an umbrella that can protect you in stormy financial weather? Umbrella liability...
Read MoreAnnuities and Retirement Planning
You may have heard that IRAs and employer-sponsored plans [e.g., 401(k)s] are the best ways to invest for retirement. That's true for many people, but what if you've maxed out your contributions to those accounts and want to save more?...
Read MoreLife Insurance at Various Life Stages
Your need for life insurance changes as your life changes. When you're young, you typically have less need for life insurance, but that changes as you take on more responsibility and your family grows. Then, as your responsibilities...
Read MoreTaking Advantage of Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
Employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans such as 401(k)s are some of the most powerful retirement savings tools available. If your employer offers such a plan and you're not participating in it, you should be. Once you're...
Read MoreTeaching Your Teen about Money
Your teen is becoming more independent, but still needs plenty of advice from you. With more money to spend and more opportunities to spend it, your teen can easily get into financial trouble. So before money burns a hole in your...
Read More6 Potential 401(k) Rollover Pitfalls
You're about to receive a distribution from your 401(k) plan, and you're considering a rollover to a traditional IRA. While these transactions are normally straightforward and trouble-free, there are some pitfalls you'll want to avoid...
Read MoreCharitable Giving
When developing your estate plan, you can do well by doing good. Leaving money to charity rewards you in many ways. It gives you a sense of personal satisfaction, and it can save you money in estate taxes.
Read MoreFinancial Planning: Helping You See the Big Picture
Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached.
Read MoreSpending Navigating the Holiday Spree: A Guide to Avoid Overspending
The holiday season should be a time of joy and celebration, but for many it includes added financial stress. The pressure to find the perfect gift, coupled with enticing holiday deals and effective marketing campaigns, could lead to...
Read MorePlan for the Future, Protect Your Assets: Your Essential Guide to Retirement Healthcare Planning
Retirement healthcare planning is the process of strategizing and securing healthcare coverage and funds for medical expenses during retirement. It’s crucial because healthcare costs tend to rise with age, and without proper...
Read MoreShould You Buy Long-Term Care Insurance?
The longer you live, the greater the chances you'll need some form of long-term care. If you're concerned about protecting your assets and maintaining your financial independence in your later years, long-term care insurance (LTCI) may...
Read MoreThe Importance of Financial Education in the Workplace
Financial literacy may seem like a no-brainer, but statistics say otherwise. According to Annuity.org, more than 30% of Americans said they are just getting by in terms of their finances. This means that debt management, investment,...
Read MoreBeware of Grinches: How to Stay Safe from Holiday Scams
It’s the holiday season and there’s nothing more festive than fraudsters and scam artists coming out of their holes to steal money from you. But we’ve got you covered. The more you know about these potential holiday...
Read MoreCaring for Your Aging Parents
Some people live their entire lives with little or no assistance from family and friends, but today Americans are living longer than ever before. It's always better to be prepared.
Read MoreGreat Ways to Save This Holiday Season
Navigating the holiday season while keeping your finances intact is quite the challenge. Exploring these effective tips may go a long way to helping save you money during this festive period. From thoughtful gift-giving to strategic...
Read MoreChoosing a Beneficiary for Your IRA or 401(k)
Selecting beneficiaries for retirement benefits is different from choosing beneficiaries for other assets such as life insurance. With retirement benefits, you need to know the impact of income tax and estate tax laws in order to...
Read MoreMerging Your Money When You Marry
Getting married is exciting, but it brings many challenges. One such challenge that you and your spouse will have to face is how to merge your finances. Planning carefully and communicating clearly are important, because the financial...
Read MoreOpen Enrollment 2023: How to Optimize Your Health, Life, and Financial Coverage
Open enrollment is the annual designated period where employees review, adjust, or select coverage plans to accommodate their evolving needs. This year's timeframe begins from November 1, 2023, to January 15, 2024. ...
Read MorePart C and Part D Plans: Understanding Your Medicare Options
Medicare is a healthcare program offering coverage to eligible individuals aged 65 and older and those with certain disabilities. It operates as a federal health insurance program, primarily funded through payroll taxes, providing...
Read MoreThe Financial Future of Longevity: A Guide to Planning for a Longer, Healthier Life
Since the beginning of our existence, humans have associated long life as a gift, a stroke of luck, or the result of good genetics. With advancements in technology that help enable medical breakthroughs and the increasing knowledge on...
Read MoreAll About Credit Scores
It's difficult to imagine functioning in today's world without credit. Whether buying a car or purchasing a home, credit has become an integral part of our everyday lives. Having easy access to credit goes hand in hand with having a...
Read MoreHow Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and the Barbie Movie Are Helping the Global Economy
The entertainment industry has always been a major influence on the U.S. and global economies. One of the biggest sporting events of the year, The Super Bowl, generates billions of dollars in economic activity. Super Bowl LVI, in 2022,...
Read MoreInvesting in Real Estate is Not as Easy as It Appears to Be
Real estate has been all the rage over the years as a safe and reliable investment, but does it live up to the hype? Discover the ups and downs of investing in real estate, shedding light on the potential drawbacks despite its apparent...
Read MoreThe Importance and Potential Benefits of Fixed Rates
Fixed rates provide stability. Understanding the concept of fixed rates is crucial for financial security. With payments that remain constant over an agreed period, loan borrowers are protected from interest rate fluctuations....
Read MoreTrust Basics
Trust Basics Whether you're seeking to manage your own assets, control how your assets are distributed after your death, or plan for incapacity, trusts can help you accomplish your estate planning goals. Their power is in their...
Read MoreHarnessing the Power of AI: Benefits and Concerns
By now, you’ve already heard of ChatGPT and Google Bard by reading various online articles, seeing reports on the news and in general conversations with colleagues. Both inventions are essentially Artificial Intelligence (AI)...
Read MoreFederal Student Loans Resuming: Strategies for Long-Term Financial Planning
Many people view student loans as a necessary evil. Very few of us have the financial ability to save enough money to cover the entire cost of college for our children. The majority need to borrow money and take out loans. But where do...
Read MoreEstimating Your Retirement Income Needs
You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as easy as it sounds, because retirement...
Read More5 Lessons You Can Learn from Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is often considered a man of great wisdom and unparalleled success in the world of investing. Buffett's journey is a testament to the power of knowledge, patience, and staying true to one's principles.
Read MoreThe Debt Ceiling Crisis: A Reminder About the Importance of Financial Planning
By now the dust has settled on the recent debt ceiling crisis that plagued the government and distressed a few economic experts. The crisis, while scary and potentially fatal to the economy, is a healthy reminder about the importance...
Read More8 Tips to Budget for Higher Energy Bills and Outdoor Activities
The summer season is in full force, and so is that temptation to go on a spending spree. Along with the pleasures of beach trips, barbecues, eating out at restaurants, and outdoor adventures comes a not-so-welcome guest —...
Read More5 Habits Wealthy People Follow
There’s never one way to become wealthy, but there are consistent habits among self-made wealthy people that may put you in a position to achieve financial gains. No matter your level of expertise, following these habits may...
Read More3 Tips to Mitigate Inflation Impact on Retirement Savings
Inflation is the reduction of the purchasing power of a currency over time. The dollar is certainly not as impactful as it was 10 years ago because of inflation. With the recent struggles of the American economy, all we hear about is...
Read MoreWhat’s Your Side Hustle?
Millennials and Gen Z have taken the gig economy to a new level. Most individuals between the ages of 25-40 have one or more side hustles. But baby boomers and Gen Xers are not far behind. According to Zippia, the average age of...
Read MoreThe World of Wedding Insurance
No one wants to think about anything going wrong on one of the biggest days of their lives. But, like all discussions about insurance begin: What if? Considering the average cost of a wedding in 2022 was $30,000, it may be...
Read MoreThe Impact of Hybrid Work on Workers' Compensation
A recent survey by Zippia revealed that almost three-quarters of US companies are using or planning to use a hybrid model. Hybrid work refers to a combination of remote and in-person work and for the foreseeable future, it’s here...
Read More5 Ways to Build Your Brand for ALL Generations
Building a successful brand in a world that has become excessively competitive can seem insurmountable. Gen Z and younger millennials have found it easy to adjust to the changing dynamics of branding. But for the older generations,...
Read MoreTake Advantage of ‘529’ Day
529 Plans account for more than 30% of all education savings plans and are the most popular of their kind. 529 Plans can be used to finance higher education expenses such as tuition, fees, and room & board for post-secondary education.
Read MoreMental Health and Disability Insurance
As of 2021, over 55 million Americans were living with a mental health condition, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). While mental health and disability are closely linked, disability insurance doesn't...
Read MoreEstablishing a Budget
Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem like you're never able to get ahead? If so, establishing a budget may help you keep track of how you spend your money and help you reach your financial goals...
Read MoreDisability Insurance Topics for 2023
The disability insurance landscape has experienced drastic changes in the last few years. The changes have led to new opportunities, as well as challenges for insurers. As the industry evolves, some issues will dominate the...
Read MoreBack to Basics: Disability Insurance
Nobody likes to imagine the worst, but what would happen if you become disabled and can no longer work? For most people, this could mean they no longer have a source of income.
Read More10 Terms Every Investor Should Know
If you're new to investing, you may encounter some unfamiliar jargon. Understanding the following terms may help you become a more confident investor.
Read MoreSurviving a Banking Crisis
The recent news of the banking crisis affecting SVB, Signature Bank, Silvergate Capital Corp., and Credit Suisse has dominated the headlines. Banking crises have been going on since the dawn of modern banking and continue to remain a...
Read MorePlanning for a Smaller Tax Refund
The tax refund increased by over 15% in 2022 from the 2021 average. Many families rely on this refund each year for their financial situation. However, those same families may now find that the size of their refund is not as large as...
Read MorePeer-to-Peer (P2P) Payments and Taxes
According to Statista, direct payments through apps account for more than 45% of the total peer-to-peer (P2P) payments market. Despite the growth, most people don't understand the tax implications of these payments.
Read MoreFinancial Literacy for Small Businesses
According to the SBA (Small Business Administration), there are over 33 million small businesses in the United States. Out of this, almost 1 million start-ups close annually. The primary reason for their failure is poor financial ...
Read MoreFinancial Literacy Month Theme: It’s Never Too Late…
We celebrate Financial Literacy Month with our theme for 2023: It's Never Too Late. Check out how not giving up can lead to some wonderful things.
Read MoreBack to Basics: Know Your Paycheck
There are many decisions and choices that need to be made when starting a new job. One of the most important is to know your paycheck. This includes understanding the taxes taken out, contributions that can be made and other factors...
Read MoreThe Importance of Building a Financial Emergency Plan
As Dave Ramsey puts it, "There's always something coming in a few months that will cost money. So be prepared." Creating a financial emergency plan is essential for any individual or family.
Read MoreInvesting 101: The Differences Between Stocks and Bonds
Stocks and bonds are two important components of financial portfolios. They both represent different types of investments, and understanding their differences is essential to making informed investment decisions.
Read MoreInvesting 101: How to Access Company Earnings Report
Understanding a company's financial performance is essential for informed investment decisions. To do so, investors need to access and analyze the company earnings report. But what is an earnings report, and what kind of information can ...
Read MoreInternational Women’s Day 2023
Every March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. Celebrations and themes differ between organizations, but the message is always the same. All people, from all walks of life, will take the time to honor the women in their...
Read MoreEverything You Should Know About Bear Markets
Just like the dawning of a new day is unavoidable, so is the onset of a bear market. Most investors dread the idea of a bear market, as it often signifies a downward trend in the stock market which can spell disaster for their investments.
Read MoreBack to Basics: Estate Planning
Estate planning is an integral component of any good financial plan. Without this planning, you can leave your loved ones without the resources they need to take care of themselves or their family in case something unexpected happens to...
Read More