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Our goal is to keep you, your family, and your friends up to date on everything from finance to health care. We strive to help you make the most informed financial decisions to help you achieve financial success, so you can enjoy everything life has to offer. That’s what our blog is for!

Financial Planning for Retirement: A Friendly Guide for People 50 and Older

National surveys keep finding the same thing: a lot of people are unsure if they’re on track for retirement. In recent Federal Reserve reports on household well‑being, only about one‑third of non‑retirees say their retirement savings are on track, even though most retirees say they’re doing at least “okay” financially. That gap between “I hope we’ll be okay” and “I know the numbers” is where a simple retirement plan can make a big difference.

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Health: The Most Underrated Investment You’ll Ever Make

If someone offered you an investment that improved your energy, lowered your stress, boosted your confidence, reduced future costs, and made your retirement years way more enjoyable… you’d at least hear them out, right? Good news: that investment exists. Bad news: it doesn’t come with a ticker symbol. It’s your health. Health is one of the most talked-about things in the world—and somehow still one of the most overlooked when it comes to long-term planning. We talk about eating better “someday.” Exercising more “after things slow down.” Managing stress “once life settles.” (Spoiler alert: life does not settle. It just changes outfits.)

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The Economy, Explained: What the Numbers Say, What the Headlines Miss, and Why It Matters to You

If the economy had a personality, it would be that one friend who texts “we need to talk” and then disappears. Suddenly everyone’s anxious, headlines get dramatic, and you’re wondering if buying eggs now qualifies as a long-term strategy. The truth is much calmer—and far more practical. The economy isn’t a mysterious force controlled by Wall Street or Washington alone.

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Balancing “Real Life” With Caregiving

During 2020, more than 65 million American women provided unpaid care for their children, family members, and elderly relatives. It’s easy to imagine that many of them likely juggled caring for a combination of these types of dependents. If you’ve ever provided ongoing caregiving duties for a parent, partner, child, sibling or someone else, you may recognize common feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, out of your depth and even somewhat resentful — and then feeling guilty.

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Retirement Makeover

Many babies born today in the developed world are expected to live nearly 100 years. Given the vast changes over the past two decades in medicine, technology and the ways we work, communicate and even entertain ourselves, it’s almost hard to imagine how different life will be in 100 years.

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Consumers: Buying Power in 2022

One of the biggest economic stories of the first quarter was the rising rate of inflation, as consumer prices reached a 39-year high by the end of 2021. In the first quarter, the inflation rate floated around 7%.

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What’s Up With Real Estate?

The U.S. housing market is still suffering from low inventory: too few houses available for the numbers of home-seeking buyers. Naturally, the capitalist principals of supply and demand kick in, meaning that prices inevitably rise when there are too few products available to purchase.

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Th Top 10 Things to Consider When Preparing For Your Retirement Guide
Top 10 Actions When Preparing For Retirement

Planning for retirement income may seem like a daunting task, but can help you get a handle on preparing for your financial future.

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Financial Planning for Retirement: A Friendly Guide for People 50 and Older

National surveys keep finding the same thing: a lot of people are unsure if they’re on track for retirement. In recent Federal Reserve reports on household well‑being, only about one‑third of non‑retirees say their retirement savings are on track, even though most retirees say they’re doing at least “okay” financially. That gap between “I hope we’ll be okay” and “I know the numbers” is where a simple retirement plan can make a big difference.

read more
Navigating Inflation: Understanding Its Impact and Strategies for Protection

Navigating Inflation: Understanding Its Impact and Strategies for Protection

In June 2022, the inflation rate soared to 9.1%, marking the highest recorded since 1981. This surge may raise alarms, conjuring memories of economic turmoil from decades past. However, it’s essential to keep perspective. While 9.1% is indeed significant, it pales in comparison to the inflation crisis of 1980 when average annual inflation skyrocketed to a staggering 13.5%. This historical context illuminates that while inflation remains a concern, the current rate is not unprecedented.

read more
How Legal Settlements and Fees Are Taxed

How Legal Settlements and Fees Are Taxed

Let’s say you are involved in a serious auto accident. You may sue the other driver to pay for damages not covered by the insurance companies. Perhaps you even receive a large settlement. Are you on the hook for taxes on that lawsuit payout? It depends. According to the IRS, monies received for personal injuries or illness are exempt from income taxes. If you receive a settlement for mental and emotional distress, that may also be tax exempt if it is directly related to a physical injury or illness.

read more
Balancing “Real Life” With Caregiving

Balancing “Real Life” With Caregiving

During 2020, more than 65 million American women provided unpaid care for their children, family members, and elderly relatives. It’s easy to imagine that many of them likely juggled caring for a combination of these types of dependents. If you’ve ever provided ongoing caregiving duties for a parent, partner, child, sibling or someone else, you may recognize common feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, out of your depth and even somewhat resentful — and then feeling guilty.

read more
Retirement Makeover

Retirement Makeover

Many babies born today in the developed world are expected to live nearly 100 years. Given the vast changes over the past two decades in medicine, technology and the ways we work, communicate and even entertain ourselves, it’s almost hard to imagine how different life will be in 100 years.

read more

Financial Planning for Retirement: A Friendly Guide for People 50 and Older

National surveys keep finding the same thing: a lot of people are unsure if they’re on track for retirement. In recent Federal Reserve reports on household well‑being, only about one‑third of non‑retirees say their retirement savings are on track, even though most retirees say they’re doing at least “okay” financially. That gap between “I hope we’ll be okay” and “I know the numbers” is where a simple retirement plan can make a big difference.

read more
Retirement Planning: Because Living Off Ramen in Your 70s Isn’t the Dream

Retirement Planning: Because Living Off Ramen in Your 70s Isn’t the Dream

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Ah, retirement. The golden years. A time for relaxation, adventure, and finally doing all those things you never had time for during your working years. But wait—what’s that in your bowl? Is it…Ramen noodles? While Ramen is a delightful throwback to college days and tight budgets, it’s not exactly the culinary experience you envisioned for your twilight years. Let’s dive into why solid retirement planning is essential unless you’re planning to become a Ramen connoisseur by necessity.

read more
Navigating Inflation: Understanding Its Impact and Strategies for Protection

Navigating Inflation: Understanding Its Impact and Strategies for Protection

In June 2022, the inflation rate soared to 9.1%, marking the highest recorded since 1981. This surge may raise alarms, conjuring memories of economic turmoil from decades past. However, it’s essential to keep perspective. While 9.1% is indeed significant, it pales in comparison to the inflation crisis of 1980 when average annual inflation skyrocketed to a staggering 13.5%. This historical context illuminates that while inflation remains a concern, the current rate is not unprecedented.

read more
How Legal Settlements and Fees Are Taxed

How Legal Settlements and Fees Are Taxed

Let’s say you are involved in a serious auto accident. You may sue the other driver to pay for damages not covered by the insurance companies. Perhaps you even receive a large settlement. Are you on the hook for taxes on that lawsuit payout? It depends. According to the IRS, monies received for personal injuries or illness are exempt from income taxes. If you receive a settlement for mental and emotional distress, that may also be tax exempt if it is directly related to a physical injury or illness.

read more
Balancing “Real Life” With Caregiving

Balancing “Real Life” With Caregiving

During 2020, more than 65 million American women provided unpaid care for their children, family members, and elderly relatives. It’s easy to imagine that many of them likely juggled caring for a combination of these types of dependents. If you’ve ever provided ongoing caregiving duties for a parent, partner, child, sibling or someone else, you may recognize common feelings of being overwhelmed, exhausted, out of your depth and even somewhat resentful — and then feeling guilty.

read more