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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!

Health in Retirement: How to Plan for Doctor Bills, Medicare, and the Fun Stuff

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

What the Economy Means for Everyday Families in 2026

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

Retirement Travel: How to Make the Miles and the Money Work

Retirement travel is one of those goals that sounds wonderful right up until the spreadsheet starts whispering. The good news is you do not need a jet-set lifestyle or a trust fund the size of Des Moines to enjoy it; you just need a plan that fits your real life, your real income, and your real-world priorities.

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.

What Retirement Means for Men and Women

In general, retirement rates have increased during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, the retired population grew by about 1 million retirees per year. But during 2020 and 2021, 3.5 million more people retired

COVID, Life and Insurance

By mid-January 2022, the United States had recorded more than 865,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19. Once the vaccine was available in early 2021, life insurance companies expected COVID-related deaths to decline.

Replenish Emergency Funds

Americans have largely been on one of two tracks since the beginning of the pandemic: Those who suffered income and net worth losses and those who gained wealth. A good example of this was the result of relief checks mailed out by the federal government.

Tax Notes

This year, the official start date for filing 2021 income tax returns was Jan. 24, and the season ends on April 18 for most filers. According to the IRS, the typical period for refunds is three weeks or less. Be aware that you can speed up the process by filing electronically and submitting your direct deposit information.

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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.

Health in Retirement: How to Plan for Doctor Bills, Medicare, and the Fun Stuff

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

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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.

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.

Consumers: Buying Power in 2022

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%.

What’s Up With Real Estate?

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.

What Retirement Means for Men and Women

What Retirement Means for Men and Women

In general, retirement rates have increased during the pandemic. Before COVID-19, the retired population grew by about 1 million retirees per year. But during 2020 and 2021, 3.5 million more people retired

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Next Entries »

Health in Retirement: How to Plan for Doctor Bills, Medicare, and the Fun Stuff

If the economy feels a little hard to read right now, you are not imagining things. Prices have not gone back to the way they were, households are still adjusting, and a lot of families are trying to make good decisions without a crystal ball.

That is the part nobody puts on a bumper sticker: the economy is not just a big headline on the news. It shows up in grocery receipts, utility bills, retirement planning, mortgage payments, and whether the “small splurge” this month is still small by the time you swipe the card.

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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.

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.

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.

Consumers: Buying Power in 2022

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%.

What’s Up With Real Estate?

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.

« Older Entries

Next Entries »