How to Avoid a Ponzi Scheme Lessons from the Madoff Fraud
In the wake of Bernie Madoff’s $50 billion Ponzi scheme, many investors have grown more concerned about the safety and security of their...
Read More >Disability Income Insurance Checklist
When asked the question “what is your biggest asset”, most people will say “my house” or “my retirement plan.” But the truth is that our...
Read More >Its Never Too Late (Well, Almost Never)
Saving for retirement, or whatever you choose to call your post-earning years, is something that everyone should plan for. You can’t start too...
Read More >Setting SMART Goals
How often in life have you been able to accomplish something without first defining what it is that you’re attempting to do? For example, have...
Read More >If You Had the Time to Plan for a Sudden Serious Illness or Death in the Family What Would You Do
A sudden death or serious illness in the family can knock spouses and other family members for a loop. If the primary breadwinner dies, what...
Read More >Health Care Shock Creates Debt - The Plan to Pay It Down
The Problem/GoalAmericans plan for many things. We plan our vacations, we plan our retirements, we plan our weekends. But very few Americans...
Read More >Financial Emergencies — Going to the Hospital
Whether you or a loved one are going for a scheduled hospital stay, don't stop with your doctor's orders — get your financial orders in place,...
Read More >Retirement Savings Plans for the Self-employed
Choosing to leave a corporate job and become self-employed does not mean you have to leave behind regular contributions to a retirement savings...
Read More >"Start-itis"
Maybe it’s not a word, or even a real disorder but I’m telling you it is TRUE…I have “start-itis.” You may know (or even have) the symptoms:...
Read More >What If I’m Wrong
If you’ve ever watched Steve Jobs 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech, you will likely remember the poignant description of his morning ritual in...
Read More >Stress Test Your Financial Health
Take this financial checkup, and in ten easy questions, you will know which essential aspects of your financial plan are healthy and what needs...
Read More >Is a Geriatric Care Manager Right for You or a Loved One
For anyone who has ever lost sleep worrying how their parents are doing half a country away, hiring a geriatric care manager (GCM) might be a...
Read More >New Federal Consumer Protection Rules – What You Should Know
On Jan. 1, new federal consumer protections went into effect on issues ranging from transparency on credit reports to safeguards against...
Read More >Creating Your First Budget
Budgeting is one of the first great lessons of personal finance, yet relatively few people are taught the basics of creating one. Or if they’re...
Read More >Get Your Questions Answered
Saturday we had Financial Planning Day in the Twin Cities. Nationally, there will be Financial Planning Days in 31 cities during the month of...
Read More >The Promise and Peril of New Year Money Resolutions
As is customary this time of year, we begin to reflect on the year that is ending as well as the approaching year. This process can create a...
Read More >What Is Your Savings Strategy?
It's never an easy question to answer. What should you save toward? Should you save only for retirement? Should you save for college first and...
Read More >Factors in Selecting a Power of Attorney Holder
When it comes to estate planning it is not only important to have the right documents, but it is crucial to have thought through the people who...
Read More >How to Minimize Anxiety as You Approach Retirement
By FPA member Joseph R. HearnLast Updated: August 10, 2011It’s understandable if you’re feeling a bit anxious. In the last few years we’ve had...
Read More >Company Sponsored Retirement Plans Mistakes to Avoid and Solutions for Success
A company sponsored retirement plan is one of the best benefits your employer can offer you; but in order to realize the greatest success with...
Read More >Avoiding Pitfalls in Estate Planning – Making it Work
Even with recent revisions to the Federal Estate Tax System, many people are still rightfully concerned over costs when their assets pass to...
Read More >The European Union Blues
When an individual or corporation owes more money than can be paid back, they can declare bankruptcy. But what happens when a country like...
Read More >Everything is Fine, Just Don't Ever Die
It’s that time of year again when you are besieged with a blizzard of paperwork. Documents such as a W-2, 1099DIV, 1099R, 1099B, 1099INT, K1...
Read More >Planning for Retirement in Today’s World
Twenty and thirty years ago, the picture of retirement most people had in mind was one where there was a finality to your job, you’d move to...
Read More >Traditional or Roth IRA? Choosing a Retirement Plan
Recognizing that saving for retirement is a must for anyone who wants to control their own financial destiny and avoid running out of money...
Read More >The Financial Challenges of Divorce and Widowhood
As if the profound emotional strain and upheaval from divorce or the death of a spouse weren’t enough, many newly independent women also find...
Read More >How to be Smarter About Buying Cars
Much of the personal finance industry is focused on investing, but it’s also important to know how to be a better saver and spender. For many...
Read More >Invest in Your Company Stock Like an Executive
Have you ever worked at a job that gave you access to more of something than you could ever want?You might be a pizza lover, but let me assure...
Read More >What is Really Driving Your Financial Decisions?
A brain scan was taken just before an individual placed a stock trade. Another brain scan was taken just before someone was given a hit of...
Read More >“You May Delay but Time Will Not”
Benjamin Franklin’s words still ring true today. Since the time he wrote “The Way to Wealth,” there has been no shortage of information and...
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