Investment
staying on course

The Retirement Journey Stay on Course

Volatile global financial markets, political issues, budgetary concerns, unemployment, debt crises, etc. These headlines can heighten your...

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Investment
against the crowd

The Fear and Pain of Going Against the Crowd

It is no secret that many of the world’s best investors are contrarians who are known for their ability to think independently and avoid the...

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Savings
Sound Financial Plan

Save with a Sound Financial Plan

Last Updated: February 17, 2012 Any recent efforts you've made to scrimp, save and pay off debt should become a permanent part of your...

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Getting Married
Keeping Score

Keeping Score - Competitive Financial Relationships

Keeping score makes a lot of sense in many circumstances. You need to know who's winning if you play a card gam,e and in sports the score is...

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Preparing for Disaster
flood insurance

What You Need to Know About Flood Insurance

I live in an area that was hit hard by Hurricane Irene. Although I lost power for a few days, that was nothing compared to the devastation...

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Estate Planning
Wealth Transference Failure

Wealth Transference Failure and How to Avoid It

If you believe that everything has been done to preserve your estate as it passes to your heirs, you may want to think again. Almost 70% of...

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Getting Married
Financial Planning for Newlyweds

Just Married - Financial Planning for Newlyweds

Last Updated: April 19, 2010 The vows have been exchanged. The honeymoon is over. Now comes the hard part. Now it's time, if you haven't...

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Savings
buying new car

Is It Better to Lease or Buy a Car

You have done all the hard work and fun research. You have picked out the color, make and model of your dream (or at least next) car. You have...

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Investment
Beneficiary Election

The Power of Your Beneficiary Election

You can’t take your money with you, but you sure can determine who will get it and, in some cases, how they will receive it.One item you may...

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Caring for a Loved One
geriatric care

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...

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Savings
Couples

10 Ways to Cut Energy Costs

Winter is fast approaching. And that means it's time to examine the many ways you can conserve energy and cut costs. Below is a checklist of...

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Retirement
retirement planning

Retirement Base Income Vehicles

By: FPA Member Jason K. Branning, CFP® Last Updated: April 23, 2012...

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Investment
stock and rental property

How Owning Rental Properties and Stocks Can Be Similar

In today’s turbulent market, why not rent out your portfolio — yes, rent out your portfolio! Okay, maybe that’s not entirely possible.However,...

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Savings
money strategy

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...

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Saving on Taxes
Filing Status

I am Married - What is My Filing Status

It is tax time and a frequent question I get is – Can I file married but separately for tax purposes?The easy answer is yes, but as always...

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Starting a New Job
college graduate

A Guide to Employee Benefits for the Recent College Graduate

If you are a young person who has recently graduated from college and are entering the professional workforce, you have your whole life ahead...

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saving on taxes
Tax Tips Business

Year-Round Tax Tips for Business Owners

Business owners are constantly seeking ways to strengthen their financial bottom line, to gain that little extra competitive edge. The tax code...

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Savings
summer vacation

For a Summer Vacation to Savor Start Saving Now

The calendar says it’s only March, yet there you are, sitting in your office, daydreaming about summer vacation possibilities. Will it be the...

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Divorce
Divorce mistakes

What Common QDRO Mistakes Should You Avoid in Your Divorce

How can you and your soon-to-be-former spouse split your individual qualified retirement savings, frequently the largest asset you may each own...

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Retirement
retirement phases

The Phases of Retirement

For many, the phrase “retirement planning” has become limited to the planning done in the years leading up to retirement. When you consider...

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Getting Married
Plan a Wedding on a Budget

Weddings on a Budget A Plan to Pay for the Big Day

Now that the big question has been popped and the ring’s on her finger, it’s time to put the wedding planning machine in motion. Then the...

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Investment
Stock market chart

Initial Public Offerings Historical Returns

You may hear a lot about initial public offerings of stock in the news, as technology companies have recently grabbed headlines with large...

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Losing a Loved One
weeks and months

In the Coming Weeks and Months

Don't Let Emotions Rule Financial DecisionsAs you go through the grief process, it is imperative that you be conscious of your shifting...

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Investment
Questions Answered

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...

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Stolen Identity

A Cautionary Tale Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

The call came while I was cooking dinner the other night – my mother had received a phone call from a woman purporting to be calling on behalf...

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Retirement
retirement savings

Working on It - Your 30s Through Your 40s

It's critical to find a way to squeeze out dollars for retirement. Time is still on your side, but you've begun to lose some of your...

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Investment
Like a Billionaire

How to Give Like a Billionaire

Legendary investor Warren Buffet and billionaire entrepreneur Bill Gates created the “Giving Pledge” in 2010.  The Pledge was a way to...

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College
Funding surprise

The College Funding Surprise

Much has been written in this space and many others about the ins and outs and ups and downs of college planning. Information is available...

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retirement
Retirement Deficit

Financial Strategies for a Retirement Savings Deficit

As diverse as the American population is, the vast majority of us, regardless of age or background, are united in our concern about saving...

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Investment
Biggest Personal Finance Changes

The 5 Biggest Personal Finance Changes in the Last 20 Years

My son recently turned twenty and it inspired me to reflect on all of the changes in his life as well as in my professional life. My son’s...

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