The Retirement Journey Stay on Course
Volatile global financial markets, political issues, budgetary concerns, unemployment, debt crises, etc. These headlines can heighten your...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
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 >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...
Read More >Retirement Base Income Vehicles
By: FPA Member Jason K. Branning, CFP® Last Updated: April 23, 2012...
Read More >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,...
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 >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
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 >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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...
Read More >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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