What is one thing people could do for their money that takes a relatively small effort but has big results? Here’s what our planners said: Joann Nieciecki: ‘Embracing my inner planner here, but planning ahead for big-ticket items like vacations or new cars. Mapping out the upcoming few years truly brings clarity to how a new…
Believe it or not, a lot of times when we’re talking to prospects, they are less interested in holistic financial planning and more interested in understanding what the hot new investment is. We remind them we don’t have a crystal ball, and that we want to make people financially successful enough they don’t NEED an…
We don’t prepare taxes for our clients, but we tend to be the people who help them avoid tax “surprises.” No one wants unpleasant news, so it’s helpful to deconstruct a client’s taxes so we can understand strategic decisions. But there might not be as many ways to save on taxes as people hope… I…
When it comes to contributing to retirement, you might have various options available to you. One of those options could be a Roth IRA. These accounts have unique benefits that separate them from a more “traditional” retirement plan. One of the biggest differences is that Roth IRAs are funded with after-tax dollars. What does that…
Did you know that the question “How can I start investing?” is one of the most commonly Googled search terms? It’s one of those questions that can be soooo simple – but also feel overwhelming and complicated. I often tell our clients, it helps to have a “filter” for this sort of thing (like a…
This week’s blog post is from one of our clients who experienced first-hand what all adult children face: dealing with all the issues around aging parents. Knowing your elderly parents’ financial situation is essential. If your parent(s) could run out of assets, you may need three to four years’ lead time to secure their senior…
February always equals “relationships” in my head… even though Valentine’s Day is a manufactured holiday, I can’t help but take stock of what I like or don’t like about how things are going in my relationships. And when you add money issues into the mix, things can get spicy, because no two people EVER do…
In case you haven’t noticed, interest rates on savings accounts have risen dramatically over the past year. In fact, they are quite attractive! On top of that, certificates of deposit (CDs) are also posting favorable interest rates on your cash. If you aren’t familiar with CDs, these are a type of savings account that holds…
I’m a consistent exerciser at Orangetheory Fitness. This means I see a group of people who start with the best intentions at the New Year, but the motivation typically doesn’t last through Valentine’s Day. I get it. It’s HARD to make new habits. That’s why I wonder how helpful are financial resolutions? I asked my…
You might have guessed that since I am a planner professionally, that carries over into my personal life (which is a whole other thing than being organized…I can PLAN how I want things to go, but for some reason I am always running out of batteries and light bulbs…so I choose my battles). So YES,…
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