The college years are full of life-changing experiences and foundational knowledge. But did you know the financial habits you put into place in young adulthood can be just as transformative as the lessons you learn in a lecture hall? It doesn’t take a degree to be smart about money; all it takes is starting early, staying consistent, and taking advantage of compounding interest. Watch to learn more....
Most of us spend years anticipating and working toward retirement, but what if it falls flat?...
Do you associate charitable giving with the holiday season?...
Most of us have dealt with debt at some time in our lives, whether it’s a mortgage, student loans, or a car payment. And while some debt often feels inevitable, it’s easy to get in over your head...
The holidays are here, steeped in tradition, sprinkled with chaos, and primed for making memories!...
Choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community is a great move for longevity planning and peace of mind, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy move. ...
Your Thanksgiving menu may be all planned out, but what about your gift list? The holiday season is just around the corner along with gift-giving, elaborate dinner parties, and tickets for festive experiences....
With holiday shopping on the horizon and a new year with new resolutions right behind it, there’s no better time to invest in your financial literacy....
Choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community is a great move for longevity planning and peace of mind, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy move. ...
You’ve spent years learning how to be smart about your money: you’ve saved, invested, and planned for retirement. ...
What’s on your and your teens’ college planning checklist? Hopefully, you’ve visited a few schools, looked at scholarship options, and have the list narrowed down between your top picks and a safety school. ...
You’re a savvy individual. You know better than to pass out your Social Security Number or wire funds to a stranger without good reason. Or do you?...
Finding yourself as part of the sandwich generation has always been a challenge; adults, traditionally women, may face the need to care for aging parents and young children simultaneously....
What does it mean to take care of your family? Sometimes, the best way is through hard and often emotional conversations....
Retirement: it’s that long-awaited deep breath, ushering you into relaxation and carefree days spent in your happy place....
As a business owner, who do you identify as having the most to gain from an internship?...
What do learning to ride a bike and financial literacy have in common? More than you’d think! While the world of finances may seem years away from childhood, one of the best ways to set your kids up for financial success is to teach them the ins and outs of money matters, and taxes are no exception. ...
In a blink of an eye, your child has gone from taking their first steps to entering the workforce. All those hours have led up to a significant milestone—their first paycheck!...
Hooray, you’ve scored the internship that will advance your career! After the excitement settles, you may experience a mix of anticipation and fear of the unknown. After all, you’re new to the workforce, so we understand the novice jitters....
'Tis the season to bring joy to all! Each year, we celebrate the season by each of our team members selecting a charity to support. Discover these great causes and consider joining us to bring awareness and assist their mission....
Starting a Dream Book is a great way to get your ideas down on paper and craft your dream retirement....
Starting a Dream Book is a great way to get your ideas down on paper and craft your dream retirement....
Glancing over your neighbor’s shoulder does not stop after grade school. With scrolling social media apps replacing our morning newspapers, it comes as no surprise that we are constantly comparing our lives to those we follow....
Keeping up with your mental health is crucial whether you’re in retirement or not. But how do you keep the noggin sharp? We’ve got a few tips!...
Sometimes life has different plans for us than we intended. That’s where a goal plan comes into play. Should you wait to buy a new car when your current car is having problems because you’ll spend less or should you buy a new car now? With our goal plan process, you can examine the cost difference between purchasing now or waiting, and determine if this will derail your financial goals. Follow along with us as we go through possible situations that could happen and how to use our goal plan process to find a solution that’s right for you....
Wouldn’t you like to retire to your happy place? It starts with some important conversations. ...
How do you know if you’re on track to reach your financial goals if you don’t have a clear view of them? It can be hard to zoom out enough to create your goal plan, but it’s vitally important because every decision you make now will either take you closer or farther from those goals in the future. Come along with us and create your goal plan today, or schedule an appointment with us and we can do it together: ...
You’ve been generous this year. You gave money to your favorite charities when they needed it most. Unfortunately, not all contributions are tax deductible. According to new tax laws, charitable contributions have to make up a large portion of your income to be deducted, but there are ways around this! Keep reading for our tips. ...
Retirement is the next exciting chapter in the story of your life. It’s an experience that can be thrilling, educational, cozy, social, creative, whatever you want. Yet, when it comes to planning for retirement, it’s sometimes hard for people who have worked their whole lives to see the wealth of possibilities that comes with this new freedom. ...
This time of year, it can be hard to keep track of all the tax documents you need and when you’re supposed to receive them. Below are the mailing dates for some of the 1099 forms you may be receiving from Raymond James....
It’s an idea you’ve had hammered into your head since you were a wee toddler; hard work pays off. Getting what you want out of life requires blood, sweat, tears and sacrifice. It’s universally acknowledged that working hard at your job is a “good thing.” It showcases your drive, assures your dedication and inspires others to achieve your level of output and productivity. ...
This holiday season, let’s consider measuring happiness by what we give, instead of what we receive....
If money was no object, what dream would you fulfill first?...
Contributing to your company's 401(k)? Great! But that's just the beginning. We've got three tips on how to take control of what that money is invested in....
Flat tire on your way to work? Chip a tooth while playing with the kids? Fido needs emergency surgery? They’re not pleasant, but these types of emergencies happen to everyone....
If you lost your job tomorrow, what could you cut from your budget and what could you not live without?...
Hunger doesn’t take holidays off. And neither do the people who work tirelessly to make a difference in our community....
Where do you start when it comes to investing? ...
Have you been procrastinating on building your retirement fund? ...
When thinking about your retirement, it’s okay to dream big. In fact, it’s encouraged! But remember, big dreams require big plans....
Costs for a long-term care event can range from $8,000-12,000 per month, and pose the #1 threat to a well-planned retirement. Make sure you're getting the most from your coverage with these three tips from Traci....
When you’re talking about investment risk, most people picture market fluctuation. People with low risk tolerance might be more prone to pursue income-focused investments (as opposed to growth-focused investments) in order to avoid as much market fluctuation risk as possible....
Playing games is fun, but not when it comes to your life savings. Timing the market is when you try to predict ups and downs to move in and out of investments. The problem is, it just doesn’t work....
Investing in the stock market can seem like a roller coaster ride. There are lots of highs and lows. And that can be emotional when your money is at stake....
When you’re looking at CCRCs (continuing care retirement communities) there are so many questions to ask. The financial piece of the puzzle might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. As you narrow down the list of communities, you’ll want to start asking questions...
Just because you’re retired, doesn’t mean you’re happy....
It’s hard not to react when you watch the value of your investments fluctuate. Especially when those ups and downs get more dramatic. In recent months, you may have experienced two emotions: Fear or Greed. Maybe you’ve felt both....
There’s nothing like an economic crisis to inspire you to reevaluate how you’re spending money. Don’t waste this crisis. If you make some choices now, you can position yourself to come out financially stronger...
One of the biggest changes you’ll make in retirement is leaving your home for a retirement community. There’s so much that goes into a move like that emotionally and it can be hard to make a clear decision....
Financial literacy. We’re not born with it – but it can be taught...
Retirement is a major life goal. It can also be scary. Especially if much of your identity is connected to your job. Traci Richmond, CDFA™ explains a few smart moves you can make now, to set yourself up to really enjoy your retirement....
New legislation is rewriting the old rules for retirement. From small business tax incentives to raising the RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) age, Traci explains how the SECURE Act could impact you....
Are you worried about cybersecurity? If you’re not, you should be....
Many of our clients have the sandwich responsibility. They're providing care for their own kids and their parents as well. When they ask me what I see as a concern for their folks or in-laws, I ask a question. Do they have long-term care insurance?...
It’s an adventure – as Traci recently discovered when her 13-year-old son went on an Amazon shopping spree: Tommy wanted to upgrade his Xbox gaming console, and give his old one to his little brother as a birthday present. To help Tommy finance this purchase,......
So you’ve adopted the first 3 wealth-building habits: You Pay Attention. You Avoid Bad Debt. You Live Beneath Your Means. Now it’s time to get serious about saving. ...
Keeping up with the Joneses costs a fortune. You’ll need more money coming in than going out. Otherwise, you’re not building wealth. You’re building a mountain of debt....
Imagine buying a house without asking the price. That’s essentially what you’re doing if you take out a loan or rack up credit card bills without fully understanding what you’ll actually pay to pay off that debt....
You’re driving down the highway when smoke starts billowing from under the hood. Do you keep going, hoping the engine fire will magically put itself out? Of course not. You pull over and face the reality of your situation....
According to the College Board,15 years from now (that’s 2033!), a private four-year college degree will cost $323,900. Gulp. Some families have been saving in 529 accounts that can be used for qualified educational expenses like higher education tuition, room and board, books, and computers. The benefit of a 529 is that educational savings grows tax-exempt as long as the funds are used for qualified expenses....
Congratulations! You’ve finished your estate planning. You have a will or trust, you’ve designated a financial power of attorney, and you’ve picked your health care power of attorney. At this point many people think they are finished. That’s a mistake. Watch this video to find out the final steps you need to take to make sure all the effort you’ve poured into estate planning isn’t wasted:...
Everyone who has anyone who depends on them financially or in any other way needs to make estate planning a priority. It’s just 3 documents but it’s hard actually to get the paperwork in order. What’s the hold up? Frankly, it’s hard for people to think through a scenario where you pass away. If you are married and have kids you’ll be thinking about a situation where one parent is continuing alone. It’s really difficult to think through but it is so important, because if that tragedy happens it’s so much better if you’ve planned and prepared. You don’t estate plan for yourself. You do it for your family. Watch this video to see where to start:...
If you’re like me, your mailbox is brimming every day with paper! Some of it is junk but some of it you need to hang onto. It can be hard to know what to keep and what to get rid of, but this video will help straighten it out....
As best we can, we prepare our kids to be adults. One of the most crucial turning points for a kid becoming an adult is that first job out of college. In many ways they are on their own. As much as we prep them, train them, and give them opportunities to practice – this is when they leave the nest. As parents, we have to let them see if they can fly....
Building a “smart money” pattern for our kids starts when they are young. According to a Cambridge University study, most children’s money habits are formed by age 7. So, from the earliest time that they have money of their own, whether from a weekly allowance, doing chores, baby-sitting, or birthday money – whatever the source, they need to practice dividing it into 4 financial uses....
By 2030, the average four-year degree will cost $205,000 according to the US Department of Education. Have you started talking to your kids yet about the cost of college? It’s a conversation you should be having with them from the day they start school. Initially you don’t need to focus on the price tag, but start talking about WHEN they go to college, not IF. This gets them in the mindset that they are going and starts the conversation about college. Later, when they reach the freshman year of high school, you can start talking tuition. They’ll be hearing about the college applications the seniors are submitting and the SATs the juniors are taking, so college will be on their radar. It’s the perfect time to have multiple conversations about paying for their college education....
Giving back to our community is an important part of our lives. As busy adults, we sometimes substitute writing a check for direct involvement in a cause that is important to us. When kids are young, though, simply handing over money – or worse, money substitutes like checks or credit card numbers – doesn’t make an impact. It’s too easy. Kids need to give their time and have hands-on involvement for their community service to be meaningful to them. Charities need us to write those valuable and important checks, but to really instill a charitable sense into our children’s souls, the children need to be involved....
Your child’s first bank account is your opportunity to teach her vital financial skills. The first thing to make sure your child understands is that money gives her power. With money comes the power to make the decision as to what to do with that money – every single dime. There’s no amount too small to be worthy of your child’s attention....
Every month you can count on needing to sit down to pay household bills. In our household it seemed to be my daughter Madelyn who would hang around looking interested. So, I started inviting her to come in, sit down, and pull up a chair next to me. She likes to use the letter opener on the envelope and then to sort out the important contents from the parts that go straight to the recycle bin. She’s learned to identify the invoice or statement and really study it to find the amount that’s due and the due date. This can be a challenge because each statement is laid out differently. On one statement, it may say “balance due” and another may say “payment”. Sometimes it also has a certain amount due by x-date but a different amount due by y-date. Some statements have “round-up” amounts. She has learned to hunt for the right amount and the right due date....
Grocery shopping with your child does not need to be an exercise in finding all kinds of ways to say “no” or stealthily navigating around the candy and sweets aisles. Instead, involving your child in the grocery shopping for the family can create solid financial management skills – and more....