My situation seems fairly straightforward; do I need to hire an attorney to execute my will or can I use software and do it myself? Have you ever googled “Pinterest Fails?” There are thousands of examples of do-it-yourself projects gone bad, many of which can provide a good laugh. When you are dabbling in recipes […]
Retirement 101 Series – Lesson 3: Open a Roth IRA
Adam had just finished up his first month of work, and after enjoying a happy hour with his new colleagues, he came home and perused the pile of mail on the table. He smiled at the familiar handwriting on a greeting card and opened it eagerly to find a graduation card with a handwritten note […]
Retirement FAQ: Living Below Your Means
Q: What is the single most important thing an individual or couple can do to ensure they will be financially successful? A: Occasionally, this question does come up. It is an interesting one because it expects that using our knowledge and experience in the financial and retirement planning field, we can reduce all of that […]
When the Honeymoon is Over
When the Honeymoon is over… again: How to Transition into Retirement with your Spouse Shortly following my wedding, I attended a networking event where I saw several friends and colleagues for the first time since my recent nuptials. After being the subject of many well wishes and platitudes, a well-respected business woman, about 20 years […]
Celebrating (Financial) Independence
As Americans, we certainly value independence. Never is that more obvious than when we approach the 4th of July and celebrate the independence of our country. At the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams wrote that it “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and that the celebration should […]
Retirement FAQ: The Cost of Investing
Q. I keep hearing that I should be keeping my investment costs low, but as far as I can tell, I don’t have any investment costs… How do I know if, and what, I’m being charged? A. You are not alone. Frequently, we meet with people who do not realize there are underlying costs to […]
Retirement 101 Series – Lesson Two: Investing in Your 401K
Adam sank into the couch and sighed contentedly. His first day of work was on the books, and it was a good day at that. He glanced over at the packet of enrollment information that he needed to go through to elect his health coverage, 401K, and various other benefits. Remembering his grandmother’s advice on […]
The Power of Diversifying Your Investments
(Due to the complicated nature of this topic, the language used in this blog post will be more advanced than in our typical blog post) Let’s assume for a minute that you were just out of college and took a job working for your eccentric uncle Jim. Although your uncle thinks a little differently than […]
Retirement 101 Series – Lesson One: Contributing to Your 401K
After four years of working (and playing) hard, Adam graduated from Rutgers University with honors. In addition to his shiny new diploma, he also had a great job lined up and the future certainly seemed bright. His grandmother Margaret, whom also shared his alma mater, was especially proud. They were always close, and on his […]
Retirement FAQ: What To Do After Taxes Are Filed
Q: It seems every year that I am scrambling to gather all my information and get my taxes filed. How do I get ahead of the game to make the process easier next year? A: You are not alone. Tax time can be very stressful, and many people find that despite their best intentions, they […]
