Financial Planning
7 End-of-Year Financial Planning Tips
The end of the year is quickly closing in, and there is no better time than now to take inventory of your financial situation. Evaluating, budgeting, and planning your finances is not a static activity, but rather endeavors that need attention on a regular basis in order to be successful. With a new year about…
Read MoreTop 5 Apps to Save You Money
The smartphone has become the one-stop-shop when it comes to consumer demands. It feels like there is an app for almost everything. With the influx of unique and intuitive apps, there is no better time in history to take advantage of finance-related technology. We’ve rounded up our favorite apps to help calculate budgets, curb overspending…
Read More3 Reasons Why Robots Won’t Replace Financial Advisors
Robo-advisors have been heralded as the “future of investing” by their fans, but can computer algorithms really replace human financial advisors? Robo-advisors are less expensive than traditional advisors—but their low, up-front price comes with a loss in quality. Robo-advisors lack an irreplaceable human element, which prevents them from providing the essential qualities and services characteristic…
Read MoreRetirement Savings Tips: From Your 20s to Your 60s
Financial planning is a lifelong endeavor, but people often seek out investment advice that doesn’t fit their current stage in life. When it comes to saving for retirement, most Americans invest and manage those savings for six decades or longer. It’s important to consider how your resources and risk tolerance change as you move though…
Read MoreTop 5 Biases that Impact Investment Decisions
As financial advisors, we use facts and logic to guide our clients through investment decisions, rather than emotion. Even the most perceptive investors, armed with years of market experience, can fall prey to mental biases that lead to poor investment decisions. While it’s impossible to completely eliminate mental biases, we help our clients identify and…
Read MoreHow the Right Advice Can Boost Financial Confidence
What value does a financial advisor actually provide? This may surprise you, but the value of a quality financial advisor goes far beyond portfolio advice. It’s about guiding clients to develop sophisticated financial behaviors. With robo-advisors and consistent market volatility in the headlines, it’s important to realize the comprehensive advantages of working with a personal…
Read MoreChanges in Tax Code Necessitate Reevaluation of Retirement Plans
As a member of the exclusive Ed Slott Elite IRA Advisor Group SM, our founder Calvin Goetz recently completed Ed Slott’s 2-day training on changes in the tax code and how they may impact retirement planning. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law on December 22, 2017 included well-known changes such as reduced…
Read More4 Reasons Your Retirement Plan Might Fall Short
Ever find yourself daydreaming about retirement? Whether your dream retirement entails traveling the world, dedicating time to beloved hobbies, or helping your children and grandchildren, saving enough for retirement is critical to enjoying all of these endeavors. Everyone deserves the best retirement possible, but numerous planning mistakes can cause retirement plans to fall short. According…
Read MorePreparing Your Children for Adulthood Through Financial Literacy
As financial advisors, we learn a lot about clients’ short and long-term financial goals through many conversations and building relationships with them. We also often learn about their frustrations and regrets regarding past financial decisions. During these conversations about financial regrets, we often encourage clients to remember that with time comes perspective and experience. So…
Read MoreFinancial Complexities of a Longer Life
Americans are living longer. That’s the good news. The bad news is that most people aren’t financially prepared. Many Baby Boomers will be in retirement for over 20 years and unfortunately, many aren’t saving and investing with a longer life expectancy in mind. There are serious consequences to financial planning around the wrong life expectancy.…
Read More