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Estate planning is the process of managing and preserving your assets while you are alive, and conserving and controlling their distribution after your death. There are four key estate planning documents almost everyone should have regardless of age, health, or wealth. They are: a durable power of attorney, advance medical directive(s), a will, and a […]

The start of a new year is typically a time when people resolve to implement or recommit themselves to a personal financial goal. This year, why not consider opening a 529 plan account, or increasing your contributions to an existing account, to enhance your child’s or grandchild’s financial future? 529 plans are the most flexible […]

Academic researchers have been exploring how investors’ personalities might affect their financial decisions and wealth outcomes. In one study, three finance professors (Dr. Zhengyang Jiang from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Cameron Peng from the London School of Economics, and Hongjun Yan from DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business) surveyed more than 3,000 members […]

As you plan for retirement, you might not give credit a second thought, especially if your plan includes paying off your mortgage and other debts, and relying more on cash than credit. But retirement could last many years, and your need for credit doesn’t necessarily disappear on your last day of work. At some point […]

According to an October 2023 survey, higher interest rates impacted more than half of small businesses, and over 20% reported that higher rates and tighter lending standards influenced their hiring decisions.1 Small businesses paid an average rate of 9.1% for short-term loans in October 2023, the highest rate since 2006, and nearly twice as much […]

More than seven out of 10 current workers in a recent survey said they expect a paycheck to play a role in their income strategy beyond traditional retirement age. In fact, 33% expect to retire at age 70 or older, or not at all.1 If you expect to continue working during your 60s, 70s, or […]

Your most valuable asset may be your ability to earn an income. Over the course of your lifetime, you could earn several million dollars — money that helps support you and your family. If something happened to you, how would your family replace your lost income? Life insurance can help replace your income when needed […]

An estate plan is a map that explains how you want your personal and financial affairs to be handled in the event of your incapacity or death. Due to its importance and because circumstances change over time, you should periodically review your estate plan and update it as needed. When Should You Review Your Estate […]

Gift cards are always at the top of holiday wish lists. In fact, gift cards are the gift consumers want to receive the most during the 2023 holiday season.1 Unfortunately, gift cards are also popular with scam artists. A relatively new gift card scam involves scam artists placing a barcode sticker over the real gift card […]

If you can’t help but notice a growing fascination with “the metaverse,” both in pop culture and the financial news, you may be wondering what all the buzz is about. Contrary to how it sounds, there is no single, definitive metaverse — at least not yet. The term refers broadly to the various 3-D digital […]