Managing Your Money
Why You Need a Letter of Last Instruction & How to Write One
Even with wills and careful estate planning, families can still be left with difficult problems after a loved one dies. A detail missed or vital account that can’t be accessed complicates their path forward during a sad and difficult time. A letter of last instruction isn't a legal document, but it can be the key to making sure everything is accounted for and accessible to the family members left behind. What should you include?
Changes at USPS Could Affect Your Banking Services
The U.S. Postal Service recently announced a cost-cutting plan that will slow down some first-class mail beginning Oct. 1. The changes are expected to affect long range deliveries most, especially those that have to be flown to their destination, but USPS has warned that it could take up to five days for any first-class mail to be delivered. What does this mean for your finances?
How Proposed Federal Tax Changes Could Affect You
President Biden’s three-part tax program has been released as part of his fiscal year 2022 budget. The first phase, the American Rescue Plan, was enacted in March 2021 provides a child tax credit advance in addition to some other temporary tax relief measures. The other two components to Biden’s tax proposal are the American Families Plan and the American Jobs Plan. Before becoming law, Congressional approval is required. As currently proposed, here is a summary of what President Biden has requested.
Being Prepared for and Walking Through Medical Crisis
Life changed in an instant when Jeremy and his son were struck by an emergency and the ensuring medical crisis. Learn from his experience with the steps he's grateful he had taken prior to that moment and the things he wishes he had done to make the journey smoother.
Child Tax Credits: Why are we getting advance payments?
The new child tax credit payments are here. Did you know they're actually an advance on the normal child tax credit you claim on your tax return? Are you getting one? Do you want to decline the advance payments? Here's what you need to know.
Preventing and Recognizing Financial Abuse of Older Adults
In 2034, for the first time in U.S. history, adults ages 65+ are expected to outnumber children under 18. Many will remain active in the ensuing decades by traveling, taking up new hobbies and enjoying retirement. But older adults will still eventually need assistance with activities of daily living and business affairs, and the two don’t always track along the same timeline. Once an older adult becomes dependent on another person, whether a family member or professional, they become vulnerable to being taken advantage of or abused by someone who is supposed to assist and protect them.
How to Balance Student Loans and Early Debt with Long-term Goals
Between student loans, credit cards and other early debt, do young people ever have a chance of getting ahead? Yes! It’s not always easy—especially for those with six-digit student loans—but you can find the right balance between managing debt and planning for the future. Just keep these maxims in mind.
Choosing Cards that Put You in Control
Even as the world edges back toward “business as usual,” people continue to rely heavily on doing business digitally – with online shopping, delivery, curbside pick up, and alternative points of sale. The dominant payment form for all this activity? Cards. The challenge is to keep tabs on all the credit, debit and purchasing card activity that happens on a daily basis. Security features become very important, not just for reconciling accounts, but for preventing fraud. To mitigate your risk, here’s what to look for in the cards you use.
Is it there yet? Here’s how to check for your federal stimulus payment.
Now that the president signed the stimulus bill into law, millions of Americans are looking for their payment. Here are some frequently asked questions that may help ease your mind as you wait.
Divorce: The Financial Plan No One Wants to Make
Divorce is one of the most stressful occurrences in a person’s life and the lives of their family members. While we pray no one ever has to go through a divorce, there is a resource that will provide careful planning and mitigate some of this stress and take the uncertainty out of the financial aspects. A Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA®) can provide the analysis necessary to ensure that a couple’s divorce is equitable for both parties. An “equitable” divorce doesn’t necessarily mean an “equal” one.
