Managing Your Money
Putting Wealth to Work for You and Your Heirs
Whether you earned wealth or inherited it, chances are you want to spend some, save some, give some and leave some for your loved ones. If you’re still working, you likely have plans to retire someday, with many goals and life events in between. How can you put your wealth to work for you throughout your life and beyond? First and foremost, find a trusted, experienced and certified professional to help you put an active plan in place and revisit it annually to adjust for market conditions, evolving goals and unexpected curveballs.
Keeping Your Cards Safe from Fraud
As credit card rewards get more popular, the volume of credit card transactions is rising sharply, along with opportunities for fraud. According to the Nilson Report, 131 billion credit card transactions were processed in the U.S. in 2021. Luckily, rewards aren’t the only appeal. Unlike debit cards, most credit cards offer cardholder protection against fraud loss. But to take advantage of that protection, either the cardholder or their bank has to catch the errant transaction. Banks and cardholders both have strong incentives to ward off fraud. Here's how to keep your cards safe.
Strategies to Prepare for Tax Increases
As lawmakers and administrations change in Washington, the direction of the federal government and its tax policies change with them. Even if you can’t yet be certain what the final rules will be, you can easily tell the direction far ahead of time and prepare accordingly. So if increased taxes are on the way, in whatever form they take, what can you do to minimize the impact on your financial plan?
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.
