Blog Posts

By John Fales

Did you know September is College Savings Month? A great reminder to consider how saving for college (or any education) fits into your overall financial plan. There are steps you can take to help ease the burden of education costs and many you can start at any age.

Passing your estate to an heir with credit problems, a shaky marriage, a gambling or alcohol addiction, or any other concerning situation might not only lead to that wealth being squandered, but the inheritance could worsen destructive behaviors.

Of course, you don’t want to disinherit your child(ren) simply because of their personal challenges. There are potential solutions that allow parents to control and incentivize behaviors long after they are gone, helping ensure that a troubled child’s inheritance won’t be misused.

You do not want to avoid or delay creating a plan hoping that your heir’s issue will go away. This could result in you passing before any plans have been set and the inheritance could be given without restrictions.

By Marc C. Shaffer

I was talking with a friend recently who has lost quite a bit of weight. We were talking about the process and how it differed from their past experiences. They had spent many years fighting the ups and downs of fad diets and lose-weight-quick gimmicks. It wasn’t until they embraced a steady process that required small habit changes that made a huge difference over time that they were able to find success that was lasting.

This concept can also be applied to building wealth. It would be great to have a get-rich-quick shot, but it doesn’t exist (unless you know something I don’t!) House prices seem outrageous, grocery bills keep rising and the extras cost more and more. What is there to do? If the current economic landscape makes you feel like you’ll never get ahead, keep reading.

This checklist covers 28 of the most important planning issues to identify and consider when going through a divorce, including:

There continues to be an increase in fraudulent and criminal activities that trap unsuspecting individuals into loss. Now more than ever, you may be targeted financially through a variety of schemes. This checklist helps guide you through common threats and scams, and works to help you remain informed to actively protect your identity and assets.