Author Archives: Melissa Gracey

If you think the only form of cheating in a marriage happens in the bedroom, you would be wrong. A growing number of marriages suffer the damaging effects of financial infidelity in which one spouse intentionally lies about or hides assets or other financial information from the other spouse.  Both are examples of betrayals that […]

Gone are the days when large, institutional banks and wirehouses were the only ones with pockets deep enough to arm financial advisors with the tools needed to attract and retain wealthy clients. Today, independent brokers/dealers and registered investment advisories associated with independent wealth management firms have access to a wide array of customizable strategies and […]

Millennials have fueled a growing movement of investors who aspire to work for shorter periods, supercharging their savings and investing during their early years and enabling them to retire at a younger age than the generations before them. This strategy, referred to as Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE), may sound like a good plan, but […]

The decision to invest in stocks is one that individuals must take the time to consider carefully, weighing the risks and rewards in the context of their unique facts and circumstances. In general, stocks carry far greater risks than other investments, such as bonds and cash. Investors must contend with market volatility based on economic […]

If you received a year-end bonus, congratulations! As gratifying as it may be to splurge on something you can enjoy immediately, you may want to take a few moments to consider how you can maximize those dollars for the long term. Following are seven smart money moves to help you use a windfall of money […]

Ever since the creation of the first investable index fund in 1975, investors have debated whether it is better to invest in actively or passively managed investments. Is one superior to the other? Not necessarily. Should you utilize one over the other? Probably not. With passively managed investments, your money is automatically put into securities […]

Naming beneficiaries to receive proceeds from a life insurance policy or retirement account is a difficult decision that requires consideration of a range of factors. Because these selections supersede designations in your will, they are an important step in the estate-planning process that must be addressed with particular care and attention to detail. Selecting Beneficiaries […]

If you want to get in shape, you should establish healthy eating habits and a regular exercise schedule. Are you looking to play an instrument? Take lessons and start a routine of practicing regularly. The road to success is paved with positive behaviors and lifestyle choices. Retirement is no different. Following are six habits that […]

In a world where we conduct and share so much of our lives online, it is essential to consider what happens to our digital footprint after we pass away. Do family members have the usernames and passwords needed to access all your financial accounts and pay bills in your absence? Can they access all the […]

According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), financial abuse of Americans aged 60 and older increased during the pandemic with an estimated $27 billion in losses. More startling is that in 72 percent of these crimes, the victim knew the perpetrator, who was either a caregiver, a fiduciary or […]