Cosigning a loan for a friend or family member can spell financial disaster and ruin an otherwise healthy relationship. While it is not unusual for parents to cosign for a child’s student loans, car loans or even a mortgage, doing so can damage parents’ credit scores and leave them liable for paying off the entire […]
In this episode the financial guys share their thoughts on things you can and cannot control related to money, savings, taxes and social security.
Beginning in September 2018, consumers will have easier access to one of the most effective tools for protecting themselves against identity theft without having to reach into their pockets to pay a fee. Under the recently enacted Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, you will be able to place a freeze on your credit […]
Halfway through the year, 2018 is making records for attention-grabbing headlines. How this constant barrage of news affects the greater economy and the implications for investable assets requires consideration of many factors and how they interact with each other. Foremost, we are in the latter stages of an economic expansion, in which signs of […]
One of the primary objectives of financial planning is to ensure that individuals have more than ample spendable cash flow during all of their retirement years. Navigating the careful balance between spending too much and possibly running out of funds, or spending too little and missing out on all of the potential joys of retirement […]
According to Pew Research Center, more than one-third of young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are currently living in a home with their parents. While these living arrangements can help young adults to pay down student loans or save enough money to establish their own financial independence, it can also put a […]
In this episode, the two financial guys discuss behavioral impacts on investing, FOMO and what to do with investing tips.
Most versions of economic and finance theory take the approach that humans are rational and will make the best decisions given their specific circumstances. Unfortunately, theory is not reality. In reality, humans often make irrational decisions. Often, these choices are influenced by psychological factors that can be explained through the study of behavioral finance. Behavioral […]
As the saying goes, there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. An unwillingness to plan for either is a recipe for disaster. Individuals who pass away without a will essentially hand the keys to their kingdom and control of their assets over to the states where they reside. Without a will, intestate […]
The Department of Labor introduced the fiduciary rule in an effort to provide consumers with enhanced protections when receiving retirement saving advice from financial advisors and investment brokers who manage consumers’ 401(k)s, IRAs, pension plans and other retirement assets. However, in March 2018, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit invalidated the regulation and […]
A Roth IRA is a unique retirement savings account that allows eligible individuals to set aside money today for a potentially tax-free income stream in the future. Like a traditional IRA, a Roth arrangement allows individuals to make annual contributions of up to $5,500 in 2018, or $6,500 for savers age 50 and older. That […]
In March 2018, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the sixth time since December 2015 while signaling potentially three additional rate hikes this year. For some investors, rising interest rates may present market opportunities and a potential increase in income; for others, a watchful eye may be needed. A key to investing in the current […]
The ongoing saga of the Fiduciary Rule continues on following a March 15, 2018, appeals court decision that invalidates the requirement that financial advisors and brokers conduct their business in the best interest of their clients. As we wait for the Department of Labor’s response to the court’s action, astute investors must remain diligent when […]
Caring for a family member with a physical, intellectual or emotional disability can be costly. Every-day expenses can include not only food and shelter but also specialized medications, assistive devices, special education, transportation, at-home nursing care and much more. Over time, these expenses will almost certainly increase. To ensure that a loved one continues to […]
