Another tax season has come and gone, and if you're receiving a tax refund, you may be wondering what to do with it. First of all, if your refund seems too large, you might want to check your withholdings. That money could be better spent throughout the year. If you've had any major life changes - marriage, divorce, new baby, new job - make sure your W4 reflects that. The same Continue Reading
Refreshing Your Portfolio for the Best Growth
It's a good idea to check your portfolio at least once a year to make sure it aligns with your financial goals. If you're like many investors, you look closely at your next move but forget to assess the big picture. Here are some tips to shape up your portfolio: Get a clear idea of your investments You can't make sure your portfolio is balanced if you don't understand how your investments Continue Reading
How to Earn More from Investing in Yourself
You can have excellent savings, a rewarding career, a healthy retirement account, and a well-rounded portfolio and still feel trapped. If you're working hard on growing in your job, or investing time in your relationships with loved ones, it can be easy to forget about the most beneficial thing to invest in: you. You are your greatest asset. If you should lose your job, or suffer a serious Continue Reading
5 Ways to Maximize Your Inheritance
When you receive an inheritance, regardless of amount, you're going to need to figure out how to put it to its best use. Depending on who left it to you, you may have different emotions and ideas surrounding that decision. Here are some of the most common questions and scenarios you might face with an inheritance - and the best ways to deal with it going forward: How should I put this to the Continue Reading
Why Life Insurance is NOT an Investment
If you consider life insurance an investment, you're not alone. Permanent life insurance is often sold as an investment wrapped up in an insurance policy, but don't be too hasty to sign off on the dotted line on a certain product. There may be better options for you, and far better investments. Here's what you need to know before shopping for life insurance: If you're a more visual learner, Continue Reading
Your Year-End Financial Checklist
Managing your money to reach your financial goals is a never-ending activity. But as the end of the year approaches, there’s still time to make progress towards your yearly goals. Use this financial checklist to see if there's anything you can do before the end of the year. With the tax year winding to a close, a few moves might make a big difference. 1. Review Your Year Every financial move Continue Reading
Take the Guesswork Out of Your 401(k) Investments
One of the easiest ways to build up a nest egg is to participate in a 401(k) plan. It’s automatic, it’s easy to set up, and your employer may even give you free money in the form of a company match. Participants can defer taxes until their later years in a Traditional 401(k) or pay taxes now and have tax free income in a Roth 401(k). About 52 million Americans invest in a 401(k) every Continue Reading
What You Need to Know About Restricted Stock Units
Are you receiving restricted stock units from your employer, but you’re not sure what to do about them? If so, you’re not alone. Restricted stock units (RSUs) are complicated, and very few people know how to make the most of them. If you're a more visual learner, jump to the bottom of this blog post to watch our video on restricted stock units. Many technology companies like Google, Yahoo, Continue Reading
Your Emergency Fund Should Be Boring
Sometimes, financial success can be exciting. It’s exhilarating to finally get the raise you worked so hard for, buy your dream house, or take your long-awaited European vacation guilt-free. But some sound financial concepts are boring. Emergency funds are definitely snooze-worthy. After all, they are there to help you sleep soundly at night. Emergency funds provide a buffer to help you Continue Reading
The 7 Deadly Sins of Investing
There are a few investing blunders that many people make — mistakes that are detrimental to their overall investment strategies. As you put together your investment portfolio, whether it be within your 401(k) or in a brokerage account, make sure to avoid these Deadly Sins of Investing. If you're a more visual learner, jump to the bottom of this blog post to watch our video on the seven deadly Continue Reading