Posts by Amanda McFarlane
How to Survive a Recession: 7 Steps to Take Now to Prepare for an Economic Downturn
Economic downturns can be nerve-wracking and challenging to know how to survive—and the word recession is a big scary word for many, especially those who experienced the recessions in the…
Read MoreWhat Is a Recession?
Volatile stock markets, rising interest rates, and the highest inflation rates in 40 years bring one nagging question to the front of Americans’ minds: Are we in a recession? What…
Read MoreThe True Cost of Homeownership
To many, owning a home is the pinnacle of adulthood, responsibility, and success. When you think about purchasing a home, you may tend to only think about it in terms…
Read MoreWhat Is Financial Planning?
According to the CFP® Board, “Financial planning involves look at a client’s entire financial picture and advising them on how to achieve their short- and long-term financial goals.” If this…
Read MoreHow a Mega Backdoor Roth Conversion Works
It’s no secret that Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs) have several major benefits—after-tax contributions to your IRA account offer tax-free growth and distributions later in life, and there are no…
Read MoreWhat’s the Difference Between a Traditional and Roth IRA?
Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are tax-advantaged long-term savings and investment vehicles intended to help carry you through your retirement years. Some IRAs may be available through your employer, but most…
Read MoreThe Value of a Financial Professional
Recent research from Northwestern Mutual in its 2021 Planning and Progress Study found that just 38% of survey respondents were working with a financial advisor, though up from 29% pre-pandemic.…
Read MoreHow to Roll Over Your 401(k)
Let’s start with what a 401(k) rollover is. When you transfer a balance from a previous existing 401(k), likely from a company you’re no longer employed by or in the…
Read MoreFinancial vs. Investment Advisor: What’s the Difference?
Titles do matter—and in the financial services world, so many titles exist that can and do mean very different things for you, the consumer. The terms financial advisor and investment…
Read MoreBull vs. Bear Markets: What’s the Difference?
In 2021, the U.S. stock market experienced record years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic persisting. The S&P 500 had more than 70 all-time highs—second only to its performance in 1995—and gained…
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