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 seems broad, well, it is—financial planning covers a vast range of areas with the goal of providing a comprehensive picture of your current situation and…

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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. With the emergence—and prevalence—of robo-advisors, where investing can be done with the click of a button on an app, the common question is, are financial/investment…

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When we’re young, each birthday seems special, but for most of us, birthdays lose their luster as we age. Can we bring some of that magic—a definition that surely changes as we get older from toys and treats to more adult concerns like saving money and living the retirement of our dreams—back? Remember these particularly…

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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 advisor are often used interchangeably, but there are crucial differences between the two. Throw in financial planner, and it can get a whole lot more…

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So, you’ve left your job…now what? A white paper from Capitalize, a 401(k) rollover fintech company, found that American employees have “forgotten” about or left behind an estimated 24.3 million 401(k) accounts and $1.35 trillion in assets at old jobs. It’s important to decide what to do with your 401(k) when you leave any job.…

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The common question—and debate—among stock market investors: Is growth investing or value investing better for your portfolio? Whether growth or value outperforms depends solely on the time period evaluated—historically, shorter time periods tend to favor growth in recent years while longer time periods tend to favor value stocks. According to Forbes, value investing has returned…

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There is one key factor to consider when deciding which type of 401(k) to contribute to: tax implications—both now and later. Retirement planning involves balancing saving now with tax implications in the future. While you may only have one type of 401(k) available via your employer, if you do have a traditional and Roth 401(k)…

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Money can be a taboo topic in some families, especially when it comes to talking to your parents about their finances. But understanding your parents’ financial situation, including long-term care, estate planning, and retirement prep, is important as they age. You want your parents to be able to live their dream retirement comfortably and have…

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Before starting a new job, one of the key questions you’ve likely inquired about is your company’s 401(k) benefits. When you start the job, you’ll probably be handed a packet with the benefits information—and that’s it. You’re often left to your own devices to figure out the ins and outs of the plans available to…

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