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The Gift of Financial Health: Best Practices for Keeping Your Will Up to Date
Estate planning isn’t something you do once and forget about—it’s an ongoing process that helps ensure your financial affairs are in order and your loved ones are taken care of. One of the most important documents in an estate plan is a will, but over time, things change. Life events, financial shifts, and even tax laws can impact your estate [...]
6 Tips for Building a Retirement Budget
Building a retirement budget is critical to working toward an independent and stress-free life after leaving the workforce. Creating this budget can positively impact one's lifestyle, provide confidence and control over one's money, and safeguard against potential financial pitfalls. Here are the foundational steps to establishing a retirement budget. Step #1- Identify retirement income sources. These sources may include retirement [...]
8 Financial Habits to Start Before Tax Season
Tax season can be challenging, especially if one is not financially prepared. While it may seem tedious, preparing beforehand can save time from last-minute hassles and help optimize tax returns. Therefore, adopting certain financial habits before the onset of tax season may help lighten the tax season's load. 1. Regular expense monitoring—The first habit to work toward is consistently tracking [...]
4 Retirement Planning Myths That Could Cost You
What if everything you thought you knew about financial planning was wrong? Many well-meaning people fall victim to common financial myths—some of which could cost them thousands of dollars or even their retirement security. Let’s break down some of the biggest myths and uncover the real truths behind smart financial planning. Myth 1: The 4% Rule Guarantees Retirement Success The [...]
2025 Social Security Benefits and Taxes
People often misunderstand Social Security retirement benefits and taxation since not all benefits are taxable. The amount of benefits one receives and how much Federal tax applies depend primarily on the income level of the receiver and other factors. How to determine if benefits are taxable If Social Security benefits are the only source of income for the year, they [...]
How Pre-Retirees Can Jumpstart Their Savings in 2025
Catching up on retirement savings can feel daunting, especially if you've started late. However, with strategic planning and commitment, it's entirely possible to build a comfortable nest egg for your future. Here are four actionable steps to help you enhance your retirement savings in 2025. Leverage Catch-Up Contributions For individuals aged 50 and above, the IRS allows additional "catch-up" contributions [...]
Policy Changes: What Retirees Need to Know
Retirement planning can sometimes feel like trying to hit a moving target. Policies change, rules shift, and retirees often find themselves needing to adapt their strategies to keep pace. Many recent policy changes affecting retirement have many people asking, "What does this mean for my financial future?" Let’s break it down in simple terms, talk about the potential risks, and [...]
Slower Rate Cuts, The Market, and Your Finances
Whether you’re checking your account balances, planning your next adventure, or enjoying a well-earned retirement, markets move... and with it, your account values may as well. Recent market volatility, driven by the Federal Reserve’s announcement to slow rate cuts, has left many retirees wondering what this means for their financial future. Let’s explore the situation and how you can confidently [...]
