I’ve recently been a close witness to the noble plight of a good friend choosing to rid his life of consumer debt. While many of the families we serve have managed to escape the bondage of expensive debt, many have not. Since we’re all endlessly susceptible to falling prey to master marketers of stuff and experiences bought on credit, this …
We might as well hold these meetings in a dentist’s chair, without the anesthesia. It’s just the worst. At least when you visit the dentist, you leave with that squeaky-clean feeling and a few samples of floss (that you may or may not use). When we have a sit-down discussion about paying for long term care – nursing care – …
Approaching retirement age is an exciting time for most. The opportunity to spend more time doing the things you enjoy, and may have put off, leads many aspiring retirees to dream about the future like they haven’t in years. While this new phase of life can be deeply satisfying, it can also result in new and unique fears. Retiring at …
In a recent meeting, I was asked, “What happens, financially, when one of us dies?” It’s a topic we don’t discuss all that often, given that all of us will face the same fate. In this article, I’ll address this question from two perspectives, 1. What actions are generally required after the death of a spouse, and 2. What might …
During my lifetime, I’ve nurtured a desire to travel, and as a result have been fortunate to visit all 50 States – with amazing sites and experiences too numerous to mention within our beautiful country! I’m grateful that retirement has continued to afford me the opportunity to further this passion on a global scale. As a widower, my traveling companions …
As we announced a few weeks ago, we are in the process of making some service and experience updates to our investment management platform. These are being done to enhance your overall investment journey while preserving the elements that have been fundamental to our relationship with you. Because the changes require you to complete some forms, we wanted to provide …
The dog days of summer are upon us. And though it’s hot and sticky outside, and we’d like to simply be lazy and sleep all day like our family dog, summer is a busy time for my family and me. My daughter, Coraline, will be a sophomore in high school this next year and made the varsity cheer team. Cheer …
As the seasons change, or another birthday or wedding anniversary rolls around, you may be taking inventory of your life. You may be asking yourself questions about where you’re headed, what’s most important to you, and how you got to where you are. It’s as if something is hard-wired into all of us that makes these milestones a perfect time …
So much has changed in the past three or four decades when it comes to retirement. For one, there was a time when you worked at one company your entire career, then retired with a gold watch and a lifetime pension. While many of our clients still have a company pension, “they ain’t what they used to be,” as the …
My, how times have changed. There once was a time when nursing homes were not what they are today. When dad or grandma could no longer live alone and care for him or herself, moving them into a nursing home wasn’t really an option. Instead, you would have moved them into your home. They would live out their final days …
