Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought, Whoa… that can’t be right. Who is that older person staring back at me? Whether that moment makes you laugh or leaves you feeling a little uneasy, it reminds us of something we often forget: life is short, and it seems to move faster with every…
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Cybercriminals don’t take days off—and neither should your efforts to protect your personal information. From phishing emails and stolen passwords to ransomware and financial scams, cyber threats can affect anyone. And with so much of our personal and financial lives taking place online, a single mistake can have consequences that reach far beyond your computer…
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A few years ago, we received an unexpected phone call from a man we had never met. He told us he was the power of attorney for one of our clients. There was just one problem: We had all of her legal documents on file, and he wasn’t listed on any of them. Our client…
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Just the idea of having a trust seems complicated…but is it? The truth is that not having a trust in certain situations creates significantly more complications than having one. Then again, that’s not always the case. So, let’s break it down and look under the hood. If you die with a Will most likely you…
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What if one of the most meaningful gifts you could give your grandchildren wasn’t something they could unwrap? What if it was a financial head start? Grandparents often look for ways to help the next generation succeed. Maybe you want to help pay for college, give them a head start on buying a home, help…
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When most people think about retirement, the first things that come to mind are usually financial: Will I have enough money? When can I afford to retire? How much should I have saved? Those are important questions. But after working with individuals and families since 1989 as they approach and enter retirement, we’ve learned that…
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What would happen to your family if something happened to you tomorrow? It’s an uncomfortable question. Most of us would rather think about retirement, vacations, our next business goal, or what we’re having for dinner. But there’s another question worth asking: Would the people you love know what to do—and have what they need—if you…
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What do you want most out of life? It’s a simple question, but the answer can be surprisingly difficult. For many of us, the first answer that comes to mind is happiness. We want to be happy, enjoy our families, experience meaningful moments, and feel like our lives matter. But what if happiness isn’t something…
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Life insurance. Most people own it—or have been told they need it—but do they really understand what they own? Life insurance can be one of the most powerful tools in a financial plan. It can protect a family from financial hardship, provide liquidity, replace income, protect a business, and help transfer wealth. But it can…
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Mr. Jones was a self-made man. He was a successful business owner, a loving husband, and a proud father of three sons who had families of their own. Through decades of hard work, he had built a successful business and eventually sold it for $3 million. After the sale, Mr. Jones paid approximately $450,000 in…
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Securities offered through Calton & Associates, Inc. member FINRA and SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or ability. Investment advisory services offered through Smart Money Group, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Smart Money Group, LLC and Kennedy Financial Services are not owned or controlled by Calton & Associates, Inc.