If you are paralyzed (in this regard), there is good news. You are not alone! 68% of Americans do not have a valid Will. 63% of those making more than $80,000 per year say that “procrastination” is the reason they have not done any estate planning. Yet 52% of Americans over 55 say it would…
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Be forewarned. I am going to be candid here: Whatever excuse you just gave? It is just that—an excuse. First, it’s important to recognize that we all have dysfunctional families to some degree. Maybe you are facing substance or alcohol abuse, your kids are not getting along or there are others that don’t understand the…
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Too often money is looked and considered for just what it is: money. A financial plan focuses on numbers, targets, returns, risk, etc., with a lot of hype placed on the latest and greatest investments, and returns on your money. After all, almost everyone wants their money to grow and they want to protect it,…
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This is certainly a loaded question… and it’s meant to be. You might immediately think of the people you treasure, the things you love to do, the places you want to see, or the memories you have yet to make. There’s nothing wrong with a little mental wandering when you consider the question, but you…
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When you start your career in life planning and wealth management you realize every day is like drinking from a fire hose. As time goes on…it doesn’t really change. Unfortunately, there is ever increasing complexity that surrounds what seems to be the simplest of planning tools. IRAs, 401(k)s, and other like-kind retirement accounts are a…
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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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Can you hear it? It’s those two, ominous notes from the movie Jaws to let you know we are drawing nearer and nearer to the almost inevitable…the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. This could mean that higher income taxes and estate taxes are headed your way. It’s important to…
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The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there’s little doubt that “the most wonderful time of the year” has arrived. For most families, this season is a time of reflection and connection as we bid farewell to the old year…
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I’m so grateful Angela invited me to be a guest on the Life Planning 101 podcast. In this week’s episode, we talked about how technology — which makes our daily lives easier — has the potential to make things incredibly challenging for our loved ones, should something ever happen to us. One of the topics…
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The August 2008 Money Magazine offered up an article of several successful individuals talking about the smartest financial advice they have ever received. Billionaire and CEO of Virgin records, Richard Branson shared a story about his lack of knowledge in the financial realm and being humble about what you don’t know. Have you ever noticed…
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