Getting ahead

August 21, 2020

Five Ways to Free Up Cash When You Have Little in the Bank

Cash is king. During times of uncertainty, having cash on hand can make the difference between financial stability and the host of issues that come with insolvency. That’s why regardless of your current financial situation, having cash options can not only help keep you solvent, they can also ensure that you stay on track right toward your crucial life goals. So, what can you do to raise cash if you have little money in the bank?   Without a doubt,…

August 7, 2020

How Can You Rebuild a Broken Retirement Three-Legged Stool?

The road to retirement is not as straightforward as it used to be. There was a time when simple metaphors, like the three-legged stool of retirement, captured how you could achieve retirement security with ease. This concept illustrated how securing a good pension, obtaining a solid return on your savings, and relying on social security might have paved the way for financial comfort in your golden years.  Relying on just one leg could lead to failed retirement goals, while relying…

July 24, 2020

How Fast Can You Break Free from Student Loans?

Eliminating student loan debt can put you on the fast-track to achieving your essential life goals. If you’re one of the millions of Americans struggling with this vital issue, you know first-hand the challenges of student loan debt. As student loan balances continue to balloon from one year to the next, what can you do to conquer this overwhelming debt load? Well, many people are waiting for an act of congress to make their student loans disappear.   Yet, chances are…

July 10, 2020

Six Ways Target Date Funds Simplify Investing

Investing is simple, but it’s not easy. No matter where you are in your savings journey, you probably know that a lack of diligence and poor investment decisions can lead to a major financial setback. That’s why having a disciplined process is crucial to growing your savings quickly and increases your chances of achieving investing success. What can you do if you don’t have the time or inclination to follow an investment management process, or are just looking for a…

July 2, 2020

Are Stocks Setting Up for a Second Quarter Repeat?

U.S. stocks had a blockbuster second-quarter. Indeed, both the Dow and S&P 500 have posted their best returns in decades. How long can this outperformance last?  With market sentiment still generally positive, some investors are asking whether supportive central bank policies and hope for a rapid economic recovery may be the set up for a third-quarter market surge.  We believe that the dominant narrative that had supported the second-quarter rally is increasingly coming under pressure. Stretched asset valuations and a…

June 26, 2020

Feeling Stuck Financially? Hit the Reset Button.

You’ve been diligent with your money. You’ve amassed sizable savings. Then life knocks on your door – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity falls through, work moves you to another state, a family emergency calls, or your primary source of income evaporates. Years of diligent financial progress comes undone in an instant, and now you feel stuck. Or maybe you’re in a position where you’ve struggled for years to get a handle on your finances, but one disruption after the next keeps you…

June 4, 2020

Three Things to Know About Paying a Financial Advisor

Did you know that not all financial advisors get paid the same way? And while compensation does not make the financial advisor, how they’re paid can influence the advice you receive and potentially the outcomes of your financial goals. What’s more, if you don’t understand what your own financial goals are, you may end up paying for products or services that you don’t necessarily need. Knowing where your hard-earned money goes should be your top priority when it comes to…

May 28, 2020

Ten Signs it’s Time to Find a Financial Advisor

Having a firm grasp of your finances is a critical part of reaching your financial goals. With money being a very personal matter for each of us, knowing when you might need help can be a real struggle.  Even so, changing circumstances and life events could be an early indication that you may benefit from a financial professional’s assistance.  Indeed, here are ten signs that now may be an opportune time to speak with a trusted financial advisor: 1. You’ve…

May 15, 2020

What Are the Chances of a V-Shaped Recovery?

So why should you care whether the US economy is in a recession? By many estimates, growth in the second quarter is likely to come in at an even more disappointing rate. With unemployment spiking and various leading indicators still in decline, there’s little doubt that a recession has arrived. An important question today is how deep this recession will be and how long it will last.     Now, beyond being an intriguing subject for economists and pundits in the…

May 8, 2020

What’s the Best Way to Protect Your Hard-Earned Wealth?

What’s the best way to protect your hard-earned wealth? That’s the million-dollar question that’s on a lot of people’s minds right now. The fact is that the coronavirus has demonstrated in absolute terms how an unexpected event can quickly take away your earnings ability and deplete your life savings.    Events surrounding the coronavirus have also demonstrated how life’s surprises can come at you from all directions. And when they do, your ability to build enduring wealth can evaporate in…