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Would You Know If a Scammer Was Using Your Daughter's Voice?
A mother in California picked up her phone last spring and heard her daughter's voice, panicked, saying she had been kidnapped and needed money sent right away.1 The voice had the right pitch and the right tone, even the small verbal...
Read MoreOne Shot to Get It Right
Most financial decisions can be revisited. A portfolio can be rebalanced next quarter, or a budget adjusted next month. But a handful of decisions do not work that way. You may only retire once. Or help parents as they age, or receive...
Read MoreAI Gives Answers. Guidance Requires Judgment.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has given financial professionals new tools that can make it faster and sharper to do some behind-the-scenes work, from research to scenario modeling of certain portfolios. AI can struggle with the...
Read MoreHSA Balances Are Growing—But Most Americans Are Still Missing Out on the Biggest Advantage
Key Takeaways: HSA balances have hit a record high, but most account holders still keep money in cash instead of investing it. That could be a costly missed opportunity, especially with retirement health care expenses potentially reaching
Read MoreThe Most Versatile College Majors for Entering the Job Market, According to a New Analysis
KEY TAKEAWAYS Liberal arts majors, such as English, are among the most versatile, with many graduates working outside their fields of study. Hiring rates for recent college graduates have dropped significantly, with engineering majors...
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What Parents Need to Know About Trump Accounts for Kids
Trump accounts, officially called 530A IRAs, are another way for parents and relatives to jumpstart retirement savings for their kids. These new accounts have several unique benefits, differentiating them from 529 plans, and custodial...
Read MoreLegacy Planning Checklist: Are You Prepared for Potential Estate Tax Changes?
Estate and gift tax laws can change over time. Periodically reviewing your estate plan with your financial, tax, and legal professionals can help keep your plan aligned with your family's goals and evolving laws and regulations. Use...
Read MoreGen X built their whole identity on never needing help. Retirement is the one door they can't unlock
Gen X, 65 million Americans born between 1965 and 1980, is fast approaching retirement, and unlike the boomers before them, they’re the first generation whose retirement depends more on personal savings and defined-contribution plans...
Read MoreReal estate's new paper trap
Homebuyers are getting stuck in terrible deals with their real estate agents, and it's costing them big money Getty Images; iStock; Tyler Le/BI Kirsten Ganas was ready to fire her real estate agent. It was late March, right in the...
Read MoreWhat's the difference between a home equity line of credit and a second mortgage?
Answer: A home equity loan is a loan that is secured by your home. If you repay the loan as agreed, your lender will discharge the mortgage. If you do not repay the loan as agreed, your lender can foreclose on your home to satisfy the...
Read MoreHow can I reduce my spending?
Answer: To reduce your spending, you first need to know where your money goes. Start out by keeping track of all of your expenses for a month. None are too small or insignificant: the daily newspaper, coffee on the way to work, an...
Read MoreHow much money should I keep in a savings account for emergencies?
Answer: Without an adequate emergency fund, a period of crisis could be financially devastating. Many financial professionals suggest that you set aside three to six months' worth of living expenses for emergencies. The actual amount,...
Read MoreEven the Most Successful Entrepreneurs Ask For Help — Here’s How to Find the Right People to Have in
Key Takeaways Almost no one succeeds completely and entirely alone. Learn to recognize when you need help and lean on your support network. It doesn’t make you weak; it makes you smart. Find the right mix of people to make up your...
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