- Revocable vs. Irrevocable Trusts: What’s the Difference?
A trust is an estate planning tool that you may consider using if you want to go beyond drafting a last will and testament. One key thing to decide is whether to establish a revocable or irrevocable trust. Both have… read more…
- Defining an Ultra-High-Net-Worth Individual
In order for someone to be considered an “ultra-high-net-worth individual,” they typically need to have at least $30 million worth of net investable assets to their name. However, this isn’t really a legal definition. As the name suggests, ultra-high-net-worth individuals… read more…
- What Is Shrinkflation?: Financial Planning
Shrinkflation happens when manufacturers reduce the quantity or size of a product without reducing the price. Shrinkflation often crops up when inflation increases manufacturer costs or intensifying competition reduces demand. The effect is equivalent to raising prices, but it may… read more…
- What Is an Indemnity Bond?
Surety bonds are instruments that create a legal obligation for one party to pay another. An indemnity bond is a specific type of surety bond that’s often used in situations where someone is borrowing money. However, you might also be… read more…
- What Are Income Trusts?
While the boom-bust nature of the stock market can be profitable over the long haul, seasoned investors and risk-averse workers approaching retirement may be looking for a way to get off the roller coaster. Not every investment has the same… read more…
- What Is Alimony: Financial Guide for Divorce
Alimony is a court-ordered sum that one former spouse must pay to another due to a separation or divorce agreement. You might sometimes hear about spousal maintenance or spousal support, which are other terms for alimony. This typically happens when… read more…
- Passive Income vs. Residual Income
Passive income and residual income are two types of personal revenue that separately or together can have a sizable effect on an individual’s financial comfort and ability to reach financial goals. Passive income is money earned without significant ongoing active… read more…
- What Is Disinflation?
Disinflation occurs when the rate of inflation decelerates. During disinflation, wages and prices continue to increase, but the speed of the increase is slower than it was previously. Disinflation is distinct from deflation, which happens when broad measures of wages… read more…
- What Is a Family Trust, and How Do You Set One Up?
Trusts are used to manage estate taxes, shelter assets from creditors and pass on wealth to future generations. A family trust is a specific type of trust that families can use to create a financial legacy for years to come.… read more…
- Americans Say $516K Needed to Achieve Financial Wellness
The key to financial wellness may be a cool half mil. Though the factors determining financial stability may be different to each investor and retirement saver, a recent Empower Retirement and Personal Capital survey found that most Americans believe it… read more…
- Do You Need a Financial Advisor Before Buying a House?
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions that a person can make. Not only can it involve taking on a big mortgage, but the monthly expenses can also affect your budget and ability to save for your… read more…
- What Is a Financial Institution?
A financial institution is an entity that engages significantly in finance-related activities. These activities include such easily recognized examples as taking deposits and making loans as well as less-obvious ones like collecting debts and keeping records of consumers’ credit histories.… read more…
- Why Financial Planning Is Important
Planning for the financial future helps people in many ways, including improving their ability to set goals, budget, save, borrow wisely, invest, manage risk and taxes, plan their estates and more. People who create financial plans are better able to… read more…
- Financial Advisors for Federal Government Employees
Federal employees have unique needs when it comes to financial and retirement planning. Because of these unique concerns, financial advisors who work with them should have a special understanding of federal government employees’ benefits. Such advisors can help U.S. government… read more…
- What Is a Dependent Care FSA Account?
A dependent care flexible spending arrangement (DCFSA) lets you pay for child care and other dependent expenses with pretax dollars. This can reduce the income taxes you owe. Only someone whose employer offers a DCFSA can use one. There are… read more…
- What Is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
A flexible spending account (FSA) is a type of savings account typically used for healthcare expenses. Many people use an FSA to cover expected healthcare costs throughout the year, saving money on taxes because the funds are put into the FSA tax-free. Using an FSA is dependent on the individual and it isn’t right for… read more…
- 6 Types of Savings Accounts: Which Is Best for You?
A savings account can be a good place to earn interest on your money while keeping it in an easy-to-access account. However, not every savings account is the same. Let’s compare different features from the most common types of savings accounts. A financial advisor could help you create a financial plan for your savings needs and… read more…
- What Happens to Interest Rates During a Recession?
A shrinking economy can affect you financially on a number of levels. One big question you might have is what happens to interest rates during a recession? Ordinarily, interest rates dip in the early stages of a recession in order… read more…
- What Is Asset-Based Long-Term Care?
Asset-based long-term care (LTC) is a financial strategy that combines traditional long-term care insurance with asset-based products like life insurance or annuities. These plans allow individuals to leverage their savings to fund potential long-term care needs while maintaining flexibility in how funds are used. Asset-based LTC solutions often provide a death benefit if care isn’t… read more…
- What Is Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)?
Guaranteed asset protection (GAP) is a type of insurance or, sometimes, a non-insurance agreement that will cover the difference between a vehicle’s actual market value and the amount owed on the loan in the event the vehicle is stolen or totaled in a crash. GAP is relatively inexpensive and can protect people who finance or… read more…
- This 529 Plan Mistake Could Cost You Big at Tax Time
529 plans are one of the most popular ways Americans save for the college expenses of their children. As of June 2024, there were 16.8 million 529 savings accounts holding $508 billion, according to the College Savings Plan Network. While these tax-advantaged accounts are effective tools for meeting future education needs, a 2023 analysis conducted… read more…
- SMART Financial Goal Examples
Financial goals come in all shapes and sizes. Most importantly, financial goals vary widely on your unique situation. Any financial goals you set should reflect your personal goals. Setting SMART financial goals can help you make progress towards the financial… read more…
- What Is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor? Definition, Types and Examples
In legal terms, a fiduciary is an individual or organization that has taken on the responsibility of acting on behalf of another person or entity with honesty and integrity. For example, bankers, attorneys and officers of public companies are all… read more…
- Envelope Saving Method: Budgeting Guide
Choosing the right budgeting system can make it easier to stick to a monthly spending plan. The envelope saving method, also referred to as the cash envelope method or cash envelope budgeting, can help you get control over your money… read more…
- How to Build Wealth: Step-By-Step Guide
Building wealth can seem like an impossible goal, especially if you are just getting started. In the early stages, both your income and investment returns may be small, and that makes it easy to get discouraged. However, it’s important to… read more…