Financial Planners Articles & Tips

Articles & Tips

A New Look at Credit Scores
Nothing ever stays the same, and that goes for how your credit is scored. Now, the size of your balances counts more than it did in the past. Here are some issues to keep in mind next time you head for your wallet to pull out your credit card. Read more about A New Look at Credit Scores

Annuities and Long-Term Care: 2010 News and Views
You may have heard recently about new tax savings related to long-term care coverage. The news is that some provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, which are designed to help individuals pay for their long-term care coverage, went into effect January 1. Read more about Annuities and Long-Term Care: 2010 News and Views

Disability Insurance: Words to the Wise
When considering the types of insurance you need, does disability fall on that list? It should. For more and more people, long-term disability insurance is not an option but a necessity. It represents that critical safety net you will need to ride out a serious accident or illness. Read more about Disability Insurance: Words to the Wise

Divorce and Money: If Only I Had Known!
So many financial issues need to be addressed when you are separated and facing a divorce. Often, however, these matters get overlooked—or completely ignored—during this emotional period. Yet this is exactly the time when clear-headed financial decisions must be made—before the divorce—or your financial security can be affected for the rest of your life. Read more about Divorce and Money: If Only I Had Known!

Is Your IRA Feeling Neglected?
If you are like most people, your IRA isn’t getting enough attention. It may sit neglected until you get your quarterly statement and then it’s forgotten again for another three months. Yet there is plenty you could be doing with your retirement holdings to ensure a bright retirement. Take the opportunity now to renew your relationship with your 401(k) and make it your best friend. Read more about Is Your IRA Feeling Neglected?

Make your money work for you with pain-free spending cuts
The best way to start evaluating your finances is to compare your monthly income and expenses. This is the scary part, but it's the necessary first step to keeping more of your money in your pocket where it belongs. Read more about Make your money work for you with pain-free spending cuts

Now’s the Time to Revisit Retirement Draw-Down Amounts
When it comes to retirement, a lot has changed since our parents’ days. Some of the new thinking relates to the amount that should be withdrawn from portfolios in retirement. While the conventional wisdom has been to stick with one set amount throughout the years, there are some good reasons to rethink this, say financial experts. Read more about Now’s the Time to Revisit Retirement Draw-Down Amounts

Simple steps to calm the financial jitters
Got a case of the financial jitters? You're not alone. A recent survey of 1,000 American adults by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and "Kiplinger's Personal Finance" magazine found that most Americans are still struggling with or worried about their finances. Read more about Simple steps to calm the financial jitters

The Family Mission Statement
How are a family and a business alike? Both can benefit from having a mission statement. Businesses have been preparing them for years, establishing key goals and standards for the company. Now families are taking their lead and are recording their values and aspirations to share with each other and future generations. Read more about The Family Mission Statement

Women's finances: Embrace the power of the purse
Every woman should have a healthy relationship with money, but the reality is that many women still heavily rely on men to handle their finances. Now is the time for women to break out of the traditional role and take action to gain financial independence. Read more about Women's finances: Embrace the power of the purse

Work out your credit to get financially fit this summer
Just as you take care of your physical health in preparation for summer fun, you need to pay attention to your financial well-being as well - and not just when the weather's warm, but all year round. Read more about Work out your credit to get financially fit this summer