What Is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional

A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, or CFP® practitioner, is a financial professional who meets the requirements established by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. While some professionals may call themselves financial planners, only those who demonstrate the requisite experience, education, and ethical standards are awarded the CFP® mark. What are the requirements? In order to obtain CFP certification,® …

Tips to Help Financial Stress

With so much going on in the world today—from a global pandemic through economic hardship—it comes as no surprise that many people have recently found themselves under heavy financial stress. Whether it is due to the loss of a job, illness, or the need for time to take care of family, many people are feeling the pinch. You too might …

Spring Clean Your Finances

As temperatures warm up, trees begin budding, and the days get longer, you probably throw open your windows and think about spring cleaning your home. As you tackle washing windows, cleaning carpets, and sorting out the garage, don’t forget to consider your finances. Check out these tips to successfully spring clean your finances.  1. Reassess Your Budget Take some time …

National Debt & Your Personal Debt Ceiling

The U.S. has not been debt free since 1835 – should you be debt free? As 2023 heats up, talk about the national debt spiraling out of control will too. But what is the national debt and should investors worry about it? More importantly, can the national debt teach investors a thing or two? The National Debt If you spend …

Crossing the Bridge to a Satisfying Retirement

One of the more important—and hopefully enjoyable—events you will face in life is retirement. After spending many years building your career, you have likely accumulated a comfortable nest egg. If you have reached a point where retirement is the next big step, you need to develop a strategy that will help you cross the bridge from the world of work …

Wealth Due to Inheritance

What is it? Introduction If you’re the beneficiary of a large inheritance, you may find yourself suddenly wealthy. Even if you expected the inheritance, you may be surprised by the size of the bequest or the diverse assets you’ve inherited. You’ll need to evaluate your new financial position, learn to manage your sizable assets, and consider the tax consequences of …

Retirement Investors Get Another Boost from Washington

Amid the 1,650-page, $1.7 trillion omnibus spending legislation passed by Congress last week and expected to be signed by President Biden were several provisions affecting work-sponsored retirement plans and, to a lesser degree, IRAs. Dubbed the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 after the similarly sweeping Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act passed in 2019, the legislation is designed …