For many of us, supporting local business matters. We like to see our communities thrive, and choosing to support locally-owned businesses is a great way to help. It feels good to spend our money in a way that supports our neighbors, and keeps profits in our community.
Spring Cleaning Your Investments
Spring is a time of renewal. Seeds sprout, flowers blossom, and portfolios drift. It’s a great time to clear out the garage and to shape-up the landscaping, and it’s also a great time to clean up your investment portfolio. It pays to review your investing plan, to get organized, and to make adjustments heading into […]
Smart Uses for Your Tax Refund
Around 80% of federal tax returns filed result in a refund, and the average refund is around $3,000. That’s a pretty nice sum that can go a long way toward improving your financial well-being! If you expect to receive a refund check, consider how you can maximize its effect on your personal finances. Here are […]
Mid-Year Financial Checkpoint
There is something about the midpoint of the year. If you’re like me you’ve had a couple freak-out moments! “Where has the time gone?!” We think back on our intentions, and while we’ve probably made progress in some areas, there are always things we meant to do that we’ve pushed off because, well, life happens…
The Summer Spending Trap
Today marks the official First Day of Summer, and as Spring comes to a close, we have now come fully out of hibernation, stretched our legs, and are looking forward to backyard barbecues, time with family, and beautiful Summer weather!
529 Plan Basics
April showers bring May flowers… and in just a few weeks, 529 Day! May 29th has become an annual “celebration” of awareness for 529 College Savings Plans. In the same way that we use tax-advantaged accounts to save for retirement, 529 Plans can be a great way to save for future education expenses with favorable tax […]
Financial Planning F-Words: Fee-Only & Fiduciary
I’ve been asked why I think fee-only planning is a better business model. I’ll start by saying that it’s not a superiority thing; there are good planners in every version of financial advising who are trustworthy and who take great care of their clients. The opposite is also true. That said, there is a reason […]