If you have a myriad of retirement accounts with overlapping objectives, make time to organize your account information and ensure you’re making the most of each one.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 31 May 2021
It’s incredibly common to have multiple retirement accounts with overlapping objectives - and little time to organize them. However, if your accounts aren’t organized effectively, you may not be making the most of your savings and investments.
Parents are powerful influences on how their children spend, save, and invest, so it’s critical to teach your kids about money early and often.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 24 May 2021
Research shows that kids learn their money habits and values from their parents, yet 69 percent of parents are reluctant to discuss money with their children. Kids are always watching, however, and parents are teaching by example - whether they realize it or not. Since parents are such powerful influencers over their children, it is critical to discuss money matters so that kids are learning from a combination of talking about money and watching their parents’ actions.
If you equate money with stress or feel paralyzed when it comes to financial decision-making, take these steps to build your financial confidence./h5>
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 17 May 2021
Did you know that 33 percent of women and 25 percent of men find talking about money to be stressful? If you find yourself in this category, you’re not alone. Equating money with stress can make it difficult to make financial decisions or to meet your goals, and it often comes down to a lack of confidence.
If you’re unsure whether your financial decisions are in line with your values, it may be time to do a “values check.”/h5>
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 10 May 2021
Money decisions are about much more than dollars and cents - they are about your core values and how they impact your financial planning and decision-making. Unfortunately, many people experience disharmony between their values and their financial decisions. If you could benefit from more clarity about your values and what they mean for your financial and life goals, your challenge this week is to complete a “values check.”
The majority of women will be responsible for their own finances at some point, making it crucial to remember that a man is not a plan when it comes to preparing for your financial future./h5>
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 03 May 2021
The financial services industry remains dominated by men, and there is a lingering feeling in some circles that women take a backseat when it comes to money matters. This can lead many women to feel unheard or uncomfortable in financial conversations, even though women control 51% of personal wealth and have a greater desire than ever to take control of their financial futures.
Family conversations regarding money can be quite challenging, but they are paramount to protecting your family’s financial health and ensuring your wealth is protected.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 26 April 2021
Conversations with family regarding money, estate planning, retirement planning, elder care, and what will happen to investments when someone dies are not easy. Of course, they are also necessary for protecting your family’s financial future.
One way to create a successful and fruitful retirement plan is to make smart investment decisions - and, more importantly, to avoid making common investment mistakes.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 19 April 2021
Retirement planning requires having a smart strategy on several fronts, including your investment plan. One way to achieve a successful and fruitful retirement is to make smart investment decisions - and more importantly, to avoid making common investment mistakes.
Discussing money matters with the people closest to you is a crucial step in achieving your goals and improving your financial health.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 12 April 2021
Your financial life won’t flourish in a vacuum, so it is crucial to engage in money conversations with the people around you. This includes your spouse or partner, your children, your aging parents, and even your close friends. Although these discussions may feel awkward at times, having them is an integral step in achieving your goals and improving your financial health in important ways.
Many people fail to put enough thought into their legacies - what they would like to leave to their children, grandchildren, and favorite charities when they pass away.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 05 April 2021
If your financial plan focuses mainly on your current phase of life, plus overarching goals like maxing out on retirement contributions, you need to ask yourself if you’ve done enough legacy planning.
Every person’s ideal retirement lifestyle is different, yet research shows there is a common thread among the happiest and healthiest retirees: they remain active and engaged in life.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 29 March 2021
Retirement looks different for everyone, but you’re likely to be happier and healthier if you remain active and engaged in the world around you. Research shows that retirees who work part-time, volunteer, or otherwise spend their time in active or socially engaged situations have a lower likelihood of developing age-related chronic health conditions.
If you’re struggling with the transition from the working world to retirement, it may be time to give yourself a ‘retirement identity makeover.’
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 22 March 2021
The transition from working full-time to retirement raises all types of emotions - including challenging ones like apprehension and sadness. When you spend much of your life identifying as a professional or a parent or both, it will take time to cope with adjusting to a new phase of life.
Nearly 55% of young adults will move back in with their parents before the age of 27, and these so-called “boomerang kids” can have serious financial implications for parents.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 15 March 2021
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 55% of young adults will move back in with their parents for a period of time before age 27.
When your children leave home, the transition to an empty house will impact your emotions, time, finances, and relationships.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 08 March 2021
When your children leave home for the first time, the transition to an empty house can be challenging. It can also be very exciting!
Life brings many ups, downs and surprises and preparation is key when it comes to surprises that impact your money.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 01 March 2021
In this life, financial surprises are all but inevitable. One thing we can control, though, is how we handle surprises when they come along, and preparation is key when it comes to surprises that impact your money. That’s why it’s so important to have an emergency fund.
The vast majority of us will have debt at some point in our lives, and this isn’t necessarily a bad thing because debt can be either “good debt” or “bad debt.”
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA®
Monday, 22 February 2021
Most Americans will have debt at some point, but this isn’t necessarily a financial failure. That’s because there is a distinction between “good debt” and “bad debt.” As a general rule, good debt facilitates a goal, such as buying a home.
