So much of the financial advice we live by has been around for decades—and is rarely questioned. But times they are-a changing. Maybe we need to ask some questions: How much savings do I need? What portion of it should I invest? What about my retirement funds? Below are some pieces of common financial advice…
The word “estate” sounds much more official than it is. “Estate” simply refers to anything you own: a house, a car, whatever money is sitting in your bank account, a vintage guitar collection, your beloved dog, the antique china set that was passed down to you from your great, great grandmother… Anything. Chances are that…
There are few things more challenging in life than dealing with a loved one’s chronic illness. Nowhere in school do we learn how to navigate such a delicate situation, and little in life prepares us for the unique challenges involved. While well-meaning friends are quick to offer advice, rarely is their insight astute enough to…
With an ever-growing list of day-to-day responsibilities, being a parent is hard—never mind being a single parent! It’s hard enough to find the time to go grocery shopping and take a shower. Carving out time not only to think about what would happen to your children should you become incapacitated or worse but to actually…
Modern family structures are ever more complex. It is increasingly the norm for parents to separate and remarry, bringing step- or half-siblings into the mix. Expectations around monogamy are challenged by contemporary values, and wider acceptance of non-traditional sexualities has led to an expansive idea of what counts as family. Add to this the ugly…
You’d think that only the seediest of human beings would prey on the elderly and, though you’d be right, you’d be surprised by how many are willing to sink to such lows. Every year senior citizens in the U.S. lose billions to scammers, the vast majority of which work through digital and phone networks. For…
Congratulations! If you are reading this article you are likely among the minority of U.S. citizens who has an estate plan. While worthy of a pat on the back, having a plan is only the start of responsible asset management. Once you’ve gotten the ball rolling, you now need to keep it on course with…
There are certain topics we avoid talking about with our parents—and estate planning is one of them. Asking your parents about their retirement finances and what will happen to their assets after they die is not only uncomfortable, but it can make you sound greedy, or even scheming. The discomfort isn’t just on the child’s…
Are you single and think that having an estate plan is unnecessary? Or maybe you just never thought about planning your estate at all? Even if you are unmarried with a significant other, there are still advantages to having a solid estate plan in place. As you get closer to retirement, it is a good…
While people worldwide—and especially the millennials among us—mourn the death of Luke Perry, meager solace exists in knowing that those closest to the Beverly Hills 90210 star need not worry about fulfilling his last wishes. Unlike two thirds of adults, Perry had put his estate in order before his tragic and untimely passing. Ask any…