Spotting Credit Trouble
American households carry an average revolving credit card balance of $7,876 from month to month.1 The wise use of credit is a critical skill in today’s world. Used unwisely, credit can rapidly turn from a useful tool to a crippling burden. There are a number of warning signs that you may be approaching credit problems: […]
Buying vs. Leasing a Car
Some people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “’til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge technology, or the highest horsepower. Whichever describes you best, we all face a similar decision when it comes to […]
Choose Your Own Retirement Adventure
Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the performance of different investments can shift a portfolio’s intent – and its […]
A Look at Diversification
Ancient Chinese merchants were said to have developed a unique way to manage their risk. They would divide their shipments among several different vessels. That way, if one ship were to sink or be attacked by pirates, the rest stood a good chance of getting through. Thus, the majority of the shipment could be saved. […]
The Business Cycle
What has upswings and downturns, troughs, peaks, and plateaus? Though such terms could easily describe a roller coaster ride, they are also commonly used to describe the business cycle. The business cycle – also known as the economic cycle – refers to fluctuations in economic activity over several months or years. Tracking the cycle helps […]
Insurance Needs Assessment: When You’re Newly Married
Marriage changes everything, including insurance needs. Newly married couples should consider a comprehensive review of their current individual insurance coverage to determine if any changes are in order, as well as consider new insurance coverage appropriate to their new life stage. Auto The good news is that married drivers may be eligible for lower rates […]
Retiree Health Care Coverage Overseas
According to the AARP, an estimated 39% of Americans over the age of 50 expect to travel internationally in 2023.1 Overseas travel may be one of the more popular aspirations in retirement, but it does beg an important question: Will your health insurance coverage travel with you? Medicare Coverage Outside the U.S. Is Limited In […]
Understanding Equity Compensation
Employers do what they can to foster a sense of ownership in their employees. After all, if you stand to benefit from a company’s success, you’re more likely to do a great job for them, or so the logic goes. So, when you are hired for a job or promoted within your existing company, you […]
The Pros and Cons of an NUA Strategy
Employer-issued stocks can be one attractive benefit an employer can offer. But while it has its benefits, it’s natural to wonder what happens if you leave that job. That’s where net unrealized appreciation (NUA) strategies can sometimes be helpful. An understanding of NUA strategies can help you determine what to do with those company stocks […]