When Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall retirement income strategy, including longevity and survivor considerations? As April is National Social Security Month, we thought it […]
Teaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated exposure to real trade-offs. Financial literacy develops when young people are allowed to […]
Helping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key Takeaways Here are some questions this blog aims to answer: Why Home Buying May Feel Harder for Your Children or Grandchildren Than It Was for You If you feel like your kids are working hard and still finding it increasingly difficult to buy a home, you are not alone. We have many clients whose […]
Three Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key Takeaways Why These Three Numbers Matter A quiet shift is happening. Women are building their own wealth through careers, often serving as the primary earners in their families, and inheriting assets from their parents and spouses. Meanwhile, women are living longer and, in many cases, making financial decisions independently in later life. The story […]
Understanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
Key Takeaways February is an interesting month in the financial calendar. The holiday excitement has faded, credit card bills from December have arrived, and tax season is in full swing. For some people, this is when the emotional weight of money can feel the heaviest. Here is what is less often discussed: 43 percent of […]
AI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past innovations such as the personal computer, the internet, and the smartphone. However, as AI reshapes everything from business to education to healthcare, criminals […]
Money Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations – Copy
Key Takeaways Why Talk About Money During the Holidays? As you gather with family around the holidays, it may be a good opportunity to discuss a potentially uncomfortable, but necessary topic: family finances. This is especially true if you are older and have adult children who need to be brought up to speed on your […]
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
Receiving a bonus, inheritance, or an increase in income often prompts a key financial question: Should I use this money to pay off my mortgage, or invest it? At first glance, the answer might seem simple. But in reality, it requires careful consideration. Paying off a mortgage can reduce monthly expenses, while investing those funds […]
A 2025 Guide to Protecting Seniors from Fraud
If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re also their first line of defense against financial scams. Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated, and unfortunately, older adults are being […]
Smart Moves to Consider Before Year-End
The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and make sure you’re closing out the year with intention. Whether you’re looking to manage taxes or retirement […]