From the pandemic era to hyperinflation, the last few years have created a trend of people looking for ways to get back to the lifestyle of yesteryear.  While many of us love the idea of getting back to our roots, it may not be practical, with today’s busy lifestyle. You don’t have to be raising backyard chickens or nurturing a sourdough bread starter to do things to save money and live a simpler life. By being intentional and by making a few tweaks to your current lifestyle, you can save a few bucks and even reap some health benefits. Here are a few tips for living a simpler life. Get So ..read more

Many American families dream of that once in a lifetime vacation or enjoy an annual trip. What most people don’t realize is that these types of trips can really set you back. According to USA today, Airfare prices on domestic flights average $367.79 per person. Popular locations at peak season times can cost far more. According to GoGo Charters, the average family of four can plan on spending a whopping $7,936. For some families, this is simply more than what they can afford. With the cost of family vacations escalating, many are finding the vacation of their dreams out of reach. Rest assured ..read more

How to save more money…What does this mean to you? Does it mean that you actively are looking to increase your savings? Does it make you think of starting a 401k, saving an emergency fund or tucking money away for a major purchase? Or does it mean saving money on groceries, making your paycheck go farther or not feeling stuck in the rut of trying make ends meet. While this same question can have two different meanings, the root of the question comes down to cash flow management. If you are getting established, you might feel like you are trying to make it from paycheck to paycheck. If you are ..read more

Where do you go when you need help making important financial decisions? Do you find yourself researching financial topics on popular outlets like Reddit, YouTube and TikTok? There is a plethora of information on the internet, but should you trust the information you are getting from social media and other online outlets?  Do you feel like the idea of working with a financial advisor is old-fashioned or for people your parents’ age? With so many online resources available is there value in hiring someone to help? Pitfalls of DIY Planning One of the most concerning parts of using social me ..read more

While health insurance can limit the amount of money you will need to pay when you seek medical treatment, you may find yourself covering a portion out of pocket. According to Statista, in the US, the average annual health cost per person is $1,233 or $4,932 for a family of 4.  Dealing with a big stack of medical bills is enough to make even the strongest stomach feel queasy. The good news is that if you plan properly, you can take charge of how you manage out of pocket medical expenses. Having a bit tucked away to cover medical expenses is one of the best ways to take the stress out of b ..read more

While we often think that it is only seniors that are targeted by scammers and fraudsters, it is important to be aware that anyone can become a target and incur financial loss. In fact, according to the Federal Trade Commission, the largest demographic of victims of cybercrime were aged 30-39, followed by victims aged 40-49. By keeping informed and up to date, you can protect yourself from becoming one of the nearly 2.4 million people who are scammed annually. Romance Scams As more and more people are looking for love online, romance scams have become more prevalent. Norton estimates that in 2 ..read more

Whether you are shopping for a new advisor, or you have had the same advisor for years, it is important to understand how your advisor and their firm generate revenue. While cost only seems to matter if you fail to see value in the services you are receiving, there are several reasons why it is good to understand the fee structure of your investments. Read more to learn about fee-based vs.  fee only financial advisors. Traditionally, the finance industry was made up of broker-dealers that hired a sales force to sell products. Registered representatives of these broker-dealers earn commiss ..read more

While the term Sandwich Generation may be unfamiliar, you, or someone you know is likely part of this growing demographic. Between the trend of people starting families later and grown children leaving the nest later, many middle-aged adults are left feeling like they are stuck in the middle of people needing their help. This pinch can leave people feeling stressed out but can also have financial ramifications. If you find yourself sandwiched, here is what you should know when it comes to your financial future. Financially Supporting Others Although you may think of the day-to-day things that ..read more

If you are like most Americans, you no longer or perhaps have never received your pay in the form of a paper check.  American Payroll Association estimates that while some people are still paid with paper checks, an overwhelming 93% of employees receive their paycheck directly deposited. Additionally, some employees use payroll cards and reloadable prepaid debit cards to receive their pay. The shift from old school paper checks to direct deposit has caused us to be less aware of all the deductions that come off the top of our checks. It is this unawareness that can cause issues in the lon ..read more

Credit cards can be an important part of managing your financial situation when used correctly, but what do you need to know about being smart when it comes to credit cards? Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your credit cards. Choose 0% According to Lendingtree, the average credit card interest rate in the US is 23.84%. Remember that this is an average. If you have great credit, you probably have a better rate and if your credit is poor, it can be nearly 30% interest. If you are like most people, this may come as a surprise to you, but credit card rates have steadily increased ..read more