There’s nothing more exciting than welcoming a new member to your family. However, budgeting for a growing family brings a unique set of challenges and responsibilities. If you need help navigating them, keep reading. 5 Steps to Budgeting for a Growing Family Juggling the joys of parenthood with budgeting can feel overwhelming. However, you can make the process less daunting with preparation and a clear plan. By following these five straightforward steps, you can kickstart the budgeting process for your growing family. 1. Assess Your Family’s Financial Situation To get started on your budget ..read more

One part of estate planning that often gets overlooked is whether or not you should invest in long-term care insurance. Whether you’re planning for your own future or assisting a loved one, be sure to consider the following factors in your decision. What Does Long-Term Care Insurance Cover? Long-term care insurance offers financial support to people who require long-term care (LTC) services when they can no longer perform daily activities independently. Unlike health insurance, which primarily covers medical expenses like doctor visits and hospital stays, LTC insurance covers the costs of nurs ..read more

Do you want to build an emergency fund but aren’t sure where to start? Or maybe you’ve already begun to save but don’t have a consistent strategy. This guide will help simplify the path to financial preparedness by helping you determine how much you need in your emergency fund. What’s an Emergency Fund Used For? An emergency fund is a dedicated savings account that’s specifically designed to support you during times of unanticipated financial strain, like job loss. This means it should be kept completely separate from other long-term savings goals, like those meant for college tuition, a new c ..read more

Taxes may not be the most thrilling topic, but understanding their ins and outs is crucial for financial well-being. One particular area that many find hard to navigate is tax bracket management. Keep reading to learn four tax bracket management tips that will help make the process more manageable. Use These Tips to Avoid Tax Bracket Creep Understanding how tax brackets work is the first step to effectively managing your taxes. Tax brackets are typically progressive, meaning that different portions of your income are subject to different tax rates. The IRS frequently changes these rates, so st ..read more

An advisor can take so much of the stress and burden off your plate when managing personal finances while setting you up for a successful future. Below, we’ll discuss how to choose a financial advisor that fits your needs and circumstances. 4 Things to Consider When Selecting a Financial Planner Finding the right financial planner is like shopping for the right bank or stylist even. There are plenty of options available. It all comes down to what you need. 1. Your Financial Goals Financial advisors offer a wide range of services, ranging from estate planning to wealth management. To narrow dow ..read more

Changing jobs raises many questions, particularly around one’s finances. One of the most common queries we hear is: What happens to your retirement account when you change jobs? Your retirement account reflects all your hard work, dedication, and future opportunities, so you’ll need to be able to navigate this critical process. 4 Things You Can Do With Your 401k When Switching Jobs When switching jobs, it’s important to think proactively about your retirement plan. While you have several options for your money, you should be time-conscious as some investment options have timeframes that need t ..read more

In today’s dynamic financial landscape, investors are increasingly seeking opportunities beyond traditional investments. Still, whether you’ve already started building your portfolio or are just beginning your financial journey, you may find yourself asking: what are alternative investments? Keep reading to discover what they are, their types, and how they may benefit you. Understanding Alternative Investments “Alternative investments” is a broad term that encompasses various investment strategies. Essentially, alternative investments are investments that lie outside the traditional categories ..read more

You’ve worked hard for your money, but are you keeping it secure for your beneficiaries? Without protection, it can fall victim to life’s unpredictable twists and turns. Luckily, there are ways to safeguard your assets, like through an Ohio Legacy Trust (OLT). Want to ensure financial security and leave a lasting legacy for your loved ones? Keep reading to learn what an Ohio Legacy Trust is, its advantages, and who might benefit from one. What’s an Ohio Legacy Trust? An Ohio Legacy Trust is a domestic asset protection trust (DAPT) governed by the Ohio Legacy Trust Act. You can think of an asse ..read more

The best time to start saving for retirement? As soon as possible. Even if you start small, it can greatly impact your future. An individual retirement account is one way you can begin to save. There are two types: Traditional and Roth. Understanding the differences between Traditional vs Roth IRAs are essential to meeting your financial goals. Keep reading to learn about the differences between the two. Understanding the Types of IRAs No matter your life stage, it’s never too early to start retirement planning. Both types of IRAs offer unique tax benefits that can significantly impact your sa ..read more

Writing a will is crucial to securing your legacy, ensuring the correct distribution of your property, and ensuring your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. To help you navigate this important process, here are some dos and don’ts of making a will to keep in mind. The Dos Creating a will is a difficult yet significant undertaking. You’ll have to make some big decisions. Before you begin, keep these five things in mind to help ease the process. 1. Consider All Of Your Assets You need to think beyond money. Whether vehicles, real estate, investments, or valuable personal belongings ..read more