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If I asked you right now how much life insurance you need, would you know the answer? A million dollars? Two million? Ten times your income? You've probably heard some of the common rules of thumb. Take your income and multiply it by 10. Make sure there's enough to pay off your mortgage. Those can be helpful starting points. But here's the problem: Your life isn't a rule of thumb. Two people can earn exactly the same salary and need completely different amounts of life insura

If you pull out a life insurance policy you have owned for 20 or 30 years, you may find yourself asking a simple question: Do I still need this? Maybe your children are now financially independent. Maybe the mortgage has been paid off. Perhaps your spouse has passed away, or the premiums no longer fit as comfortably into your budget as they once did. Many people assume they have only two choices: continue paying for the policy or cancel it. Depending on the policy and your ci

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, making this a good time to ask an important question: When was the last time you reviewed your life insurance policy? Many people purchased life insurance 15, 20, or even 30 years ago. At the time, that policy probably had a very specific job. Maybe it was intended to replace your paycheck if something happened to you. Maybe it was there to protect the mortgage or make sure your young children were financially taken care of. But fa

Financial planning isn’t just about finding the answer that looks best on paper. Sometimes, the numbers point in one direction, but once you actually sit down and talk through the situation, you realize there’s more to the decision. A recent client meeting was a great reminder of that. When the Numbers Don’t Tell the Whole Story A few weeks ago, I met with a couple who had about $200,000 of debt. They came in wanting to discuss whether they should pay it off. Before the meeti

One of the biggest misconceptions about taxes sounds something like this: “I’m in the 24% tax bracket, so 24% of my income goes to taxes.” That’s not how the U.S. tax system works. Understanding how tax brackets actually work can make retirement-planning decisions, such as Roth conversions, IRA withdrawals, capital gains, and Social Security taxation, much easier to evaluate. Marginal Tax Rate vs. Effective Tax Rate Two tax terms often cause confusion: marginal tax rate and e

When most people think about a 529 plan, they think of one thing: college savings. You put money away, it grows tax-free, and someday it helps pay for education expenses. While that’s still true, a recent rule change has made 529 plans much more flexible. In fact, for some families, a 529 plan can now help fund not only a child’s education, but potentially their retirement as well. What Happens If the Money Isn’t Needed? When I talk to parents about 529 plans, one of the bigg

When most people think about the greatest financial risks facing retirees, the stock market probably comes to mind. But one of the biggest risks may actually be long-term care. Many people assume they probably won’t need it. However, depending on how long-term care is defined, somewhere between half and nearly 70% of people turning 65 today will need some form of care during their lifetime. For many people, long-term care will eventually become part of retirement. It’s Not Ju

Some of the most important financial conversations we have with clients aren’t about investments. They’re about family. Maybe you want to help a child purchase their first home, contribute toward a grandchild’s education, or support an aging parent facing higher healthcare costs. Many people are trying to help more than one generation at the same time, all while preparing for or living through retirement themselves. Wanting to help the people you love is natural. But generosi

Life insurance is one of those financial tools that many people hear about but don’t always fully understand. As a result, a lot of myths...

Life insurance is one of those financial topics that many people know is important but often put off dealing with. Between the jargon,...

When you look at your investment statement, it’s natural to focus on the performance number. But here’s something many investors don’t...

The first half of 2025 has been anything but boring. Between tariff headlines, choppy markets, and a surprising win for international...

Summertime can be busy, but as we head into the second half of the year, now is the perfect time for a quick financial tune-up. A...

Have you ever wondered what would happen to your assets if something unexpected happened to you? Who would take care of your financial...