College can seem costly, but with an early start and prudent planning, it can be reasonably affordable. Here are some options to start saving for your child’s college costs right now. The amount you’ll need to save depends on the college your child attends and the financial aid offered to you. The trick is to
Financial mistakes can occur throughout your lifetime. Whether you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s, it’s important to be aware of financial pitfalls to avoid. Planning is the best way to avoid financial mistakes, and those plans should be responsive to your current age and future needs. The double-squeeze afflicts 40-somethings. People in their 40s
Your investment strategy and estate plan should keep pace as your views evolve. Time changes our perspective on many things, including our finances. Perhaps you used to think that money would solve all your problems, or that you didn’t want to spend your time and energy thinking about your finances. You’ve lived, and you’ve learned.
It’s a great time to take stock of your career. It was once unthinkable to stray from your primary career before you retired, but that’s no longer the case. A career change in your 40s is a great way to redeploy all the business and interpersonal skills you’ve accumulated over the previous decades. The trick
Your insurance at mid-life: Gauging if you are underinsured. Life comes with all sorts of curveballs. Sometimes, they’re easily overcome and even end up being positive experiences. But every now and then, something unexpectedly serious can happen. When was the last time you assessed your insurance coverage? It may be time to reevaluate your needs.
Know your options for transferring assets. Some wealthy individuals begin or revisit their estate planning in response to a life event; others do so when their business or career changes. In either case, some key questions need to be asked. What assets are most vital to protect, and how are they titled? In pursuit of
Automate your retirement planning and wealth-building approach. Build your emergency fund with automatic transfers. Practically any bank or credit union can arrange daily, weekly, or per-paycheck transfers of money from a checking account into a savings account, or split your incoming paycheck into percentages going to both accounts. Try some apps. Apps like Qapital subtly
No one likes to consider the possibility of becoming mentally incapacitated due to age, accident or illness, but the fact is that almost every family will eventually face this kind of difficulty. Everyone should consider naming an agent to act in their best interests, in case they become unable to make their own decisions over
