Financial Planning Articles
How to Choose a Texas Financial Planning Partner
When it comes to reaching their financial goals and planning for retirement, many people try to manage their finances themselves and hope for the best. You may have considered consulting with a financial planner but aren’t sure exactly what one does or how to go about...
How to Choose an Annuity
You work hard and do your best to save for retirement. However, there are many factors you can’t control – like the ups and downs of the stock market, interest rates, and inflation. This uncertainty is one reason why annuities have become a popular option for...
Texas Life Insurance: 5 Considerations
Life insurance is a key part of financial planning, and there are different types of policies to choose from. If you live in Texas, an insurance agent who is licensed in the state can help you review your Texas life insurance options and determine which policies work...
How Final Expense Planning Shields Your Loved Ones
Most people want to leave behind a legacy and fond memories – not a financial and logistical mess. However, without proper planning, things don’t always go smoothly. Final expense planning can shield your loved ones from costs and disputes that can occur when someone...
COVID’s Impact on Life Insurance
COVID-19 has changed many aspects of life. It may also have changed life insurance, at least in some ways. More than two years into the pandemic, it appears that COVID has had an impact on life insurance demand, and it has also had some impact on underwriting....
Protecting Your Personal Finances During High Inflation
The signs of high inflation are everywhere. Whether you’re buying weekly essentials like food and gas or planning big-ticket purchases like a car or a vacation, you’re likely paying much more than you used to. Take steps now to protect your personal finances....
Life Insurance Options When Your Term Policy Expires
For many, life insurance may seem like a complicated investment vehicle. Although this may be true in some regards, life insurance has many different benefits. Between tax advantages and secure growth, you purchased a life insurance policy for a reason. Whether it was...
Save Money and Pay Down Debt at the Same Time: It’s Easier Than it Sounds
When debt rears its ugly head, it can lead to stress and frustration. But it doesn’t have to. Following common financial advice would have you throwing every extra penny and dime at your debt as you work toward being debt free. In theory, that’s a great thing, but if...
Life Insurance Beneficiary Designations
There are a lot of things to consider when you buy life insurance. When’s the best time to buy a life insurance policy? Should you buy term life insurance or permanent life insurance? If it’s term, how long should the term be? And how large should the benefit be? Amid...
How to Use the Stimulus to Upgrade Your Financial Preparedness
By now, you have probably gotten your third stimulus payment. If you haven’t received any of your stimulus payments, you may be able to claim them when you file taxes. But if you have, think long and hard about how you want to spend the extra money. This is an...
Life Insurance Riders: Creating a Policy for Everyone
Life insurance can do a lot more than you may realize. Did you know that life insurance can pay out while the insured is still alive? Living life insurance can pay benefits during critical times in a person’s life, and with the addition of various riders, it’s...
Smart Financial Strategies for the Holiday Season
The holidays can be a financially stressful time in the best of years – and 2020 hasn’t exactly been the best of years for many. Employment is down and financial uncertainty is up, but this doesn’t mean you can’t be merry. You just need to use some smart financial...
What to Do with Your Stimulus Check
Millions of Americans have already received their coronavirus stimulus checks. The extra money will come as a relief to people who are struggling with furloughs, layoffs and reduced hours. This money may need to stretch a long way, however, so before you spend it,...
How the Pandemic Affects Retirement Planning
The coronavirus pandemic started as a health crisis and quickly became a financial crisis as well. Quarantines and stay-at-home orders have sent ripples through the economy, and retirement plans are feeling the impact. At the same time, new legislation is creating...
Why Couples with Grown Kids May Still Need Life Insurance
You purchased life insurance to make sure your children were provided for no matter what. Now that they’re grown, and you may be left wondering whether you still need life insurance. Don’t be too quick to abandon your policy. Although everyone’s situation is...
Don’t Let A Scammer Take Your Tax Return
You have until April 15, 2020, to file your federal income taxes for 2019. That gives you plenty of time, so you might be thinking there’s no reason to worry about W-2s and deductions yet – right? Wrong. Filing your taxes as early as possible is the smart move. It...
Financial Planning for Gig Workers, Independent Contractors and Freelancers
More and more Americans are embracing gig work. According to Upwork’s Freelancing in American 2019 study, 57 million Americans freelanced last year. That’s more than one-third of the entire U.S. workforce. It’s also an increase of 4 million since 2014. Whether you...
How Does Funeral Insurance Work?
The cost of an average funeral might surprise you. According to Parting, the average North American funeral costs between $7,000 and $10,000. This expense is often unexpected, and it can add stress to an already difficult time. Funeral insurance, also called burial...
End of Year Financial Planning Checklist
The year is almost over. As 2020 approaches, you have one more chance to get your finances in order. End 2019 on a high note by taking these financial planning steps. Max Out Your Contributions Time is running out to make contributions to your retirement plans. If you...
Financial Preparedness Includes Disaster Preparedness
Could your finances weather a storm? A disaster – whether it’s a hurricane, earthquake, fire or other catastrophe – can be financially devastating. Good preparation can help keep both your family and your bank account safe. September is National Preparedness Month,...