As a retirement savings plan participant, you know that setting an accumulation goal is an important part of your overall strategy. In fact, over decades of conducting its annual Retirement Confidence Survey, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) has found that goal setting is a key factor influencing overall retirement confidence. But for many, a…
Vehicle expenses can take a big bite out of your budget. According to an AAA report, the average annual total cost of owning and operating a new vehicle in 2018 was $8,849. Fortunately, you may be able to save money by reducing three costs. Depreciation The loss of a vehicle’s value over time was the…
Generally, when financial advisors or the media talk about investment risk, their focus is on the historical price volatility of the asset or investment under discussion. Advisors label as aggressive or risky an investment that has been prone to wild price gyrations in the past. The presumed uncertainty and unpredictability of this investment’s future performance…
This week on “Money Talks,” Chief Investment Officer Troy Harmon, CFA, CVA, is joined by Senior Associate Jarrett McKenzie, CFP®, CWS®, and Associate Melanie Wells, CFP®, to discuss how a little financial planning for retirement can greatly impact your taxes today.
1. Revolving Credit Can Make It Hard for You to Pay off Debt Credit cards allow you to spend money you don’t currently have, and to repay what you’ve spent over time instead of all at once. When you use a card, the balance you owe increases, and your remaining available credit decreases. As you…
Almost 100 million Americans, representing about 44% of U.S. households, owned mutual funds in 2018. Saving for retirement was the primary goal for 73% of investors; other goals included saving for college or a house, building an emergency fund, or providing current income.* Mutual funds offer a convenient way to participate in a broad range…
Debt consolidation can lead to an improvement in your credit rating by making your debt easier to manage. Sometimes, debt consolidation means taking a loan at a lower interest rate to pay off several smaller loans at higher interest rates. Making one payment instead of many may help you keep your debt under better control,…
There’s no doubt about it—going through a divorce can be an emotionally trying time. Ironing out a divorce settlement, attending various court hearings, and dealing with competing attorneys can all weigh heavily on the parties involved. In addition to the emotional impact a divorce can have, it’s important to be aware of how your financial…
Is your debt-to-income ratio out of control? In today’s Marietta Daily Journal Bil Lako, CFP®, explains where you want to be and provides tips on how to lower that ratio. Read the Article This article is for demonstrative and academic purposes and is meant to provide valuable background information on particular investments, NOT a recommendation to…
In today’s digital world, massive computer hacks and data breaches are common occurrences. And chances are, your personal or financial information is now susceptible to being used for credit fraud or identity theft. If you discover that you are the victim of either of these crimes, you should consider placing a credit freeze or fraud…
