My daughter graduated from high school on June 2. This fall will be the start of a special year in our family’s financial life: I will have two college students at the same time. These are the days. With graduation at the top of my mind, I thought I’d share some tips and advice for …
What to do if your elderly parent is being scammed
If you are better than 50 years old and your parents are still alive, you have probably wondered from time to time if they might get caught in a scam. It’s a reasonable concern. Seniors are commonly the victims of financial exploitation. One recent study in New York state estimates that as much as $36 billion each …
How to decide where to live after retirement
Over time, we all face choices about where and how we live as we age. Below are 10 options for retirement living options. Aging in place The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) says that 87 percent of retiree homeowners want to stay in their current home for as long as possible. Benefits: The homeowner gets …
Should I take Social Security at age 62?
As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, I will tell you that deciding whether to take Social Security benefits early is a big decision. It’s important to get professional advice to be sure you make the correct call for you and your family. Since I’m in the financial advice business, it’s not a big surprise that I see …
How much should you pay a financial advisor?
I refer to most financial broadcasting as “financial pornography” because the majority of this information is based on fantasy that’s all very exciting and engaging. There are flashing visuals about stock price movements and a constant stream of talking heads and broadcasts from the chaotic, noisy floors of the exchanges. The goal of all this …
What does a Financial Planner Do?
If you’re thinking about looking for a financial planner, you may be wondering what exactly a financial planner does and what value he or she can bring into your life. The answer I give when people ask me what a financial planner does is, “I help my clients clarify financial goals and reach them reliably.” …
