Personal Finance Calendar

Write down the major financial events you anticipate in the next few years. That will help guide a discussion about whether your portfolio reflects your short- and long-term goals. Update your personal net worth to account for any significant changes in the past year. Double-check your employer-sponsored retirement plans. When determining how much to contribute, … Read more

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Exploring the Federal Student Grant Program

You may have heard of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if you or someone you know has plans to attend a college, career school, or university. Last year, over 60% of high school seniors submitted a FAFSA to the Department of Education to secure financial assistance. But what many prospective and … Read more

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Making a Charitable Contribution

Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want to consider donating those shares to charity rather than selling them. Donating appreciated securities to a tax-qualified charity may allow you to manage your taxes and benefit the charity. If you have held the stock for … Read more

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Managing Money as a Couple

When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your life changes—and your approach to managing your money may change as well. The good news is it’s usually not so difficult. At some point, you will have to ask yourselves some money questions—questions that pertain not only to your shared finances but also to … Read more

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Building a Solid Financial Foundation

When you read about money matters, you may see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? To some, when your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a solid foundation. It means that you have the “pillars” in place that are designed to support your long-term … Read more

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Mortgages in Retirement

Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the start. One question many people overlook is: “Should I pay off my mortgage … Read more

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Year-End Charitable Gifting and You

Are you making charitable donations at year’s end? If so, you should know about some of the financial “fine print” involved, as the right moves could potentially bring more of a benefit to both you and your chosen charity. Keep in mind, this article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for … Read more

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