Lifelong Blog
Our nationally recognized, weekly blog posts.
The Downsizing Myth
Is downsizing just a myth? Many people in retirement upsize, “rightsize” or make no change at all.
2018: Year in Review
Well 2018 is officially in the record books! It came in like a lamb and left like a lion as they say. We saw some crazy things in the markets including one of the worst single point drop days in the Dow Jones history. Only to be followed by our first 1,000 point up day as a late holiday gift. We also experienced our first bear market (classified as down 20% from the peak) since the financial crisis in 2009. That said, like every year, there were big stories and smaller ones that framed the market performance.
Stop Procrastinating: 8 Actionable Items for 2019
As we start on this brand, New Year, I wanted to ask you: are there things you should be getting done in 2019 that you’ve been putting off for years? I often see people procrastinate and for various different reasons (some good, some bad, all understandable). But with New Year’s resolutions starting up, I wanted to give you a list of certain items that it may be time to fix.
Top 10 Financial Tip Blogs of 2018
Another year of financial blogging in the books. Hooray!
Writing never was something I considered myself very good at in my younger days. (I can’t tell you what my 16 year-old self would say if he knew I wrote 52 articles in a year!) But, when you find a passion, even the most daunting task becomes easier and more enjoyable.
In case you missed them, these were the most popular blogs of 2018. Both my younger self and I hope you enjoy the recap.
10 End of Year Planning Tips
With yearend upon us, life can get quite hectic. We’ve got vacations, holidays, and quality family time to juggle. While planning for all these, let’s make sure you don’t lose sight of some very important end of year financial planning tips.
Donor Advised Funds: A Great Tax Planning Tool for the Charitably Inclined
With the end of the year quickly approaching, and as most people are starting to look for end of year tax strategies, I figured now is an opportune time to get this information out.
So You’re Married! Now That You’ve Said, “I do”, How Will You Handle Your Joint Finances?
When I got married , the question everyone asked was, “does it feel different?” At first, I’d shrug, laugh it off, and answer with a quick “not really.” Much later as I pondered the question, I realized things were different. I didn’t love my wife more or less the day after we exchanged vows. (I loved her 1,000 times more, if she is reading this J). Yet, the big shift was in how we viewed our finances.
So You Have a 401(k), Now What? [12 Steps to Ensure Success]
At a very high level, most 401(k) plans work the same. You elect to pull money directly from your paycheck each month into a plan. These dollars are then invested into various vehicles of your choosing. Typically, these plans have some sort of tax benefit to help entice retirement savers. Once you retire, you then draw on these funds to help subsidize your income.
Those that Don’t Know History are Destined to Repeat it!
It’s a cliché but common aphorism: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (Thanks, Philosophy 101 and George Santayana.) Looking at the stock market through the lens of history, it sure is an interesting case study into the human psyche. The market is an amazing tool for financial freedom and security when handled correctly. But, if handled incorrectly, it can be the source of angst and frustration.
The Single Most Important Question to Ask Yourself Before Retiring!
The other night I had dinner at my favorite sushi place (Sagami’s in Collinswood, NJ) with a good friend. He’s over 50, and we discussed the topic of retirement. He described vacillating between getting an RV (and a dog) to travel the country versus continuing to work. After a few minutes of the pros and cons, I asked him one of my favorite contemplating-retirement questions. “Do you think you are retiring TO something or FROM something?”
The Downsizing Myth
Is downsizing just a myth? Many people in retirement upsize, “rightsize” or make no change at all.
2018: Year in Review
Well 2018 is officially in the record books! It came in like a lamb and left like a lion as they say. We saw some crazy things in the markets including one of the worst single point drop days in the Dow Jones history. Only to be followed by our first 1,000 point up day as a late holiday gift. We also experienced our first bear market (classified as down 20% from the peak) since the financial crisis in 2009. That said, like every year, there were big stories and smaller ones that framed the market performance.
Stop Procrastinating: 8 Actionable Items for 2019
As we start on this brand, New Year, I wanted to ask you: are there things you should be getting done in 2019 that you’ve been putting off for years? I often see people procrastinate and for various different reasons (some good, some bad, all understandable). But with New Year’s resolutions starting up, I wanted to give you a list of certain items that it may be time to fix.
Top 10 Financial Tip Blogs of 2018
Another year of financial blogging in the books. Hooray!
Writing never was something I considered myself very good at in my younger days. (I can’t tell you what my 16 year-old self would say if he knew I wrote 52 articles in a year!) But, when you find a passion, even the most daunting task becomes easier and more enjoyable.
In case you missed them, these were the most popular blogs of 2018. Both my younger self and I hope you enjoy the recap.
10 End of Year Planning Tips
With yearend upon us, life can get quite hectic. We’ve got vacations, holidays, and quality family time to juggle. While planning for all these, let’s make sure you don’t lose sight of some very important end of year financial planning tips.
Donor Advised Funds: A Great Tax Planning Tool for the Charitably Inclined
With the end of the year quickly approaching, and as most people are starting to look for end of year tax strategies, I figured now is an opportune time to get this information out.
So You’re Married! Now That You’ve Said, “I do”, How Will You Handle Your Joint Finances?
When I got married , the question everyone asked was, “does it feel different?” At first, I’d shrug, laugh it off, and answer with a quick “not really.” Much later as I pondered the question, I realized things were different. I didn’t love my wife more or less the day after we exchanged vows. (I loved her 1,000 times more, if she is reading this J). Yet, the big shift was in how we viewed our finances.
So You Have a 401(k), Now What? [12 Steps to Ensure Success]
At a very high level, most 401(k) plans work the same. You elect to pull money directly from your paycheck each month into a plan. These dollars are then invested into various vehicles of your choosing. Typically, these plans have some sort of tax benefit to help entice retirement savers. Once you retire, you then draw on these funds to help subsidize your income.
Those that Don’t Know History are Destined to Repeat it!
It’s a cliché but common aphorism: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” (Thanks, Philosophy 101 and George Santayana.) Looking at the stock market through the lens of history, it sure is an interesting case study into the human psyche. The market is an amazing tool for financial freedom and security when handled correctly. But, if handled incorrectly, it can be the source of angst and frustration.
The Single Most Important Question to Ask Yourself Before Retiring!
The other night I had dinner at my favorite sushi place (Sagami’s in Collinswood, NJ) with a good friend. He’s over 50, and we discussed the topic of retirement. He described vacillating between getting an RV (and a dog) to travel the country versus continuing to work. After a few minutes of the pros and cons, I asked him one of my favorite contemplating-retirement questions. “Do you think you are retiring TO something or FROM something?”