First Financial Insights
Dangers of Annuities in Retirement
Embarking on the journey of retirement requires a thoughtful approach, and understanding the role of annuities in retirement is paramount. As the financial landscape evolves,
Economic Commentary – Is The Economy Booming?
Economic reports coming in are good, and most media outlets have concluded that this is great news. Those conclusions may be premature; the more logical
Value Investing vs Growth Investing: What Makes Them Distinct?
There’s no “right” or “correct” way to invest. Your objectives, needs, and personally defined level of acceptable risk all inform individual investment strategies. Value investing
What is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor? The Ultimate Guide
The world of financial planning can be confusing, and it’s crucial to seek a professional who can help guide you toward financial success. But who
Economic Commentary – 2024 Economic Outlook
We closed 2023 and entered 2024 with a market rally, newly born confidence that the inflation battle won’t lead us into a recession, and relief
How to Prepare for a Recession
A recession is a period of economic downturn that can affect governments, businesses, and individuals. Recessions often include higher unemployment, stagnant wage growth, and reduced
What Does High Net Worth Financial Planning Look Like?
It’s a simple statement, but it’s true: financial planning is an important consideration for just about everyone. However, high net worth individuals and couples may
How to Account for Inflation in Retirement Planning
Inflation, the general increase in the price of goods and services, has multifaceted effects on retirees. While localized price fluctuations occur due to changes in
Economic Commentary – The Future and Beyond
There is a lot of doom and gloom in the air, but there is a significant amount of very positive news to consider as we
7 Retirement Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Retirement planning is crucial for building and funding the type of life you want to live after exiting the workforce. By making effective investments, addressing
What is a Recession, Exactly?
Recessions are an unfortunate fact of life. These economic downturns happen occasionally, and the broad economic factors that cause them are outside of any single
Fiduciary vs Financial Advisor: An In-Depth Comparison
Understanding the difference between a financial advisor and a fiduciary is critical to your financial success. If you need a financial professional for advice, you
Economic Commentary – Where Are We Now
Thus far, 2023 has been a confusing year. Certainly, the geopolitical landscape has been difficult, but overlaid on those headlines are alternating reports of a
Managing a Financial Windfall
Sudden wealth is a blessing to many, but sadly it becomes a burden for too many people and has actually ruined lives. You would think
20 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor in First Meeting
Working with a financial advisor is a crucial part of achieving financial security. A good financial advisor will help you effectively manage your money. They
Retirement Income in a Down Market
Whenever the stock market takes a dive or seems to be stalled after a dive, the sharks come out, offering various retirement income solutions. These
Economic Commentary – How Fragile Are The Banks
The failure of Silicon Valley Bank and the simultaneous troubles afflicting First Republic Bank and now Credit Suisse can’t help but call into question the
Economic Commentary – Inflation Is Not Finished
Retirement Calculator Retirement Investment Calculator Your Information Current Age Retirement Age Initial Investment ($) Monthly Contribution ($) Desired Monthly Retirement Budget ($) Other Monthly Retirement
Estate Planning Checklist: 5 Documents You Need
With over $36 trillion in wealth expected to transfer from American retirees to their beneficiaries, it’s surprising that only 32% of Americans have an estate
Economic Commentary – Looking for Clarity (Part 2)
We rarely release sequels; we don’t want to get anywhere close to Rocky 27 (or wherever we are in that long series), but we do
The Essentials of High Net Worth Retirement Planning
Once an investor becomes a high net worth individual (HNWI), they face a number of new retirement challenges. Additional taxes, legacy planning, succession planning, and
Mega Backdoor Roth IRA | Everything You Need to Know
A Mega Backdoor Roth IRA is one of the best ways for high-income earners to maximize their retirement investments. Investors can use their traditional IRA
Economic Commentary – Looking For Clarity
The U.S. is not on a precipice, nor is it staring down an imminent recession, nor is it facing a looming economic crisis. In short,
How to Retire Early | The Essentials of Early Retirement Planning
Thirty-five percent of Americans are retiring earlier simply because they can. But the decision to transition from working life to retirement is a personal and