First Financial Insights
The True “Crash Proof” Retirement
“Crash Proof” Retirement Several financial advisors offer “crash proof” retirement programs, and understandably it is an enticing offer. Who wouldn’t want a “crash proof” retirement?
What Happens to 401k When You Quit?
Summary: When you quit your job, you have options for your 401k: leave it, roll it over, or cash out. Managing it wisely is crucial
Economic Commentary – Where Are We Going
Any economic forecasts of where we are going must be prefaced by acknowledging where we were and where we are now. Where We Were We
Which Pension Option Should You Choose
Which Pension Option Should You Choose If you have a pension and are retiring or changing jobs, you have a very important decision to make.
How To Attain Real Wealth
Real Wealth There’s a lot of talk about wealth – how to create it, grow it, keep it – but we often wonder if people
Can You Trust Your Financial Advisor?
Can You Really Trust Your Financial Advisor? Life is getting busier and more complicated, so it’s not surprising to learn that more and more people
Economic Commentary – Coronavirus Truths
Coronavirus Truths Concern over the Coronavirus continues to hit financial markets. The decreases in the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 indexes are
Working With a Financial Planner
Working with a Financial Planner: It’s Not just Business, It’s Personal What do you picture when you think of financial planning? Spreadsheets? Graphs? Investment management
Understanding Your 401(k)
412 This BenchTalk is all about understanding your 401(k) plan. At its core, a 401(k) is a type of retirement savings plan that companies will
Best Financial Investments in 2020
What were the best financial investments in 2019? This is the question that many people ask in the hopes of finding that secret formula for
Can A Financial Advisor Really Help?
Can A Financial Advisor Help You? Can a financial advisor help you in a meaningful way? The short answer is yes but, we do in
How To Avoid Running Out of Money In Retirement
Avoid Running Out of Money In Retirement Life is full of things to worry about, and a recent survey showed that two-thirds of people are
How to Achieve Financial Security in 7 Straightforward Steps
How Do You Achieve Financial Security? The short answer is you need a solid financial plan to achieve financial security, which is true at any
How To Design Your Investment Portfolio
Long-term Bedrock Principles How do you successfully build and manage an investment portfolio to accomplish long-term goals? This is a critical question that too often
Can You DIY Your Finances?
Can you DIY your personal finances? By now, most of us are familiar with the term DIY or “do-it-yourself”. The idea behind DIY is essentially
How To Pay For College
Parents and students all across the country continue to wonder how they are going to pay for college. Over the last thirty years, the cost
Should You Hire A Local Financial Advisor?
There are so many things to consider when hiring a financial advisor – competence, experience, ethics, objectivity & independence, etc. The list can be quite
Financial Recession: Top 3 Things to Do
If you have been listening to the news there seems to be a lot of discussion about an impending financial recession. We at First Financial
Is $2 Million Enough to Retire at 60?
How much is enough to retire? In the past, $1 million appeared to be sufficient for many Americans, but over the years, $2 million has
Strategic vs Tactical Asset Allocation | Guide to Investing Success
Your investing strategy likely includes more than purchasing only stocks or index funds. You may also be looking at bonds or cash investments. This approach
Economic Commentary – Confusing Times
If you’re feeling a bit dazed and confused in the present times, you’re not alone, nor are these feelings unwarranted. We are being whipsawed by
The Importance of Insurance Planning in Wealth Management
Insurance planning is one of the most important parts of wealth management, but sadly, it is often the most neglected component. Wealth management is the
What to Invest in During Inflation
Inflation is a fact of life in the national and global economies. We can’t say that we “always” live in inflationary times, but we certainly
What Is A Good Monthly Retirement Income For A Couple?
What is a good monthly retirement income for a couple? The anticipation of newfound freedom and leisure comes at a price, and planning ahead to