Blog
Fixed or Variable Mortgage, Which Should You Pick?
When selecting a mortgage, one of the most critical choices is between a fixed or variable interest-rate mortgage. Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of...
A Brief History of Estate Taxes
Federal estate taxes have long since been a lucrative source of funding for the federal government. Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded. In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps...
Inflation & Your Money
It's important to understand how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments. "If the current annual inflation rate is less than 3 percent, why do my bills seem like they're 10 percent higher than last year?"1 Many of us ask ourselves that question, and it...
The Average American Budget
Learn about the average American budget in this fun and interactive piece.. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household earns an average of $101,805 a year before taxes and spends over 80% of their available income on basic necessities...
The One Big Beautiful Bill and You
Explore how the One Big Beautiful Bill may affect taxes, deductions, and credits now and in the years ahead. On July 4, the One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law at a White House ceremony. This domestic policy bill extends the 2017 tax cuts set to expire this...
How Insurance Deductibles Work
Knowing how insurance deductibles work can help you save money. An insurance deductible is the amount you, the insured, pay before any claim is paid by your insurance carrier. Depending upon the type of insurance, a policy may set the amount of deductible, or offer...
Exploring the Federal Student Grant Program
In this article, explore the benefits of 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, nearly 50% of...
Top Things to Ask a Financial Advisor
Financial Planning Industry: Selecting an Advisor “Life is Change, Growth is Optional” I heard that book title the other day, and even though I haven’t read the book, I found myself considering the title in relation to my profession. As in the case of life itself,...
Buying a Home
A look at what you need to think about when buying a home. When people talk about the American Dream and what it means to them, buying a house is often near the top of the list. However, the care and responsibilities of owning a home can sometimes be overlooked:...
