How a Financial Planner can Help You
Given the complexity of retirement and estate planning, most people will at some time in their life require the services of a financial planner. It is simply not worth the risk to try and go solo when an advisor can provide their professional knowledge and experience...
Are You Getting All of Your Social Security Benefits?
Social Security is the commonly used term for the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. The original Social Security program was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 on the heels of the Great Depression. Social...
Can You Tolerate the Speed at Which Your Investments Have You Going?
Imagine a world where there were no speed limits. How fast would you go? I’m sure there are certain situations where you might be inclined to push your limits, like if you are running late to an appointment or are especially anxious to get to your destination. Beyond...
The Dreaded Phone Call: What to Do When a Spouse Dies Suddenly
When I picked up the phone, I could hear her crying on the other end of the line. “Hi, Ellen.” “Kevin………..Ed passed away.” As a financial advisor, I get this type of phone call from time to time. It’s always a kick in the gut and incredibly sad. I, myself, start to...
The Importance of Portfolio Monitoring
A fire pit and portfolio monitoring. I recently completed a backyard renovation project of building a fire pit and seating area where an old tree stump had been. I wanted to have rocking chairs around the fire pit, so I decided to use stone pavers for six designated...
How to find a good financial advisor?
In the world of financial services, there are a lot of options outs there. The challenging part is know exactly what services they provide and how to find a good financial advisor. So where do you begin? First thing to look at is what type of firm it is. There are...
What Caused The Black Monday Stock Market Crash?
When was Black Monday? Monday, October 19, 1987 — the biggest single-day stock market crash in U.S. history. Stocks fell around the world and the Dow lost nearly 23% on the day. In today’s terms that would be nearly a 5,200 point drop! Why did Black Monday...
The 5 Stages of Building Wealth
At The Retirement Planning Group, we’re usually not big fans of “rules of thumb,” especially regarding financial planning. Mainly because financial planning is so tied to each person’s unique set of circumstances. What works for some may not work for others. As...