As we close out the third quarter of the year, it's a natural time to pause and take stock of your progress toward your financial goals. By this point in the year, nine months of progress, challenges, and decisions have shaped where you stand today. With three months ahead, there's time to fine-tune your approach, close gaps, and position yourself to finish the year strong.
As we approach the year's final quarter, it’s the perfect time for a retirement plan check-up. Even if you set your 401(k) contributions months ago, life has a way of shifting the numbers — salary increases, bonuses, or payroll changes can all affect how much you are actually putting away.
As we embark on a new year, there's no better time to take control of your financial future by thoroughly reviewing your cash flow. If having a vision and establishing goals is the touchstone for a financial plan, this essential financial practice sets the foundation for achieving your goals and ensuring long-term financial stability.
Anyone who has gone through a divorce knows how emotionally challenging and financially complex it can be. While attorneys handle the legal aspects, a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® focuses specifically on the financial implications of divorce. This specialized designation equips professionals with the expertise to guide clients through the intricate financial aspects of divorce proceedings, ensuring better outcomes for their financial future.
Anna Marie Mock, a fee-only certified financial planner at Highland Financial Advisors, discusses the dynamic interplay between art and science in financial planning. Drawing inspiration from Leonardo da Vinci's philosophy that "everything connects to everything else," she emphasizes that financial planning is an art involving subjective goal-setting and a science-driven by objective analysis tools. In this video, Anna explains how the scientific method can be applied to financial planning, using equity compensation as a concrete example.
As a business owner, planning for retirement is crucial not only for securing your future but also for attracting and retaining top talent. With various retirement plan options available, it can be challenging to determine which one best suits your needs and the needs of your employees. In this article, we'll explore four popular retirement plans, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, 401(k), and Defined Benefit Cash Balance Plans, to help you make an informed decision.
Welcome to Highland Financial Advisor's comprehensive video series, designed to guide you through the crucial steps of interviewing and starting a relationship with a fiduciary financial advisor. Whether you're new to financial planning or looking to optimize your current strategy, our clearly defined process and expert advice will help you make informed decisions. In this series, we'll cover everything from understanding fees and value to setting financial goals and creating a personalized wealth management plan. Subscribe now to stay updated and take control of your financial future with confidence.
A 529 plan is a powerful tool designed to help families save for future education expenses. The primary allure of a 529 plan lies in its tax benefits—some states allow state-tax deductions or credits on account contributions, and the investments in the account grow tax-free. Withdrawals from 529 plans are tax-free if used for qualified educational expenses, including tuition, room and board, books and supplies, private elementary and secondary school education, and student loan repayments.
In today's video, Certified Financial Planner™ Ed Leach delves into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of financial planning for dental practice owners: cash reserves. Understanding and managing your cash reserves can significantly impact the stability and growth of your practice and your financial security. This video will answer critical questions about how much you should have in your practice and personal savings accounts, what types of accounts you should use, and how to choose the right banking relationship.
Going through a divorce can be an incredibly stressful and emotionally draining experience. In addition to dealing with the end of a marriage, there are practical and financial implications to navigate. One potential pitfall many divorcees find themselves in is overspending to cope with the changes and upheaval in their lives.
Equity compensation is a powerful tool for pharmaceutical executives to enhance their financial health and secure a stake in their company's long-term growth. As a Certified Financial Planner™ at Highland Financial Advisors, AnnaMarie Mock delves into the intricacies of equity compensation, providing valuable insights and strategies. In this video, we explore the various components of equity compensation, including stock options and grants, to help you make informed decisions and optimize your financial plan.
At Highland Financial Advisors, we're proud to introduce Joey Casolaro, one of our talented Associate Wealth Advisors based in Wayne, NJ. Recently, Joey sat down with Caleb Brown on the New Planner Podcast for an insightful discussion about his journey into the financial planning profession and the career path that led him to our firm.
In this installment of our video series on financial planning for newly independent women, we delve into updating beneficiaries across key financial documents and accounts. Whether you are navigating the aftermath of a divorce or coping with the recent loss of a spouse, it is essential to review and revise your estate documents, life insurance policies, and investment accounts to reflect your new circumstances. Additionally, we'll explore health insurance options that are available to you during this transition. These steps ensure your financial future is secure and your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
In the fast-paced world of dental practice ownership, making informed financial decisions is crucial for long-term success and stability. In this informative video series, a financial expert, Ed Leach, guides dental practice owners through the complexities of managing their finances. The series introduces a straightforward framework designed to help owners make smart money decisions, whether just starting or looking to optimize their financial strategies.
Rummaging around your stuffed filing cabinet, you come across a stock certificate. A glint of excitement enters as you think about the potential value of this forgotten relic. It is not uncommon to stumble upon an old stock certificate in its physical form. There are steps to take to research if the old stock certificate is worthless or if it is a lottery ticket.
Your health is your greatest wealth – a principle that rings true figuratively and literally. Just as prudent financial planning and investing safeguard your long-term financial well-being, a nutritious diet is crucial for fortifying your physical health and averting the debilitating effects of autoimmune diseases.
When you think of Arnold Schwarzenegger, visions of his bodybuilding championships, blockbuster movies, and tenure as the governor of California probably come to mind. However, the Austrian-American renaissance man has added another accomplishment to his impressive resume - author. In his book "Be Useful: A Blueprint for Living an Integral Life," Schwarzenegger outlines his philosophy for leading a fulfilling existence by being useful and serving some cause greater than yourself.
Picture this: you stand at the tee box, surveying the undulating terrain ahead with excitement and apprehension. With each club selection and calculated swing, you inch closer to the elusive hole, navigating obstacles and seizing opportunities. Little do you know, every decision you make on the course mirrors the principles of prudent financial management, offering valuable insights into crafting a secure and prosperous future.
We've all been there - stuck at the dinner table with the overly political uncle who's had a few beverages and is ready to dive into the latest headlines and hot-button issues. You know the one: every family gathering turns into a political debate, and you're left navigating a minefield of opinions while trying to enjoy your meal. Whether he's passionately defending his views or eagerly challenging yours, it's hard to escape the tension that hangs in the air. If no one comes to mind, perhaps you're that "uncle"?
After spending 17 years lying dormant underground, a new generation of Brood XIII cicadas will soon emerge across large swaths of the eastern United States. This phenomenon is one of the most remarkable examples of cyclical events in the natural world.
It's fascinating to think that the last time Brood XIII was about to turn in for its 17-year slumber, Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone to the world for the first time. A year later, a mysterious person named Satoshi Nakamoto wrote a paper describing something he called Bitcoin, which began trading for less than a penny.
In our series on empowering newly Independent Women to achieve financial security, we delve into the often underestimated importance of organizing financial documents. Join Joe Goldy as he uncovers the three significant benefits of maintaining well-organized financial records, offering insights into financial transparency, legal compliance, and emotional closure. Discover how this simple yet powerful practice can advance financial Independence and peace of mind.
The story is well-known: if you place a frog into boiling water, it will jump out immediately. But if the frog is put in tepid water that is slowly heated, it will not perceive the impending danger and will eventually be cooked to death. This analogy is a powerful metaphor, cautioning us about the risks posed by gradual changes that go unnoticed—similar to the frog failing to react to the slowly heating water.
This metaphor aptly describes how people often fail to recognize or respond to gradual changes in their environment or circumstances. In financial planning, this concept underscores the importance of regularly monitoring a client's financial status to avoid being metaphorically "cooked."
