Financial Planning

Medicare Could Get Messy This Year

Medicare Could Get Messy This Year Medicare open enrollment could be more complicated than usual this year. Significant premium increases are expected in Part D drug plans, and many Advantage plans may be canceled. That means people on both original Medicare and Advantage plans should review their options carefully. […]

Big Changes to Student Loans — Is Your Family Ready?

Big Changes to Student Loans After several years of paused payments, temporary relief, and forgiveness announcements, the federal student loan system is finally settling into a new structure. The recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) brings sweeping and permanent changes to how families borrow and repay college loans. While some updates may benefit [...]

Long-Term Thinking in a Short-Term World

When the Noise Gets Loud It seems like every day brings a fresh wave of chaotic news out of Washington, warnings of financial collapse, and rising geopolitical tension. The world can feel like it is coming apart. With so much uncertainty in the air, it is only natural to wonder whether adjustments should be made [...]

5 Ways to Get Organized Financially in the New Year

The new year is the perfect time to refresh your financial goals and gain better control over your money. Whether you’re planning for the long term or just looking to simplify your finances, organizing your financial life can bring peace of mind. Here are five key steps to get your finances in shape for 2025. [...]

Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA

For families with college students, financial aid season has arrived. The FAFSA is now available, and unlike last year’s rocky rollout of a revamped version, this year’s form appears to be relatively glitch-free. If you’re debating whether to complete the FAFSA, here are a few reasons why it’s worth the effort: […]

Strategies for Navigating Uncertainty & Anxiety

When life throws us a curveball, whether it’s an unexpected election result or a negative life transition like a death, divorce, or job loss, it can be tempting to wallow in self-pity or obsess about the worst-case scenarios. Neither of these responses benefits our mental health or helps us cope effectively. Instead, we recommend a [...]

A Crash Course in End-of-Life Planning

When my dad fell ill and passed away earlier this year, I received a crash course in end-of-life decisions and estate settlement. While my parents thankfully had a complete set of estate documents and the family generally agreed on what was best for my dad, I realized this was just the tip of the iceberg [...]

Chaos Continues in California Property Insurance Market

Recently news broke that State Farm, the largest property insurer in California, plans to non-renew 72,000 home and apartment policies by this summer. Some ZIP codes have up to 70% of policies being non-renewed, with notifications going out over the next few months. Click here to see if your ZIP code is impacted. Your State [...]

Teaching Kids Good Money Habits in an Affluent Community

April is Financial Literacy Month, a time to focus on understanding money matters such as saving, investing, budgeting, income, interest rates, and spending habits. Despite being the wealthiest nation globally, the United States ranks 14th in financial literacy. Only 57% of American adults possess financial literacy, costing them an average of $1,819 annually due to [...]