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A Financial Readiness Guide for First-Time Home Buyers – Part 2

You’ve been a renter, a tenant, for long enough. Now you’re ready to say goodbye to the landlord and become a homeowner yourself for the first time. You are not alone. The credit bureau TransUnion projects at least 8.3 million

The Pros, Cons and Complexities of Early Retirement Account Withdrawals

The temptation to dip into retirement assets early can be powerful, especially during financially stressful circumstances. Unexpected job (and income) loss. A huge college tuition bill. A disability or health issue that cuts into earning power and brings unanticipated medical

Inside the SECURE ACT: How New Law Could Impact Your Money, Your Savings Habits and Your Retirement

When the SECURE Act became law in late 2019, it was widely hailed as a step forward for people seeking greater financial security and flexibility in retirement. “Passing the SECURE Act is a big victory that will help ensure that

To Rent or Own a Home? Guidance to Decide What’s Best for You – Part 1

Owning a home has long been considered an integral part of the American Dream, something to aspire to and, at least in general terms, a viable course of action for people seeking to own a hard asset whose value potentially

2020 Vision: Prepare for These Seven Market and Money Trends in the New Decade

The decade of the 2010s opened during the depths of what was later dubbed the Great Recession, an economic freefall precipitated in large part by the dubious activities of some of Wall Street’s biggest investment banks. Ten years prior, the

A Financial Realist’s Guide to Preparing for the Next Economic Downturn

Amid one of the longest economic expansions in recent American history, FPA member and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional Scott A. Bishop can’t help but be pragmatic. While Bishop and his clients at STA Wealth Management in Houston, Texas, are enjoying

Finish Strong and Start Smart: A Financial To-Do List for Year’s End and the New Year

As much trouble as people have keeping New Year’s resolutions — an estimated 80 percent of resolutions fail within two months, according to findings by U.S. News & World Report — a better approach to goal-attainment might be to quit

The Eight Most Important People in Your Financial Life

As one of the world’s wealthiest people and most influential voices in investing and finance, Warren Buffett acknowledges he wouldn’t have reached those heights without guidance from three individuals in particular: his father Howard Buffett, his late first wife Susan

New Dynamics and Other Things We’ve Learned Under the Trump Tax Plan

The Trump Administration tax plan implemented in 2018 not only brought terms such as “lumping,” “bunching,” “SALT” (short for state and local taxes) and “pass-through business” into the mainstream personal finance and tax lexicon, it also has ushered in a

Spotify, Netflix and now…Financial Planning. Could Financial Advice by Subscription Be Right for You?

From digital music and movies to clothing, meals, cosmetics and even automobiles, there’s a subscription service for many of today’s most in-demand products. And now, there are subscription services through which consumers can access professional financial planning expertise and guidance


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