Are You Following the Financial Herd?

Are You Following the Financial Herd?

Herd mentality is the tendency to follow the actions of a larger group, even when those actions might not be in one's best interest. When it comes to finances, herd mentality can have significant implications for your investments and retirement planning. The first step to avoiding this common bias is understanding its prevalence. Second, is identifying specific ways to curb the behavior. 

So why do we follow the herd and how can we avoid it?

How Does Your View of Independence Affect Your ROL?

How Does Your View of Independence Affect Your ROL?

Independence is an important value to all Americans. It's also a value that's central to how we feel about and use our money. When we feel financially free, we can make a wider variety of choices, pursue our passions, and find our ideal version of work-life balance. As we move past the 4th of July and head into the second half of the year, ask yourself how these three areas of financial independence are affecting your planning and how to get more Return on Life going forward.

Managing a Family Retreat Across Generations

Managing a Family Retreat Across Generations

A family might spend decades working and saving towards the goal of owning a vacation home. The memories made are priceless, but the personal, emotional, and financial costs of keeping that house in your family for generations can be very high and very painful without thorough planning.

Prepare a family retreat into your legacy plan and make sure you discuss these three points with your heirs, your attorney, your CPA, and your financial advisor.

5 Ways to Incorporate Unexpected Cash in Your Financial Plan

5 Ways to Incorporate Unexpected Cash in Your Financial Plan

Receiving an unexpected sum of money can be a welcome surprise, but deciding what to do with it can be a challenge. Should you save the money or pay down debt? Invest the funds or donate to charity?

While rushing to book a vacation with proceeds from a windfall may be tempting, it might be more rewarding to use the funds to shore up your finances for the long run. Here are five strategies to consider:

CLIENT QUESTION OF THE MONTH: What is the Long-Term Performance of Gold?

CLIENT QUESTION OF THE MONTH: What is the Long-Term Performance of Gold?

It is natural for investors to search for safe investment havens with geopolitical conflicts and inflation. Some advocates of gold believe investors should allocate a significant portion of their portfolio to the asset citing the benefits of strong long-term returns and inflation protection. However, if you look at the evidence, you may start to doubt the role of gold in your portfolio…

It’s Time to Spring-Clean Your Financial Plan

It’s Time to Spring-Clean Your Financial Plan

Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, as the world awakens from its winter slumber and new life begins to bloom. As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers", and this sentiment can also apply to your financial life.

Just as the rain nourishes the soil and helps plants grow, taking the time to "spring-clean" your financial plan can help you grow and thrive in the months and years ahead.