When are you going to retire? How did you make that decision? Many of us look at finances and health when we’re deciding when to retire. Whether or not we realize it, we’re also considering our emotions and what we imagine for the future — we compare how we feel in our current circumstances to how we expect to feel in our anticipated retirement. 1 With that, we tend to overestimate our future emotions, thinking...
What money topics are the most taboo to talk about? Earnings, debt, inheritance, or net worth? For most of us, many financial topics are simply off-limits. 1 That means that many of us are not discussing money as much as we probably should be. 1 Without those talks, myths about money and financial conversations can get a much stronger grip on our perspective and our financial decisions. That silence may end up stunting our financial...
What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to money? Are your thoughts more positive or negative? Whatever’s natural to you can speak to your money mindset. 1 And that money mindset can shape your financial views and habits. It can also reveal more about your values and beliefs, not just about finance but about life in general. 1 With that, understanding your money mindset can start to highlight where it may be...
4 Pervasive Myths About Inflation Inflation can feel inescapable these days. For most of us, it also feels like inflation is higher and more persistent than it actually is. 1 That could be because we’re seeing higher prices practically everywhere. 1 Despite our experience, though, that misperception can actually harm us. It can also be bad for inflation in general. 1 That’s because thinking inflation is worse than it is can stoke our fears of...
Are you making one of these common financial mistakes? Here are some steps to consider.
First, let’s start by uncovering the most common mistake in estate planning… Surprisingly, this frequently made mistake might already be on your doorstep. A staggering number of people haven’t yet started an estate plan. It’s a critical oversight that can have far-reaching implications, but this isn’t the only pitfall that can disrupt your planning efforts. Here’s a breakdown of 4 estate planning missteps and how to fix them: Mistake #1: Neglecting to Update Your Estate...
How many years will your retirement last? What are the chances you’ll live past 90? Most of us answer those questions wrong because we don’t have strong longevity literacy. 1 That means that about 81% of us1 aren’t working with a viable understanding of our own life expectancy. Let’s explore how understanding longevity could create a positive impact in your retirement planning. What is longevity literacy? Longevity literacy refers to your knowledge about expected lifespans...
Believe it or not social media scams have been picking more pockets than any other scam today––including phone call and text fraud. 1 There have been more than $2.7 billion in losses to social media scams between January 2021 and June 2023. 2 And whether or not you’ve seen these cons in action, they don’t look the same today as they did even a year ago. 2 They’re becoming more personalized and harder to detect...
Spring isn’t just about budding plants, changing the clocks, or paying your tax bill. It can be the perfect time to refresh financial tasks and dust off your long-term goals. As we begin a new season of financial “spring cleaning,” here are 4 (commonly made) mistakes you can prevent this year.
Smart investing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Current events matter, and this year, the 2024 Presidential Elections are taking center stage. That’s rattling a lot of us, causing more election stress than ever before. 1 It’s also raising a lot of questions about investing in election years, how to respond to market uncertainty, and what money moves truly make sense. Here’s a handful of key factors to keep in mind when you’re investing in an...
In a perfect world, every money decision we make would be totally rational. We’d consider all of the facts. Then, we’d balance them with the risks to make the most logical choice available. 1 That sounds simple. Yet it doesn’t happen as much as it should in the real world. 1, 2 That’s because many of us aren’t relying on logic and the facts to make financial decisions—and we probably don’t even realize it. 2...
What was the last money mistake you made? If you’re like most folks, you’ve made at least one upsetting money mistake in the past year — and you’d like to do better. In fact, most folks admit their finances have not gotten better over the past year. And at least half of them say the real problem is that their money mistakes have turned into bad financial habits.
