wills in Arizona financial planning

Don’t Discount Your Will

A self-created last will and testament may lead to problems. As an early step in estate planning, you may be tempted to write your own will. There are some good reasons why you shouldn’t. While do-it-yourself wills may be cost-effective and make the process of will creation relatively simple, they also have shortcomings. DIY wills tend toward the basic and …

financial advisor chandler

Can Social Security Be Fixed?

An overview of its current financial dilemma and potential solutions. Will Social Security be different when you retire? Its reserves are projected to be depleted by 2034, and if that happens, the program could pay retirees only about 80% of projected retirement benefits.1 Since 2010, Social Security has paid out more than it has taken in. With roughly 10,000 baby …

D.I.Y. Investing

The Risks of D.I.Y. Investing & Financial Planning

In trying to do it yourself, there’s the chance you could do it all wrong. Many successful people refrain from trying to plan their financial futures. They delegate that job to professionals, as they lack the time, inclination, or knowledge to do it themselves. This makes sense. It takes years to gain a thorough understanding of financial market cycles and …

financial advisor chandler

Smart Financial Moves in Your 40’s and 50’s

These crucial years call for action. Today, retirement may seem nearer to you than it once did. The following moves might be worth making—and soon. Catch-up contributions to your retirement accounts. Starting in the year you turn 50, you may make a total of $1,000 in catch-up contributions to your IRAs each year and put an extra $6,000 per year …

inflation retirement planning

How Inflation Threatens Retirees

Its effect is subtle, yet significant. Even mild inflation eventually reduces the value of a dollar. If consumer prices rise just 2% a year for the next 25 years, $50,000 will buy the equivalent of $30,477 by the end of 2041. Or to put it another way, a car that costs $50,000 today will cost $82,030 by then. If inflation …

financial advisor phoenix az

What is the Opportunity Cost of Achieving a Goal?

With the stock market hitting all-time highs on a what seems like a daily basis, now is the time to review heavily appreciated and concentrated stock holdings. What is intent of the investment that you are holding? Is there a particular goal in mind? No one knows what the value of the investment will be when you want to achieve …

long term care insurance Arizona

Long Term Care Insurance: The Real Cost of Aging

There is a good possibility that you or your spouse will eventually require some form of long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of people aged 65 or older will enter a nursing home for some period of time during their lifetimes.1 Whether you or your spouse will be among this group is …

financial planning arizona

The Low Down on Robo-Advisor

  The trend toward online investing and advisory services, also known as robo-investing and robo-advice is gaining momentum, but industry participants are struggling to get a handle on how retail investors view and/or use robo-services to conduct their financial affairs. Studies Abound Recent research conducted by major asset management firms has given some insight, yet often their findings turn up …