Unbeknownst to many, October is National Financial Planning Month. It is an established observance intended to encourage people to pause, review where they stand, and take meaningful steps toward their financial goals. The timing makes sense. October offers a natural checkpoint—late enough in the year to see how things are actually going, but early enough to make adjustments before the calendar turns to January.

Topics: Finances

 Every dollar that comes in eventually faces the same fork in the road: spend it now or set it aside for later. There is no single right answer, and no rule of thumb applies equally to every household. What can help is asking the right questions in the right order.

Topics: Financial planning, Saving, planning, Self Discipline, Savings, Spending, Plan

 Every September, we recognize Life Insurance Awareness Month, a time to better understand life insurance and take a closer look at how well we are protecting the people who depend on us.

Topics: life insurance, Prepared, Family

 If something happened to you tomorrow, would your family know where to begin? They may know you have life insurance, retirement accounts, or a financial advisor. But would they know where to find them? Who should they call? Where is your will? What bills need to be paid? What happens to your online accounts? And if you're a business owner, are there partners or key employees who need to be included?

Topics: Asset Protection, Life Expectancy, Assessment Plan, changes, Estate Planning, Grief, Financial Foundation, financial strength, personal finances, Family Finances, financial freedom, Effective Money Management, success

A mid-year tax check-up can help prevent costly surprises down the road. With only a few months remaining before year-end, now is an ideal time to review your tax situation while there is still time to make meaningful adjustments. August marks the point where the end of the tax year begins to come into focus. A quick mid-year tax checkup can often identify opportunities to reduce your tax bill or avoid an unexpected balance due next spring.

Topics: taxes, Income Taxes, Tax Planning, Check-Up

National Friendship Day is observed on the first Sunday of August, which this year falls on August 2. The day traces its roots to the greeting card industry of the 1930s and was formally recognized by Congress in 1935. The name sounds light, but the research behind it is not. Loneliness is more common than many people realize, and it has real consequences that go beyond emotions or general wellbeing.

Topics: Finances, community, Relationships

Every spring, investors begin hearing the familiar phrase, “Sell in May and go away.” The idea is simple: avoid the stock market during the summer and return in the fall. But does that strategy actually lead to better financial outcomes? The historical pattern has some basis in long-run data. The practical value has been harder to capture. Transaction costs, taxes on any realized gains, and the challenge of knowing when to get back in have frequently offset whatever seasonal effect existed. The investor who sold in May often fared worse than the one who stayed put.

Topics: retirement, retirement planning, planning, Stock Market

Financial crime is costing Americans more than ever before. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recorded $16.6 billion in losses reported by victims in 2024, a 33% increase over 2023 and the highest figure in the center's 25-year history. Nearly 860,000 complaints were filed last year. The average loss per complaint came to just under $20,000.

Topics: Financial planning, Cyber Fraud

As we reach the middle of the year, June is the perfect time to step back and evaluate your financial health. While many people begin January with goals to save more, reduce debt, or improve spending habits, everyday expenses and unexpected costs can slowly push budgets off track.

Topics: Budget, budgeting, Savings, Inflation, cash flow, money check, mid-year, success

For many entrepreneurs, a business represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and financial investment. Yet surprisingly few small business owners know what their company is actually worth. A professional business valuation can provide far more than just a number, it can become an essential tool for growth, financial planning, and long-term decision-making.

Topics: business owners, small business, Building a Business, valuation