If you’re one of the 8 in 10 Americans who planned to take a leisurely vacation, you probably already know that it will be pricey. Consumers say they will spend an average of $941 per person, or $4,705 for a family of five, on trips this year, according to a recent survey. How will you […]

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The primary house market remains red-hot, but the secondary, or vacation, home market is mixed. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2016 Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey (released earlier this year and covering existing- and new-home transactions in 2015), vacation-home sales last year fell 18.5% from their most recent peak level of […]

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Key Takeaways Balance the cost of athletics with your own savings goals Include your kids in budgeting discussions  Be realistic in your hopes that a child will turn pro, make it to the Olympics, or earn enough in scholarships to cover expenses It’s no secret that parenting is different today than in previous generations, and […]

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We’re often told to put others first: Take care of mom and dad. Give to charity. Save for college. Hand someone else the life jacket as the Titanic goes down. But from a budgeting perspective, it actually pays to be a bit selfish. After all, it’s hard to help someone else if you’re feeling destitute. […]

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Creating a financial plan is a common New Year’s resolution, but what if you have multiple financial needs, or just don’t know where to start? And what is a financial plan, anyway? First, take a deep breath. You can do this. A financial plan is nothing more than following a few steps—set your goals, assess […]

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Editor’s note: This is part two of a series on making a financial plan as your New Year’s resolution. Part 1 explained the importance of goal setting and offered some goal setting ideas. This installment looks at how those goals may be achieved. What is your personal record on New Year’s resolutions? Did you resolve […]

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Key Takeaways Review your money goals regularly  Set new financial goals based on your priorities A professional can help you create a road map for your financial future The end of an old year and the start of a new is a great time to review your finances and see where you stand—and where you […]

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If you’re looking forward to retiring someday, you’ll likely try to invest a little money every single paycheck. Although there are several ways to save money for life after work, the most popular way is to invest in a retirement fund. But are you saving and investing enough money to retire comfortably someday? One way […]

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Sooner or later, most people will need to get a vehicle. And unless you have a genie in a bottle or some other way of wishing a car into your driveway, you’ll need to shell out some money to pay for your new wheels. But should you buy or lease your vehicle? Each option has […]

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Every year after the presents have been opened, the out-of-town family members have left, and the holiday egg nog has been served (or over-served in some cases), we are given the opportunity to pause and think back on the year past and look forward to welcoming in a new year with fresh beginnings. And with […]

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