Key Takeaways A revocable trust can be changed later  Once an irrevocable trust is in place, it can’t be altered  A trust can help you control how your assets will be handled after you’ve passed on  One of the most popular strategies for passing assets from generation to generation is with the help of a […]

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Key Takeaways Control how your assets will be distributed Name primary and secondary beneficiaries for your retirement accounts Understand that beneficiary forms supersede heirs named in wills or trusts Review and update your designations after major life events If you were like many kids, your parents didn’t appreciate hearing excuses when you didn’t take out […]

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Key Takeaways Follow an estate planning guide to help ensure you don’t forget any important parts of the planning process Consider these 5 tips to help you create an estate plan Access our estate planning checklist to help you in the planning of your (or a loved one’s) estate While every estate is different, it’s […]

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Key Takeaways You don’t have to decide to save or spend your bonus—you can divide it among various goals Invest your bonus by putting it toward long-term goals like retirement or college savings Consider paying down debt as one of the best ways to spend your bonus You just got your bonus check. Congratulations! Now, […]

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Key Takeaways The Consumer Price Index, personal consumption expenditures, and other measures don’t necessarily capture the full effects to your personal expenses Inflation varies from person to person due to factors such as geography, personal demographics, and so-called “hedonic adjustments”  Consider looking at your investment objectives through a “personal inflation” lens Inflation is a tricky thing, […]

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Key Takeaways Spring is a time of new growth and a great time to commit to financial literacy Financial literacy begins with personal finance: budgeting, monitoring expenses, and setting up an emergency fund Beyond the company 401(k) plan—a common entry point to investing—are a whole host of investment alternatives New Year’s resolutions? Yesterday’s news. If […]

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Key Takeaways Being single can be challenging financially without a second income or someone to share costs with Creating a budget that works for you includes writing down your financial goals You might be able to get help with an accountability partner or by sharing a living arrangement When you’re on your own financially, finances […]

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Key Takeaways As a gig economy worker, you need to prepare your own benefits package Taxes can be a challenge for the self-employed For investors, many gig economy platforms are publicly held companies There’s a lot being said about the gig economy these days, and for good reason—it’s seemingly everywhere. Here’s a did-you-know: Upwork’s seventh […]

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Key Takeaways Consider a bucket strategy of saving, spending, and donating If you have high-interest debt, consider paying it down first Charitable donations are one of several ways to earmark these funds and get a tax write-off Getting a tax refund? You’re not alone. Last year, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued more than 126 […]

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Key Takeaways Create a budget and track your inflows and outflows Understand the importance of an emergency fund Assess your goals for retirement, larger purchases, and debt repayment  It’s exciting to start your first “real” job, accessing a paycheck that allows you to live on your own terms. Although seeing that money in your bank […]

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