Key Takeaways The beginning of the year is a great time to make financial resolutions Take that first step and make your personal and financial resolutions for 2021 These five resolutions can be guidelines for helping you get your portfolio in shape for 2021 What’s not to like about making New Year’s resolutions, especially this […]

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Key Takeaways Use a monthly budget to track your income and expenses  Set realistic goals and be sure to make room for fun Monitor your budget periodically to compare budgeted items to actual income and expenses   Did you make a New Year’s resolution to create a monthly budget? If budgeting fell by the wayside along […]

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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 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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Key Takeaways The forms you need to prepare your tax returns—including W-2s and 1099s—should start arriving by February Your income level and the complexity of your situation will determine whether you file Form 1040 or a 1040A You’ll also attach certain schedules if you have itemized deductions, capital gains or losses, or are self-employed The […]

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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 Selling stock can help cover short-term cash needs but also carries tax implications Capital gains taxes may apply to any stock sales, depending on how long the shares were held Investors should establish and build an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses If you’re like many investors, you sock money away and invest […]

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Key Takeaways Even if you rely on your retirement funds for living expenses, you still need an emergency stash of cash How much cash you need varies by individual, but it should be enough to cover unexpected expenses Low yields everywhere make it hard to grow your savings, but some say to keep those funds […]

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Key Takeaways A financial checkup checklist might include automating contributions, staying disciplined, and sticking to goals As markets move, and as time passes, it’s important to review your portfolio and consider rebalancing allocations In times of uncertainty, an emergency fund might become a necessity Have you had your annual wellness screening? You know, the one […]

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