All too often we find the worlds of health care and finances colliding these days. And just as in medicine, it’s a very good idea to seek a second opinion when it comes to your financial well-being. The economy has been on a roller coaster ride in recent years, but that shouldn’t deter you from consistently working towards a financially secure future. Given recent events, you may be wondering what to do next. Stay the course and keep all investments where they are? Move everything now while things are calmer? Explore new options with fresh eyes? If you are evaluating your current financial health and the economy, and you want make some sense of what to do next (if anything) – start by getting a second opinion.

What to do with too many eggs in one basket.

What is a concentrated stock position? It is defined as holding one particular stock that comprises 30% or more of your overall investments or portfolio. You may wonder why this is an issue, particularly if you are saving for retirement or the long term.

The ABCs of FICO Credit Score

Have you ever wondered why financial professionals make a fuss about credit/FICO scores? You may not think your credit score is a big deal, especially if your income is healthy; however, your income has nothing to do with your credit score. You can make a king’s ransom and have a poor credit score – or have a small income and a very high credit score. So here are some basic facts about FICO and credit scores.

Don’t leave any assets behind.

With the region experiencing an uptick in employment recently, you may be exploring new job opportunities or beginning a new job. It’s important to remember to pack up your finances along with the personal items from your desk. You don’t want to leave assets behind unintentionally.

For many of us, the last page of the calendar is usually filled with professional and social obligations. The month of December is quickly approaching and signals the end of one year and the pending arrival of a new one; so it makes sense to set aside a few hours to firmly position your finances for the coming New Year and "tax season". Here are some year-end financial tips to help you strengthen your financial standing in 2012:

Save early and often.

At a time when so many of our basic long-held beliefs regarding personal finance and the economy are shaken, there is one piece of advice still worth passing on to offspring and grandchildren, particularly recent and soon-to-be college graduates: save and contribute to 401(k)'s, Roth's, IRA's, and retirement plans at every opportunity.

There are ways to manage it.

Natural disasters, European and US debt concerns, corporate personnel turnovers, credit downgrades, political turmoil in the Middle East, ever-changing domestic employment and housing figures – all of these factors have created a yo-yo effect on stock markets worldwide. It seems we need to continue to expect the unexpected when it comes to the economy and investments.

As you spruce up your house and garden this spring, don't forget that your investments may have gotten a little dusty too. Taking time to spruce up your personal finances can reap both immediate and long-term benefits. With summer right around the corner, you'll want to be outdoors. So in the interest of time, here is a quick checklist of things to consider, why they’re important, and links to additional resources.

As parents, you have probably often heard that you should speak openly and often with your children about all kinds of tough issues – bullying, alcohol, and drug use to name a few. You may wish to add another topic to the list: money. Like other important conversation subjects, learning about and developing sensible financial habits is a long-term goal for parents, and all the more challenging for people with substantial means.

Getting a tax refund this year? Think twice.