For many families, this is a question getting new answers today because of changing family dynamics and the growing number of aging parents or family members. Long gone are the days when it could be assumed that managing family finances defaulted to “the man of the house.” At the same time, the Sandwich Generation is coming to terms with their aging parents and family members who need caregivers to help with many aspects of their lives, including managing their finances.  Managing the family's investments is increasingly shifting to the one who is most likely to schedule the medical appointments, get the kids to school, and be the caregiver for aging parents: the working Mom.

These days, it’s likely that most of your important financial information is stored digitally through a combination of online accounts, saved documents on your personal computer, and your smartphone. Chances are you keep a lot of other important information stored digitally too.  If you’re a small business owner with registered domain names, a thriving e-commerce website or a money-making blog, you should recognize these as important digital assets as well. Have you thought about what will happen to these financial and sentimental digital accounts when you die?

Are you a woman in transition? If you’re facing a big life change — as a successful owner or manager of a rapidly growing business, someone with a recent inheritance, or perhaps recently widowed, divorced, engaged, married, or dealing with illness — then you’re a woman in transition, and you have special financial needs.

If you’re re-evaluating how much, and what types, of insurance you need in 2022 and beyond, you are not alone. The global pandemic brought many topics to the foreground that were often being pushed aside in the past and finding the right insurance coverage was a big one. While you may be focusing on healthcare insurance options, don’t forget to evaluate your life and long-term care insurance options too, no matter what age you are. 

You take comfort in knowing your financial plan is designed to help you advance steadily toward your long-term goals — and to flex as your situation and goals change. But during 2020 and 2021, everything changed. So, let’s look at how to decide whether now is the right time for you to make a major financial move.

Planning a conversation with your loved ones about your financial plans and goals may not be easy, but it can help you feel more confident about your family’s financial health and your peace of mind.

Having a solid handle on your financial well-being makes for one less stressor – and better sleep at night. But then you probably know that. Let’s explore some of the stereotypes and misperceptions that can get in the way of building your financial confidence and reducing stress through planning — and practical ways to get started or move ahead with your plan.

Seriously considering the timing and focus of your gifting and legacy for the first time — or perhaps reconsidering it — was among the countless tough questions stimulated by the global coronavirus pandemic. For many, widespread death and uncertainty raised the perennial question: How do I want to be remembered?

Imagine you have been out in the work world for nearly a decade and are doing well in your career. As your salary increased, you prioritized reducing your student debt by increasing your student loan payments each year. Suddenly, you realize your short-term future includes what once seemed nearly impossible — in a year or so your student loans will be paid off! Uh-oh, new financial decisions to be made. Let’s explore your financial future beyond paying off student debt and how to evaluate and choose the best options for you and your family.