
Insights
Category: Family Needs

January 1, 2025
Sending Your Child Off to College: A Financial Checklist
Starting college is a big life transition for both students and their parents. While your child may be focused on orientation and choosing courses, there are important financial considerations that accompany this change as well. Some are administrative items for you to consider, such as getting legal documents in order, paying expenses from a 529 [...]



Contributions from: Anne Marie Stonich, CFP®, CPA, Katie Berntson, CFP®, Peter Beeson, CAPI

January 1, 2025
Ready to Use Your 529 Plan?
As your college student heads off to campus, you may be wondering what expenses the 529 plan can cover versus which expenses are better paid out-of-pocket. Let’s take a closer look at expenses your student may encounter during their academic year and which of those qualify under your 529 plan. What Are “Qualified Expenses?” Qualified [...]

Contributions from: Heather Kessler, CFP®

December 10, 2024
Protecting Our Aging Population: Recognizing and Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
The American public is aging at an unprecedented rate. Back in 1985, adults aged 65 and older made up just 11% of the population. Today, this figure is closer to 20%. (Source: Institute on Aging) With an average of 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day, this rapid increase in our elderly population is expected to [...]

Contributions from: Anne Marie Stonich, CFP®, CPA

December 9, 2024
Should I Spend My HSA On My Kid’s Braces?
Ah, the Health Savings Account (HSA)… with its quick rise to fame, the HSA has gained popularity as a company benefit. The HSA is loved far and wide by financial advisors as a flexible and tax-efficient tool to cover medical expenses in retirement. However, it can be tempting to utilize the funds before retirement – [...]

Contributions from: Eric Schuehle

October 29, 2024
Creating a Family Wealth Charter: Your Roadmap to Lasting Family Prosperity
Wealth is more than just money—it’s about security, opportunities, and legacy. But preserving and growing that wealth across generations requires a proactive plan. Enter the family wealth charter, a personalized document that lays out your family’s financial goals, values, and a structure for decision-making. It’s not just about handling assets, but about ensuring everyone in [...]


Contributions from: Kurt Biederman, JD, Patrick Corcorran

October 29, 2024
Long Term Care Planning
Whether you are part of the “sandwich generation” ― caring for both your kids and your parents ― or you are aging yourself, eventually some form of long-term care may be necessary in your family. Morningstar reports that 70 percent of those who turn 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives, [...]

Contributions from: Vonie Bright, CFP®

August 30, 2024
10 Most Common Questions About 529 Savings Plans
A 529 Savings Plan is a tax-advantaged account used to pay for qualified education expenses. Contributions are typically invested in target-date funds, which gradually shift toward a more conservative allocation as the beneficiary nears college age and will need to begin making withdrawals. You may be considering a 529 for your child, grandchild, or another [...]



Contributions from: Katie Berntson, CFP®, Heather Kessler, CFP®, Alexandra Lambert

July 15, 2024
The Art of Parenting: Preparing Your College-Bound Student
Preparing to send your child off to college marks a significant milestone not just for them, but for your entire family. It’s a time filled with excitement, anticipation, and perhaps a touch of apprehension about what lies ahead. Many parents who send their first kid off to college are surprised to discover the various financial [...]

Contributions from: Heather Kessler, CFP®

July 14, 2023
Developing Financial Independence
Summer: A time of celebrating independence! The caps and gowns of late June give way to BBQs and 4th of July fireworks. What’s easily forgotten during this Summertime bliss is that for our nation’s Founding Fathers, it was hardly a smooth path to independence. They were metaphorically teenagers fed up with tightening rules and curfews, [...]

Contributions from: David Bigelow, CFP®, MBA
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