Strong Passwords and Authentication – 8/7/24 Protecting your identity online begins with the basics: secure passwords and robust authentication. Start by creating strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts. A strong password typically includes a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or common…

June 26th – Ep. 19 – Introduction to the Federal Reserve The Federal Reserve, often simply called “the Fed,” is the central banking system of the United States. Established in 1913, its primary mission is to promote a stable economy by overseeing monetary policy, regulating banks, and maintaining financial stability. The Fed operates independently of…

May 15th – Ep. 15 – Prepare for the Home Buying Process. May 22nd – Ep.16 – Mortgage Options May 29th – Ep. 17 – What Factors Drive Your Interest Rate. June 5th – Ep. 18 – Selling Your Home

Ep. 10 – Principle #1: Spend Less than you Earn The month of April has been deemed “Financial Literacy Month” by the US government. With this focus on financial literacy, we decided to get back to the basics for our April content. This is a great time to revisit the foundation of a solid financial…

02/21/2024 – Ep. 7 Marginal Tax Brackets In the US, we operate under a federal marginal tax bracket system. What in the world does that mean? It’s actually quite simple – different portions of your income are taxed at different rates. Here’s an example: Bill and Sally make a combined income of $100,000 each year.…

01/17/2024 – Ep. 3 Get Your Documents – What Do You Need? To start your preparation for tax season, the first step is to keep your documents organized as you receive them. In order for your tax preparer to efficiently file your taxes (and potentially lower your preparation fee by saving them time), it can…

As you look back on your year and plan for 2024, spend some time reflecting on your finances. What went well? What didn’t go well? What caused you stress? What are you excited about? These questions can be helpful in framing up a financial goal for the year. When setting a goal, make sure to…

Going into a new year, it’s important to review your savings rate to ensure that it will allow you to fund your short and long-term goals. As a general rule of thumb, 10-15% of your gross income should be directed towards long-term savings. While reviewing your savings rate, make sure to take a look to…

Throughout the year, markets move up and down. Some years, the swings can be drastic. It’s important to review your allocation to ensure that your risk level is still appropriate for your goals and time horizon. It’s typically a best practice to rebalance your portfolio at least annually. While it’s important to keep your allocation…

There are ultimately four things that we can do with the money we’ve been given: Give, Live, Owe, Grow. We can give it away, use it to live on, owe debt or taxes, and grow (or save) it. In order to take steps forward financially, it’s important to first understand where your cash flow is…