Retirement and Investments

Let’s face it, life insurance is something that many people need, but don’t want to talk about. We’ve all seen those GoFundMe pages asking for donations for a person that passed away. It can feel strange planning for the worst-case scenario, especially if you’re young and healthy. Life insurance is a way to help prevent leaving your loved ones with the added stress of financial burdens. Whatever your reason is for thinking about life insurance, this guide will help you get familiarized with some life insurance basics to make your planning and research a little simpler and a little easier.

Investors want to know that the companies they support share their commitment to certain ideals. But judging a company based on these values can prove difficult. ESG investors can easily fall prey to what’s known as greenwashing, which is when a company deceives the investor into believing they are committed to certain causes and ideals. Learn more about the relationship between ESG investing and greenwashing, so you protect yourself from misleading claims.  

Estate planning allows you, not the courts, to make important decisions about your assets in the event you are incapacitated or deceased. Take a look at this lesson to learn about four documents that are essential to any estate plan.

Whether you’re saving for your child to go to college or planning the next chapter of your career, you have several options to choose from when it comes to paying for school. The good news is that you’re thinking about your options ahead of time, which should help you make the most of your money as you prepare to further your education. 529 plans can be confusing but learning about these programs will help you save money over time as you finance your education, regardless of where you decide to go to school.

Philanthropy and charitable giving, once thought to be reserved for the wealthy and the elite, has become a common theme across much of today’s society. Charitable organizations fill a vital niche in our communities. They serve the public and support initiatives that may not be covered by the public or private sector and help create thriving societies and economies. Charitable giving can be both personally and financially rewarding, which is why it’s important to know what your options are so your gift has the biggest impact.

Do you want a 401(k) plan? Does your work offer one? What is a 401(k), anyway? A 401k account is the most popular employer sponsored retirement investment option for tax-deferred savings—it can help secure your retirement. If you are self-employed, freelance, or don’t have access to a 401k account, you can start an individual retirement account (IRA) instead. To maximize the benefits of your plan, you need to be conscious of what’s available to you and stay committed to getting the most out of your 401(k).

There’s a new type of digital commodity on the market. NFTs have been gaining a lot of notoriety among traders, investors, and collectors. So, what are NFTs, and why are they causing such a fuss? Learn more about these unique digital assets and why they’re being called the future of trading.

In this beginner's guide, you'll learn what platforms are available for you to invest on, the pros and cons of each one and the types of accounts you may want to get started with.

If you’re getting ready to save for retirement, you may be thinking of opening what’s known as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). This is a common retirement savings tool to help you make the most of your hard-earned money. There are many different types of IRAs to choose from. Making the right choice all depends on your finances and future plans for your savings.

Your 401(k) is your retirement nest egg. You’ll need that money later in life once you have stopped working. If you need extra cash for an emergency or have trouble making ends meet, you may be tempted to tap into your 401(k) before retiring. After all, it’s your money. But withdrawing from your account before you retire may leave you with less money for your golden years. Keep these tips in mind when tapping into your 401(k).

Saving for retirement is an almost universal problem. At some point, and at some age, most people aren’t physically able to keep working. And it’s why setting aside a nest egg is crucial.  The idea of running out of money when you’re no longer able to work can be frightening to many people. Social Security is designed to fill in the gaps, not be the sole source of retirement income.  Most people can’t afford to live just on their monthly Social Security benefits. That’s why you need to do your research before deciding how much to save for your retirement each month. Use this in-depth guide to make sure you can cover your everyday expenses when going to work is no longer an option.

ESG investing, SRI, impact investing, thematic investing, stock screeners; there are many ways to invest your dollars so they’re working for the greater good. Although there are many different names for these methods, they all share the common objective of investing your money in companies that align with your values and are trying to make a positive change. This primer into the wide world of sustainable investing will give you a little back story on how the movement was started, the key differences between the different methodologies and what you need to know to get started.