Insights + Resources

Epic Insights

Taking Charge of Your Financial Life

May 25, 2022

When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate responsibilities. One spouse or partner may take on the laundry, while another takes on the shopping. You might also decide which one of you vacuums and which one of you dusts. This is a perfectly fine way to divvy up household tasks and chores.

One household task it’s valuable for both partners to take part in, however, is your shared financial life. It’s important, regardless of your level of wealth or stage of life. Counting on one spouse or partner to handle all financial decisions can create a gap for the other partner. (more…)

Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planning

Couples Retiring on the Same Page

May 23, 2022

What does a good retirement look like to you? Does it resemble the retirement that your spouse or partner has in mind? It is at least roughly similar?

The Social Security Administration currently projects an average of 18 years for a retiring man and 21 years for a woman (assuming retirement at age 65). So, sharing the same vision of retirement (or at least respecting the difference in each other’s visions) seems crucial to retirement happiness.¹ (more…)

Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planning, Personal Finance, retirement, Retirement Planning, Retirement Tax Savings

How to Buy I Bonds Direct From Treasury

May 20, 2022

With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection and are backed by the U.S. government. (more…)

Market Update: Volatility Continues

May 18, 2022

2022 has been a challenging year for investors so far. The S&P 500 Index just had one of its worst Aprils in decades, and May is off to a rocky start. Bond investors have not fared much better as rising interest rates have pushed down bond prices. Bond losses have made the stock market volatility feel even worse than usual. Markets don’t like uncertainty but it’s getting a healthy dose of it this year, dealing with high inflation, tighter Federal Reserve monetary policy, COVID-19 shutdowns in China, and snarling global supply chains, all while the war in Ukraine continues. (more…)

Tags: Current Events, financial advisor, financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Investing, Investment Planning, Personal Finance

Should You Downsize for Retirement

May 16, 2022

You want to retire, and you own a large home that is nearly or fully paid off. The kids are gone, but the upkeep costs haven’t fallen. Should you retire and keep your home? Or sell your home and retire? Maybe it’s time to downsize for retirement. (more…)

Tags: Current Events, financial advisor charlotte nc, Personal Finance, Retirement Planning

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency

May 13, 2022

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: (more…)

Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Investment Planning

The Importance of TOD & JTWROS Designations

May 11, 2022

TOD, JTWROS – what do these obscure acronyms signify? They are shorthand for transfer on death and joint tenancy with right of survivorship – two designations that permit automatic transfer of bank or investment accounts from a deceased spouse to a surviving spouse.

This automatic transfer of assets reflects a legal tenet called the right of survivorship –the idea that the surviving partner should be the default beneficiary of the account. In some states, a TOD or JTWROS beneficiary designation is even allowed for real property. (more…)

Tags: Estate Planning

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