Bill Brancaccio

Teaching your children about finances may seem like a weighty topic; however, it does not have to be challenging. By opening the lines of communication early and demonstrating good financial decisions of your own, you may set your children up for success. Here are four tips for teaching money management skills to the children in …

4 Tips for Teaching Children the ABCs of Money Management Read More »

Like many people, you may associate Social Security retirement benefits with a key part of their name: retirement. However, you may continue working while drawing Social Security retirement or survivor’s benefits, and in many cases, doing so could lead to a higher overall benefit. Below, we discuss a couple of things retirees should know if …

Continuing to Work After Drawing Social Security? What Retirees Should Know Read More »

April is not just about tax season and springtime. Since 2004, April has also been Financial Literacy Month throughout the U.S. Some states also recognize it, such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.1  This celebratory month began as Youth Financial Literacy Day, an effort to educate young people about key financial concepts that are often …

Three Ways to Celebrate Financial Literacy Month Read More »

If you are wondering what in the world a “backdoor Roth IRA” is, you’re not alone! In short, if you’ve been frustrated by the contribution limits associated with Roth IRAs, then read on – this article describes a strategy that designed to help. We all know that the IRS imposes annual contribution limits for both traditional and …

The Backdoor Roth IRA in a Nutshell Read More »

Heading to your first meeting with a new financial professional may be a lot like going on a blind date. Can you have anything in common? Can you click? Can you trust this other person with what’s most important to you? A strong relationship with your financial professional may be key in managing your finances, …

Making the Most of Your Relationship with a Financial Professional Read More »

As Samuel Goldwyn once said, “The harder I work…the luckier I get!” 1 But when it comes to investing, luck may play a huge role in outcomes—no matter how hard you work.2 Below, we discuss some ways that luck may impact your investing, as well as some steps you may wish to take to try to make …

Luck of the Investor: Making Your Own Luck on St. Patrick’s Day Read More »

If you’ve been wondering how to optimize your finances and ensure your money continues to work for you, a financial professional may be able to help. But the thought of turning over your most sensitive financial information to a near-stranger can be an intimidating one. To make this relationship work, you’ll need to place a great …

What to Know About Working with a Financial Professional Read More »

When saving for retirement, it often makes sense to contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans to take advantage of any available employer match opportunities. However, not everyone has access to an employer-sponsored plan. Even if you do, there are reasons you may want to consider using Traditional and/or Roth IRAs to supplement your retirement savings. There …

Retirement Planning: To Roth or Not to Roth? Read More »

When choosing someone to help you prepare and file your taxes, you may be wondering exactly what criteria you should consider. How do you find someone to forge a professional relationship with for your needs? What questions should you ask, and what factors should you take into account when making your decision? Below, we discuss …

Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Tax Preparer Read More »