Author: brandonrocks

The Many Faces of Investment Risk

Knowing the different types of investment risk can help you cope with market volatility.  When was the last time you checked your retirement plan balance? If your balance was less than it was the last time you checked, you probably felt a bit of pain. Everybody does. Where exactly does that pain come from? It’s […]

Money Mantras

Market swings causing you some anxiety? These four money mantras can help you overcome it. Whether it’s the continuing effect of the pandemic, a sudden boost in prices related to gas, food, housing and other essentials, supply chain hiccups, an uncertain labor market (or any number of other things), the stock market has certainly seen […]

Go to the Head of the Class

Older male, sitting and looking out the window while contemplating finances on the table in front of him.

Master these Social Security lessons to get a more realistic view of your retirement. According to Nationwide’s 8th Annual Social Security Consumer Survey, more than half of Americans express confidence that they know exactly how to optimize their Social Security benefits. However, only 6% actually understand all the factors that determine the maximum benefit someone […]

Inflation Reduction Act is Law, Now What?

Closeup of the documents of the Inflation Reduction Act, passed by the Senate on August 7, 2022.

Earlier this year, after passing the House of Representatives and the Senate, the Biden Administration signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. Seen as a landmark win for climate conservation, this bill is using a historic down payment to help reduce carbon emissions, invest in clean energy infrastructure, as well as expand access to affordable […]

Wake-Up Call

Try these morning rituals to get your day off to the right start. What’s your current morning routine? Maybe it goes something like this: mutter an expletive as the alarm goes off, begrudgingly pull yourself out of bed, throw on a robe and take the dog out while suddenly realizing that you forgot to set […]

Deconstructing Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Use this tool to help keep your debt in check and improve financial wellness. Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) measures your monthly debt payment against your monthly income (before taxes or before other deductions have been made). To calculate your DTI, add your total monthly debt payments and divide them by your total pretax monthly income. […]

Find Your Happy Place

Do you find that happiness is hard to come by on some days? Sometimes it’s just easier to find imperfections in everything and let crankiness rule your day. However, if you want to boost your mood and positivity, here are three things you can do to help you find your happy place.  Follow these three […]

Money Well Spent

A fresh approach to spending can help put some sizzle in your retirement savings Despite all the budgeting and cash flow tracking apps available, many people still struggle to manage their spending habits on a daily basis. What if there was a simple blueprint you could follow that could help you manage the way you […]

Annual Maintenance

Perform this five-point inspection to help keep your retirement plan’s motor running smoothly Just like with a car, it’s a good idea to perform some annual maintenance on your retirement plan. Here’s a five-point inspection guide to help you continue to get good mileage out of your plan and ensure it stays reliable on your […]

Catching a Phish

Tips to help you identify common phishing scams and take steps to avoid trouble. If you spend any time online, you’ve probably been the target of a phishing attack. This is when a scammer pretends to be from a reputable company to get you to reveal personal information they can use for their own gain. […]