your finances

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC®, Private Wealth Advisor If you have a goal to improve your financial situation, there are ways you can break it down into steps that will keep you motivated and on track to achieve it. Here are some tips to help you set attainable goals. Be specific and realistic. Setting aspirational goals, such as living the life you want in retirement or …

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC®, Private Wealth Advisor Major medical expenses can take a heavy financial toll. Before it does, take the time to prepare your strategy for dealing with surprise medical expenses. Here are several strategies to help you get started. 1. Plan ahead with health insurance. Review your insurance coverage to ensure you understand what services or prescriptions are covered and what medical bills you …

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC®, Private Wealth Advisor If you’re a parent of a child with special needs, you’ve likely dedicated much of your life to researching, providing and advocating for the best care for your child. So naturally, you may worry about what will happen when you are no longer able to supervise your child’s care due to declining health or death. Fortunately, there are steps …

By Bennett C. Whitlock III No matter your financial situation, it’s normal to have financial concerns as you plan for the future. According to recent research from Ameriprise Financial, the number one fear for those in their 50s through 70s is managing healthcare expenses for themselves or a family member. This same concern ranks number two for investors in their …

By Bennett Whitlock III Cash has a role to play in a diversified portfolio for long-term investors in any market situation, particularly when interest rates and volatility are on the rise. If you have a portion of your portfolio in cash, or if it’s been awhile since you’ve reviewed your cash position, read on. The role of cash For many …

By Bennett C. Whitlock III If philanthropy is part of your financial strategy, you may want to think outside of the box and look for methods of giving that go beyond traditional monetary donations. Recent changes in the tax landscape may also be a reason to take another look at how you give financially. The following are four increasingly popular …

By Bennett Whitlock, CRPC®, Private Wealth Advisor Traditionally, retirement means leaving the workforce to pursue decades of relaxation. However, today’s retirees and pre-retirees are reshaping what it means to leave the workforce. Retirement may be an opportunity to open a small business, start consulting or land a side job that explores your passions. If your next phase includes earning an income, there are some financial considerations …

By Bennett Whitlock To retire or not retire — that is the question many Baby Boomers are pondering as they approach the traditional age of retirement. On one hand, they want to enjoy the retirement they worked so hard for, yet on the other, they may not be ready to leave the workforce and live off their savings. If you …

By Bennett Whitlock For women today, life can be a balancing act between family, career and personal obligations. At the same time, women often face unique challenges when it comes to managing their finances. If you are a woman working to build your financial confidence today and tomorrow, understanding key challenges is the first step to overcoming them. Challenge #1 …

By Bennett Whitlock Swings in the stock market can cause emotions to run high, particularly for investors who are approaching retirement. And for good reason. Recent research from Ameriprise Financial uncovered that the biggest financial setbacks American investors have experienced in their 50s through their 70s is market losses. Though most respondents – 62 percent – have fully recovered from …