I’m sure you’ve heard of parents depositing money into 529 accounts to pay for their childrens’ education. College isn’t getting any cheaper, and these accounts offer tax advantages while letting you grow funds to pay for future education.  So, what can 529 funds be used for? While they can be financially beneficial, there are rules and limitations that you should know so you aren’t hit with unpleasant surprises later.

When it comes to actually paying the bill for your child to go to college, there’s an option that schools don’t advertise. In fact, you’re probably going to have to proactively ask about it. What is it? Paying for all four years of undergraduate costs upfront. Basically, rather than paying your child’s university bill on a semester basis, you pay a portion or most of the expenses upfront when they enroll.

Receiving an inheritance is overwhelming—especially when your loved one had specific wishes for how the inheritance should be used. You may quickly realize how many options you have and that you don’t know the best way to maximize your newfound wealth while fulfilling those wishes.

However, is there a sweet spot (aka, the perfect time and place) for a corporate trustee? The truth is, it depends. But thankfully, corporate trustees can be hired for a multitude of reasons.

There is no legal definition of “financial advisor” and that creates a big problem– when anyone can freely use the term, everyone inevitably will. Seriously, this is just like when everyone started putting “entrepreneur” in their bios and on their business cards.

Remember the fairy tale about Goldilocks? You know, the little blonde girl who broke into the home of an innocent family of bears, and helped herself to three meals and a nap? Moral ambiguities aside, Goldilocks was right about one thing: ultimately, everything comes down to finding out what best fits your preferences. Not too hot, not too cold. We all are looking for something that is just right. Believe it or not, financial advisors fit a similar pattern.

Let’s be honest. Figuring out your insurance premiums can feel chaotically complicated. Tax laws are cryptic, options depend heavily on individual circumstances, and the whole system can all feel far too complex to navigate. I can feel your eyes glazing over already. It’s a wonder we don’t all rip up the papers and walk away...

Think life insurance is a complete waste of money? You’d be dead wrong. The truth is, when planning over the course of a lifetime, an insurance policy is an irreplaceable component of your financial future. Consider for a moment – the possibility of how an unexpected death in the family can affect every aspect of a person’s life: education planning, estate planning, risk management.