As the calendar turns towards fall, it is natural to think about the young people in our lives heading back to school. With that in mind, we wanted to spend a few minutes talking about the new and improved 529 plans. The SECURE Act made some significant changes that alter how these accounts can be used.
We all face a difficult reality in our lives. At some point, either you or your spouse will pass away. This event creates an emotional wave. In addition, those feelings can be complicated by financial issues. Today we are going to talk about 5 things you need to consider when your spouse dies
When it comes to investing, emotions can be our worst enemy. Feelings of fear and greed can override rational thought and lead to poor choices. Make enough of those, and it can have a significant impact on your real-life return. As we head into the second half of the year, it’s time to hit the pause button on the noise and reflect on what really matters when it comes to stocks.
Tyler Brautigan and Zach Seese have joined the Commonwealth team as financial advisors. Tyler is in the Wheeling office. He recently completed the requirements to earn his CFP® designation. This makes the fifth member of our team to earn the Certified Financial Planner Professional™ marks. Tyler is a native of the Upper Ohio Valley, is married, and has three children. Zach is a recent graduate of WVU's financial planning program. He will be in the Parkersburg office. He has served the past two summers as an intern. He is currently preparing for the CFP® exam. He is also the son of advisor, Michael Seese
AI – Artificial intelligence. It is the new frontier of technology and could revolutionize every industry. This also includes the world of personal finance. It’s intriguing, exciting, and downright scary. Today, we dig in.
If you think hiring a financial advisor is something you want to explore, what do you need to know? Unfortunately, finding an advisor who is a good fit for you can also be intimidating. Our industry has not done a good job of eliminating its problems. There are conflicts of interest. Getting a license doesn't require an advanced degree. And there are often incentives that don't always encourage good behavior. Here are 4 key questions you should ask.
At some point in our lives, we will stop working. For many of us, we will choose when that will happen. But for others, it may not be your choice. An unplanned retirement can lead to some difficult decisions. Here is what you need to know if you are forced to retire early.
Social Security faces a major challenge. Projections show a significant funding shortfall. Right now, projections show a 24% shortfall in 2034. This would mean a pay cut for millions of retirees. This year is also an election year, and this will be a hot topic. How will they fix it?
Who wants to be a millionaire? Fidelity released their annual study and the number of 401k millionaires increased by 11.5% in 2023. What does it take to get there? We will share some insights from their data and translate that into how it can help you eventually become a 401k millionaire.