Should you take a goal-based financial approach?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Have you heard of goal-based investing?

This mindset simply involves saving and investing for a particular purpose. You might also call this a SMART approach: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound.

Regardless of your investing activities, reviewing your finances and establishing clear goals (along with a plan to reach them) can be a helpful activity for…

Which remodeling projects might actually pay off?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

When you consider your investment opportunities, do you think about your house, too? Many homeowners take on remodeling projects with the goal of increasing the value of their property.

Does every big project necessarily yield an ROI, however? What about smaller upgrades?

Whether you plan to sell soon or in a few years, here’s what to…

Estate planning: 4 things to know

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Few of us enjoy thinking about life’s worst-case scenarios, but taking the time to put an estate plan in place can make things much easier for you and your loved ones if the unexpected happens.

Unfortunately, misconceptions about estate planning can make the process of creating a plan more confusing than it needs to be.

Here are…

What are the benefits of doing your taxes early?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Taking care of your taxes early is a great way to skip the stress, hassle and embarrassment of waiting until — or even past — this year’s April deadline. That said, there are some pros and cons to consider.

Prepare Accordingly

First, tell anyone who might be helping you that you want to get a head…

Watch out for these wasteful habits

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

It can be tough to stick to your ideal spending plan this time of year. That means it’s extra important to identify wasteful habits and make sure you’re not creating unnecessary barriers for yourself. 

Here are a few common ways people accidentally overspend along with some ideas for how to avoid making the same mistakes.

Do you know about good debt?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Is all debt bad? Not necessarily. Strategic spending can often work out well in the long run, even if this means temporarily racking up loan balances. However, it’s important to plan carefully to make sure you’re making wise choices. 

Here’s what to keep in mind as you consider different forms of debt. 

How to create a budget you’ll actually stick to

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Creating the perfect budgeting system isn’t easy, but the more you view money management as an ongoing practice rather than a yearly or quarterly event, the more likely you are to succeed.

Get started by outlining your current expenses as well as your short- and long-term goals and then consider embracing these three practical…

How to define your investing goals

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Whether you’re new to investing or a bit more experienced, you probably already know there isn’t a one-size-fits-all strategy for building a strong portfolio. Everyone’s needs and goals are a little different, and before you make investment decisions, it’s important to honestly review your situation.

Ready to start planning? Here’s what to consider as you work towards…

Are you ready for the great wealth transfer?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

As baby boomers officially enter their golden years of retirement, their Generation X and millennial offspring stand to inherit trillions of dollars in total combined assets, according to many financial estimates.

How should each generation prepare for this historic transfer of wealth?

Baby Boomers: Set Expectations

Whether they have a substantial legacy to leave behind…

What should your emergency fund look like?

From: REAP, LLC. | Retirement & Estate Advisors & Professionals

Building financial security means sticking to a smart strategy and thinking ahead. Success comes from spending less than you earn, investing wisely and protecting against unforeseen challenges, and to be truly prepared, you should probably have an emergency fund. 

Here’s how and why an emergency fund could save the day, no matter your situation or income…