Blog Posts

Have you ever wondered exactly what those initials after a financial professional’s name mean?  You’re definitely not alone. The easy way to tell is to visit the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which provides a list of professional designations and what they mean. Below, we’ve created a short list of some of the frequently used designations and what they mean.

There’s nothing more exciting than buying your first home. Whether it’s a condo for one, a sprawling mansion, or anything in between, buying your first home makes you feel like a true grown-up.

While you’ve probably already figured out exactly how much home you can afford, which is something your mortgage broker will communicate to you fairly quickly during the mortgage approval process, have you considered the cost of all of the other expenses associated with home ownership?

If you’ve spent more than five minutes on a kid’s television network, you’ve seen just how inundated young kids are with commercials for everything from the latest gadget, to some dreadful snack that features something gooey and/or messy. It’s also safe to bet that many of these kids run to their parents, wanting to buy some or all of these items.

Retirement can sneak up on you.

At one time, it seemed like a lifetime away, now it may be just around the corner. At one time you planned on working forever, but now you can admit that the thought of retiring has its benefits.  Perhaps you’ve found yourself daydreaming about a little cabin on a lake, or a small home in the mountains. You may have even entertained the notion of becoming an expatriate and retiring overseas. While these daydreams can certainly be pleasant, you’re also facing the reality that at the age of 50, you’ve done little to save for retirement.

Stock buying can be risky, even if you’re purchasing the stock of a reputable, established company. While market dips are fairly typical with any stock, most established companies can rebound nicely from any unexpected drop in the market.

So, what about penny stocks? Is there really an opportunity to make a lot of money on stocks that typically trade below $5 per share?

The answer is maybe.

Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks to investing in penny stocks:

Advantages:

Do you really know how much it will cost you to sell your home?  Here is a breakdown of some of those costs.

If you’re currently in the market for a home, it will speed up the process considerably if you’re familiar with the various mortgage options available. Finding a mortgage that suits your current financial needs can be challenging, but understanding the various types of mortgages available and their requirements can make the process less challenging.  Here are the most common types of mortgages, along with any specific requirements for each.

Pet insurance. Cancer insurance. Discount dental plans.

You’ve likely heard about all of the above options, but if you haven’t purchased one, you may not fully understand how they work, what they cover, what they don’t cover, and ultimately, if they’re worth the cost. Here’s a brief explanation.

In a recent survey by JumpStart Coalition for Financial Literacy, only 26 percent of those between the ages of 13-21 said that they had been taught how to manage money. Yet, when they turn 18, kids are signing contracts for student loans, opening credit card accounts, and in many instances, living away from home with little financial guidance available.