To kick-off our first week’s chat, our guest host will be Amy Ivy; she will provide some timely tips and tricks for gardening! Amy is a retired horticulturist with Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

No, It's not only for the wealthy. 

You know it. I know it. Just about everyone knows it. Setting up a will and other “in case of emergency” documents is important. But procrastination and misperceptions make it easy to put off getting your affairs in order. One 2019 survey found that 76% know a will is important, but only 40% have one. Let’s look at 5 common myths that may be keeping you from enjoying the satisfaction and peace of mind that comes from accomplishing an important task for yourself, your family, and/or your business.

You have probably seen the articles. Some are long. Some are short. The common thread is that the writer claims there is one perfect and absolute set of questions to ask (and corresponding answers) whenever you interview a potential financial advisor. I don’t think so.

Flowers…chocolate…401k? Let’s face it — talking money and financial planning with your significant other on a “date” may not be your first choice for spending quality time together. Even in the best of relationships, discussing money and finances can send two people running in opposite directions. Yet establishing the habit of scheduling an annual financial date night nurtures your long-term relationship and future together.

After the grueling pace of graduate school, obtaining that advanced degree, and finding a great course for your professional career  – you can finally turn your attention to other life choices. One choice that you’ll be faced with is what to do with the substantial student loan debt. More importantly is, how do you balance enjoying life while starting to pay-off those looming large loans?

Your marriage isn’t working - you respect each other but have drifted apart over the years for whatever reason. Now you and your spouse have decided to divorce and close this chapter of your lives. You’ve heard the stories and perhaps witnessed a few horrors through friends or family who have divorced; that doesn’t mean you need to have the same experience.

If you have ever recycled at home, avoided products made overseas by sweatshop labor, grown your own vegetables, supported gender and racial diversity, or owned a fuel-efficient car, then you may be surprised to discover your investments can be working against your values. Do you know what’s in your portfolio? How can you find out what your money is supporting?

Your annual physical checkup and health screenings are scheduled. Your dental checkups, and perhaps those for your spouse and children, are on your calendar or smartphone. Yet many people fail to schedule time for a regular financial health checkup. 

Whether you prefer to block out some time each month or review your financial goals annually, here is what you need to do at least once a year to make sure your money is working hard for you, and that you address the goals most important to you and your family.

At the wedding, who thinks those two little words ”I do” might suddenly lead to the four words “I want a divorce.”? No one expects to get divorced. But now that you’ve heard (or uttered) those four words, what do you do?

Planning for retirement is typically something we think about when we approach our 50s and 60s. However, if you haven't done much (or any) financial planning by your 30s and 40s for your future, it's time for you to get your financial house in order. Remember, when building a house, you must first start with a solid foundation. The same is true for financial planning; get the basic foundation planning done now so as you build your financial future, your structure will be strong.