Why we believe in setting up “Tripwires” in your financial life…

Carl Richards, one of our favorite thinkers on the art of planning and advice – not all financial, shares a great reminder of the value of the “tripwire” in his latest post on his blog site (Behavior Gap). Using a story about a medical procedure he underwent Carl relates, with his typical elegant simplicity, the beauty of the well-designed tripwire.

We believe in a huge way in the tripwire tool. After all we are only human, life is ever more busy and complicated, and mistakes, especially those not caught for a long time, can be expensive.

Please give yourself a well “invested” five minutes to enjoy and think about Carl’s article.

Click here to read the article.                                                                                                                 

Please jot down 2-3 tripwire opportunities in your life to share with me at our next meeting. They need not be explicitly financial in nature. After all, we have all discovered that the non-financial problem eventually often becomes a financial problem as well.

More than You ever Imagined You Would Want to Know About Taxes in the U. S. of A. …

In one amazing wall poster brought to you by the Wall Street Journal.

Click here to see (and print) the whole thing.

The Great Switch to Paperless Benefits

Presented by Mark Phillips

Besides the April 15^th deadline, Uncle Sam has another deadline for recipients of Social Security payments, Veterans Affairs and other government programs. The government has been making a push for almost three years and encouraging recipients to sign up by March 1, 2013, to receive their benefits electronically (read: direct deposit) versus paper check. 

There are still several million retirees and other recipients who haven’t made the switch yet.  To learn more about the benefits of electronic payments (i.e. identity theft), click below to view the full article.

The Great Switch to Paperless Benefits

The ABCs of Finance: Tips and Tools for Raising a Smart Investor

Presented by Mark Phillips         

By introducing sound financial habits at an early age, you'll give your child a head start on the path to becoming an informed investor. Here are some creative ideas, as well as book and website suggestions, for raising a financially savvy kid.

Read the full Article..Click here

Talking to Your Aging Parents About the Future

Presented by Mark Phillips

No one likes having difficult conversations. But having them with our parents—no matter how old we get—can be even harder. It's no surprise that many people dread the prospect of discussing ongoing care issues with their aging parents. Yet, as seniors live longer and the child-turned-caretaker role becomes increasingly common, having that conversation ahead of time is all the more important.

Fortunately, a bit of preparation goes a long way toward a smooth, productive discussion. The tips below can help you start the conversation about your parents' future care and ensure that their needs—and yours—are met.

Read the full article..Click here

Make a List and Check It Twice: Tips for Organizing Your Financial Life in 2013

Presented by Mark Phillips

Amid the hustle and bustle of the new year, reviewing your overall financial picture probably isn't at the top of your to-do list. But as we begin the new year it is important non the less to give yourself the gift of an organized financial life? These easy steps will help you get your finances in order for 2013—and beyond.

Working with us as your advisor we will schedule a review and evaluation of each of these in the course of this year with you – so you can just prepare accordingly as each meeting comes around.

Read the full article… Click here.

Market Thoughts for March 2013

I would like to offer you the opportunity to hear thoughts from Brad McMillan, vice president, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network®, our broker/dealer. In this video, Mr. McMillan discusses domestic and international equity markets and the state of the U.S. economy, as well as what investors like you may want to consider going forward.