The concept of the “traditional” American family is continually changing. The dual income family—with both spouses maintaining separate careers and contributing to the financial success of the household—has now become commonplace.
The romanticized image of entrepreneurs is a picture of youth: a 20-something individual with disruptive ideas, boundless energy and a still-sharp mind. Silicon Valley has bet on this image for years. But is this right? Far from it, according to our recent research with Javier Miranda of the U.S. Census Bureau and Pierre Azoulay of MIT.
Many of us grew up in a world where it was customary to be friendly, courteous, and trusting. Unfortunately, assumptions concerning these standards of conduct can sometimes get us into trouble. Con artists offering a variety of too-good-to-be-true investment “deals” are banking on the willingness of trusting individuals. Unfortunately, many people experience financial difficulties, thus making them more vulnerable to financial fraud.
For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the most of reviewing this year’s progress and plan for next year to help position yourself for a financially strong future.
In these uncertain times, the value of objective financial guidance cannot be overestimated, and the importance of the financial profession has never been more apparent. Regulatory changes initiated well before any of us had even heard the phrase "social distancing" are now in effect, establishing a new landscape that governs the relationship between those who seek financial guidance and those who provide such services.
There are five estate planning documents you may need, regardless of your age, health, or wealth: 1. Durable power of attorney 2. Advance medical directives 3. Will 4. Letter of instruction 5. Living trust The last document, a living trust, isn't always necessary, but it's included here because it's a vital component of many estate plans.
Think of your budget goals as your financial wish list and your spending plan as a way to make those wishes a reality. Without clear budget goals, your financial life may remain in disarray. Like any other goals in life, your budget goals help you turn your wish list into an action plan. Your budget goals also help you take the drudgery out of following the budget because now, when you give up any immediate desire, you know that you are one step closer to something you really want.
In 2021, women-led companies only received 2% of all venture capital funding, a figure considered the lowest percentage in more than five years.1 Data shows this figure does not necessarily reflect the potential success of female-owned businesses, but possibly more of a reluctance for male investors or male-led funds to green-light these projects. The reasons could include tradition, fear, or even institutional biases that venture capitalists may not even be aware of. But by declining a proposal based purely on the gender of the ownership or leadership team, investors may be missing out on potentially lucrative business opportunities.
Do you wish that there was more time in a day? Do you want to have time to drink a cup of coffee in the morning, or get to the gym before or after work? Well, we can’t change how much time there is each day, but we can help you manage and save time!
September 22nd is American Business Women's Day, and it may be the perfect day to celebrate women who have surpassed the glass ceiling and gone on to be leaders and inspirations for businesswomen everywhere. In honor of American Business Women's Day below, learn a little bit about some of the top ten Women CEOs in the country.
Understanding the importance of life insurance is one thing. Understanding the tax rules is quite another. As insurance products have evolved and become more sophisticated, the line separating insurance vehicles from investment vehicles has grown blurry. To differentiate between the two, a mix of complex rules and exceptions now governs the taxation of insurance products. If you have neither the time nor the inclination to decipher the IRS regulations, here are some life insurance tax tips and background information to help you make sense of it all.
The 401(k) pension plan, named after that section of the Internal Revenue Service Code that created it, has become one of the most popular retirement plans in the market. (A similar plan, the 403(b), is often available to employees of certain non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and certain other state or political subdivisions.)
