When and how to retire may be one the largest financial decision you will make. This generates many new financial questions you may not have dealt with before: Where will my income come from? Have I saved enough? When should I draw Social Security? What should I do with my pension and retirement accounts? How […]
About Matt Elliott, CFP®, CSLP®
Guide to Get Your Finances Organized for 2021
You need to get your finances organized for two people: 1. For yourself. Not feeling in control of your finances can lead to stress and anxiety. It is impossible to make informed financial choices without first understanding where you are. You deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are taking steps to […]
Are Target Date Retirement Funds Right for Me?
What is a target date fund? A target date fund is an investment that is designed to provide a reasonable risk/return trade off given the year you plan to begin withdrawing from the fund. It is a “fund of funds”, which means it is a mutual fund that owns other mutual funds. The idea is […]
Achieve Financial Freedom in 5 Steps
Financial independence isn’t created overnight. Have patience and take these steps 1 at a time. If you stay focused on improving your financial situation one step at a time, you will eventually achieve life’s greatest financial goal – financial freedom. To find out how you’re doing, take the short quiz below and get customized tips […]
Do You Have Enough in Your Emergency Fund?
What is an emergency fund? Your emergency fund is the amount of cash you have in a safe place to cover an unexpected expense (such as a car repair) or event (such as a layoff). You should always aim to keep the money in this account untouched unless an unforeseen event occurs. Why is it […]
Best Diaper Deal 2020: Target vs. Amazon
In honor of our first child being born this month, I decided to take a break from my typical finance topics to explore something new: Diapers. While I have experience with financial planning, I am brand new to being a Dad (and the financial challenges that come with it). Will we switch from Pampers to […]
What to Look for in a Financial Advisor
Going into an initial meeting with a financial advisor for the first time can feel a bit like stepping into a cage fight. Your guard is up, but your opponent is a seasoned veteran that does this every day. How do you prepare when the person across from you is highly trained and you may […]
Invest Your Fidelity 403(b) Like a Pro
Doing the right things consistently with your retirement plan can have a huge impact on your financial future. That great opportunity can create stress if you’re not sure exactly what you should be doing with your investments. That is why I created this step-by-step guide: To help you take control of your 403(b) plan at […]
How to Save Money and Pay Off Debt in 5 Steps
There is certainly no shortage of financial advice out there – and it can be tricky to know what applies to you. Your co-worker may be telling you about how you need to save for your child’s education, but you haven’t yet paid off your own student loans yet – what do you do? Take […]
Best Money Moves for Your Stimulus Check
Economic Impact Payments (AKA Coronavirus stimulus checks) started going out in April. For those with direct deposit on file with the IRS, payments began hitting accounts mid-month, while those getting physical checks began receiving them at the end of the month (and could potentially be waiting much longer). If you’re still unclear on your eligibility, […]
