If you are planning on fall home improvements, there are certain improvements that may qualify for tax credits. [More]

Most of us love our homes, but there’s always something we’d like to change. Maybe it’s a new addition, renovating a kitchen, or simply giving a room a makeover. There are always two big stumbling blocks: what will it cost, and who is going to do the work? [More]

Generally speaking, Americans are a generous group. Once we meet our own financial needs, we start thinking about others who could benefit from what we’ve earned. [More]

Deciding whether to remain in your current home, downsize to a smaller home, rent, or move to a retirement community is a hard decision but one that will need to be made around retirement. Weighing the pros and cons of owning and renting will help you determine which is best for your situation. [More]

A health plan is designed to protect you and your family from the known (and unknown to some level). Today health plans have become complex and difficult to understand. This makes choosing a health plan quite difficult, even when only a few options are available. [More]

Every now and then it is important to take some time to inventory your retirement planning. If you own a Traditional IRA, for instance, you probably know your contributions may be tax deductible. Did you know that if you withdraw from that Traditional IRA early you must pay a 10% penalty in addition to income tax? [More]

One of the biggest misconceptions held by Americans is that Medicare will be there to help them if they have to move in to a nursing home someday. But the sad fact is that Medicare covers very little in the way of nursing home costs, and generally only if the reason for the stay is to receive specialized medical care. [More]

You’ve been planning your retirement for years: what you’re going to do, where you’re going to live, and how you’re going to pay for it. But knowing when it is time to retire can still be a very difficult decision. Here are a few questions to answer to help you decide if you are financially prepared to retire. [More]

A financial plan is a document that helps you determine how you’ll achieve the goals you want from life, as well as how you’ll meet your future financial needs. A thorough financial plan looks at every aspect of how finances affect you and your family, covering issues such as retirement, education, housing, medical needs, insurance and luxuries. It examines your present situation, spells out your needs, and decides what steps will allow you to meet those needs. A good financial plan also gives you benchmarks to use as targets, so you’ll be able to tell how much progress you’ve made. [More]