If even the thought of investing is scary to you, it’s best to take small steps to begin with. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start investing your money. [More]

How many retirement accounts do you have? If you've changed jobs a few times over the years, you could have several accounts housed in different employers' plans. [More]

It’s been said that some people spend more time on choosing an automobile to purchase than they do on selecting a financial advisor. If that observation has a ring of truth to it, it may be because people are familiar with the daily driving experience and the ease of determining one’s preferences. In contrast, financial management is a task that, for most people, involves decisions and considerations that they know little about. Similarly, they are ill equipped to assess the qualifications of those who seek to provide financial services. [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]