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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division May 5, 2021
Many people headed towards retirement are faced with endless “Should I?” questions: Should I move to a warmer climate or stay closer to family? Should I take Social Security now or delay it a few years? Should I pick up a part-time job or take up a few hobbies to stay active?
One of the most common and important questions we hear at Girard — and see debated throughout the industry — is, “Should I pay off debt before entering retirement?” While there are many schools of thought on this, we’re here to share our insight and provide best-practice tips…
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division January 7, 2020
Navigating and managing finances can be difficult and becomes even more challenging as you begin to share major life events with a significant other. When planning the future with your partner, finances should be a top priority. But how do you approach this tricky and potentially uncomfortable discussion?
I suggest that couples hold a financial “State of the Union” meeting. Doing this at the beginning of the year is a good start, but I also suggest this is not a once and done discussion. Create a frequent, predetermined timetable that works for you to discuss finances (weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.)….
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division October 1, 2019
According to Gallup, the average retirement age in America is 66. For most, it takes decades of planning and saving money across multiple accounts to feel confident and financially comfortable to take the first step into one’s golden years. But what about those individuals and couples who want to retire early? For those who want to “fast-track” their retirement and take the plunge in their 50s, there are critical planning steps to consider early in your career.
Of course, retirement before the average age of 66 will look different for everyone, and will be impacted by a myriad of…
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division August 1, 2019
When the Great Recession hit in 2008, many millennials not only saw their parents affected by the downturn (decline in investments, retirement portfolio or even job loss), but they themselves were entering a tough labor market in the years that followed. Not surprisingly, this “conditioned” millennials to become cautious when it comes to their investments and financial plans.
Fast forward to today – July 2019 marks the longest economic expansion on record in the United States, however, there have been several economic indicators that have spooked investors including whether the market is overvalued and the “trade war” concerns with China….
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division April 30, 2019
Since becoming a mom last year, my financial goals and long-term plans certainly have shifted. New parents should continue focusing on their own financial security and retirement goals, a baby means a whole new set of monetary considerations. Here are some tips that can help get your family on solid footing for the future.
Tips leading up to baby
Diaper duty. In the six months leading up to our son’s birth, my husband and I strategically purchased diapers. Knowing diapers are one of the more expensive, and frequent purchases for baby, we spaced out buying diapers over a few months creating…
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division November 1, 2018
There are some questions that are asked frequently by clients. If our clients are asking them, it means that others are likely wondering the same thing. Here are the three most common questions asked on a daily basis.
How much should I be saving?
This is the number one universal question. No matter age, income, or financial stability, everyone who steps into the office asks this question. To answer this, we like to suggest the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. What this means is to simply divide your take-home pay into three categories to provide a framework for how that money should be allocated….
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division July 31, 2018
Millennial couples are choosing to live together before marriage more than any other generation in the past, according to the Pew Research Center. While becoming more and more commonplace, couples need to have a plan to successfully manage their finances under these circumstances. It’s critical for couples to be mindful of both their individual and combined financial situation. Below are tips for cohabitating couples to ensure they are on a secure financial path together.
Open communication – It’s imperative to be open and honest about finances before you start to live with someone. Discuss your “money type.” What are…
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division May 25, 2018
There are many unknown variables when planning for retirement, and even high-net-worth couples often feel overwhelmed when discussing their financial future. However, women face particular challenges – on average they live five years longer than men, requiring more assets to sustain those extra years of expenses. Women also face other challenges – many are still paid less over the course of their careers than their male counterparts and women are out of the work force for an average of 12 years to care for children and aging parents.
With all these factors, it is even more critical for women…
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Jordan Sowhangar, Certified Financial Planner, VP and Wealth Advisor at Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division February 13, 2018
It’s no secret that many well-intended New Year’s resolutions fail after a few weeks of diligence. People often resolve to improve their finances at the start of the New Year and set lofty goals. However, it can be hard to stay inspired to stick with your changes when significant progress isn’t made. While not seeing an instant benefit as you tackle long-term goals is common, research shows that having an immediate reward can actually help to reach those goals.
If you’ve already broken your financial New Year’s resolution, you can get back on track. There’s still plenty of time…
