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By:
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…
By:
Dave Geibel, Managing Director, Girard, a Univest Wealth Division November 1, 2017
Financial planning is important at practically every stage of life, but it is especially critical as your family grows. For some, that may include more planning and preparation than others. As a parent of a child with special needs and as someone who is in the business of financial planning, I know and understand first-hand the challenges families face when it comes to planning for special needs kids.
Over the past 13 years, my wife and I have learned a lot about caring for our son, Thomas, which we couldn’t have done without the help of experts along the way….
By:
Dave Geibel, Managing Director, Girard, a Univest Wealth Division February 1, 2017
This Valentine’s Day, couples might be wise to forego the extravagant presents and take the opportunity to get on the same financial page. According to a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 31 percent of adults with a partner said money is a major source of conflict in the relationship. Most people know that money is a common area for couples to disagree, but few couples take the necessary steps to prevent money conflicts or right the financial ship once it’s blown off course.
Communication is key in any relationship, and it’s particularly important when it comes to money…
By:
Bill Van Sant, SVP and Managing Director, Girard, a Univest Wealth Management Division January 4, 2017
According to data released by Forbes, 45 percent of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only 8 percent are successful in seeing those goals through. Also notable is that the survey ranked “spending less and saving more” as third out of the top 10 commonly made resolutions. Financial resolutions are important to create every year and January marks the perfect time to review year-end investment statements and take a comprehensive look at your total financial picture.
Here are a few tips to help individuals and couples not only get their finances on track, but also stick to their resolutions…
Your 20s may seem like an odd time to think of retirement, but it’s actually the perfect moment to start planning for your later years. That’s because the earlier you start saving, the more time your money has to grow.
Savers who begin setting aside 10% of their earnings at 25, for example, could amass significantly more by retirement age than those who wait just five years to start saving. You can use online calculators to see how much can save by the time you reach retirement if you starting investing now.
The 2016 Olympic Games captivate audiences and provide motivating stories of determination and triumph. While watching, I can’t help but relate the Games back to the work we do as financial advisors. In many ways, following a sound long-term financial plan actually has things in common with the Olympics.
Plan Your Strategy
These athletes train relentlessly for years to perfect their sport. It’s a process that takes discipline, planning, fine-tuning and hard work, not dissimilar to following a financial plan. For most of us, the end goal is providing for our family and enjoying a comfortable retirement rather than a…