Communication Builds Our Community

Articles written by Susan Craig


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  • 7 Tips for Talking Money with the Person You Love

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Jan 8, 2020

    Your relationship is about living a happy life together, not dollars and cents. A little financial planning may help you get there. There’s nothing more exciting than tying the knot with the person you love. Of course, there are conversations you’ll want to have with your partner as you take this step. To avoid disagreements and finance-related pitfalls down the road, one of the most important ones is about money. Here are some top tips for talking about money with the per...

  • Beware of Retirement Sprawl

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Dec 11, 2019

    As we move through our career, we often accumulate a number of different retirement accounts: A traditional IRA here, a rollover IRA there, and two or three scattered 401(k) accounts left in the plans of former employers. As the accounts add up, it can become difficult to get a clear picture of your overall retirement preparedness. Consolidating your retirement accounts into one central account can help you make sure your retirement assets are invested appropriately for your...

  • Estate Planning Fundamentals

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Nov 27, 2019

    Plan for a long life and keep these vital documents up-to-date for your protection and the sake of those you love. The underlying goal of proper estate planning is to ensure the legacy you leave behind provides your family with essential information that can help guide them through a difficult and confusing time. There are a number of fundamental pieces you may want to consider when drafting your estate planning documents, including: Last Will and Testament A Last Will and...

  • Achieving Financial Well-Being After the Loss of a Spouse

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated May 8, 2019

    Losing a spouse is a traumatic event. It drains your emotions and makes it hard to focus on simple daily tasks, let alone financial matters. Unfortunately, financial obligations don't stop for grief; there are bills to be paid and decisions to be made. Taking an active role in understanding the key financial issues you could face before they happen can help you implement a plan that will bring more confidence and clarity to your life. Your Journey to Financial Well-Being The...

  • Questions to Ask Your Partner Before Tying the Financial Knot

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 30, 2019

    When it comes to love and money, tying the financial knot involves adjustments and compromise. By understanding expectations, setting common goals, and mapping out life as a couple, you can build a healthy financial foundation for the future, together. When two become one Creating a life together brings with it a whole new meaning to the word compromise: morning bathroom time, the "good side" of the bed, the TV remote, Saturday plans, and holidays with family. While you want...

  • The State of Your Parent's Estate

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 11, 2019

    Talking with a parent about estate planning is never easy. Here are some conversation starters that can help adult children and their parents plan. In 2020, it is projected that Americans older than 65 now will total 56 million, a number that is expected to climb significantly as Baby Boomers retire over the next two decades. Even with this "graying of America," a recent survey showed that only 42% of adult Americans have any kind of estate planning documents at all,...

  • Taking on the Role of Caregiver

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Apr 2, 2019

    According to the most recent statistics from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, more than 43 million people have provided unpaid care to an adult or child in the last 12 months.1 These people may be spouses, partners, adult children, parents, other relatives, friends or even neighbors. And, many of these people may not even realize that they have taken on a new role as a caregiver. Caregiving often starts with small tasks-taking your dad to a doctor's appointment...

  • Five Rules When Talking to Adult Kids About Money

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Mar 26, 2019

    More than 22 million adult children between the ages of 18 and 34 are living at home with their parents.1 This phenomenon is partially driven by the financial realities facing 20-somethings today, but it also illustrates the strong ties that exist between boomer parents – who have been scrutinized for "helicopter parenting" – and their boomerang kids. The U.K. Journal, Psychologist, found that more than half of millennials phone, text or email their parents nearly every day...

  • Aligning Your Portfolio with Your Purpose: Impact Investing

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Mar 15, 2019

    You want to make a difference in the world in a way that reflects your deeply-held beliefs. Increasingly, investors are defining long-term value as not only realizing attractive returns, but also generating positive social or environmental impact. To that end, they are looking for ways to align their portfolios with their purpose, using their wealth as a force for change. What It Means to Invest with Impact Impact investing refers to investments made into companies, organizati...

  • What You Need to Know About Personal Income Taxes

    Susan Craig, Contributing Writer|Updated Mar 8, 2019

    As Benjamin Franklin once said, in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. Taxes impact nearly every aspect of your financial life, from your overall financial and investment strategy to how you choose to save for your most important goals, such as a dream vacation, retirement or your child's education. Understanding tax concepts and tax planning strategies-and opportunities that may reduce your tax bill-will help you make the most of the money yo...

  • Planning for a New Beginning

    Susan Craig, Morgan Stanley|Updated Feb 28, 2019

    Major relationship transitions can be overwhelming, both personally and practically. Dealing with the impact of divorce on your financial life can make an emotionally difficult time even more challenging. Although divorce is seldom easy, you can prepare for it-and being prepared will help you feel more in control and better equipped to make informed, confident decisions about your financial future. Assembling a Team of Trusted Advisors Going through a divorce can be lonely,...