Especially in times of market uncertainty or volatility, our attention tends to be sucked into the bottomless vortex of pointless prognostication and aimless activity. Yet, if you have a good plan in place, educated apathy is generally the most profitable move. As the sage Warren Buffett reminds us, “The stock market is designed to transfer money from the active to the patient.” But investing is just one part of wealth management—and it’s likely the element over which we have the least control. Therefore, regardless of the markets’ machinations, we can absolutely continue to make progress in our financial plan beyond…

Imagine paying insurance premiums for years, expecting financial protection in times of need, only to discover that your insurer has been deemed insolvent. While rare, insurance company failures do happen. For example, according to data from National Organization of Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Associations, there have been over 90 insurance company failures from 1988 to 2023. Given the crucial role insurance plays in financial security—whether for life, health, property, or disability—understanding what happens if an insurer fails is essential. This article explores the factors affecting an insurance company’s solvency, the regulatory safeguards in place, how state guaranty associations protect…

There’s a general belief that getting an advanced degree, such as a MBA or PhD, is a path towards higher income and more wealth. But that’s not always the case. And when the economy gets tough, there’s a trend of people going back to college to get advanced degrees, in hopes that it will make a difference in the future. While data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows the national unemployment rate is still relatively low (4.1% as of February 2025), that doesn’t mean the job market is strong. In fact, there are numerous signs the labor market…

Recently, 25 Canadians were arrested in a joint Canadian and American law enforcement effort and charged in federal court in Vermont with operating the grandparent scam through call centers in Canada where they contacted elderly victims in 45 American states between 2021 and 2024 during which time they are accused of stealing $21 million from their victims. According to the indictment the accused scammers used voice-over-internet protocol service to place their calls and make them appear to come from locations in the United States. Voice-over-internet protocol enables you to cheaply make phone calls using a broadband Internet connection that converts…

Insurtech is pivotal in reshaping financial opportunities for all communities who have contended with inadequate access to insurance services vital for wealth transfer. This intersection of insurance and technology has prompted Jay Maska, founder of Nonstop Financial and agency owner of Family First Life, to empower entrepreneurs in the insurtech space with the information needed to build multi-million dollar businesses. With 52% of the total U.S. population owning life insurance, there is a burgeoning opportunity for insurtech to democratize financial inclusion and secure generational wealth. The Breakdown You Need To Know: Insuretech is about agents leveraging unique perspectives to serve…

As we enter tax season, you may wonder what else you can do to pay fewer taxes. Perhaps your CPA or financial planner has been telling you to set up a cash balance plan or 401(k) for years, and you don’t know how to do it. Running a retirement plan can be a bit of work, but the tax savings are huge. Make 2025 the year you at least look at what a cash balance plan could do for your march toward financial freedom, or if nothing else, how it can reduce your taxes each year. What Is A Cash…

Student loan borrowers are starting to see dramatic increases in their monthly payments, as the Department of Education and its contracted loan servicers struggle to operate a repayment system impeded by court orders and staff reductions. The issues may also derail borrowers who are pursuing student loan forgiveness. Last month, a federal appeals court issued a ruling broadening an existing injunction that has blocked the SAVE plan, a Biden-era income-driven repayment program, since August. In response to that ruling, the Trump administration quickly cut off access to all income-driven repayment plans (including plans not directly subject to the injunction) by…

You’re sitting in your office hurrying to get that last project accomplished before time runs out. It’s not just the usual deadline. It’s your deadline. It’s your retirement. You really want to finish this career capstone, but that’s not all that’s on your mind. You can’t help but sense the joy you’ll soon have when you pocket that gold watch. In a little more than a year, life will be nothing but golf courses and grandkids. And maybe an occasional grand tour of that place you always wanted to visit. The last thing you want to hear is that there’s…

I have completed a no-buy challenge several times. A no-buy challenge is choosing a specific category and timeframe and resolving not to purchase these items. My challenges have included clothing, personal care items, and even groceries. The Clothing Challenge: Breaking The Cycle Of Consumption Each challenge helped us save money, waste less, and get organized. The first no-buy challenge I experimented with was clothing. This was an area of our budget we wanted to reduce. We ran the numbers for the past year and found I was spending $500-$750 each quarter. And yet my closet was always full. Twice a…

The Trump Administration has taken multiple steps that risk permanently damaging or eliminating important federal data sources. And senior current and former government officials as well as researchers worry that more serious threats are on the horizon, including to critical information that is key to informing tax policy. Why should the public care? Because those data can help explain everything from burgeoning health risks to changes in weather, inflation, and employment. They provide important information about the tax system as well as the effectiveness of government programs such as education assistance, Medicare, and Social Security. Part Of A Broader Effort…