Fundamentally, the topic of tariffs is good. Government leaders implement tariffs on foreign products and services to restrict imports by tacking on additional taxes or fees. The aim is to make foreign products less attractive to domestic consumers. Establishing tariffs, proponents argue, helps … [Read more...] about How Will Trump’s Tariffs Impact Your Investments?
Keith Schaafsma
Are You Prepared for Mental Decline?
No one likes to think about cognitive decline in themselves or their loved ones. But, for many families, this is an incredibly important topic to address. In fact, 5.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, including 10 percent of people aged 65 and older. When they pass away, one in three … [Read more...] about Are You Prepared for Mental Decline?
Making Your 2018 Financial Resolutions
The New Year is upon us, bringing a fresh opportunity to consider your goals. For 2018, we are taking a different approach to resolutions. Instead of giving you a laundry list of tasks to accomplish, we want to encourage you to make this the year you really own your financial life. Imagine fast … [Read more...] about Making Your 2018 Financial Resolutions
Financial Issues to Consider in Remarriages
About one-third of U.S. residents ages 15 and older have been married at least twice, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Remarriage among American ages 55 and older is on the rise, while their younger counterparts are becoming less likely to have … [Read more...] about Financial Issues to Consider in Remarriages
Should a Trust be the Beneficiary of Your IRA?
For many Americans, the assets in their Individual Retirement Account represent a significant portion of the wealth they hope to leave to their loved ones. However, trusts and inherited IRAs are complex vehicles that have a lot of details to get right. Advantages to Naming a Trust as an … [Read more...] about Should a Trust be the Beneficiary of Your IRA?
Why Market Timing Does Not Work
Few words characterize today’s financial markets like uncertainty. When overseas economic issues can rob investors of months of gains and speeches by Federal Reserve officials cause markets to flip-flop unpredictably, investors are left wondering what they should do. In an attempt to make … [Read more...] about Why Market Timing Does Not Work
Teaching Your Children About Money
Are the young people in your life financially literate? By helping them learn about money, you give them an important head start on important life skills like developing good savings behavior, living within their means, and avoiding many common financial pitfalls. Unfortunately, many young … [Read more...] about Teaching Your Children About Money