Planning a Midlife Career Change

If you’re unhappy in your current job and want to make a career change late in life, it’s important to make a thorough plan first. More than half of U.S. workers want to change careers, a number that will likely increase as time goes on. People are living longer, retiring later and looking for a sense of purpose in their careers, leading them to pursue career changes later in life. The days of pension plans and employer loyalty are all but gone, and workers are thinking of their careers as an extension of their passions, not their employers’ needs. Women especially may seek a career change as they transition in and out of the workplace to care for children or aging parents.

Embarking on a brand-new career late in life can be more difficult than starting when you’re young. Sometimes it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks, and the logistical barriers—not to mention age discrimination—make it easy to stick with the status quo. But if you’re truly unhappy with your career, or if you’d like to pursue a passion you’ve been neglecting thus far, now is the time to get started. The average career change takes around 18 months, and every day you wait puts you that much further away from your dream of career satisfaction and financial freedom. 

Should You Shred? Why Protecting Your Identity is More Important than You Think

We’ve all heard terrible stories about identity theft – stolen credit card numbers, collection agencies calling about an account you never opened – the list goes on and on. When even the Supreme Court has deemed that there’s nothing illegal about dumpster diving for Personally Identifiable Information (PII), how can you protect yourself?

The answer is simple, and that’s to shred anything that may have a signature, account number, social security number, or medical or legal information before throwing it away. We’ve compiled a list of a few common papers and documents you may have laying around the house, and how you should properly dispose of them.

5 Things You'll Want to Know About Special Needs Trusts

If you had to guess the largest minority group in America, what would you say? The Department of Labor states that as of January 2016, people with disabilities make up the nation’s largest minority, counting almost 50 million individuals.

For families affected by disability, especially physical and developmental, the care needed can be daunting – on physical, emotional and financial levels. While many government programs exist to aid these individuals, they still fall short in most cases and, in the current economic environment, face budget cuts.

The simple truth? It is vitally important for these families to have the necessary legal documents and financial planning in place. The cornerstone of such a plan can be the Special Needs Trust.

What You Need to Know About Your 401(k)

In this new year, you may have the opportunity to reevaluate your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Most companies will give you the option to choose between a Traditional and Roth 401(k). Chances are, this decision will require a little research to ensure you’re making the right choice for you. We’ve done what we can to compile the basics, and help you understand exactly what you need to know about your 401(k).

Your Checklist to Year-End Financial Planning

The best financial decisions are made with the benefit of time, thoughtful consideration, and trusted professional advice. As tax time approaches, take the time to prepare for sound, long-term financial decisions to minimize expenses, taxes, and the headache of organizing your finances at the last minute.