Author: rachel

Gratitude’s Impact on Your Money Mindset

rachel

When we hear the term “gratitude,” most of us think of living a happier and more fulfilling life. We think of slowing down, being mindful, and cherishing the small moments, like savoring a cup of coffee or reconnecting with an old friend. But how does gratitude shape our perspective on money? Could practicing gratitude be the missing piece for a prosperous retirement? Let’s explore how embracing gratitude can transform your financial mindset, leading to smarter investment decisions, less stress, and…
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5 Podcasts for Business Owners

rachel

Listening to podcasts is like having a personal coach or mentor for your business. Whether you’re looking for advice, creative ideas, or motivation, they can be a great help in reaching your goals. The podcasting industry is booming right now. Check out the growth since 2019: Year    Global Listeners 2019    274.8 million 2020    332.2 million 2021    383.7 million 2022*   424.2 million 2023*   467.7 million 2024*   504.9 million * = projected growth https://explodingtopics.com/blog/podcast-listeners Why have they…
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Finding the Ideal Place to Live in Retirement

rachel

Planning for retirement is rife with big questions — not just how you want to spend your golden years, but where? For some, retirement offers the opportunity to spend more time with family; for others, it’s the chance to venture into a different climate. For the most part, seniors are planning to spend their retirement near the homes they’ve always known. A 2021 study by the AARP showed that approximately 75% of people over 50 plan to stay in their…
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Active vs. Passive Investing: Which Is Best?

rachel

Investors and advisors alike have long debated the merits of active versus passive investing. As the markets have taken a downward turn over the last year in response to rising interest rates, this age-old question has emerged again. Passive investing seeks to generate average market returns and involves hanging on to investments over a long period of time in order to ride out the market’s ups and downs. Active investing seeks to outperform the market — a trait that many…
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Investing During a Bear Market

rachel

Lately, financial pundits seem to be constantly warning that a bear market is coming, arguing over whether one has begun or predicting when one will end. It’s less common for them to actually define one. From their ominous tone, you can tell it’s less appealing than its counterpart, a bull market. But what is it exactly? How does it differ from other market fluctuations? And how long does one last? What is a bear market? A bear market is an…
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The Benefits of Donor-Advised Funds

rachel

As tax planning season and end-of-year charitable giving begin, it’s a good time to consider the benefits of donor-advised funds. Charitable giving has many facets, most notably as an opportunity for you to support the causes and organizations that reflect your values. But giving is also a significant tax and financial planning opportunity, helping you increase your impact and potentially save on your taxes. What is a Donor-Advised Fund? Donor-advised funds offer similar benefits to a private charitable foundation; however,…
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How Diversifying Your Portfolio Can Help Mitigate Risk

rachel

Risk is an inherent part of investing. After all, no one can control the losses or gains of a particular asset, sector, or the market as a whole. But you can take steps to manage your risk by diversifying your portfolio. Here’s a look at what diversification is, why it matters, and how to do it. What is diversification? Diversification is a technique that can help reduces risk and volatility in your investment portfolio. The idea is to invest across…
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A Beginner’s Guide to Alternative Investments

rachel

Alternatives are investment options beyond the typical stocks, bonds and cash found in most portfolios. They can be tangible assets like precious metals, or they could be financial assets like private equity or hedge funds. Alternatives tend to be riskier than traditional assets, which means investors usually have to meet certain criteria to access them. Here’s a closer look at alternatives and some of the most common options available. What is an alternative investment? An alternative investment is a financial…
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Understanding the Charitable Remainder Trust

rachel

Understanding the Charitable Remainder Trust The charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a popular retirement- and estate-planning tool. It can be a convenient way to create a stream of lifetime income for yourself and others or donate to a charity while minimizing and deferring taxes. But there are many choices to make when establishing a CRT and, in some cases, these tools may not be right for everyone. What is a Charitable Remainder Trust and How Does it Work? A charitable…
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Smart Ways to Save for Your Child’s Education

rachel

If you’re a parent, the start of a new school year may have you considering how much you’re able to set aside for your child’s college fund. Average annual tuition in the U.S. is $38,185 for private college and $10,338 for public college.[1]1 And those numbers may rise by 2%–3% in the coming school year.[2]2 So, the sooner you start saving to support your child’s future, the better. Fortunately, investment accounts, such as 529 plans and Coverdell education savings accounts,…
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