Perspectives

The COVID-19 pandemic, and its unprecedented effect on our lives, points to a need that many of us have avoided or not considered at other times: the need to prepare ourselves financially for the future. We now know, more certainly than ever, that we should have our affairs in order so that we can be ready for any possibility.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law to provide economic support to individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19. While we will receive additional guidance in the coming weeks, here is a brief overview of the key provisions.

While we don’t know what the future may bring, we can plan for the possibilities. For many of us, this includes acknowledging that we may need extra assistance down the line, in the form of long-term care.

Do you know where all of your financial documents are? If you are like many of us, you are engulfed in a flood of bills, tax forms, account statements and other financial documents, and may not know where everything is. That means it’s time to sort, simplify and organize, especially if you are just around the corner from retirement.

When it comes to good financial habits, such as saving early and creating a solid financial plan, who’s leading the pack? The answer might surprise you. A new D.A. Davidson survey of over 1,000 affluent Americans reveals significant insights.

Is it possible to save for both medical bills and retirement? According to a 2018 Employee Benefit Research Institute report, a 65-year-old couple, both with median prescription drug expenses, may need an estimated $296,000 in savings to have a 90% chance of having sufficient funds for healthcare expenses in retirement. Since healthcare expenses have historically risen faster than the cost of living, having a plan to cover these future expenses is critical.

Did you know that you can take several steps to help yourself steer clear of being a potential victim of financial fraud? By adding a “trusted contact” to your investment accounts, you can help ensure that your financial advisor has the tools to help you if it becomes necessary.

Planning to give a monetary gift? Money can be an easier option than trying to find the right present for that hard-to-buy-for person.

When you begin considering a vacation, you might open a mapping app and start calculating the best route to your destination. The planning instills a sense of excitement. In the same way, the act of developing a personal financial plan can provide as much value as the plan itself.

Have you taken the time to create a personal budget? If not, you are not alone: only one in three Americans prepares a detailed household budget. But as you begin to travel the road toward financial success, you will find that goals are easier to reach when you start with a map.