Articles written by Financial Advisor Arron Franzen
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What Should You Expect From Your Investments?
To help achieve your financial goals, you may need to invest in the financial markets throughout your life. However, at times your investment expectations may differ from actual returns, triggering a variety of emotions. So, what are reasonable...
Are Your Goals 'Must Have' Or 'Nice To Have'?
Like everyone, you may have a lot of financial goals. But are they all of equal importance? Probably not. And do they share a similar timeline? Again, it’s unlikely. So, your first step may be to prioritize your goals — and then follow a process...
Four Ways To Use Cash Wisely
There has been a lot of talk about a “cashless” society, but it’s not here yet. In fact, cash can still be a valuable element of your overall financial picture – if you employ it wisely. But how? Consider these four key uses of cash: ...
Can You Benefit From A 529 Plan?
Another school year is coming to a close. And if you have young children, they’re now a year closer to heading off to college or some other type of post-secondary education or training. So, if you haven’t already done so, you may want to start...
Some 'Did-You-Knows' About Estate Plans
If you’ve done any estate planning, or even if you’re just familiar with it, you probably know the basics — that is, a comprehensive estate plan can help you pass on assets to your family while also achieving other goals, such as designating...
Earth Day Lessons For Investors
It’s almost Earth Day, when people around the world focus on ways of protecting and preserving the environment. And the lessons from this occasion can be applied to other areas of life — such as investing. Here are some themes to consider: ...
Investment Ideas For Business Owners
By definition, business owners put a lot of their financial resources into their enterprises. But as an owner, you may need to invest in more than inventories and payroll to help achieve the future you’ve envisioned. Here are a few investments you...
Financial Tips For Blended Families
Becoming part of a blended family can certainly be rewarding. Of course, as is the case in all families, there will be challenges, one of which is financial. A blended family must deal with some specific financial issues, so it’s a good idea to...
Do You Have Enough Emergency Savings?
Many people would agree that preparation is the key to success in many areas of life. Yet, when it comes to being ready for a financial emergency, a sizable percentage of Americans are feeling distinctly unprepared — and that can lead to problems....
Can You Plan For An Unplanned Retirement?
Many people plan to take an early retirement, so when that day arrives, they’re ready for it. But what if you were to face an unplanned retirement? Would you be prepared to deal with the financial issues? It’s something worth thinking about,...
Can You Count On Social Security?
If you’re getting closer to retirement, you might be thinking more about Social Security. Specifically, can you count on it to contribute part of the income you’ll need as a retiree? There’s been an increase in alarming language surrounding...
Don't Let Fear Drive Investment Decisions
In the past year, we’ve seen some big swings in the financial markets. This volatility may make you feel as if you have little control over your investment success. But the truth is, you do have more control than you might think — as long as you...
Can You Benefit From New RMD Age Limit?
When you’re working, you may spend decades contributing to retirement accounts such as your 401(k) and IRA. Once you’re retired, though, you’ll likely need to begin withdrawing from these accounts to help pay for your living expenses. In fact,...
Open The (Back) Door To A Roth IRA
There aren’t many drawbacks to having a high income — but being unable to invest in a Roth IRA might be one of them. Are there strategies that allow high-income earners to contribute to this valuable retirement account? Before we delve into that...
Worried About Inflation? Consider These Moves
As you know, inflation was big news throughout 2022. But will it continue in 2023? And looking even further ahead, how should you account for inflation in your long-term plans? In regard to the first question, many experts predict that inflation...
Time For New Year's Financial Resolutions
It’s that time of year when many of us promise ourselves we’ll go to the gym more, or learn a new language, or take up a musical instrument, or any number of other worthy goals. But this year, when making New Year’s resolutions, why not also...
Add Layers Of Protection To Financial Strategy
To achieve your financial security, and that of your family, you will need to create a comprehensive strategy. But for this strategy to succeed, you’ll need to guard it from various challenges – and that means you’ll need to build in different...
Advice Can Help When Making Charitable Gifts
Now that it’s the holiday season, gifts are probably on your mind – and you might intend for some of those gifts to go to charities. Although your intentions are good, you could be shortchanging both your recipients and yourself with your method...
COLA Is Sweet For Social Security Recipients
If you receive Social Security, you’ve probably already heard that your checks in 2023 will be bigger – considerably bigger, in fact. How can you make the best use of this extra money? Here’s what’s happening: For 2023, there’s an 8.7...
Here's Your 'Recession Survival' Checklist
It’s unfortunate, but recessions are a fairly normal part of the economic landscape. When a recession occurs, how might you be affected? The answer depends on your individual situation, but regardless of your circumstances, you might want to...
Avoid Becoming 'Burden' On Grown Children
Here’s an interesting statistic: Some 72 percent of retirees say one of their biggest fears is becoming a burden on their families, according to a 2021 survey by Age Wave and Edward Jones. Both before and during retirement, what steps can you take...
Don't Overlook Importance Of Cash
If you’re an investor, you no doubt pay a great deal of attention to your stocks, bonds and mutual funds. But you shouldn’t forget another key element of your financial strategy: cash. Cash is part of any financial strategy and investment...
Should You Consolidate Retirement Accounts?
One of the rewards for working over several decades is the ability to contribute to tax-advantaged retirement accounts, which can help provide needed income for you when you do retire. As the years went by, you may well have accumulated several...
How Should You Pay For Short-Term Financial Goals?
As you go through life, you will likely have long- and short-term financial goals. But how will your strategies for meeting your long-term goals differ from those needed for your short-term ones? If you’re like most people, your biggest long-term...
What Should Alzheimer's Caregivers Know
If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, or is starting to show symptoms, you will face some real challenges. Navigating the Alzheimer’s experience involves a long journey, and there’s no easy answer for how...