Good money habits can help you as you save and invest for the future. Bad habits can leave you treading water (or underwater) financially. Here are some to avoid. Not saving enough. Instead of paying themselves first, some families pay...
Read MoreStocks just had their worst one-day drop since February, as a combination of higher bond yields, U.S./China tensions, nervousness over the upcoming midterm elections, six straight months of gains, and worries about peak margins this...
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As an employer, you face a challenge: attracting and retaining the right talent is necessary to drive your business forward. At the same time, you likely feel a responsibility to help your employees achieve retirement financially...
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It isn’t surprising that average contributions are generally lower for younger 401(k) plan participants. Not only is retirement much farther down the road for them than it is for their Generation X and baby boomer colleagues,...
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In the sports world, a mental error can cost your team the big game. When you are investing, a mental error can put your retirement portfolio at risk. Mistakes often result from letting misconceptions and emotions affect your decisions...
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Layoffs are a fact of corporate life as companies grapple with economic cycles and global competition. If you get caught in a corporate downsizing and you are not immediately moving to a new employer, you generally have three options...
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Growth and value are two fundamental approaches, or styles, in stock and stock mutual fund investing. Growth investors seek companies that offer strong earnings growth, while value investors seek stocks that appear to be undervalued in...
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Grab your backpacks -- fall's here and we are back to school! But wouldn't it be great if all your worries disappeared when fall arrived? Usually, that doesn't happen. Actually, if money is stressing you out and you're trying to figure...
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Whether you need travel insurance is likely to depend on your level of coverage from existing homeowner's, medical, automobile, and life insurance policies. In many instances, travel insurance may duplicate coverage that you already...
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American workers change jobs fairly frequently. For instance, the youngest baby boomers held an average of more than 11 different jobs before the age of 48.1 The decisions you make about how to manage retirement assets when changing...
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Everyone needs a vacation periodically. Breaking the routine of the workaday world is not only refreshing, but studies show it's good both for you and your ability to do a better job. Reducing job stress can lead to more productivity....
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Divorce can be a complicated and challenging process in which details are easily overlooked. Protecting your financial health during this time is crucial, and no one should enter this process without a trusted attorney (specializing in...
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Many adults are finding that their aging parents are in need of healthcare assistance. Luckily, there are many options available today to help your parents grow old gracefully, either in their own home or in a facility, and several...
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Your retirement plan may offer you several options for managing your retirement plan assets when you change jobs or retire. Understanding these choices will help you narrow down your choices. Your Options Following are the options that...
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In certain instances, a terminally ill person can initiate a transaction known as a viatical settlement in which the policy owner sells his or her policy to a viatical settlement company in return for a lump-sum payment. Whole, term,...
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While long-term care policies may provide benefits for people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, these policies cannot normally be purchased after someone has been diagnosed. This makes advance planning all the more...
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In most instances, you become eligible for Medicare on the first day of the month you turn age 65. Whether you need to sign up, and how to go about doing so, depends on the type of coverage you select and whether you collect Social...
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There is a good possibility that you or your spouse will eventually require some form of long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of people aged 65 or older will enter a nursing home for...
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Thursday, April 5, 2018
Haven't read Parts I & II yet? This article will make a lot more sense if you read those first - you can find them here and here. WHY DOES THE SEQUENCE OF RETURNS MATTER?There is a serious risk to any retirement income strategy....
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Thursday, March 29, 2018
These considerations prompt the question: “How much should I take out of my portfolio?” As if dealing with an increasing income need over a potentially longer-than-expected lifetime isn’t challenging enough, it is further complicated by...
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Thursday, March 22, 2018
What if you learned that all you believed about saving for retirement was incorrect? What if the rules changed somewhere along the way and no one told you? When would you want to know?The dream is that you work hard until age 65,...
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Many adults are finding that their aging parents are in need of health care assistance. Luckily, there are many options available today to help your parents grow old gracefully, either in their own home or in a facility, and several...
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Market timing is an investing strategy in which the investor tries to identify the best times to be in the market and when to get out. A big risk of market timing is missing out on the best-performing market cycles; missing even a few...
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What Americans living, working, or traveling abroad need to know about financing health care in a foreign country. Generally speaking, public and private health insurance plans in the United States -- including Medicare and most...
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Although online crime is a fast-moving target, currently, the primary methods in use by identity thieves are social engineering and phishing -- or typically a combination of both. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),...
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Wednesday, December 13, 2017
The end of the year is always busy with holiday related activities – shopping, travel, work parties, etc. One important year-end item that should be on everyone’s to-do list, but often isn’t, is a financial checklist....
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Many people want to leave a legacy after they’ve passed, and in most cases, it’s a financial legacy. This can come in many forms, but for those who have specific plans to leave a legacy to an individual, group of...
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Thursday, September 21, 2017
We are all too familiar with natural disasters – hurricanes, floods, and wildfires being the most recent. While our physical health is significantly more important than our portfolio, a financial disaster can be incredibly...
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Were you one of millions who purchased a universal life insurance policy 30 some odd years ago because of the large death benefit with small premiums? Have you been faithfully paying that premium every month since then? Have you looked...
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Having interacted with hundreds of clients over the years, there’s a few questions we hear more frequently than others. We decided it might be helpful to take a couple minutes to dive into the topics you’re talking about....
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Friday, July 28, 2017
There are plenty of advisors in the world who do a great job directing their client’s financial lives, keeping client needs at the forefront of their decision-making. Unfortunately, many people have experienced an advisor that...
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Tuesday, June 13, 2017
If we are true with ourselves, most everyone can think of a time they made a poor investment decision. That mistake does not always result from choosing the wrong mutual fund or stock. It can simply be from a missed opportunity. Either...
Read MoreIt’s often said that the average person puts more time into planning their vacations than their retirement. Perhaps it’s the immediate satisfaction that comes with a well-planned trip, but retirement could be your longest vacati
Read MoreWhat can be simultaneously stressful and relaxing, and almost always costs more money than you were intending?If you guessed vacation, you’re correct!Too often, we spend recklessly when we’re away. That “treat yourself” mentality can be har
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Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Retirement is a long journey with many twists and turns along the way. Like any road trip, we would love to see around every corner to prepare for any dangers that may lie ahead. Retirement is no different. We’ll look at five potential haza
Read MoreSpring is in the air, and it seems like half of our office is moving, buying, or selling something (don’t worry, they’re all staying local!). Maybe you’ve joined in on the fun, and are looking to buy a home this spring. Before doing so, her
Read MorePreparing for retirement is a lot like training for a marathon – you’ve got a long distance ahead and want to do everything in your power to make it as painless as possible. Of course, there might be bumps along the way, but as long as you’
Read MoreWe’ve all had one of those days at work, where the only thing to make you feel a little bit better is a quick trip to your favorite store. Sure, you probably don’t need another bottle of nail polish, but there’s something about that quick d
Read MoreIt’s Monday morning and you’re running late, yet again. You jump in the driver’s seat, start the car, and what pops up? That dreaded ‘Check Engine’ light.You could keep driving for an indeterminate amount of time, but your car will almost c
Read MoreThe perception of, and planning for retirement has changed dramatically over the last century. In the early 1900’s, retirement was not a life goal. It was often something that one was forced into if they lived an unusually long life.
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Thursday, February 16, 2017
The 401k is the main vehicle for most retirement savers in today’s workforce. While it’s not as attractive as a company pension, it is still a viable means of providing a comfortable retirement for many. However, there can be numerous traps
Read MoreThe ideal retirement is smooth sailing – no financial bumps, no health issues – just a happy, carefree life. However, we all know this is incredibly unrealistic. While working up to the level of “Doomsday Prepper” may not be necessary, plan
Read MoreBefore you get upset, thinking this is just another blog post about millennials, let’s explain. The Greatest Generation, also known as the “G.I. Generation,” are the individuals who grew up during the Great Depression, lived through World W
Read MoreFor many of us, a New Year’s resolution is a great way to simplify what we want out of the coming year. Each year, many people set financial goals like “be smarter with money” or “save more of my income.”However, making the resolution to sa
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Thursday, January 19, 2017
It is very common to hear about investment products and the benefits they tout. Stocks boast growth potential, annuities attract with guarantees, while the lure with CDs is preservation and income. All of these can make a great impact to a
Read MoreNow that the holidays are over, New Year’s Resolutions are in full swing! If you’re resolving to improve your financial habits, and still have to decide what to do with your year-end bonus, here’s a few starting points to help you make the
Read MoreWhen you’re making that year-end list and checking it twice, don’t forget to review the following housekeeping items to ring in the New Year with financial peace of mind.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
The Kemp Harvest radio show, “Retirement Plain and Simple,” has been airing for years now – every Saturday morning on WNPV at 8am. But now, we want your questions. Submit any and all financial related questions to us and we will answer them
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Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Let me take this moment to wish you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I really look forward to this time of year because, at our house, we try to have lots of folks over for Thanksgiving dinner and during the Christma
Read MoreDebt can be all-consuming, but it doesn’t need to be. While it is easy to fall into and much harder to get out of, becoming debt-free is not unattainable! Millions of people have done it; but it will take dedication and the ability to see t
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Monday, November 28, 2016
Companies offer benefits to their employees in many different ways - health insurance, cafeteria plans, and retirement savings plans being some of the most popular. One component of retirement benefits is company stock. Through Employee Sto
Read MoreThe idea of budgeting is not difficult – decide where you want your money to go, then make sure it goes there. However, it’s much easier said than done. Budgeting is made up of lots of little decisions, all used to uphold the one greater de
Read MoreWe are ten days out from Christmas, and you know what that means! Wrapping paper shreds everywhere, cookies in the oven (hopefully not burning), and that same Bruce Springsteen song about Clarence getting a new saxophone playing over and ov
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Monday, November 7, 2016
I usually tell people that there’s a big IF right in the middle of life. Just as you never know what may happen in the game of Life, there are many “what ifs” when retirees begin to plan for their retirement. For retirees
Read MoreHang up the work clothes, turn off the alarm clock and forget about those “back-to-work blues.” You made it! Welcome to retirement. While many people view retirement as an event, we like to think of it as a process th
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Wednesday, October 26, 2016
We’ve heard the chatter for years now; “interest rates can only go up.” Investors have kept a close watch on when rates will rise to more normal levels. The expectation has been that once the U.S. economy can stand on its
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Thursday, October 6, 2016
Taxes are a common theme in all areas of financial planning - they almost always impact your bottom line. That’s certainly true when it comes to taking income from your retirement savings.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered how to help secure the financial future of your children or grandchildren beyond college expenses?
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Thursday, September 1, 2016
We’ve all seen the popular Capital One credit card commercials that always end with the same question: “What’s in your wallet?” In the same way, I like to ask an equally important question: “What’s in your retirement plan?”
Read MoreCouponing has turned into an extreme sport for some, even granting its own TV series and cult-like following. They’re saving loads of money, for sure, but not everyone has the ability to commit to such an undertaking! For those who don’t ha
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Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Think back to the last time you were on a roller coaster. The high speeds, massive loops, and steep free-falls all got your adrenaline pumping. However, as time wears on, our stomachs can’t handle those same ups and downs anymore. We lose
Read MoreIt’s no shock that retirement brings about a lot of free time. Some fill it to the brim, while others enjoy a slower pace. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, blogging is a hobby that can keep up with whatever speed you decide to take
Read MoreIn financial planning, we come across all kinds of individuals. Some are excited by the idea of maintaining their finances, while others would prefer to crumple up every bill and never think about numbers again. In our years of working with
Read MoreInstead of focusing a lot of effort on making many changes to your spending habits, these six areas of your financial life can yield big savings and earnings with just a few small tweaks.
Read MoreYou’ve seen the headlines and hashtags – but what exactly is “The Brexit?”“Brexit” is actually an abbreviation for “British exit,” referring to Britain’s recent vote to withdraw from the European Union.1 On June 23rd, the nation voted to re
Read MoreNo one wants to work their entire life, only to run into financial troubles in retirement. However, this is exactly what’s happening to the majority of Americans. Statistics say the average household will not have enough money to sustain th
Read MoreAs mentioned in Part One of this post, adult children move back home with their parents for a number of different reasons including recently graduating from college or losing a job. Several times a week, I hear from clients seeking guidance
Read MoreDo you currently have an adult child living at home? Maybe your child just graduated and is weighed down by college loans. Maybe your child just lost his/her job and needs some help figuring out what’s next. Adult children return home
Read MoreWhenever my family goes to the Jersey shore for summer vacation, two things always happen. When we arrive I always say, “I wish we had a beach house. Maybe someday we'll get a place at the shore -- maybe once all the kids are off to colleg
Read MoreA visit to our office will always include the question, “Do you have your will, living will, and durable power of attorney in place?” Some of our clients affectionately refer to this list of questions as the “nag list.” Our intention is not
Read MoreWhat does retirement mean to you? Although the term can be interpreted differently based on personal dreams and passions, author Catherine Pulsifer seems to accurately capture the universal idea: "Planning to retire? Before you do, find you
Read MorePeople like to fit in; it’s one of the simplest laws of human nature. Although we value the things that make us unique, most of us are careful to not let them make us social outsiders. There is strength in numbers, and conformity reassures
Read MoreA good retirement draws on a lifetime of saving and work. But, despite its huge importance, many people slip up in the years just before this milestone. Some of these mistakes are the result of not understanding retirement, while others are
Read MoreStill recovering from holiday spending? Maybe you’ve had debt looming for years and you’re ready to turn it around. We’ve collected a few simple steps to help get you on the road to better credit, giving you the tools you need to control yo
Read MoreWhile your local dollar store probably isn’t known for quality, they’re definitely known for their low prices! Sift through your weekly purchases to figure out which products require brand-name quality, and which purchases can be just as gr
Read MoreAs we get older, we begin to think about what we’ll leave behind. Some leave money, others leave heirlooms, but most try to avoid leaving additional work for their loved ones. Through this desire to care for those we love most, we’ve develo
Read MoreVacations help families create lifelong memories and relax together. But vacations can also be expensive – the average American household spends about $1,200 per person on summer vacations, according to a 2012 American Express® survey. You
Read MoreDo you know who you have listed as your beneficiaries? If you can’t confidently state who you’ve noted, it’s probably time to take a look. Here’s a few answers to the questions we hear most often about beneficiaries.
Read MoreThere are a lot of misconceptions about financial planning. Consider the other side of these eight common myths.
Read MoreTrying to navigate the duties of an executor can be overwhelming, especially if it’s the first time you’ve taken on this level of responsibility. To avoid unnecessary stress in what’s already a stressful environment, we’ve given you six ste
Read MoreFew things are able to motivate us like self-improvement. But despite our initial enthusiasm, our personal goals can seem like impossible challenges after just a few days.Financial goals are particularly difficult to accomplish. Spending mo
Read MoreAs a parent, it’s your responsibility to teach your children about the world, including how to manage money. Financial literacy is one of the most important lessons you can impart on your children to make them successful in adulthood. Raise
Read MoreTax season is perhaps the most widely hated time of the year. It’s annoying and, for many, expensive. But despite its unpopularity, some people are determined to make it even worse: tax scammers.Wherever there is money, there is someone wil
Read MoreIf 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. Peo
Read MoreWe’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
Read MoreIn 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
Read MoreIf 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.Fo
Read MoreThe 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
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Thursday, December 24, 2015
Let me take this opportunity to express my warmest wishes - from all of us here at Kemp Harvest Financial Group - for a joy-filled Christmas season. The holidays are a great time to get together with extended family and friends, but it can
Read MoreAs we approach the holidays each year, it becomes a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. It also becomes a time to step back, count our blessings, and reflect on how fortunate we are. You might also find that your budget is tigh
Read MoreWith home ownership in the United States now approaching 70% of all households, the chances are good that you've either taken out a mortgage in the past or have one now. However, many homebuyers don't research and act as carefully as one mi
Read MoreIf you have an account in a qualified retirement plan, you need to understand that one day you will be forced to take withdrawals from your account whether you want to or not. For many this is not a significant concern as these accounts wer
Read MoreWith Baby Boomers beginning to reach age 65, the topic of long term care is drawing increasing attention. Unfortunately, long term care is often misunderstood and, as a result, is poorly planned for, if at all.
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