Planning Together Ensures You’ll Understand One Another’s Expectations
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Wednesday, 15 January 2020
Nearing retirement is an exciting time. It’s a culmination of your many years of hard work and smart financial decision-making, and many people find it to be an incredibly meaningful and rewarding phase of life. You likely have a host of retirement dreams – everything from where you’ll live to how you’ll spend your days and with whom – but do you know if your spouse has different expectations?
A New Study Shows that it Pays – Literally – to Practice Positivity
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Thursday, 26 December 2019
For years, psychologists have lauded the power of optimism in truly improving our lives. Unfortunately, positive thinking has developed a bit of a bad reputation, with many equating it with ignoring reality or wearing rose-colored glasses. Positive thinking means acknowledging reality while still expecting good things – and more than that, knowing that behavior matters in the face of challenges. Now, a new study is quantifying how optimism can be an important factor in your financial well-being, too.
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Monday, 16 December 2019
Ah, retirement. That magical time you’ve been dreaming about for decades is nearly here, and you are likely daydreaming about how you’ll spend all your newfound leisure time. Maybe you’ll sleep in, relax in your favorite chair and read all the books you’ve been meaning to crack open, sit quietly on the front porch enjoying your favorite coffee…the world is your oyster!
Americans’ Buying Habits are Evolving to Reflect Changing Consumer Values
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Tuesday, 03 December 2019
At the end of World War II, the United States witnessed a significant increase in the consumption of goods and services. Gone were the days of destruction and bloodshed, and Americans were focused instead on things like buying a home in suburbia and driving a new car – and they had the disposable income to do it.
Use These Tips to Mitigate Financial Stressors and Focus on the Joy of the Season Instead
By Kathy Longo, CFP®, CAP®, CDFA
Friday, 15 November 2019
The holiday season is meant to be a time of joyful celebration, but it also brings a slew of financial expectations that can feel burdensome to many. In fact, American Psychological Association (APA) research has shown that there are four main holiday stressors: difficult interactions with family, managing a multitude of expectations, gift-giving and – you guessed it – finances. If you find yourself facing one or more of these concerns, the Holiday Stress Resource Center may offer useful tips for managing all four. Here, though, we’ll dig into what you can do to lessen stress and anxiety about money this holiday season.