Saving for Retirement

Where to Save Money First?

Where to Save Money First?

Many of us want to save and invest more, but with so many options available to us, such as our 401(k)s at work, IRAs, ESPPs, 457(b) plans, etc., it can sometimes be hard to figure out the order of where to save money first. If you can relate to this, then this blog is for you…

Frothy Finance Friday - Episode 14 - Porters and Products that Should Give You Pause Before Purchase

On this week’s Frothy Finance Friday, we’re sampling two tasty porters and discussing three investment products that should give you pause before purchasing.

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Disclaimer: This video blog is provided for general information and illustration purposes only. Nothing contained in the material constitutes tax advice, a recommendation for purchase or sale of any security, or investment advisory services. I encourage you to consult a financial planner, accountant, and/or legal counsel for advice specific to your situation. Please drink responsibly and do not overindulge. Reproduction of this material is prohibited without written permission from Daniel Patterson, and all rights are reserved. Read the full disclaimer here.

Frothy Finance Friday - Episode 8 - Exotic Beers and Early Retirement Strategies

It’s Frothy Finance Friday everyone! Come grab a beer with me every Friday in this virtual happy hour.

Today’s topic: Exotic Beers and Early Retirement Strategies

Sign up for SFP's Monthly Newsletter to stay up to date on all of our blog posts and videos, and also to gain access to our free budgeting tool.

Disclaimer: This video blog is provided for general information and illustration purposes only. Nothing contained in the material constitutes tax advice, a recommendation for purchase or sale of any security, or investment advisory services. I encourage you to consult a financial planner, accountant, and/or legal counsel for advice specific to your situation. Please drink responsibly and do not overindulge. Reproduction of this material is prohibited without written permission from Daniel Patterson, and all rights are reserved. Read the full disclaimer here.

What is an ETF?

What is an ETF?

Exchange Traded funds (ETFs) have become an increasingly popular investment option over the last couple of decades. There is now over $4 trillion worth of assets that are invested in ETFs worldwide. The largest and oldest ETF, the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) has nearly $237 billion in assets and is consistently one of the most highly traded securities in U.S. exchanges. In spite of this, I’ve found that many investors are still kind of confused on what exactly an ETF is. Many times, they’ve heard about them, but are still kind of fuzzy on the details of how they work…

The CoronaVirus and the Stock Market

The CoronaVirus and the Stock Market

Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen the Coronavirus cause major disruptions to our way of life here in America and around the world.

In the sporting world, the NBA and NHL have suspended their seasons, the NCAA has cancelled its basketball tournament and has indefinitely suspended or cancelled all other spring sports, Major League Baseball has postponed the start of Spring Training, and the PGA cancelled the Players championship and has announced an indefinite postponement of the Masters.

Cities across the country are cancelling schools, limiting the number of people that are allowed to congregate in one place, and are encouraging employees to work remotely from home if at all possible…

Five Ways to Increase Your Odds of Investment Success

Five Ways to Increase Your Odds of Investment Success

Investing in the stock market, when done properly, can be a great way for individuals to put their money to work and begin to build wealth over time. Improper investing, on the other hand, can lead an individual to experience significant losses. While you cannot ever completely eliminate the possibility of investment losses, there are several things that you can do to greatly increase your odds of long-term investment success. Below, I’ve outlined five that I think are particularly valuable to the average investor…

Using Roth IRAs to Save for College – The Pros and Cons

Using Roth IRAs to Save for College – The Pros and Cons

Roth IRAs are a great, tax-efficient way for many families to save money for retirement, but can they also be useful in college education planning? Should you utilize a Roth IRA or a more traditional college savings account, such as a 529 plan, when saving money for your children’s college education? The answer is it really depends. If you’re absolutely certain that you want this money to be used to pay for your children’s education expenses, then it’s really hard to beat the tax-efficiencies of your state’s sponsored 529 plan. With that said, there are several interesting characteristics of a Roth IRA that could make it the superior option for some families…

Inherited an IRA? Here’s What You Need to Know

Inherited an IRA? Here’s What You Need to Know

When inheriting an IRA from a friend or family member, it is important to understand the special rules that apply to these accounts and the options that are available to you as a beneficiary. The decisions you make early on with inherited IRAs can have a significant impact on both the tax implications for you individually, as well as the lasting legacy that these inherited accounts create for beneficiaries…