By Stacy Johnson Independent: (adjective /ˌindəˈpendənt/) Free from outside control; not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence. Our nation’s independence is a source of pride for every American, because it marks the day when our nation became the master of its own destiny – free from outside control. Imagine the day when the definition of “independent” will [...]

 By Gary Silverman Investment advisor, financial planner, financial advisor, stockbroker, registered investment advisor, insurance agent, retirement planning specialist, personal financial specialist…what the heck do all these mean and what do they all do? Heck if I know. You see, some of the designations above require specific licenses, some infer a certain level of expertise, and [...]

By Gary Silverman People regularly ask me how to choose a financial advisor. After my stock answer of “choose me,” I begin by asking them why they want one. Financial advice means different things to different people. One such person told me that he had some stocks that he wanted to buy and wanted me [...]

By Lauralynn Schueckler Saving money for a rainy day may seem impossible at times. Everything around us seems to be increasing in price, yet pay remains stagnant. Everyone should attempt to put away money for an emergency, even if it is only a little at a time. Some easy ways to save money for a [...]

By: Matt Bell You probably have a checking account, but do you also have a savings account? I recommend that you use two savings accounts. The first savings account is your emergency fund.  It’s for all of life’s ifs—if you lose your job or incur significant medical or house repair expenses that you weren’t planning [...]

By Jason Alderman Valentine’s Day may have just ended, but that shouldn’t stop you from talking about your financial future as a couple to keep your relationship on a healthy footing. In any marriage, major life changes may require you to reassess how you manage the family finances. Unfortunately, many couples don’t make time to [...]

By Gary Silverman, CFP® Are you a saver or a spender? Most of us are a bit of both—being only one is illogical. Many of us would also save more given the chance. At least that’s what you may think. However, several studies, as well as my own personal experience, show otherwise. A recent report [...]

By Jason Alderman Senior Director, Global Financial Education, VISA It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of important decisions we need to make concerning retirement accounts, investments, college savings and other complicated financial issues. That’s one reason more and more people – wealthy and middle-class alike – turn to professional financial advisors [...]

Although the federal government and many household budgets have one thing in common, both are in the red, there is one critical difference: consumers cannot raise their debt ceiling in order to continue borrowing. Further, they cannot operate in the negative year after year, or financial doom is a certainty. “Many consumers have been renting [...]

In all the planning and preparation that goes into a wedding, there is one important item that the couple should add to their “to-do’s” before the “I do’s,” and that’s an assessment of their financial compatibility. The fact of the matter is that people bring financial baggage into a relationship, and often don’t deal with [...]