“A new job is like a blank book and you are the author.” – Unknown

As you start your first full-time job, many opportunities open up. You get a chance to put all the hours you spent studying, training and developing your craft into practice. It’s exciting to start setting your goals and think about what you want to accomplish. The feeling of starting your career can make it tough to envision life after you finish working. After all, you just got started; why should you have to think about how you will live after employment?

Regardless of how long you plan to work or the level of your ambition, saving for retirement should be approached like the tortoise in the race. Slow and steady is the only way to win, so starting your saving plan early is essential. But the best part: you don’t have to give up on your current dreams to prepare for retirement.

Keep reading to learn more about standard retirement accounts, how they work and how you can start saving.

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As you begin a new year, you get a chance for a fresh start in many aspects of your life. This time is a moment for self-improvement and setting goals. It’s a chance to dream a little bit about what the next 12 months have in store for you.

Everyone has to deal with one carryover from the previous year: filing their tax returns. Yes, the old Benjamin Franklin idiom is true, “nothing is certain except death and taxes.” 

While tax filing can seem daunting, an accurate and on-time submission is easier to obtain than you think and can help you receive your return quickly and avoid potential penalties. If this is the first time you are filing a tax return, you may be wondering where you can start. That’s okay! The IRS estimates that there will be 168 million tax returns filed this year, and we’re sure that a few of those will be first-timers like yours. 

Let’s walk through some common tax forms, how to file taxes, whether you should use tax filing software or a tax consultant and how your bank is involved. 

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That tiny piece of plastic with your name in your wallet or purse has grown in prominence in our commercial landscape. In 2019, there were more than 108.6 million credit card transactions per day in the U.S. alone. This staggering number shows how much we depend on credit and debit cards to make daily purchases. These cards are similar in name or appearance, but their function and effect on your financial outlook can differ significantly. Continue Reading…

Just as you toss out the last bit of leftover turkey and mashed potatoes from your Thanksgiving dinner, songs, movies and advertisements hit the airwaves to let you know it’s the most wonderful time of the year. If you aren’t prepared, this quick turnaround to another holiday can snowball into an avalanche of stress. Unfortunately, seasonal stress steals the joy associated with the holidays for many. But what causes all of this strife during Yuletide? Continue Reading…

Every day you make a lot of decisions. One study found that the average adult makes 122 informed choices every day. While some decisions, like your attire for the day or meal of choice, may seem insignificant, others can set you on a course for long-term financial success or failure. The best way to ensure you make informed decisions for your fiscal future is with a financial plan. 

October is National Financial Planning Month, which gives us a fantastic opportunity to share the importance of financial planning. Keep reading to learn how you can define financial success, the value of financial planning and how to create your plan.

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