Without Counsel Plans Go Wrong, but With Many Advisers They Succeed.

Money plays a prominent role in your life, but it isn't necessarily the most important element. Learn how to reframe your perspective on money to live a happier more fulfilling life.

Charitable giving is a cornerstone of many people's financial and personal lives. How can you make charitable giving part of your plan during a pandemic and beyond?

With the holiday season comes the demands of your time, finances, and mental health. Take some time to give yourself and loved one’s grace and gratitude this season.

In times of uncertainty and change, it’s best to lean on your goals, values, and plan to get you where you want to be. Today, we are going to look at four best practices for managing your money post-election.

At Step by Step, we are passionate about helping married couples navigate their financial lives to and through retirement. Here are our 4 best practices for developing healthy money habits for a strong, happy marriage.

Faith-based investing allows people to financially assist businesses that uphold the tenets of their faith, bringing more meaning and intention to their financial life. Is it right for you?

Live out the legacy you want to leave behind. A legacy is more than the future. It is right now. What can you do to further your legacy today?

How can pre-retirees better prepare for the rising cost of healthcare in retirement? An important savings tool is an HSA. What is an HSA, and how can it impact your savings journey?

There are several ways to approach financial planning. Ours centers on your unique goals and values. How does that translate into a strategy? We use the CFP Board's 7 Step Financial Planning Process.

Our first blog introduced the idea of what a fiduciary advisor is and why it has been an integral component of the CFP Board since its inception. Today, we are going to discuss the other 11 rules that make up this 15-part system. Let’s get started!

Working with a fiduciary seems to be on any check-list for people in search of a new advisor, but what does being a fiduciary really mean and why does this designation affect you, the client?

Your finances are a deeply personal part of who you are. In order to reach your goals, you need to work with someone who understands what they are and has a clear vision for helping you get there.

We want to thrive in our environment and use the tools and resources we have to build a beautiful life. But there are many things that stand in our way. One element that has certainly proven itself a formidable opponent is the coronavirus pandemic. While we may still be weathering this storm, there is a way to bring light and life to your finances this year.

Married couples have a unique opportunity to create a Social Security plan that supports both people. This makes spousal and survivor benefits so important. Let's take a closer look at what these are and how they will impact you.

Social Security is an important part of your retirement plan. Our team at Step by Step will help you evaluate your needs and create a strategy that will optimize your goals both now and in the future.

Planning for your retirement income is an important process with many moving parts. There are different income channels that you will need to account for like your investment portfolio, designated retirement accounts, Social Security, and your pension benefits.

Financial conversations are ongoing. Establishing a foundation of trust, transparency, and honesty will help you both find the meaning and fulfillment you desire in your golden years. We are going to tackle 4 unique aspects of retirement planning today. Let’s start the conversation.

Retirement saving is an important and integral component of your financial plan. While there are many ways to save for retirement, one of the most popular and ubiquitous vehicles is a 401(k). Your 401(k) has allowed you, and your employer in the case of a match program, to facilitate and manage your retirement savings. But what happens to that money should you decide to change jobs?

Investments are important tools to help you reach your financial goals. There are many pieces that comprise your investment strategy and today we are going to talk about one that doesn’t receive a ton of attention but can have a big impact on your net gain: asset location.

There are so many things that change when someone retires and one of the factors that new retirees have a tough time managing is their changing cash flow. For so many years, they have been dedicated to putting money into their retirement accounts, but what happens when they have to take it out?