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What tools are available to help you raise financially-smart kids and avoid entitlement. Tips and strategies – How do you teach kids about money? You have to start off slow like learning to ride a bike.  First, start with training wheels, then remove the extra wheels and hold on to ...
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Jordan Raynor, author of Called to Create proclaims, “You can’t open Twitter or Instagram without seeing someone talking about “work-life balance.” It seems like all of us are searching for this elusive ideal.” Are we searching for the wrong thing? Jordan goes on to say, “There are two things that ...
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How much money are you leaving on the table because you are not aware of what you can claim on your taxes? According to an article by News 10,  20% of Americans are leaving money on the table. Are you paying too much in taxes? If you believe you’re paying ...
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Derek Thompson, wrote an article titled, This is Your Brain on Credit Cards. He is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where he writes about economics, technology, and the media. He is the author of Hit Makers and the host of the podcast Crazy/Genius. The title of this article makes ...
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“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Winston Churchill In Israel, the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are fed by the Jordan River, but the Sea of Galilee is filled with life and it flows back into the ...
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Is there a bad time to retire? Does the market effect when you should plan your retirement date? And, more specifically, does the current economy and the predicted up and coming BEAR market mean you should hold off on your retirement plans? According to Barron’s, “It’s the worst time to ...
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Goodwin Investment Advisory’s annual client appreciation event…. Swine & Wine! It was a magical evening full of gratitude – celebrating GIA’s wonderful clients, enjoying delicious BBQ from Smoke Jack BBQ, wine tasting from Talk of the Table in Cumming + bourbon tasting, axe throwing from Crazy Axes,  and a live ...
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Are you doing a disservice to your friends? Do you like adding value to your family and friends? Do you enjoy seeing people you love liberated and empowered to live the goodLIFE? So do we! So –  when a friend mentions a frustration with finance, do we come to mind? ...
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White water rafting is an exhilarating experience. The thrill and beauty of running the river and maneuvering through rapids is not something guests will soon forget. White water rafting guides create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. They wake up early and prepare for the day by setting up camp, bringing in food ...
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The WOW (Women of Wealth) event at Rootstock & Vine was a big hit! Goodwin Investment Advisory’s very own “Lady Boss,” Sharon Brewer, shared her insights and wisdom from 20+ years of experience in Real Estate Investing. Tim Goodwin, Kevin Turner and Scott Martineau provided a wealth of knowledge as ...
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The financial industry is constantly evolving and changing. This past May, Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, known by the acronym Secure.  The SECURE Act is the first major retirement legislation since the Pension Protection Act in 2006. The House of Representatives was highly in ...
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As temperatures rise and your air-conditioner keeps running you might be wondering if there is any strategy to save money on electricity in the Summer. What are some practical and helpful tips?It’s HOT and it’s Summertime! Your utility bill comes in the mail and you hesitate before opening it. You take a deep breath and hope ...
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Social security is something that we pay into our entire working life. We do this with the understanding that when we get older, we can stop working and keep getting paid. As we have all heard for years now, that might not happen. But is social security in danger? Here ...
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Disclosure: we only recommend this strategy for people who are consumer debt-free and have a fully funded emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses) in cash For most Americans, the amount spent on housing each year makes up for their greatest expense (by far).  In 2017, the combination of housing, food, ...
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Options for retirement have expanded significantly in the last few decades. The days of golf courses in Florida are over. Today’s seniors are choosing to take advantage of exchange rates and retire abroad, using housesitting gigs to travel for free, and moving into tiny homes and RVs full-time. Another popular ...
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The latest research shows that, in general, Americans aren’t doing a great job of planning for retirement.In fact, one in three Americans has less than $5,000 set aside in their retirement fund. Are you and your spouse part of this group? Would you like to learn more about how you can ...
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Sick of the rat race and 9-5? Are you ready to retire as a 50-something? Click here to learn the best way to save for retirement in your 50s and retire younger. Keyword(s): best way to save for retirement in your 50s Roughly 78 percent of Americans have almost nothing ...
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Are you unsure about how to correctly invest with so much market volatility? Read this article now and learn the best investment strategy for a volatile market. Keyword(s): best investment strategy Golf courses, tennis courts, and cruise ships. Is that what you dream about when you think of retirement? Maybe ...
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The stock market is notoriously irrational. It experiences major ups and downs, sometimes based on nothing more than a negative news story. Take the Dow Jones Industrial (DJI) for example. In December, it reached an annual low of less than 22,000. This was a sharp decline from its peak of ...
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We are the products of what drive us. Our families, our careers, our goals and dreams. Often for many long years, we work hard to bring our visions to life. We give so much of ourselves to improving the lives of those around us. We hope we give the best ...
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You can donate cash, clothes or even a car. But did you know you can also donate part of your investment portfolio? So, if you’ve already cleaned out your “giving budget,” closet and garage, and you’re wanting to do more, considering donating some of your appreciated investments. And here’s why ...
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Do you ever wish that you had started to save and plan for your retirement sooner? That if you could just go back and talk to your younger self, one of the many things you would say is “learn to be smart with your money.” What a gift that would ...
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One of the top concerns of investors is how interest rates will affect their portfolios. Unfortunately, rates are also hard to predict. Trying to guess what the market will do, as well as the factors that affect it, is a fast way to drive yourself to distraction. Instead of worrying, ...
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Investing in your future and watching your assets grow can be quite a thrill. But with so much information online, it can be difficult to know what’s helpful and what’s hokum. An experienced advisor can help you navigate through the complexities of the market. Here are a few points to ...
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In December 2017, the Trump administration signed a new tax plan into law. And while much of it won’t affect private individuals, there are several changes that may very well save you and your family money. 529 Plans are no longer just for college Although another educational savings plan already ...
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submitted by Sharon Brewer 2017 was a year of consistent stock market growth with the Dow Jones jumping 25 percent, the S&P 500 climbing 19 percent and the Nasdaq soaring 28 percent. 2018, however, has apparently traded that steady uptick for something more akin to a rollercoaster. In early February, ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford If they can manage inboxes, car engines and the climate in a house, then surely they’re capable of overseeing your money. Or at least that’s thinking behind “robo-advisors.” These online platforms use sign-up forms to collect financial information and investing preferences from new investors. They then ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin Time in the market versus timing the market. Play the long game. Buy and hold. Adages like these get tossed around all the time by passive investors. And if you’re like most people, you nod your head when you hear them but are somewhat unsure what ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford Imagine what life would be like as a freelancer. You’d pick your own hours and clients, avoid the pains of a commute and do so from the comfort of your couch. Or at least, that’s what everybody thinks. While those benefits can certainly be part of ...
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submitted by Sharon Brewer You probably know somebody who’s made a small fortune investing in real estate. And whenever they bring it up, you roll your eyes but also wish you could follow in their cash-laden footsteps. So why don’t you? Most likely because you’re not sure you have enough ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford While some people may limit their definition of “donation” to money, Merriam-Webster says it’s about “making a gift of” something. So whether you’re giving financially or giving your time, if you’re giving, you’re donating. And according to the Philanthropy Roundtable, you’re also in good company. 67 ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin A lot changes after saying “I do,” including your finances. No longer are you the sole captain of your monetary voyage through life. Instead, you now share that leadership with another person. Someone who has their own experiences and habits when it comes to money. And ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin “Can I get that?” – It’s what every parent gets asked. Whether it’s a stuffed animal or a sugary dessert, kids want what they want when they want it, regardless of cost. But that’s not their fault. They can’t be expected to know the value of ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford We all know that one person. They loved painting or writing or gardening, so they decided to turn that love into a full-time professional pursuit. Every time you talk to them, they’re trying to convince you to follow your passion. You tell them it’s not practical ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin “Timing the market” isn’t just the domain of day traders. If you’re hoping to buy in at a low price and sell before a big drop, you’re a market timer. Whether you do that multiple times every day or just a few times each year, that ...
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submitted by Sharon Brewer Maybe you’re wanting to turn free time into a paycheck. Maybe you’re hoping to achieve your financial goals sooner. Maybe you’re facing some unexpected expenses. Whatever the reason, a second job is often the most sensible solution for solving a serious financial problem. However, before you ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford When weighing a job offer, you consider the salary package. But sometimes in the hustle to secure a contract, you may not review the other benefits quite as critically. Once you’ve started, there’s even less time to read through the novel that is the employee handbook ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin There’s no step-by-step guide for giving back. For some, it means tithing 10% of their income to a local church. For others, it’s all about supporting a cause or a movement. And while this flexibility does give people the freedom to creatively invest their time and ...
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by Sharon Brewer Divorce is a certainly separation of personal finances, but it’s not always an elimination of shared financial responsibility. You and your ex-spouse may still be facing the cost of putting a kid through college, which, on average, is $57,000 for four years. While you may already be ...
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by Joe Beckford Freelancing is not for everyone. While a flexible schedule and occupational independence are attractive incentives, they come with emotional and, at times, financial risk. Without the security of a steady paycheck, freelancers need to prepare for the “what ifs.” So, here are the three reasons why every ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin Contrary to what you may think, financial independence doesn’t necessarily mean independently making financial decisions. Instead, it’s about working toward your bigger, better future by relying on the assets and resources at your disposal. For many, asking for help from a trusted partner or advisor is ...
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submitted by Sharon Brewer Depending on the circumstances of the relationship, a divorce can be a financial fiasco. Even if your month-to-month doesn’t really change, you now have the added responsibility of managing your finances without a second opinion. In the immediate aftermath, this can feel overwhelming. Thankfully, there are ...
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submitted by Sharon Brewer While many people take their 401(k) for granted, according to Bloomberg, only half of U.S. employees have access to a company-sponsored retirement plan. Freelancers and small business owners, in particular, rarely have pensions unless those benefits come from a previous job. However, not having a 401(k) ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford If you’re an entrepreneur, your every day includes a degree of financial uncertainty. Even if your business is profitable year-after-year and has an established following, you can’t mitigate the unexpected nor should you expect to. That’s why it’s important to find the balance between investing in ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin “What’s mine is yours” sounds like a universally wonderful idea until it isn’t. When that idea and other financial expectations are not met, couples often struggle to find healthy ways to discuss them. This failure to communicate often spells trouble for the future. According to a ...
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submitted by Sharon Brewer Divorces happen for many reasons, and the financial aftermath is almost always confusing. In particular, many people wonder how their new status will affect social security. If you’re nearing retirement, this question becomes even more important, especially if your financial freedom depends on that income. This ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford Retirement may give you the freedom to write a novel or exercise your green thumb, but it does not mean you have to stop working altogether. While you can collect social security at the full retirement age (67 if you were born after 1960), many people ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin When planning for retirement, most people wonder what role, if any, Social Security will have in their financial future. Many doubt the program will even exist when they are finally eligible for benefits. While the fear is understandable, financial freedom is not possible if anxiety dominates your ...
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submitted by Joe Beckford As medical technology has improved, so have the quality of life and the average life expectancy. With more years together and more memories to be made, families now must consider how to care for the elderly. As your kids go off to college, you now might ...
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submitted by Tim Goodwin Setting a clear, defined budget for your household is critical for keeping expenses in check. But what if your spouse is a big spender? Believe it or not, “shopping addiction” is real, and it’s no joke. When certain behaviors, including shopping, trigger the same neural pathways ...
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by Sharon Brewer If you’ve ever looked for a job on Craigslist, you’ve seen those work-from-home scams far too many times. “Work from home for 4 hours a day! $2500 per week!” If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Most of these are check cashing scams, where ...
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Achieving your long-term financial goals takes discipline and focus. It takes identifying a strategy and sticking to it. It takes ignoring the distractions and market buzz swirling around you and keeping your eye on the horizon. Once you partner with your advisor to identify your appetite for risk and come ...
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When there are all kinds of advice and predictions hitting you from every direction, it can be difficult to stay the course and keep your investment strategy in place. Based on the latest doom and gloom from the media, you may be tempted to sell everything and flee to cash ...
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For many Americans, building true wealth might seem elusive, even illusory considering that many people can experience drastic changes in their 401k plans and home equity values over time, often leaving us feeling unprepared for retirement. The lessons learned from stock market crashes is that wealth can be fleeting. However, ...
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It’s something most Americans don’t think about until it hits the headlines, like the recent credit card breach at fast food chain Wendy’s. Yet, nearly 15 percent of the population – more than 34 million adults – has reported some form of identity theft, according to the Identity Theft Resource ...
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In the realm of investment advice, value is defined by what you receive from your advisory relationship that meets or exceeds your expectations. For most clients, it has much less to do with pricing or investment performance, than it has to do with the fulfillment of promises and commitments made ...
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In many respects, people can be their own worst enemies in their quest for financial security. When you consider that our lives are a culmination of the decisions we make each day, if we tend to make more bad decisions than good decisions, or worse, if we can’t make decisions ...
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by Joe Beckford A recent survey indicates that an increasing number of high net worth investors are willing to pay for solid, unbiased, fee-only investment advice, which is not surprising considering the challenges of today’s markets. What is surprising is that there are still some investors who would rather go ...
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by Tim Goodwin Young families with an eye to the future are faced with a daunting choice – to save earnestly for a secure retirement or to save for their children’s education. Can you do both? Certainly it is possible; however, with the cost of a college education and retirement ...
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In the story of Alice in Wonderland, Alice arrives at a fork in the road and wonders aloud which road to take. A smiling Cheshire Cat appears and asks her what her destination is, to which she replies, “I don’t know.” The toothy cat then proffers the only possible response, ...
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Unquestionably there is an excitement that emanates from the world of stock picking, where fortunes are won and lost on trading floor arenas, and stock sleuths frantically search for the next Apple or Google. A billion-dollar industry has grown up around the allure of stock-picking as 24/7 cable channels and ...
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Benchmarking has become a standard practice for investors especially with the proliferation of mutual funds on the market all vying for attention. TV ads and investment newsletters blast benchmark results on a daily basis, creating a herd mindset that they must be important. Also, as the number of indices has ...
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Until recently, many retirees have been able to rely upon the three-legged stool of retirement income sources: A defined benefit pension plan that guarantees a lifetime income, their own savings, and Social Security. Within the last couple of decades, the first leg of the stool has all but disappeared as ...
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The current economic environment has caused most everyone to reconsider their personal finances with many people having to drastically change their spending and savings habits. Out of this economic malaise may come an opportunity to finally instill the right habits in your teens that can carry them into adulthood on ...
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by Tim Goodwin Most people would argue that living in a digital world, with instant access to an endless stream of information has made us smarter and more self-empowered than past generations. Investors believe that it has “leveled the playing field”, enabling them to make investment decisions based on the ...
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If you’re human you couldn’t possibly avoid thoughts of what you might do if you win the Power Ball lottery of over $1.5 billion. While that type of windfall is way outside of the mainstream of reality for most people, it’s not uncommon for some of us to suddenly find ...
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After several years of wallowing in financial upheaval caused by a severe recession and financial crisis, Americans are, once again, looking to the future. A renewed confidence has many people setting their sights on long term goals that, just a few years ago, may have seemed out of reach. However, ...
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A will is the foundation of your estate plan and it is essential if your financial affairs are to be settled in accordance with your wishes. If you die without a will, or “intestate” as the law refers to it, essentially the state becomes your executor and your property will ...
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