Our feelings and finances are often intertwined. As advisors, when we meet with clients, most of the time we spend more time discussing the personal side of finance than the dollars and cents.

Here are our thoughts on a few factors that may impact your wealth. 

So many people ask, “how much should I have saved for retirement?” Well, there are many retirement savings “rules of thumb” out there. In this article, we will share some of the common recommendations and even debunk a few.

NOTE: Be sure to read to the end where we share our real answer for the question of how much retirement savings you should have at age 30, 40, 50 and beyond. 

How to choose the best financial advisor for you

Looking for a female financial advisor? At Carnegie Investment Counsel, we asked three of our female financial advisors for tips about how to find the best investment advisor for you. They emphasized that team members at Carnegie, male or female, focus on providing a customized and hands-on approach to services from financial planning to portfolio management. The point is to assess any advisor for the best fit when choosing a long-term financial partner.

This blog was origanally published January 2020, and updated March 2026 to reflect current information. 

The upcoming holidays are a great time to share financial wellness tips with the young adults, grandchildren and young relatives in your life. As families gather, it is important to pass on stories and traditions. So why not the traditions of financial literacy as well? With accelerating college debt, the young people in your life may be most in need of guidance.

Here are some healthy financial practices to share this season:

“Retirement age” can mean different things to different people, as there are many things to consider when choosing your planned retirement age.

Well-conceived planning in the years before your actual retirement day can make a significant difference in the ultimate value of the assets available to you in retirement. Tax implications and the rules surrounding Social Security benefits make it important to be aware of key dates.

Here’s a look at factors that might help you choose the best planned retirement age for you.

Raising a child with special needs has its own rewards. Someone once said, it's like taking a trip and arriving in Copenhagen when you thought you were going to Paris. Copenhagen has its own joys, but they may not be what you imagined about Paris. The milestones you dreamed of before becoming a parent may be different now.

Special needs financial planning can seem daunting for parents. There may be medical expenses today and planning for your child’s care when you no longer can. Here are eight steps to break the process down into manageable chunks.

What Should I Bring to My Meeting with a Financial Advisor?

Meeting with a financial advisor for the first time can feel intimidating when it is not always clear what you are expected to bring or how prepared you need to be.

This checklist is designed to make that part simple.

As you approach your retirement years, you probably have questions or concerns about how your retirement will look. Creating some certainty by reducing the number of potential surprises can go a long way toward alleviating those concerns.

Here are six things to consider before you retire: