How to care for others by caring for yourself first financially

Ongoing changes to the structure of the typical American family unit have created a new designation known as the “sandwich generation.”

The sandwich generation is defined as those Americans who are simultaneously responsible for their own children and their aging parents. Across the country, these middle-aged adults are finding themselves increasingly compelled to manage a multi-generational extended family, effectively “sandwiched” between their children and elderly parents.

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?

We created this financial advisor meeting checklist to help you get ready to meet with your advisor. Some of these items may not apply to your particular situation. Simply use this financial advisor checklist of documents to guide you as you prepare. 

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:

The Economist magazine has declared the 21st century the new millennium of growing female economic empowerment. And it’s true that in recent decades, women have made incredible strides, both professionally and personally. However, there is still a financial literacy gap for women.

Let's look at some facts:

Few financial planning concepts are as misunderstood as trusts. What trusts are and whether you need one are two questions that often arise when talking with a financial advisor. Here are some fundamentals of trust planning: 

Are you thinking about re-entering the workforce in your 60s? Even after making a carefully considered decision to retire? 

The reality is that you are not alone. An increasing number of baby boomers are shifting gears and reversing their decision to retire.

Consider the following from a New York Times article that compiled survey data on changes in American’s attitudes toward retirement:

• More than 25 percent of retirees later resumed working
• 40 percent of workers over age 65 had previously retired
• The number of people over age 65 who are employed either full-time or part-time has climbed from 12.8 percent in 2000 to 18.8 percent in 2016

• 78% of American workers live paycheck to paycheck according to a 2017 report by employment website CareerBuilder.
• $6,741 is the average revolving credit card balance for U.S. households, according to a NerdWallet 2019 Survey.
• 42% of workers with adult children over 21 provide them with financial support and more than half are willing to sacrifice their own financial well-being to do so, according to a 2018 (PwC) PricewaterhouseCoopers survey.