Four reasons a 529 plan might make sense for your family
Key takeawaysDespite their tax advantages, just 14% of adults include a 529 plan in their education savings strategy, according to a 2025 Edward Jones and Morning Consult study.529 funds cover college, vocational programs, registered apprenticeships and can be used towards K-12 education.In addition to tuition, 529 funds can pay for students' day-to-day needs like internet, computers, qualified room and board, and certain K-12 tutoring costs. A 529 education savings plan might sound like something only
Help your graduate use credit and debit cards wisely
As your new graduate prepares to step into the next chapter of life – whether that's more education or starting a career – one of the best things you can do is help them understand how to use credit cards, debit cards and prepaid cards wisely. They can be powerful financial tools, but without some basic knowledge, they can also lead to trouble. Here are a few things for graduates, whether from high school or graduate school, should know. Credit cards have benefits — and risks. About 69% of Americans
Saving for Retirement: Are You Guessing or Planning?
Let’s say you dream of spending your retirement mornings on a warm beach, coffee in hand, waves rolling in. To get there, you had a simple plan: save $1 million and buy the beach house you always wanted. But when retirement arrives, reality hits. After accounting for keeping your current home, everyday expenses and health care, $1 million doesn't stretch as far as you thought, and the beach house remains a dream. The problem wasn't your discipline – it was that your number was never really your number.
Four estate planning myths that could cost your family
Consider this scenario: A teacher of 30 years and mother of three passes away at age 58. She leaves behind a modest home, a retirement account and cherished family heirlooms – but no estate plan. Her children, still grieving, find themselves navigating a confusing probate process, disagreeing about when to sell the house and considering who gets their grandmother's ring. This mom wasn't wealthy by most measures, but her lack of planning created confusion, conflict and uncertainty at a time when her
Which retirement plan is right for your business?
If you’re a local business owner, a workplace retirement plan can be a powerful tool – helping you manage taxes, strengthen employee retention and build personal financial security. Many in your situation, however, assume retirement plans are complicated or only suitable for large companies. The reality is quite different. Today’s retirement plan options encompass businesses of every size, from solo entrepreneurs to companies with dozens of employees. The key is understanding which plans work best for
Financial steps to prepare for Alzheimer’s and dementia
More than 7 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, according to a 2025 report from the Alzheimer's Association. The emotional toll of watching a loved one struggle with the memory loss, depression, anxiety and cognitive decline is already overwhelming — but the financial burden can be significant too. Hopefully this disease will never touch your family, but it's important to be financially prepared just in case. By planning to cover long-term care costs and creating a financial strategy for
Making the Most of Medicare Open Enrollment
When you turn 65, Medicare becomes a vital part of your health care coverage. But signing up is just the beginning. Many people don't realize that Medicare isn't a "set it and forget it" program. In fact, you have the opportunity — and often the need — to review and adjust your coverage every single year. The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period, which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year, is your chance to take a fresh look at your health care needs and make sure your Medicare plan still fits
A retiree's guide for National Financial Security Month
If you're retired, it's easy to let your finances go on autopilot. Since October is National Retirement Security Month, it's a good time to revisit some areas that can impact your long-term financial security and help your money last a lifetime. Consider these suggestions: • Manage your withdrawal rate. You'll likely need to tap into your retirement accounts — your IRA and 401(k) or similar employer-sponsored plan. But think carefully about how much income you withdraw every year. If you take out too
Look at your financial situation holistically
When you plan a trip, you consider not only the destination but also the climate, activities that interest you, transportation needs, anticipated costs, best time to go and coverage for your work, home or pets. It's a holistic approach — looking at your trip from a variety of angles. It's wise to apply that same holistic thinking when you plan for your financial future — that is, bringing into the picture all elements of yourself. Here are some things that may affect your financial strategy: Your views
Planning your business exit: Start with the end in mind
If you own a business, you've probably spent countless hours thinking about how to grow it, manage daily operations and serve your customers. But have you thought about how you'll eventually step away from it? While it might seem premature, planning your successful exit from your business is one of the smartest moves you can make as an owner. The reality is that most business owners have 80% to 90% of their net worth tied up in their companies, according to the Exit Planning Institute. That's a
Life insurance: Protecting what matters most
September is Life Insurance Awareness Month and the perfect time to consider whether you have adequate coverage to protect your loved ones. While no one likes to think about what would happen if they weren't around, doing so is an act of love. Life insurance is fundamentally about protecting your loved ones should something happen to you. If you pass away, your family will not only face the challenges of grief and loss but they could also find themselves financially strapped. Life insurance can help
Let a financial advisor help plan for life's curveballs
No matter what stage of your life you’re in — caring for children, working toward retirement or planning your legacy — unforeseen events like a job loss, a major illness or even a stock market drop could derail what you’re working so hard to achieve financially. With your future at stake, you may want to get guidance from a financial professional who can develop a personalized financial strategy to help you navigate life's curveballs. Here are specific ways a financial advisor can help.Create a
529 education savings plans: More flexible than you think
Planning for your child’s education can feel overwhelming, but a 529 education savings plan offers a powerful way to build a financial foundation for their educational future. One in 4 parents currently invests in a 529 plan, according to 2025 research by Edward Jones and Morning Consult. Perhaps it’s because of the tax benefits — earnings are generally tax free if the money is used for qualified educational expenses. Or perhaps it’s because of their flexibility. Types of education. While most people
