Our Commentary

Age 65? You May Qualify for State Property Tax Exemption!

I recently received a question from a lady who was curious about whether her 87-year-old mother-in-law qualifies for a property tax exemption. Regrettably, this means her mother-in-law missed the chance to potentially save hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the past twenty-two years.  According to information available on the State of Alabama’s website, “If […]

The Basics of Disability Insurance: Part 1

Disability insurance is a vital component of financial planning and risk management, but it’s often misunderstood and overlooked. While Social Security disability benefits provide a form of disability insurance, it’s essential to understand that there are many types of personally owned disability insurance available.  Consider this: the Social Security Administration estimates that one in four […]

How to Protect Your Home Construction Project

In the past year, there has been a lot of discussion about the rising costs of in-home construction. This has made homeowners realize the importance of reviewing and potentially updating their homeowner’s insurance to ensure they have sufficient coverage. However, there is another tool that is equally significant but less talked about for those looking […]

Life Insurance: Group Term vs. Private Term

Most people understand why life insurance is important to their finances – it shifts the financial risk of premature death from the policyholder to the insurance company. However, many people do not understand the types of policies and the protection they provide. So, let’s break it down by looking at two common types: group term […]

The Basics of Life Insurance: Part 2

How Much do I Need? Determining the right amount of life insurance coverage can be a daunting task, as there are varying opinions on how much coverage is needed. Some professionals suggest 8x your annual income, while others recommend 12x, or even 20x. The maximum coverage life insurance companies usually offer is around 25x your […]

Are You On Track For Retirement?

Fidelity Investments has created a set of guidelines to help individuals benchmark their savings progress at different ages throughout their careers. Although the guidelines are broad and individual circumstances may differ, they provide useful markers for tracking one’s savings goals over time. The guidelines are based on your current annual income and are as follows: […]

To Retire or Not… That is the Question

F&G Annuities & Life, Inc. surveyed more than 2,000 pre-retirees and retirees to understand their perception of retirement. Surprisingly, the survey revealed that over 50% of participants decided to postpone retirement or planned to ‘un-retire.’ Many may assume that the primary reason for this is the need for financial support to fund the retirement lifestyle. […]

The Basics of Life Insurance: Part 1

Life insurance is an important piece of financial planning basics, particularly for those who are working towards financial security and independence. Whether you are not quite sure what life insurance is, or you are just curious and want to learn more, the topics below may help you better understand life insurance and how it can […]

Home Equity Lines of Credit: Do’s and Don’ts

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently published the 2nd quarter Household Debt and Credit Report. For the fifth straight quarter, the report shows an increase in the use of Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOC). The rise in usage could be the result of consumers feeling more pressure from high inflation and already […]

Taylor Swift and the Time Value of Money

Taylor Swift’s Eras Concert Tour is taking the country by storm, with hundreds of thousands of concertgoers paying an average of $1,300 to see the renowned music superstar perform. While it’s natural that people are eager to indulge in experiences like concerts and travel after the pandemic, it’s important for consumers to remember that spending […]