> The Per Stirling Blog: What to ask a Financial Advisor

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17

September

How Do I Go about Choosing a 529 Plan?

Generally, you can join any state’s 529 savings plan. Why might you want to shop around? Some plans may be more appealing, for a variety of reasons. Here’s one way to approach this question. First, find out if your state offers any state tax benefits for 529 contributions or withdrawals, and whether those benefits are […]

10

September

How Much Money Should I Save For Retirement?

Generally speaking, as much as possible. You need to build a fund that you’ll be able to draw on for much of your retirement income. Believe it or not, this may be possible if you start early and make smart choices. Contribute as much as you can to tax-advantaged savings vehicles [e.g., 401(k)s, IRAs, annuities]. […]

05

September

Another All-Time New High!

When news outlets or pundits on TV announce, “The stock market made another all-time high today!” it can often spark mixed emotions.  If you are currently invested, great, but if not, then looking to invest at that point can lead to a bit of anxiety among certain investors.  The fear of “buying at the top” […]

03

September

Sudden Wealth

What would you do with an extra $10,000? Maybe you’d pay off some debt, get rid of some college loans, or take a much-needed vacation. What if you suddenly had an extra million or 10 million or more? Now that you’ve come into a windfall, you have some issues to deal with. You’ll need to […]

28

August

Per Stirling Capital Outlook – August

  Perfect Balance Aristotle described it as the “Golden Mean”; Goldilocks described it as “not too hot and not too cold” and, if asked, the Federal Reserve would likely describe it as the perfect equilibrium between employment and inflation.  These two factors are arguably opposite sides of the same coin, as a strong economy is […]

20

August

Why Should I Work with a Fiduciary Financial Advisor?

Handling your finances can be overwhelming. It can be hard to separate your money from emotions, potentially leading to issues such as overspending and ignoring debt. Many people also lack the knowledge and experience to make the most informed decisions. Even if you think you’re doing the right thing with your money, it can help […]

20

August

Health Savings Accounts: Are They Just What the Doctor Ordered?

Are health insurance premiums taking too big of a bite out of your budget? Do you wish you had better control over howyou spend your health-care dollars? If so, you may be interested in an alternative to traditional health insurance called ahealth savings account (HSA). How does this health-care option work? An HSA is a […]

13

August

How Should I Structure My Retirement Portfolio?

Your first step is to take advantage of tax-favored retirement savings tools. If you have access to a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan at work, participate and take full advantage of the opportunity. Open an IRA account and contribute as much as you can. Ideally, you’d be able to invest in both an employer plan […]