Bedel Blog

Social Security benefits are an essential piece of many retirees' financial plans. Most people know they are entitled to benefits based on their own record or earning history, but did you know that you are also eligible for benefits on your spouse's earnings?

As you prepare for a job change, be aware that you will likely have a higher income than in prior years and that higher income has some implications.

The Fed's actions prevented a widespread run on the banks. However, market volatility will ensue as investors weigh the quickly changing landscape in the U.S. and abroad.

In an ideal world, the consumer steadily spends money with zero credit card debt and a healthy savings balance. However, we live in the real world. Given the circumstances, the U.S. consumer is still in relatively good shape.

Suffice it to say there are ample estate planning techniques to help reduce your gross estate amount before death. Portability can play an important role in your estate planning.

We've heard this piece of advice too many times to count. But it bears repeating. Don't give out personal information. Your trusted financial institutions, government agencies, and credit card companies will not reach out to you to ask for account information or social security numbers.

Bedel Financial has organized a fun and informative scavenger hunt celebrating Women's History Month. This challenging activity will send participants to various buildings and sites across downtown Indianapolis in search of monuments, paintings, statues, and more, highlighting some of Indiana's most influential women.

When it comes to passing down family vacation homes, first-generation owners should talk with family members about the property and find out who is interested in owning it after they're gone. You might be surprised!

There are many different ways to support charitable causes aside from making financial gifts. Gifts of time and expertise are also highly valued by charitable organizations. If you donate monetarily to charity, reevaluate your strategy for simplicity or tax efficiencies.

Bitcoin is a very new investment, first introduced in 2009, so it may need more time to adapt. Gold has been around for thousands of years. Periods of high inflation will typically create volatility in markets.

When you lose a loved one, the ability to function, analyze information, and make decisions can be impaired. However, costly errors can be avoided if the survivor progresses in an organized and deliberate manner and seeks the appropriate advice.

You are probably already aware of the perils of credit card debt. Credit cards are relatively easy to obtain and super easy to use. But they come with a big catch - credit card debt is usually very expensive. It should therefore be avoided whenever possible.