Meredith Carbrey, CFP®

Helping a grandchild with their college expenses by putting money in their 529 is great! But do you know if contributions count as a gift or if the grandchild is a "skip person," or if it can hurt financial aid eligibility?

After months of debate, Congress finally passed round two of economic relief. Along with the allocation of spending dollars, what are some of the other benefits for taxpayers?

According to the IRS, if you've already taken your RMD, there is still time to replace that distribution and avoid the tax burden. The ability to return the unwanted RMDs only applies to the amount of the RMD withdrawn — and it must be completed by August 31.

The SECURE Act has eliminated the option of "stretching" distributions of an inherited IRA over the beneficiary's lifetime. If you have named a trust as a beneficiary of your IRA, it may be time to review, rethink, and revise.

The SECURE Act was passed late last year, and it made significant changes that will impact everyone, from young families to retirees. So, how does this new law affect your IRA, minimum distributions, charitable giving, and more?

What would your family do if something happened to you? Do your heirs know your wishes? Here are some helpful tips on how to organize a successful family meeting to discuss estate planning.

Is Thanksgiving the right time of year to make a family financial gameplan? From aging parents to financial power of attorney, here's why you should spend this Turkey Day having some honest conversations with your family.

Disability insurance can be a confusing topic – how much coverage, which definition of disability, elimination period…But with each working adult having a 30% chance of being disabled during his/her career, it’s crucial to understand disability insurance and how it can help you make ends meet if you become disabled.

If you’re nearing retirement age, you’re probably thinking about Medicare and the potential premiums. Did you know premiums can vary based on plan type, enrollment date and your income? You’ve worked hard for your retirement savings, make sure you’re in the know about Medicare premiums so you can avoid a costly mistake.

Any parent knows how difficult it can be to watch your children struggle, and the urge to step in and help out financially can be a strong one. But it turns out you could be doing more harm than good, especially when it comes to your own finances. Be sure you’re funding your own needs, such as retirement and savings accounts, before you open your wallet to your children.

Paying off your mortgage can be a very attractive option when you find yourself with extra money. Not so fast, though! Is paying that mortgage off really your best financial option? While being mortgage-free can definitely be a good thing, you should be sure it doesn’t make more sense to invest that money. We’ll walk you through what you should be thinking about to make the best decision for your situation.

Retirement party – check. Packing up your office – check. Saying goodbye to your colleagues – check. So now what? Many people might answer “Visit the grandkids, travel, and do all the things I didn’t have time to do when I worked.” But what will your daily life look like in retirement? It’s just as important to plan your daily activities as it is those special times you’ll spend during your golden years, so be sure it’s part of your overall retirement plan.