Annuities

An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company that requires the insurer to make payments to you, either immediately or in the future.  You will buy an annuity by either making a single lump sum payment to the insurance company or a series of payments to them over time.  An annuity provides you with a predictable stream …

Breaking Down the Emergency Fund

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY FUND? The definition of an emergency fund is money you set aside for unexpected financial expenses that come your way. Such as, a job loss, a car breaking down, a medical event or something else that may happen. The money is there so you don’t have to borrow from family or friends, use a credit card …

Options for your 401K after Quitting your Job

So you are leaving your job, hopefully for a better one, or god forbid, you’ve been laid off, do you know what to do with your 401(k)?  Believe it or not, most people don’t.  Here are a few options you can do with that 401(k) to better help you in retirement. 1. You can leave it where it’s at, as …

Increased Limits for Health Savings Accounts

On May 10, 2021, the IRS decided that it will again raise the limit for Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s) for 2022 to account for inflation.   First, for some that don’t know, a Health Savings Account, or HSA, is a tax-advantaged account created to help people save for medical expenses that are not reimbursed by their high deductible health care plans.  …

What’s the Difference?

In 1975, Congress introduced the Individual Retirement Account (IRA) as the first tax-advantaged retirement savings tool. Even though it is an incredibly popular option for saving for retirement, many people don’t quite understand how it all works. So what is the difference between a Roth IRA and a Roth 401(k)?  Well for starters it all depends on how much money …

Mistakes to Avoid After the Loss of a Spouse

Losing a spouse can be overwhelming. It can be filled with grief, confusion and uncertainty.  It’s also a time where you could make mistakes that could have long lasting ramifications.  Especially if you weren’t the one that handled the finances or you didn’t have much of a hand in the financial planning.  Below, we have identified some of the biggest …

Divorce in Retirement

WHY YOU NEED TO SEEK A FINANCIAL ADVISOR DURING A DIVORCE Divorce is stressful.  Not only do you have to worry about your emotional and mental well being, you also have to worry about your financial well being too.   During a divorce, you and your spouse will be forced to make and accept a myriad of major decisions that will …

6 Financial Blind Spots to be on the lookout for

Managing your finances can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Fiduciary planners like Peter J. D’Arruda help clients conquer financial hurdles and prepare for better fiscal futures every day. D’Arruda, best known as “Coach Pete,” is a Master Registered Financial Consultant and president of Capital Financial USA, a financial advisory and consulting firm headquartered in Apex. He said …

What is a Fiduciary?

You may have been watching television or driving down the road and heard a commercial with the words “a true fiduciary”, but do you know what that really means?  Most people don’t understand the meaning of “fiduciary” and how it can affect you and your financial future.  A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another …