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By Maura C. Schauss, CFP® and Todd I. Youngdahl, CFP ® 

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If you’ve been investing for any length of time, you know that the economy goes through regular cycles, and the first half of 2018 definitely brought its fair share of highs and lows, market volatility, trade uncertainty, and record unemployment numbers. However, as most individual Americans see it, things are looking up. So instead of looking at the daily headlines, here’s a view of our economy from 30,0000 feet as we reach the mid-year mark of 2018.

By Victoria Boinest

It’s never too early for a parent to start teaching their children about money. With a good base of knowledge, children will have a strong foundation from which to draw while managing their finances in the future. Many young adults are graduating from high school and even college with little to no financial literacy. So, to ensure your child is financially smart before they leave the house and go off into the real-world it is ideal to expose them to financial learning opportunities at a young age. Summer is a great time to help your children experiment with money and to begin their understanding of earning, spending and saving. Here are some ways you can teach your child about money this summer.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP

As parents, it’s in our very nature to want to take care of our children. We are wired to want the best for them and do everything in our power to give them a leg up in life. One way to do that is by helping them with their finances.

With only 24% of Millennials demonstrating basic financial literacy (even though 69% rated their knowledge highly),¹ parents are beginning to realize that it’s up to them to teach their children the skills they need to survive in the real financial world. One way to teach your kids about money and give them a strong financial foundation for the future is by opening a financial account in their name. Here are some of the financial accounts that you can open for your children:

By Todd Youngdahl, CFP®

If you were to take a guess, what do you think is the number one fear when it comes to retirement expenses? If you guessed healthcare costs, you are right, with 41% of Americans admitting they are worried about how to pay for healthcare in their later years.¹ It’s really no surprise that people are losing sleep over potential healthcare costs since it is estimated that the average couple will need $265,000 to be 90% confident they will be able to take care of out-of-pocket medical expenses during retirement.²

Brian Wendroff, CPA, CGMA and Guest Blogger

We’re approaching the halfway point for 2018. Your taxes, and filing next year’s return, may be the furthest thing from your mind these days (after all, you’re just barely over the stress of filing this year’s!). However, with the typically more relaxed schedule that summer months brings, it may be the perfect time to start thinking ahead.

By Duncan Green, WWA Intern

Hello! My name is Duncan Green, and I am currently a senior at McLean High School. I am excited to attend The University of Virginia next fall where I will apply for acceptance to the McIntire School of Commerce my second year. Both my parents attended UVA and my older sister is currently in her 3^rd year - no surprise why I am such an avid UVA fan. Although, after their early exit from the 2018 NCAA basketball tournament, I am much more reluctant to admit that.

By Ann Blakey, MBA, RP®

May 29th is National 529 College Savings Plan Day – and while we aren’t sending each other Hallmark cards for this holiday (yet!), it is a good reminder to stop and think about your family’s education savings strategy.

By Alexandra Devereaux

These days, cyber security is a top priority for everyone.  Here at WWA, client security and privacy is a top priority for all of us.  We strive to educate our clients to make sure they are protected as so much of what they do is done over the internet…from online transactions to sending their tax accountants data, to asking questions about their accounts.  As a Client Relationship Manager here at WWA, I work with our clients and their data daily.  I wanted to share some quick advice that will help keep you all safe.

We have learned that many people recognize April 26th as #GetOrganizedDay.  So, how about getting your financial planning ducks in a row?  Washington Wealth Advisors can help.

If creating a financial plan is a "to do" for you, then there is no better time to start that plan than today.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP

Bread and butter. Romeo and Juliet. Nuts and bolts. Salt and pepper. Love and marriage. Tax planning and philanthropy. Some things were just meant to go together.