By Maura Schauss, CFP® and Todd Youngdahl, CFP®

Summer is here and we are about to launch into the second half of 2019! No matter what the first part of the year held for you personally, the economy’s shaky start definitely improved as time went on. Let’s take a big-picture look at our economy as we reach the midyear mark of 2019.

Get to Know Our Summer Intern ~ Q & A with Jhonny Soto

Our team at Washington Wealth Advisors is delighted to welcome Jhonny Soto to the team as our summer intern.  Jhonny is currently studying finance at Virginia Tech and excited to work with us on some internal projects to support our delivery of excellent client service.  We thought you’d like to learn a little more about Jhonny and his goals after graduation.  We hope you enjoy this Q and A and wish Jhonny the very best in pursuing his goals.  He has a very bright future!

By Maura Schauss, CFP® 

Have you heard? Right now, Americans owe over $1.5 trillion in student debt.[1] Studies have found that this debt burden is not only preventing young people from financial moves like saving for retirement or buying a home or car, but it is causing them to delay marriage, parenthood, and entrepreneurship as well.[2]

It can be empowering to take actions right in your own home to set the right course for your family’s education savings.  You can start saving for your own kids’ education so that they do not end up saddled with spirit-crushing debt along with their diploma.  

Every year on the 29th of May, we take some time to talk about the 529 Plan, named for Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code which establishes one of the best ways for you to save for college.

By Todd Youngdahl, CFP®

Congratulations! Your baby is graduating from high school and stepping into adulthood.  For your family, that may mean off to college!

You have been saving into your 529 Plan for years in preparation for this life chapter, and the time has finally come. So, how do you actually use the 529 Plan that you have so diligently grown? Let's take a look.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

A few decades ago, it wasn’t uncommon for the husband in a relationship to be in complete control of the finances while the wife focused on other responsibilities to keep the family in order. So what would happen when the husband suddenly died or the marriage ended in divorce? The wife would often find herself struggling to get a grip on her new financial responsibilities. Fast forward to today.  While challenges do exist, women can still reach all their financial goals.  Here are a few topics ALL women should know about personal finance in order to succeed.

By Todd Youngdahl, CFP®

Taxes have been filed, the days are getting longer, and spring cleaning is on your mind. While you’re deciding on projects to take care of around the house, add some financial cleaning to the list. Getting your financial life in order may seem daunting, but think of it as a way to contribute to your own financial success. Consider the following tips to get started on the path of financial organization.

We are thrilled to announce that our Associate Financial Advisor Ann Blakey successfully passed the Series 65 exam – officially known as the “Uniform Investment Advisor Law Exam.”  Ann’s sharp mind has an innate ability to synthesize relevant information to help her clients achieve their goals in the most efficient way possible.

By Todd I. Youngdahl, CFP®

Insurance is intended to protect you from risk and uncertainty that is simply part of life - an unexpected death of a spouse, a debilitating injury, more expensive than expected long-term care needs, etc. Because nobody can predict the future, insurance can play a vital part within your financial plan to cover such costs. As you go through different stages in life, it is important to understand which types of insurance policies you should be considering.

By Todd I. Youngdahl, CFP®

You’ve seen it all over the news. Brexit this, and Brexit that. But what does it all mean? Should you be doing something to prepare? Should you be worried? I wish I could say there was a clear-cut answer. But the truth is, it’s complicated. And nothing is certain.

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

Wow, what a month it has been!  Our market reached the status of “longest bull market since World War II” this fall. (1) This has made December’s volatility feel particularly painful and, for some, frightening. It’s important to understand that markets go through tough times and why it’s critical to the success of your portfolio, to stay invested.