Covid-19

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

If the coronavirus’ effect on the markets has taught us anything, it is that every single person should have an emergency fund. This is not just an idea, nor is it a savings account, but rather, it is a separate pool of money to only use in emergencies. So, how do you even start the process of creating an emergency savings fund?

By Guest Blogger Laura K. Biederman, Esq, Long & Foster Real Estate

May 29, 2020 from Fidelity

Sharing some perspective from our Fidelity resources.  Knowledge is empowering and can support you in remaining focused on your goals.

Have you found yourself unsure of your financial situation in the past few weeks? For many people, that answer is a resounding yes. In seasons like this, it is abundantly clear that we all need someone in our corner who is helping us navigate the unknown in areas where we lack expertise.

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

Keeping your information secure online is critical every day, but especially during times of crisis. Unfortunately, predators take advantage of these kinds of situations in order to get information or money from people. However, there are some things you can do to protect yourself online from scams and combat this issue head-on.

By Craig Strent of Apex Home Loans, Guest Blogger

Many of our clients are thinking about their overall financial plan and making appropriate adjustments to ensure they stay on track with their financial goals – this includes real estate.  We turned to Apex Home Loans CEO & Co-Founder Craig Strent to share his perspective on the mortgage market given today’s environment.  He is a thought leader in the industry and a knowledgeable resource when exploring home financing options. 

By Maura Schauss, CFP® 

Riding the highs, and experiencing the lows, it is the way of the investment market. However, what if we told you that the key to sound and quality investing is learning how to keep it cool when the market is in turmoil? Yes, this includes our markets today, where Coronavirus has caused a shocking amount of volatility. Let’s look at some of the tools that can help you manage your emotions and expectations during market uncertainty.

By Todd I. Youngdahl, CFP®

Kids are smart. Depending on the age of your children, they may not know or understand exactly what is going on right now, but they are looking to you for guidance and assurance.

Talking to your children about money may seem like a foreign concept or a scary endeavor if no one ever taught you about how to use money well. But here’s the deal, it doesn’t need to be any more complicated than talking about how to save, spend, and give, and how to prioritize when to do those things.

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

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

Coincidentally, social distancing and spring cleaning are occurring simultaneously this year! For some, organizing and decluttering is a hobby, but for the rest of us, now is a perfect opportunity to not put off getting our finances in order any longer. Either way, having a good understanding of your finances will relieve some stress during this time because you’ll see where you can improve and what should stay the same.