No matter what phase of life you’re in, there are a few things you can, and should, be doing so that you can enjoy your retirement how you’ve always dreamed. We put together five tips that can apply to any age.

Legacy planning is the process of preparing for the transfer of your assets and values to future generations. While many people associate legacy planning with wealthy individuals, it is something that everyone should consider, regardless of their net worth. Here are five basic tips of legacy planning to help you get started.

INVESTING WITH A BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE ARTICLE

For over 35 years, Meridian Financial has been offering high-level investment advice, from one business owner to another.

ARTICLE BY BOB RAUF, PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR

All major life events bring some level of stress. Retiring has to be near the top of this list. A recent study by Allianz Life suggests that more than 60% of baby boomers are more afraid of running out of money than dying! For people aged 44-49, it is even higher at 77%. So, how do you minimize the stress of transitioning into retirement?

Check out these 5 tips that have helped our clients over the last 25 years.

ARTICLE BY KELLY PARKER, PRIVATE WEALTH ADVISOR

My daughter just celebrated her first birthday in March, and if I’ve learned anything over the last year, it is to make sure you’re prepared financially for all that parenthood will bring you! I wanted to share a few tips with you to make sure you’re ready for the next phase of your life.

1. Health Insurance. Prior to the new arrival, make sure you review your health insurance plan and know what it will and will not cover regarding births. If you have an HSA, consider contributing as much as possible. Those dollars are deductible to your income and will be useful for the baby’s doctor visits.

For six additional recommendations, click the link below.

To start the new year off on the right foot, here are six recommendations for you to think about to get and keep your finances in order.

1. Set your goals for the year. Do you want to pay down your debt? Pay off credit cards? Buy a new car or put a down payment on a house? It’s important to prioritize your goals for the year so you know how to plan your budget. Click the link below to check out the other five recommendations.

The strong jobs market and record unemployment have made it increasingly more difficult to attract and retain valuable employees; however, a strong benefits package including services like financial planning is a great way to keep your talent pool strong.

For years you’ve been encouraged to sock away your hard-earned money. Building a rainy-day fund, putting enough away to get the employer match on your 401(k), and even contributing to an IRA or Roth IRA from time to time. As retirement approaches and your finances aren’t what you expected you might be asking yourself, “Did I do enough, should I have started earlier, and could I have done more?”

If you don’t think you’ve saved enough, it’s time to start catching up! These are the quickest and easiest ways to beef up your retirement savings.

When you are working, you are in an accumulation phase of your life. You are trying to determine how much money you can save each year combined with how much investment risk you are comfortable taking to reach your goals.

When it’s time for retirement, the questions switch to “How much do you need to spend each month?” and “How much investment risk is necessary to make sure your money outlasts you?”

One of our firm's advisors, Jason Garey, was a professional soccer player before starting his career with Meridian Financial. He knows some of the common mistakes you, as a pro athlete, can be tempted to make with your money. He knows it can be hard to find agents, attorneys, and advisors that you trust and who have your best interest in mind.

In working with many professional athletes, we have developed a checklist to help build and maintain a strong financial position while playing a sport professionally through contract negotiations, team transitions, and into retirement and beyond. Here are Jason’s top five financial tips for professional athletes.