As graduation caps fly and celebrations begin, one question quietly lingers for many new grads: ‘What now?’ With student loans, first jobs, and newfound independence, financial decisions can feel daunting. But the right guidance now can set the stage for lifelong security.
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Whether you work with a financial professional or seek guidance from someone you trust, having a plan for financial success at a young age is crucial. If you have a loved one graduating this season, consider giving the gift of financial confidence by having a conversation about money management and an introduction to a trusted financial advisor, which could be more valuable than anything wrapped in a box. Helping a new graduate lay the groundwork for smart financial habits can set them up for security and success for years to come.

Below are a few tips to help you or a new graduate get started:

​April is Financial Literacy Month. At StraightLine we think it is the perfect time to cultivate your financial knowledge and nuture a strong financial foundation. Just as spring is a great season to plant new seeds and prune existing ones, improving your financial literacy can help you sow the seeds of good money habits and prune unnecessary expenses, setting yourself on a path to long-term financial growth. Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your strategies, focusing on the basics can make a big difference. 

Fast forward a couple of months to when the Holiday season is ending, and we are all excited about the new year's prospects. Suddenly, there is that feeling of dread because you realize that tax season is only a few weeks away, and you must start collecting forms and information to prepare your taxes by the April deadline.

​Let’s be honest: tax preparation is not fun. It feels like a burdensome task we all want to complete and move on. For many, it is about collecting all the necessary information and forms and getting them to their tax professional to prepare their returns. The only question most people have is whether they owe money or if they will be getting a refund. Others go through the painstaking process of filing their taxes on their own using tax preparation software even though they have limited experience as tax preparers.

Retirement is a time for relaxation, travel, and pursuing passions, but it also requires careful financial planning to ensure those dreams can become a reality. One of the biggest challenges retirees face is balancing their spending. If they are overspending, they can quickly deplete savings meant to sustain them through their retirement. On the other hand, if they are underspending, they could miss the opportunity to enjoy their most vibrant years of retirement.

​The recent rally in Bitcoin, along with the recent approval of several exchange-traded funds that track Bitcoin’s price, has led to an increase in calls to our office inquiring about jumping on the Bitcoin wagon It is natural for these questions to come up when money is seemingly being made so quickly. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard these questions about Bitcoin, and it definitely won’t be the last.

Going through my mail the other day, I noticed three identical official-looking letters addressed to my wife, myself, and our daughter. Of course, it piqued my interest because letters of this nature are never a good thing. I opened the letter addressed to me and quickly realized it was from one of our healthcare providers.

​In the first of a series of instructional videos, Rob Rickey, CFP® showcases the capabilities of our new goals-based financial planning software from MoneyGuide.

One of the most powerful tools in retirement planning is one I find many clients resist using and that is the High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). Clients are reluctant to make that shift from a traditional medical plan to the HDHP with an HSA because of the higher out of pocket costs associated with higher deductibles. I find those that do make the shift often wish they had made it sooner once they have had a few years of savings built-up in their HSA and they see the long-term benefit of using the HSA as an additional retirement plan.