Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices.

Whether retirement is right around the corner or decades away, being strategic about investing and saving for that time can help set you up for a comfortable lifestyle once you stop working.

It doesn’t take a degree in finance to see that the cost of college continues to rise. In its 2023 report, the College Board showed that in-state tuition and fees at private non-profit four-year institutions increased by 5% in inflation-adjusted dollars between the 2013-14 and 2023-24 school years.

Thirty-nine percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, according to a recent Gallup poll.¹ Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important long-term financial goals, such as retirement, in the balance, the reasons may not be good enough.

Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to? While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible.

How can you get closer to achieving your financial goals? According to a recent report from Boston research firm Cerulli Associates, the number of Americans willing to pay for financial advice has increased from 38 percent in 2009 to 63 percent in 2022.

Bring this list of talking points to your annual meeting with your financial advisor to ensure that you cover everything you want to discuss for the coming year.

By following this advice now, you’ll have the resources and information you need to start on the path to recovery as soon as possible after an unexpected crisis.

Learn all about the basics of trusts, including their pros and cons, to help determine whether establishing one would be beneficial for your financial needs.