The Signature Blog
Practical tips and resources on building your ideal life.
Choose a topic you need help with or scroll through the posts below and explore our approach to money and life.
The Critical Importance of Financial Education at a Young Age (And Why It Isn’t Negotiable)
It is an unfortunate reality that many times, kids do not get adequate (or really any) financial education while in school. However, this is a fundamental survival and life skill that needs to be taught to youth from very early.…
Read More
Market Update February 2019
What a nice rally we got in January! Through February 12, the S&P 500 is up about 9.5% in 2019. That’s a nice change following December. There’s no sense belaboring the events of the end of 2018, but I…
Read More
Protecting Your Financial Information
Protecting your financial information is always a top priority for us. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently reminded us that tax-related scams are still pervasive. I believe you can never be too careful when it comes to protecting your…
Read More
Cheers to 3 Groundbreaking Years
From office moves and staffing changes to major client successes and amazing growth, it has been a fantastic three years for us since starting Signature Wealth Strategies. It doesn’t seem that long ago now, but on February 5th, 2016, our…
Read More
Market Update January 2019
With this recent market rally, up about 12% on the S&P 500 since the December 24 close, I wanted to give an update on current market conditions. Since the 9/21/18 high of 2940 on the S&P 500, we are…
Read More
Retiring Misconceptions & Concerns About Your Golden Years
Recently, I ran across a list of frequently asked questions about retirement that I found a little bit alarming. Two of the questions that really struck me centered around whether or not retirement causes depression and whether or not retirement…
Read More
Why You Need a (New) Financial Advisor for Your Divorce
No matter who you are, divorce is an incredibly upsetting and often disruptive and destructive life experience to have to go through. Depending on your situation, there may be so many different facets to your split that it can seem…
Read More
Market Update December 2018
The stock market, and its investors, have not found this to be the happ-, happiest time of the year. The mixed signals, heightened volatility, and terrible performance have left many of us guessing whether the top of the market has…
Read More
Retirement Planning by the Decade
No matter how old you are, it’s never too early to start planning for retirement. Pretty much as soon as you start working and earning money, you should be thinking about how you’re going to be saving for when you…
Read More
Finding Balance Before Retirement
It seems that everywhere you turn today, you hear social leaders and lifestyle coaches proclaiming how you, too, can begin to lead the life you’ve always dreamed of by working hard, investing your funds and practicing frugal habits. All of…
Read More
The 12 Budget Tips of Christmas
Does the thought of making it through the holiday season give you a little anxiety about your budget? You’re not alone. Spending has become synonymous with the Christmas and holiday season. According to a report from USA Today, retail store…
Read More
Financial Mindset & Relationships: Spenders, Savers and Tips for Bridging the Divide
Money management philosophies are not something that is with us inherently from birth. Our feelings around money are often shaped at a young age when we start to have an understanding of the value of money and our perception of…
Read More
Navigating the 4 Most Common Challenges of Estate Planning
Perhaps the biggest challenge of estate planning is that there is not a one-size-fits-all template to follow. For estate planning to be effective, it is important to tailor a family’s plan. Every family is different, and estate planning can have…
Read More
Market Update October 2018
In the wake of Hurricane Michael’s devastating blow to the Florida panhandle, I took some time to look back over the indicators that I track (for the stock market, not the weather). The first half of this month has been…
Read More
Does Your Financial Team Communicate and Strategize For You?
So you have a financial advisor? How about an accountant? Also, an attorney, right? Of course, you have a trusted insurance agent? If you said no to any of these questions, it’s time to explore and understand what professional services…
Read More
401K Rollover: Understanding The Truth and Options
A 401k is, by definition, a retirement plan sponsored by your employer. These plans are designed to encourage employees to put away a portion of their earning for their retirement. Many 401K plans even offer an amount of percentage match…
Read More
Millennial Money – Why & How to Take the First Step in Saving for Retirement
You’re young, and you just started your first real career job. It feels invigorating and motivating to finally have hit your stride in the professional world and you have your whole career and life in front of you. Even though…
Read More
Millennial Money – Student Loan Debt & Your Financial Future
The desire for a career with passion and opportunity as well as a higher future earning potential is often the driving force behind attending college for most students. Unfortunately, with the rising costs of colleges far outpacing inflation, the desire…
Read More