Whenever a financial change occurs at the government level, there is a domino effect in your personal finances. For example, the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affects more than just your net pay. On the surface, we know that Trump’s tax reform bill lowers tax rates for individuals and corporations, increases the child tax credit, doubles the standard deduction, and caps or eliminates several deductions. But does it have any cascading effects on your estate plan?

Would you rather plan a vacation or strategize your retirement? A Charles Schwab retirement survey found that Americans spend considerably more time and energy researching vacation possibilities and car purchases than planning for retirement. And even if you are one of the few who has their financial ducks in a row, have you given any thought to the psychological transition that occurs when you reach this milestone? We know that money can only buy happiness if used intentionally, so let’s take a look at the three things women need to experience a fulfilling retirement.

Do you remember the game of telephone you played as a kid? The game where someone whispered a message into someone else’s ear and everyone repeated it until the final result was completely different? Well, the commonly-held assumptions about Social Security are kind of like that. The true details of the system are complicated, difficult to muddle through, and the messages that are received are often skewed.

We already know that women face more financial hurdles than men, especially when it comes to retirement. They earn less, save less, live longer, and spend more time out of the workforce to care for children or other family members. Unfortunately, the obstacles don’t end there. Women are more likely to face disability than their male counterparts, but only 20% of American women are aware of this looming threat.

Different groups of people have different financial needs. Business owners need assets that are more liquid and products to lower their liability. High earners need tax-minimization strategies. In the same way, women need specific products and services that fit their circumstances and goals.

While many Americans are facing their retirement years completely unprepared, women face even more risk of outliving their savings than their male counterparts and are twice as likely to live under the poverty line in retirement. As a result of this reality, only 10% of women are very confident they will be able to retire comfortably. Why is there such a disparity? What are some unique retirement hurdles women face and how can they conquer them?

If you’ve ever experienced buyer’s remorse after making a big purchase or felt embarrassed about the state of your financial affairs, you know that there’s way more to money than the number in your bank account.

Ah...spring is in the air. The days are getting longer, the birds are chirping, the lawn mowers are busy, and many of us are getting out the cleaning supplies to make our houses sparkle. But it might be the case that more than just your home needs to be decluttered, cleaned, and organized. Do your finances need some spring cleaning? Getting your financial life in order may seem daunting, but think of it as a way to contribute to your own financial success. Consider the following tips to get started on the path of financial organization.