In the Unites States, it is common for many people to have debt. Borrowing money to buy a car, house, or other expensive item is normal. Yet, if you have too much debt it can lead to stress and not being able to pay your bills and other expenses. For anyone with debt, it may […]
Having insurance can be an important part of your financial life. Some insurance policies are required by law, like auto insurance on your vehicle. Other insurance policies may be available through your employer, like health and dental insurance. Life insurance is another type of insurance you may want to have. You may also be able […]
Having children adds a new and important aspect to end of life planning and naming a guardian is the toughest estate planning decision a young family will need to make. If a child’s legal parents die or become incapacitated and never planned, the child could be placed with a new family. This can be disruptive […]
According to 2024 statistics from the World Population Review, 59% of Wisconsin households have a pet. No matter if the animal/s is a household pet or livestock, such as horses, cows, etc., it is important to think about how your animals will be cared for after your death. While many people think of pets as […]
During your life you may own many items, known as assets, that are important to you. One of the most valuable assets you can own is a home. According to some estimates, in 2024, the typical value of a home in Wisconsin is over $300,000. Given this high value, it is important to think about […]
Planning for the end of life may be challenging and very emotional. Thinking about issues like end-of-life health decisions and what should happen to items you own after your death can be complicated. One tool that can help with these issues is a will. A will is a document that gives directions about what to […]
Congratulations! You’ve gotten a job offer! You’re excited to start the job but the pay the employer offered is lower than you want. Lots of people think they must accept the pay an employer offers but it’s important to know that you can negotiate your pay and benefits. In fact, employers often do not offer […]
In the past, if you wanted to pay your bills, give money to a friend or family member, or buy something from a store, you needed to use cash or write a paper check. Now, instead of using cash or a paper check, you can pay bills and send money to others through mobile apps. […]
Ending a romantic relationship can be a challenging experience. Divorce, the process of terminating a marriage, is less common in Wisconsin than most states but it is still something that thousands of Wisconsin couples experience each year. In addition to the difficult emotional experience that can come with ending a relationship, there can be financial […]
In August 2022, the federal government enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the largest clean energy investment the United States government has made. It provides many new tax credits, rebates, and discounts to help homeowners make energy efficiency improvements and save on their utility bills. Read more about how the Inflation Reduction Act can help […]
A family hits a benefit cliff when a small income increase makes them ineligible for public benefits they had been receiving (UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty). Many public benefits programs in Wisconsin have “benefits cliffs.” It is important for participants in these programs to be aware of benefits cliffs as they make financial and […]
Retirement planning can help you prepare for your long-term financial needs. To successfully plan for retirement, it is important to understand the accounts that can be used. You may have several options to save for retirement including accounts offered by your employer, often called employer-sponsored retirement plans, and individual retirement accounts. You may be able […]
