EVEN IN YOUR PEAK EARNING YEARS, it may not always seem like there’s enough money coming in to cover your current expenses and save for future needs. It’s even more of a challenge when you’re just starting out.

 

Depending on your age, you may be saving for your first home down payment—or a vacation home for the family. Then perhaps there’s your children’s college tuition to plan for or a parent who requires caregiving. And, of course, your retirement accounts need regular care and feeding. That’s all in addition to ongoing monthly expenses, as well as potential one-time costs—purchasing a car for your new college graduate or a major home renovation, for instance. On top of everything else, you want to be sure that your emergency fund is well stocked so you’ll be prepared in the event of a layoff or unexpected health crisis.

 

EVEN IN YOUR PEAK EARNING YEARS, it may not always seem like there’s enough money coming in to cover your current expenses and save for future needs. It’s even more of a challenge when you’re just starting out.

 

Depending on your age, you may be saving for your first home down payment—or a vacation home for the family. Then perhaps there’s your children’s college tuition to plan for or a parent who requires caregiving. And, of course, your retirement accounts need regular care and feeding. That’s all in addition to ongoing monthly expenses, as well as potential one-time costs—purchasing a car for your new college graduate or a major home renovation, for instance. On top of everything else, you want to be sure that your emergency fund is well stocked so you’ll be prepared in the event of a layoff or unexpected health crisis.

Macro Strategy — The Horse is Out of the Barn: The real question for investors is how much their money will be worth after this “transitory" inflation is over. Global Market View — Betting on the Joneses: Next to fully appreciate will likely be the most pandemic-constrained categories led by a higher-income consumer and helping to benefit consumer cyclicals. Thought of the Week — The Divergence between Stock Prices and Bond Yields: Stocks may be supported by corporate earnings, while bond yields pressured lower by declining inflation expectations.

By Kerry Hannon

NOT LONG AFTER WE GOT MARRIED, my husband and I decided it was time to set up a meeting with a financial advisor to review the merging of our financial lives. We knew that our lives had taken a significant turn with marriage. Plus, we had different money styles.

Of course, we wanted to have someone evaluate our retirement accounts and other investments, but we also had goals we knew would take some forethought and financial strategizing: starting a family, purchasing a home and continuing the travel we both loved. It took some searching, but we found an advisor who understands both of us. She meets with us separately and together, and has held our hands through more than one uncomfortable money discussion.

These days, because I write about money, I routinely get asked lots of questions about financial advisors. Lately, a lot of people want to know why, with so many choices out there, from target date funds to robo-advisors, they need...

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, WE ALL face major turning points in our lives—getting married, becoming a parent, receiving a life-changing promotion, getting ready to retire. At times like these, many people feel a need for financial help. They begin to question whether they know enough about the complex financial decisions they’ll have to make on their own—and start to wonder whether working with a financial advisor might make sense. 

The challenge is finding someone you’ll feel comfortable talking to about the most personal things—your family, your money, your hopes for your future.

The challenge is finding someone you’ll feel comfortable talking to about the most personal things—your family, your money, your hopes for your future. Someone who’ll be there for you for years to come and who can provide more than just stock recommendations, but also focus on what’s in your best interest.

As you interview advisors who may be able to help you with those...