emergency fund

By Ben deBock, CFP^®

When I sat down with Mindy and Jim two years ago, they were in pretty good shape financially. With two children and a third on the way, they were diligent savers and had built a solid cushion to cover unexpected expenses. The challenge? They had no idea if they were actually saving enough, and they had no real vision of what they were saving for.

By Lance Ludwig, CFP^®

If you’re anything like most Americans, owning a home is one of your top financial priorities. In a recent survey by Chase, 87% of respondents said that buying a house is something they have always wanted. It’s a worthy goal. Not only can owning a house help to build your personal wealth, but a house is also likely to become your ‘home sweet home’ for many years to come. This makes deciding when to buy—and what to buy—among the most important financial decisions you’ll make in your lifetime.