Financial impact of adoption

By Jason Alderman
It’s hard to think of any act more generous than adopting a child. Many adoptive parents I know tell me it’s the most personally rewarding thing they’ve ever done.
But adoption isn’t cheap. Related expenses can quickly mount to tens of thousands of dollars. And sadly, sometimes adoptions do fall through, forcing prospective [...]

A financial to-do list for the recently widowed

By Jason Alderman

Losing your spouse is one of life’s most stressful events. Ironically, it’s during that time of grief, when you’re probably not thinking clearly or focusing on such matters, that you’re expected to make many important financial decisions that will impact the rest of your life.
Although there are certain actions you must take right [...]

Empty Homes Need Additional Insurance

By Jason Alderman

There are many reasons why someone might leave their home unoccupied for months at a time: Maybe you moved to another state and your old house is languishing on the market; or you can no longer afford your mortgage so you’re working out a short sale and couch-surfing at your sister’s house; or [...]

Talking Finances with Your Valentine

By Jason Alderman

As you and your spouse celebrate Valentine’s Day over a candle-lit dinner, you may want to avoid romance-killing topics like, “Honey, let’s talk about our financial future.” But you really should have that conversation sooner rather than later to keep your relationship on a healthy footing.
Major life changes may require you to reassess [...]

Tax strategies in a tough economy

By Jason Alderman
For most of us, income tax calculations don’t change much from year to year. But thanks to the roller coaster economy of the past few years, many people have undergone major life changes that can have a significant impact – good or bad – on their taxable income and how they should file [...]