Posts by Marcus F. Johnson, CFPⓇ

Despite a crazy year or perhaps because of it, over half of Americans are expected to make at least one financial resolution for 2021.1 If you haven’t identified yours, here are a few to consider. Pad your retirement savings. You probably spent less on travel, restaurants, movies, gas, or sporting events in 2020. Why not…

As a youngster, your parent warned you not to trust strangers. When your parent grows older, it’s time to return the favor. Seniors are frequent targets for financial scams. Many have considerable assets and excellent credit. Growing up, they were taught to be polite and trusting. Loneliness and too much free time can cause them…

Looking for gifts that will be appreciated long after the holiday decorations are stashed away for next year? Here are a few ideas for presents with lasting impacts. For younger children or teens: Encourage an interest in investing with a gift card from Stockpile.com. For $25, $50, or $100, you can purchase fractional shares of…

Despite the pandemic, two-thirds of U.S. employers still plan to offer their employees year-end bonuses. If you work for one of those companies, it is wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit the money in a savings account. It will…

Whether it’s due to the holiday spirit or taking advantage of tax deductions before it’s too late, one-third of annual charitable donations are made in December.1 Just as you try to be a mindful shopper who avoids impulse purchases, it’s important to be a careful giver who thoughtfully evaluates emotion-tugging appeals. The following tips can…

If you’re among the 49 percent of Americans who receive employer-sponsored health care coverage, you may have already received information on your company’s open enrollment. In previous years, you might not have taken much time to review your company’s options. But the current pandemic underscores the importance of securing the best possible coverage and value.…

Since 2001, November has been designated Long Term Care Awareness Month, a time to educate Americans on the growing need for long term care (LTC) and potential ways to pay for it. The American Association for Long Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) estimates 14 million citizens currently require long term care support services and predicts that…

November has been named National Family Caregivers Month to honor parents, adult children, and spouses who selflessly care for loved ones afflicted with illnesses, disabilities, traumatic injuries, or the effects of aging. According to a study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, the number of family caregivers grew by 9.5 million from 2015…

Preparing for retirement is more complex than it used to be for obvious and not-so-obvious reasons. The most obvious is longer lifespans. Thanks to improved medical care, a person retiring today in their mid-60s may need their savings to last 30 years. The list of less-obvious challenges includes: Less support from employers. More companies have…

October 19-25 has been named National Estate Planning Awareness Week, an observance that reminds the public how important estate planning is to financial wellness. Unfortunately, common myths convince many people they don’t need to create or update an estate plan, such as: Only wealthy people need a plan. Without a will, state succession laws and…