Sara Frank-Hepfer, Vice President, Financial Technology, Inc.

Sara Frank-Hepfer, Vice President, Financial Technology, Inc.

Helping you grow your financial well-being! Financial Technology Inc. 1500 Abbot Rd, Suite 150, East Lansing, MI 48823. 517-351-8600.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member www.FINRA.org/www.SIPC.org, a Registered Investment Adviser. This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the states of AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IN, LA, MI, MO, NC, NY, OH, PA,SC, TX, WA. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside these states due to various state requiremen

Don't Let Your Kids' Bad Financial Habits Drain You Dry 05/09/2024

Your adult children’s financial habits could impact your retirement. Helping your kids understand debt and make smart insurance choices can protect your family's financial future. Find out how to have crucial money conversations with your grown children: https://bit.ly/3MwiHsX

Don't Let Your Kids' Bad Financial Habits Drain You Dry When adult kids make financial mistakes, their parents can suffer. So, step in early to help your kids succeed, instead of letting their regrets become yours.

The 10 Biggest Regrets of Retirees 05/08/2024

Retirement is the dream, but the reality can fall short of expectations. From not saving enough to claiming Social Security too early, many retirees wish they'd done things differently. Discover the top 10 regrets and how to avoid them: https://bit.ly/46v18Tj

The 10 Biggest Regrets of Retirees Hindsight is 20/20, and here’s what retirees wish they had done differently.

Three Ways to Pay Less Taxes to Uncle Sam 15/07/2024

Smart tax planning can help you outsmart Uncle Sam and increase your savings. Check out these savvy strategies that could put more money back in your pocket, from strategic asset management to clever investment account choices: https://bit.ly/3LdmoDd

Three Ways to Pay Less Taxes to Uncle Sam Retirees especially could benefit from these tax-efficient strategies that focus on what you leave your heirs and what kind of accounts your money is in.

How Finances Are Split In a Gray Divorce 08/07/2024

"Gray divorce" is on the rise, with rates doubling for couples over 55. But dividing assets in a later-in-life split can be tricky. Learn how to navigate property division, retirement accounts, and more to protect your financial future: https://bit.ly/4e9cTSK

How Finances Are Split In a Gray Divorce Navigating how finances are split in a gray divorce? Divvying up assets accumulated over many years of marriage can be complicated.

Why Aging Parents With Memory Loss Must Stop Managing Money 25/06/2024

A new study revealed a link between financial troubles and early-stage dementia. Researchers found debt accumulation and credit score drops can occur up to five years before an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Learn how to protect your aging loved ones' finances: https://bit.ly/3RExRiJ

Why Aging Parents With Memory Loss Must Stop Managing Money New research confirms earlier studies showing that financial decision-making capacity declines first before cognitive impairment is obvious. Take protective steps early!

5 Money Tips For People Who Never Want To Retire 14/06/2024

The idea of working longer is becoming more common, and some people don’t plan to retire at all because they love what they do. Working later in life provides many benefits besides income, read these helpful financial tips if you plan on continuing to work. https://bit.ly/4b1zj5B

5 Money Tips For People Who Never Want To Retire Working longer is becoming more common. Why retire when you love what you do? Be aware of some financial considerations if you don't plan to retire anytime soon.

3 survival tips for parents of ‘boomerang’ kids 31/05/2024

The "boomerang kid" phenomenon is real - a staggering 46% of parents say their adult children have moved back home, mostly due to sky-high housing costs. If you're in this situation, check out this guide to navigating the familial and financial dynamics: https://bit.ly/3X5X5tN

3 survival tips for parents of ‘boomerang’ kids An unaffordable housing market has caused recent graduates to return home to parents, making boundaries key in this living arrangement.

Want to be a Roth IRA millionaire? 3 tips all retirees should know 28/05/2024

Becoming a Roth IRA millionaire may sound like a dream, but it’s achievable with the right strategy. Check out 3 key tips that could help you reach that million-dollar retirement goal: https://bit.ly/45032dK

Want to be a Roth IRA millionaire? 3 tips all retirees should know Imagine what you could do with $1 million of tax-free money available to you in your retirement. These 3 tips will get you there.

How Women Can Increase Odds of Saving Enough for Retirement 09/05/2024

Women face unique challenges when saving for retirement, including the gender pay gap, career breaks, and outliving men. Check out these tips you can take to empower yourself and build a bigger nest egg: https://bit.ly/4ae8mem

How Women Can Increase Odds of Saving Enough for Retirement Pursuing financial literacy and taking advantage of savings opportunities, such as employer-offered 401(k)s, can give women saving for retirement a leg up.

A Wealth Shift That Could Leave Some Younger Americans Behind (Gift Article) 30/04/2024

You’ve heard about the Great Wealth Transfer, but are millennials really set to inherit trillions from baby boomers? Check out this story that sheds light on the stories of families without enough wealth to pass along: https://bit.ly/3JEIQ7i

A Wealth Shift That Could Leave Some Younger Americans Behind (Gift Article) Assets held by baby boomers are changing hands, but that doesn’t mean their millennial heirs will be set for life.

Why Gen-Z And Millennials Are Upending Work And Retirement Norms 29/04/2024

Goodbye to climbing corporate ladders, hello to “hopping” between roles. GenNext is all about flexibility and creating their own career tracks instead of linear path. Find out how this approach is reshaping the future of work and retirement planning: https://bit.ly/3U7f2oA

Why Gen-Z And Millennials Are Upending Work And Retirement Norms Younger Millennials and Gen-Z are GenNext. They are tossing career ladders and riding pogo sticks, reshaping work and navigating an uncertain path into retirement.

18/04/2024

Ladies attending Coffee Club this morning: the ramp under our building is full! Please know that you can park in any Downtown East Lansing ramp and we will validate your parking! The Charles Street ramp has a skywalk to bring you into our building. Our apologies for the extra steps!

28/03/2024

Have you heard the term “gray divorce?” It refers to the increasing rate of divorce after age 50. Find out why the financial risk is higher for women under these circumstances, and how you can protect yourself: https://bit.ly/49azPgJ

www.cnbc.com

How to Roll Over Your 401(k) 15/03/2024

Are you considering moving your 401(k) to another retirement account and wondering what it entails? Read on to understand the options, considerations, and steps involved with moving funds before rolling over your 401(k) plan. https://bit.ly/49PXR1t

How to Roll Over Your 401(k) Understand the steps involved with moving funds before rolling over your 401(k) plan.

When High-Yield Savings Accounts Come With an Asterisk 26/02/2024

If you opened a savings account with an online bank to take advantage of a high-interest rate offer, you might want to check in with your lender about their current account offerings and rates. Learn why you could unknowingly be stuck at a low rate: https://bit.ly/3OVF7VY

When High-Yield Savings Accounts Come With an Asterisk Customers are earning less than they expected at some online-centric banks.

This Is the Average Social Security Benefit for a 70-Year-Old 09/02/2024

If you’ve started planning for retirement, you know that you can start collecting Social Security once you turn 62. But delaying until you reach your full retirement age or beyond can significantly increase the amount of your monthly check. Learn more: https://bit.ly/49leC3Y

This Is the Average Social Security Benefit for a 70-Year-Old Those who wait to claim benefits until age 70 can get a massive boost in retirement income.

I'm Receiving $3,500 Per Month From Social Security. How Can I Reduce My Taxes? 01/02/2024

If you’re collecting Social Security, or plan to collect benefits soon, you’ll want to be prepared for how that income is taxed. Check out this information about Social Security taxes and how you can reduce your tax liability: https://bit.ly/3SgbU8W

I'm Receiving $3,500 Per Month From Social Security. How Can I Reduce My Taxes? Social Security can generate real income. The more you earned during your working life, up to each year's income caps, the more you receive in benefits during your retirement. In 2024, someone with maximum credits who waits until age 70 will receive almost $60,000 per year in benefits. But, as alway...

The Average Retirement Income in the U.S. 12/12/2023

The amount of money you’ll need in retirement depends on your lifestyle and could be quite different from the needs of other retirees. But if you’re wondering how your income compares to the average American’s, check out this information: https://bit.ly/3uR6Tfe

The Average Retirement Income in the U.S. Wondering how your retirement savings stack up to other Americans' nest eggs? Or whether your income in your post-work years will be enough to keep you afloat? It's normal to be curious about the average retirement income in the U.S. … Continue reading → The post What Is the Average Retirement I...

What to Do if Your Employer Stops Its 401(k) Match 04/12/2023

IBM announced earlier this year that it plans to end the company’s 401(k) matching program. Find out how it’s changing the retirement contribution, and what to do with your 401(k) if your company decides to do the same: https://bit.ly/3NbY8CW

What to Do if Your Employer Stops Its 401(k) Match If other companies follow in IBM’s footsteps, employees will need to make some adjustments in their retirement savings.

Can Retirement Account Withdrawals Affect My Tax Bracket? 30/11/2023

If you’re nearing retirement age, you’re likely planning a strategy for retirement account withdrawals. One thing to consider: your tax bracket. Learn how these withdrawals can impact your taxable income and how to manage them with taxes in mind: https://bit.ly/47B1Uhf

Can Retirement Account Withdrawals Affect My Tax Bracket? How you make retirement withdrawals will affect your tax brackets. This can be a fairly complicated issue. Depending on which plans you have, your retirement withdrawals might be considered taxable income, taxable capital gains or untaxed earnings. For each taxable segment of your withdrawals, the a...

Inside the Psychology of Overspending and How to Stop 02/11/2023

Inflation is pushing the cost of goods and services higher, but that often isn’t the only reason people overspend. Find out what’s driving overspending behaviors and how to get your budget under control: https://bit.ly/3ENjGQg

Inside the Psychology of Overspending and How to Stop Stop overspending with these proven financial self-control strategies.

Congratulations on Your Retirement: Here's How to Find Your Joy 18/09/2023

Do you have a retirement game plan? Your image of retirement might look like pure relaxation, but without a specific goal, you could end up feeling isolated, depressed, and lacking purpose. Learn why it’s key to retire to something, not just from something: https://bit.ly/3Zm3srX

Congratulations on Your Retirement: Here's How to Find Your Joy Knowing how you want to spend your time in retirement and having a sense of purpose can prevent you from feeling unmoored and isolated.

Here's how much Americans in their 40s have in their 401(k)s 27/07/2023

Adults in their 40s are often responsible for supporting small children, aging parents, and saving for kids’ college educations, so it’s no surprise that many don’t have enough money saved for retirement. Check out these tips to help you save: https://bit.ly/3YaNxfz

Here's how much Americans in their 40s have in their 401(k)s Most Americans in their 40s have around two decades until retirement but may not be saving up enough money. Two tips for boosting your retirement contributions.

Retailers have been cutting costs, so why are prices still so high? 18/07/2023

Inflation is cooling in many sectors, but you might have noticed that grocery store prices have stayed quite high. Businesses have cut costs, but why aren’t those savings being passed down to shoppers?: https://bit.ly/3K112c0

Retailers have been cutting costs, so why are prices still so high? Why are items like cereal and paper towels still so expensive? Is the pandemic really to blame or could shoppers be at fault? A Harvard Business School professor explains.

New round of student loan debt forgiveness will erase balances for over 800,000 people 14/07/2023

Disappointed in the Supreme Court’s recent decision to strike down the Biden administration’s student debt relief program? There may be new hope for you. Over 800,000 people will see their loans erased in the next few months. Learn why: https://bit.ly/3rvPDuj

New round of student loan debt forgiveness will erase balances for over 800,000 people A one-time adjustment to correct past errors in how many payments student loan borrowers have made is behind the forgiveness.

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