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6 Signs You Need a Financial Advisor To Build Wealth

“If your previous advisor primarily communicated with your spouse, it might be time to find your own advocate. A one-sided relationship with a trusted advisor can be disheartening, especially during times of emotional and financial upheaval.”

3 Key Signs That You’ve ‘Made It’ Financially

…“The challenge with this subjective measure is that our beliefs and feelings about success are often influenced by the media, friends or family, rather than being true to what we actually need or want. That’s why it’s crucial to identify your own values and goals when defining your financial future.”

Financial Planning for Couples: Our Expert Talks Merging Finances and Setting Goals

“…You don’t want to discover later that one spouse has a separate ‘rainy day’ account and feel betrayed. Communicate about it in advance so that both partners have clear expectations…”

I’m a Financial Advisor: Here’s How I Conquered My Biggest Financial Fear

…she came to understand that having a lot of money doesn’t always guarantee peace of mind. Instead, having clear goals and a plan for achieving them is essential to long-term financial health.

how many savings accounts should i have?

…believes that unless there’s a significant incentive to have multiple savings accounts, it’s generally more practical to have just one.

“Life gets busy, and managing multiple accounts can be challenging,” she said.

Divorce-Proof Your Wealth: Top Tips for High-Net-Worth Clients

“As a divorce financial planner assisting high-net-worth clients, I help them avoid very expensive mistakes during the divorce process. Divorce can be extremely expensive, not only because of the legal fees but also due to a lack of awareness about their complete financial situation.”

how many checking accounts should i have?

You might face overdraft fees or monthly charges “if you neglect to maintain the minimum balance required to waive the fees,” said Hazel Secco, founder and president of Align Financial Solutions. 

Your Disney Benefits & Career: Financial Planning for Employees and Executives

“Deciding on the optimal strategy for equity compensation can be complex, especially when factoring in other investment and retirement accounts holistically. By projecting retirement scenarios based on the future value of your equity compensation or the gradual de-concentration of stock, you can better understand the impact on your retirement outlook.” 

Hazel Secco of Align Financial Solutions On 5 Things To Look For When Hiring a Financial Planner or Financial Adviser

“First, find an independent financial advisor. Having worked with big agencies and financial institutions, I understand how pay structures and product recommendations are influenced. This is why I chose to become an independent financial advisor.”

1 in 4 couples disagree over retirement spending priorities

Once disagreeing is no longer taboo, couples and advisors can begin to bridge those gaps. “This divergence is natural, given that they are two distinct individuals,” said Hazel Secco, founder of Align Financial Solutions in New York City. “What’s crucial is to foster understanding and find compromises that allow them to align without sacrificing their individual preferences entirely.”

ask an advisor: How can I make sure I am financially secure even in the event of potential layoffs?

With significant restructuring occurring across corporate America, many highly compensated executives are experiencing anxiety and uncertainty about their financial futures. Those who anticipated remaining with their companies until retirement within the next 3-5 years might find this situation especially overwhelming.

Clients Might Want To ‘Use Not Lose’ Expiring Estate Tax Exemptions

“CLATs have become particularly appealing due to the expiring estate and gift tax exemptions. With the sunset of the Trump tax cuts approaching, many are eager to align their retirement and estate planning with these potential changes,” Secco said. “People who have always been philanthropic are now more likely to act quickly. By taking advantage of the current tax benefits, they can effectively transfer wealth, support their favorite causes, and leave a lasting legacy for their heirs. It’s like killing three birds with one stone.”

I asked a financial planner what makes traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs different — and which one I need

Not every employee works for a company with employer-sponsored retirement plans, like a 401(k) or SEP IRA, and if they don’t, Secco recommends they consider opening a traditional IRA.

Financial Planners: Top 5 Tips for Struggling Clients Looking To Build Wealth

“They often wonder how to build wealth while their expenses are so high,” Secco said. “My advice is to prioritize establishing a fixed savings amount that is non-negotiable. Once spending takes precedence, it becomes challenging to cut back and allocate funds toward saving.

I’m a Financial Advisor: Here’s How I Conquered My Biggest Financial Fear

As Secco developed her expertise in finance, she came to understand that having a lot of money doesn’t always guarantee peace of mind. Instead, having clear goals and a plan for achieving them is essential to long-term financial health.

Financial Advisors: 9 Investment Blunders To Avoid in 2024

One mistake people make is not understanding the difference between financial products offered by banks and financial institutions, especially when they coexist within the same branch, according to Hazel Secco…

What is compound interest and how is it calculated?

Another way of looking at it is that compound interest “considers added value, while simple interest remains constant, calculated from the initial value,” said Hazel Secco, founder and president of New Jersey-based Align Financial Solutions

Fixed annuities vs CDs: Comparing retirement savings options

One of the main differences to keep in mind is that fixed annuities are supported by insurance companies, while CDs have Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) backing as long as they’re through a federally insured bank, according to Hazel Secco, founder and president of New Jersey-based Align Financial Solutions.

Is this a good time to take out a home equity loan? Experts weigh in

Home equity loans aren’t a good idea if you’ll need to sell the house soon, because if your home falls in value between now and then, it could “lead to a situation known as being underwater,” Secco says, “where the outstanding mortgage balance exceeds the home’s current market value.”

Self-Made Women: Hazel Secco of Align Financial Solutions On How She Started With Very Little and Created A Highly Lucrative Business

Hazel Secco is the visionary founder of Align Financial Solutions, dedicated to illuminating the path of financial empowerment and clarity for individuals and families

Certificates of deposit (CDs) vs. bonds: How do they compare?

CDs … are considered highly secure due to their protection of the principal investment. However, it’s worth noting that CDs may not be the ideal choice for long-term investments, as they expose investors to interest rate risk upon maturity