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Donating money to our favorite charitable organization is a year-end ritual for many of us. While monthly giving has gained in popularity in recent years, most of us still tend to open up our wallets just a bit wider at the end of the year.

But what about the organization that we’re giving to? What are they required to do once they receive our donation?  If you’re unsure, here’s a quick run-down of what you should expect.

Have you ever wondered exactly what those initials after a financial professional’s name mean?  You’re definitely not alone. The easy way to tell is to visit the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, which provides a list of professional designations and what they mean. Below, we’ve created a short list of some of the frequently used designations and what they mean.

There’s nothing more exciting than buying your first home. Whether it’s a condo for one, a sprawling mansion, or anything in between, buying your first home makes you feel like a true grown-up.

While you’ve probably already figured out exactly how much home you can afford, which is something your mortgage broker will communicate to you fairly quickly during the mortgage approval process, have you considered the cost of all of the other expenses associated with home ownership?

Whether you’re earning a six-figure salary or just out of college, creating and maintaining a budget is a must. Having a budget that you actually use can help keep spending under control, bolster your savings account, adequately plan for retirement, and keep debt at a manageable level. 

Creating the budget is actually the easy part. But how do you create a budget that you’ll actually use? One of the keys is your mindset. Stop looking at a budget as a negative and look at it as the way to reach your financial goals.  

Retirement can sneak up on you.

At one time, it seemed like a lifetime away, now it may be just around the corner. At one time you planned on working forever, but now you can admit that the thought of retiring has its benefits.  Perhaps you’ve found yourself daydreaming about a little cabin on a lake, or a small home in the mountains. You may have even entertained the notion of becoming an expatriate and retiring overseas. While these daydreams can certainly be pleasant, you’re also facing the reality that at the age of 50, you’ve done little to save for retirement.

Buying a house is one of the biggest, if not the biggest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. Here are some tips and tricks for ensuring that the entire process is as stress-free as possible. 

Do you really know how much it will cost you to sell your home?  Here is a breakdown of some of those costs.

With more than 95% of American workers currently covered by Social Security, there are some things about this massive retirement program that you should probably know.  If you’re still in your forties or fifties, you can probably wait a few years to learn the intricacies of Social Security, but if you’ve recently entered your 6th decade on this planet, here are a few things you should be aware of:

Pet insurance. Cancer insurance. Discount dental plans.

You’ve likely heard about all of the above options, but if you haven’t purchased one, you may not fully understand how they work, what they cover, what they don’t cover, and ultimately, if they’re worth the cost. Here’s a brief explanation.