You've done it! You've scheduled your introductory meeting with a financial advisor. You're taking control of your financial future, but you have a lot of questions about what happens next. Rest assured, you're not alone. We have found that many of the people who talk to a Creekmur Wealth advisor  for the first time weren't sure what to expect, how much to share, or even what documents they should provide. Whether this first conversation happens on the phone, in one of our offices, or by video meeting, we want you to feel comfortable and understand what to expect.

One of the misconceptions we are faced with in the financial services industry is the idea that all “financial people” are the same. We sometimes hear the question,

"What is the difference between the advisors at Creekmur Wealth and the insurance agent or broker's office down the street?"

Six areas of personal finance to review.

When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to review those six personal finance areas.¹

Cash Management: This is a broad topic that can address many issues. One area is creating an emergency fund, which is money that's set aside for unplanned expenses. Cash management also can include looking at your "sources and uses" of money. Financial Planning Month focuses mainly on cash management and spending habits.¹

Separating some eldercare facts from eldercare myths.

How much does eldercare cost, and how do you arrange it when it is needed? The average person might have difficulty answering those two questions, for the answers are not widely known. For clarification, here are some facts to dispel some myths.

True or false: Medicare will pay for your mom or dad’s nursing home care.
FALSE. Medicare is not extended care insurance.¹

Medicare Part A will pay the bill for up to 20 days of skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, but after that, you or your parents may have to cover some costs out-of-pocket. After 100 days in a SNF, you will have to cover all costs out of pocket. The only way to “reset the clock” for Medicare coverage of these services is if 

Frothy, Bubbly, Foamy. . . and we're not talking about cappuccino!

Looking ahead can help you conquer these unique obstacles.

When it comes to retirement, some women face obstacles that can make saving for retirement a challenge. Women typically earn less than their male counterparts and often take time out of the workforce to care for children or other family members. Added to the fact that women typically live longer than men, retirement money for women may need to stretch even further.¹

Despite these challenges, there are a lot of reasons to be hopeful.²

It depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance..

"Will I outlive my retirement money?" That's one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare for their retirement years.

So I have to chuckle a bit when I see headlines that say, "Here's how much money Americans think they need to retire comfortably."¹

Markets are going CRAZY - should I invest?

This early financial decision could prove helpful over time.

Want to give your child or grandchild a great financial start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. There are many reasons why starting a Roth IRA for a teenager may be a sound financial strategy. Read on to learn more about how doing this may benefit both of you.

Tax-free benefits during retirement. Setting up a Roth IRA for the teenager in your life could prime them to have more retirement savings. Plus, a Roth IRA has the potential to accumulate over the years, and the owner may be able to better manage their tax burden if they withdraw the money after age 59½.¹

Cut through the noise with our Financial News Breakdown