Thinking About Becoming A Stay-at-Home Parent? 4 Financial Considerations Before Making the Transition

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
Thinking About Becoming A Stay-at-Home Parent? 4 Financial Considerations Before Making the Transition

Making the decision to transition from the workplace to becoming a stay-at-home caregiver can be a scary decision.  There are many pros and cons to consider with both choices.   Weighing and discussing these options with your spouse/ partner (while potentially difficult at times) will help you both to feel better supported by the other and more financially sound.  

Reviewing these four financial considerations before deciding to make the transition can help you lower stress, have a smooth transition into becoming a stay at home parent and will help you down the line should you decide to work or not.

Read More

So, You Want a Promotion… 5 Ways to Better Position Yourself for the Promotion You Want

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
So, You Want a Promotion… 5 Ways to Better Position Yourself for the Promotion You Want

Being up for a promotion can be a stressful time. However, it doesn’t have to be. Positioning yourself for a promotion should be something that you prepare for well before the interviewing process begins.  Remember that old saying, “ABC… Always be closing”?   When it comes to your future career aspirations and advances you should be thinking, “ABP… Always Be Positioning”!  

If you are ready for the next step in your career or a new challenge these 5 tips will help you better position yourself the next time a promotion is on the line:  

Read More

3 Reasons Your Spouse or Partner Should be Included During Planning Conversations

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
3 Reasons Your Spouse or Partner Should be Included During Planning Conversations

Have you and your spouse discussed your retirement plans?  In the 2017 study, Age Wave/ Merrill Lynch, “Finances in Retirement: New Challenges, New Solutions” showed that only 16 percent of pre-retirees older than 50 feel prepared for a 20-year retirement.  

Personally, I found that to be a truly sobering statistic.  As a Certified Financial Planner™ I’ve seen the importance and difference working with a professional to develop and follow a financial plan can make.  Also, I know there is a significant need in our country to help individuals plan their finances and retirements.  However, I was shocked to see a number less than 20 percent!  

Read More

Meeting the Often-Overlooked Needs of Business Owners

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
Meeting the Often-Overlooked Needs of Business Owners

Business owner clients put a great deal of faith and trust in their Financial Planners, Wealth Managers, and Accounting Professionals. Clients who own their own businesses rely on us to keep them up to date on events that may have in impact on the financial health of their businesses.  Often times taking a holistic approach when working with business owners is best to address their needs.  

Many financial, investment, and accounting professionals have recognized the need to work with their business owner clients on succession planning.  However, they have not been able to because they lacked a process and simplified workflow needed when working on these cases.  This has led to an ever-widening gap between the client’s needs and the service they are receiving

Read More

Think You Are Too Young or Can’t Afford to Hire a Financial Professional to Help…. Think Again!

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
Think You Are Too Young or Can’t Afford to Hire a Financial Professional to Help…. Think Again!

Just because you have recently graduated from college or are early in your career doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be thinking about your financial future or that you can’t seek help in answering questions you may have.  This is the exact time you should be asking questions.  First, from a saving for your retirement perspective, the younger you are when you start planning and saving for your retirement the better your chances of having a financially independent retirement age.  

But, if you are like many young workers or graduates you feel as if you are unable to save toward many of your life goals.  You may be like the many other recent graduates who have higher levels of student loan debt, lower levels of wealth and personal income than any other generation at the same stage in life according to The Pew Research Center.  Depending on the type of student loans you have federal (subsidized/ unsubsidized) loans or private loans your repayment options will vary. That only means you need some help to review your student loans to see if you could benefit from refinancing them or help you figure out a plan to begin paying off your loans. 

Read More

You’re Speaking, Is Your Advisor Listening???

/ Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC/
You’re Speaking, Is Your Advisor Listening???

Recently, women have been the topic of a lot of financial industry conversations, studies, and white papers in the financial services industry.  With women making up slightly over half of the population it seems it is past time for industry professionals to realize the importance of female clients and to begin questioning if their current practices are female friendly. 


As a female who has worked in the financial services industry since 2006, I can say the industry as a whole has made several steps to engage more female clients.  However, overall the industry still has a long way to go.  To the industry’s credit many practicing professionals have read the numerous articles, white papers, and research studies written whose focus has been “Women & Investing” or “How to Communicate with Female Clients” and attended many seminars created that tout, “How to Attract and Retain Female Clients” or “The Opportunity Female Clients Represent”.    Still, with all the research and studies as an industry, we are missing the mark. 

Read More

“I’ve Been Granted a Stock Option from My Employer. What’s Next”? - Understanding Your Executive Compensation

/ Castle Wealth Advsiors, LLC/
“I’ve Been Granted a Stock Option from My Employer. What’s Next”? - Understanding Your Executive Compensation

Many employers will grant company stock options to executives and key employees as a way to incentivize them to remain at a company and tie their incentives to increased production/ profitability of the company.  If you have received a stock option from your employer you probably have several questions.  

To fully understand your benefit, you need know what is an Incentive Stock Optionsor ISO and what the similarities/ differences between Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)and Non-Qualified Stock Option (NQSOs).  This knowledge will help you to identify and better manage your options. 

Read More

Understanding the Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Certified Financial Planner™

/ Castle Wealth Advisros, LLC/
Understanding the Difference Between a Financial Advisor and a Certified Financial Planner™

You more than likely have seen Financial Professionals call themselves by different titles.  And like many other consumers you may be confuse about the differences, or if there are any differences. If you have ever wondered about the difference between your friend’s Certified Financial Planner™ and your Financial Advisor, keep reading to find out. 

Read More