Insights

Wealthstream Advisors has recently added to our team’s growing list of professional designations, Global Financial Planner (USA), or GFP (USA). We sought out this additional expertise because we know from experience that individuals and families who have lived in more than one nation have unique needs from a financial planning perspective.

Equity based compensation is a wonderful way to potentially share in the profits of your company. Getting the most out of your equity compensation requires understanding the key concepts and specific terms and conditions of the grant. It is also important to understand the tax implications surrounding your equity compensation and to make decisions with a long-term financial plan in mind. Not fully understanding what you have been granted or not having a plan can easily lead to mistakes, lost opportunities, and even outright loss.

Being a small business owner or partaking in a side hustle can be a rewarding experience. You can be your own boss, have the freedom to work as you please and can provide products and services that you are passionate about. However, with these freedoms also comes additional responsibilities. You must keep accurate records of all the income and expenses of your business and ensure you are paying taxes on time, which can be a daunting task.

If you have a long-term care policy—especially an older one—you might receive a letter one day saying your premiums will increase. Don’t panic. You have options.

Marriage is more than just a romantic relationship—it’s also a financial partnership. If you’re planning on getting married, you and your future spouse are probably focused on planning your wedding and honeymoon. But planning for your future financial life—and for what happens if your marriage doesn’t last forever—is just as important.

Your relationship with your financial advisor should be grounded in trust, competence, and mutual interest. As an investor, your expectations are that your wealth management firm offers the sort of guidance that delivers you the best possible outcome—even if that outcome means they receive fewer commissions or fees.

Last month, we were joined by our friend and guest, CBS News Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger, for a webinar focused on your questions about the pandemic and what it means for your financial plans going forward. We covered everything from financial news and the stock market to college tuition and the upcoming presidential election. If you missed the webinar, here are 10 takeaways: 

Divorce results in the division of a household’s assets and income, but parties involved should consider that sometimes a split that appears equitable may not be.

When staring down a major financial decision, the first question we often ask ourselves is “what is the best way to meet this cost?” As we assess our situation, it is completely natural to look towards one of, if not the largest, numbers on your balance sheet, your 401(k). But how exactly do you access these dollars if the rules say you cannot, without penalty, until you are age 59 ½?

Employees of large corporations may some day be faced with a major decision to make: whether or not to take a buyout offer, voluntarily terminating employment for some sort of financial incentive.  An offer of a certain number of weeks or months of severance pay can be very attractive, and may be the right choice, though certainly not an easy one. Here are some considerations for employees to make an informed decision.