It’s officially Spring, and your closet may not be the only thing that needs a good clean-out. What about your financial habits? Watch my video on how to fix up your finances.
Acceptance letters are rolling in and it’s time to make a decision on college. If your top pick is more expensive than the rest… ask for more aid. Here’s how from Student Loan Hero…
On April 13, Quentara will review what to consider financially when assessing care options and how to increase your chances of retaining independence. Via Zoom. RSVP here.
65% of people with long-term care needs rely exclusively on family and friends to provide assistance. What’s your plan in the event aging loved ones didn’t fair well during COVID?
President Biden’s $1.9 trillion stimulus package cleared its final hurdle in Congress on Wednesday despite no Republicans voting in favor of it. The plan contains a range of measures such as a further direct round of payments to most Americans, amounting to more than $400 billion.
We can get tunnel vision when it comes to following “Rules of Thumb.” I dare you to push back when it comes to maxing out 529 Plans and 401(k)s.
There is a ton to consider as you decide on the right college. Make sure you’ve considered all your options and resources.
When receiving treatment options for a diagnosis, learn when you may want to reach out to a doctor vs a health advocate.
Embark on a brighter future with our comprehensive guide on getting financial aid for private schools.
The 2020 performance for the major U.S. indices was nothing short of impressive, especially given the headwinds of COVID-19 and the drama surrounding the presidential election.
News Years Resolutions – In bite size pieces Cleaning up personal finances remains one of the top resolutions every New Year. But we all know what
The holidays are here as we struggle to find a balance between safe and sane during COVID-19, all while our children are watching. Here is some great tips from pediatricians on how to keep calm and carry-on.
Commonplace strategies for helping an aging parent can blow up in your face if you have a college-bound child. Read how.
The holidays are here as we struggle to find balance between safe and sane during COVID-19. Your children are likely looking forward to the normalcy of holiday tradition,
Read about how tax planning opportunities could change in the coming years due to the upcoming election.
Halloween is my favorite time of year because it offers certain qualities other holidays lack: It’s an opportunity to be creative and try a new
Effective ways to reduce credit card debt If you have a lot of credit card debt on your shoulder, consolidating them into one affordable repayment
One extracurricular activity that every student can master while in college is personal money management. Typically, a student’s daily spending is done on an improvised
Everyone is asking – how will my goals be impacted by the upcoming election? When it comes to the stock market, elections matter less than
If you’re worried about downsizing your home, you really shouldn’t be. While finding the right home for your budget and planning a move can feel
Even if you’re not providing hands-on physical care for an aging parent, you’re still likely spending a ton of time in a project management role.
The coronavirus is bringing waves of changes to how we approach everyday tasks and traditions. The same will be true for college admissions. While colleges
Your checking account is at an all time high and you’re eager to do something more with your money. Anything has to be better than
I’ve recently had some questions about consolidating credit card debt. These questions usually come from clients who have 5+ cards or consumer loans with outstanding
Apart from stimulus checks, small business loans, and expanded unemployment, there are a few “hidden gems” sprinkled throughout the CARES Act that are worth noting.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is delaying the April 15th deadline to file and pay taxes by 90 days, giving individuals and businesses another
Student loan debt presents a serious financial burden for countless graduates. Even the XY Generation (you?) is struggling to earn enough money to take care
If you’re related to a loved one in the hospital, rehab or living in a retirement community, you may have received a message by now
What’s happening? The last couple weeks have certainly been rough on everyone. Stock markets across the world have been on a downward spiral with bouts
I recently read Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, MD. His insight perfectly blends medicine and emotion when it comes to the inevitable challenges of aging.
If you are in a cash crunch, you might consider taking out a 401(k) loan. But before you do, you should know the rules and
The SECURE Act was signed into law on December 20, 2019. Many changes were made that will materially impact retirees, 401(k) plans, and families. So
As a veteran you may feel like you’re participating in an Easter egg hunt to find all your benefits. This may be because most state
A fellow blogger liked my approach to personal finance by making S.M.A.R.T goals. Read how she implemented this into her life and own blog! https://doingthingsdifferent.net/saving-money-think-s-m-a-r-t/
The deadline for the 2019-2020 FAFSA is midnight, June 30, 2020. The earlier you file, the more grant money you are likely to receive (up to
My husband and I have had the fortune (or maybe misfortune?) of being involved in a number of personal real estate transactions. From inherited, residential,
As a Certified Financial Planner™ specializing in elder care I am asked this question daily. Unfortunately, all too often the family’s immediate reaction is that
It’s important to understand the fine print of your home equity line of credit (HELOC). Make sure not to get swept up in your plans
While success can be defined in a multitude of ways, most boil down to one simple desire – financial freedom. So what happens when a
It’s your birthday, and mom, age 81, gives you a call. After pleasantries, she mentions how short-tempered your brother has been. She appreciates his help
This year I had many families and small business owners asking for CPA recommendations. Surprisingly, the recent tax code changes that were meant to simplify
Question: What are my options for cash or checks given to my child? Piggy Bank: Some people enjoy the visual appeal of a full piggy bank.
Negotiating is a critical life skill to master, but yet it’s largely untaught in a traditional school setting. We encounter negotiating everyday. Whether closing a
Whenever I discuss elder care I can count on being asked one question… “What if I run out of money?” Long-term elder care solutions come
Fantasizing that the money will somehow appear isn’t helpful. Here’s what is.
Did you feel attacked at your last family get-together from the mere mention of your intent to pay or not pay for your child’s first
Whether it’s alcohol, cigarettes or junk food, we all indulge in something we know we probably shouldn’t.
Maybe you have an idea of when you’d like to buy your first home or retire from the workforce. But just how realistic are your
The idea of retirement conjures different lifestyle images and meanings for any given person. While some are counting down the minutes to completing their final
Today, roughly one in five women in the United States do not have children. For the first time in U.S. history there may soon be
Does working alongside your contractor help or hurt? Renovations are something most home owners endure either by choice or necessity. Due to lack of skill and/or
Make sure your child is aware of the process to receive support for their learning disability in college I recently met Marylee Palmer of By
Because of the generous capital gains exclusion on selling a primary residence, you may find that you do not owe Federal taxes when it comes
“85% of parents expect their child to graduate with debt, estimating an average of $45,000 in student loans” according to a Fidelity survey. In one
“I can’t hear you… LALALALALALALALALALALA” I recently presented on elder care to seemingly dissimilar groups. Despite their backgrounds, they all had the common bond of
As my husband rolled coins the other day he started muttering about the value of wheat pennies and who’s actually buying these as collectibles. I start
Is it just me, or does making a bed instantly provide a feeling of accomplishment? For me, it doesn’t have to be perfect (far from
Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) Gross Income (Salary, Investment Earnings, etc.) – Allowable Deductions, Credits, and Exemptions =Adjusted Gross Income The goal is to reduce
Powwow, LLC was interviewed by Mental Floss to discuss common client mis-steps. The article positioned my response as being “annoyed” by my clients’ indiscretions. This
CD interest rates can be higher than a typical checking or savings account and are affected by these factors.
Feeling insecure in your ability to banter on about politics, taxes, and headline news the next time you sit down with family and friends? I
During the recent holiday season I was peppered with advertising promoting the idea of gifting DNA and ancestry kits. I’ll admit it, I’m terrible at
Inspired by a question in the North Andover Mom’s Facebook Group! As a business grows from a hobby or planned venture, it’s important to put
Q: My aging parent has a will naming me executor, isn’t that enough for me to take control now? A: No, your parent’s will comes
If there’s anything as disconcerting as having the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) call you about a problem, it’s having to call them. Most people don’t
A credit check for credit cards… When you apply for a credit card you are required to fill out a credit history. The analysis of
Quentara Costa visited Bayberry at Emerald Court alongside Patrick Curley of Curley Law Firm in Wakefield, MA to discuss elder care planning. Quentara addressed “The
“The person you named 10 years ago to be your power of attorney isn’t necessarily the correct fit for today and could be the wrong
Powwow, LLC was interviewed by CBS MoneyWatch to discuss how home equity can be utilized for retirement. In my years of planning I’ve typically seen
Five things to consider before financing daycare NerdWallet recently interviewed POWWOW for an article on an issue plaguing most young families – how to afford
… Even from hundreds of miles away! Most of us want to have a role in caretaking our aging loved ones, but many of us
“Making the call [on elder fraud] is simple when the thief isn’t related to the client. But when the miscreant is a child or grandchild,
“A recent Merrill Lynch Age Wave survey showed 37% of people over 50 believe they may need long-term care during their lifetime, but the reality
“Opening a certificate of deposit (CD) can be a low-risk way to save for short- and long-term goals, whether it’s a new set of wheels
“Where will your clients live, and for how long? What roles will their children or other caretakers play? Have they considered what they’ll do if
I often receive questions about reverse mortgages, particularly on whether they’re a viable solution to afford elder care. The first thing to realize here is
How do you define success? Nerd Wallet published an article on the importance and strategy behind goal planning. For the most part, this is the
The DOL fiduciary ruling set to launch in April requiring that advisors act in a consumer’s best interest has been tentatively delayed until June 9,
XY Planning Network offers consumer blogs that follow specific interests and subject matter. This is a great (and FREE) way to receive focused information from
Is it worth considering? Age 50-60 has traditionally been the sweet spot for reviewing long-term care insurance options. New research is even indicating that the
Successful planning boils down to two key factors: Working with accurate information Managing behavior It probably comes at no surprise that financial planners mostly struggle
I’m a big believer in discussing elder care with my clients as young as age 50. I use this age as my starting point for
Trying to be more intentional with gifting? US News published a great article on how to be both generous and practical when it comes to
I’m thrilled to share an article highlighting the reasons for my commitment to help seniors and their family. “As a caregiver for her ailing father,
When opportunity knocks, do you answer the door, or complain about the noise? Take some time this week to consider ALL your options, not just
Last night 60 Minutes did a piece on Alzheimer’s research. While scientists believe they have found the cause, preventative treatment is administered too late. Until
90% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important. 27% have actually done so.* Initiating conversation can make the
Quentara E. Costa of POWWOW, LLC accepted for Membership in the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) Chicago, IL – Quentara E. Costa
“The only control you have is over the changes you choose to make.” The quote by Nancy Kriseman is a simple reminder to make decisions
In a time where we have access to great sites like Pinterest and Houzz, it’s never been easier to envision our projects, ideas, and events.
“Growing businesses are highly motivated to attract and retain newer team members who are driving the day-to-day business. While these employees may not have accumulated significant wealth, they still
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Over the weekend I came across this quote by James Keller and absolutely loved it. What a
Money – it’s influential, stressful, and tantalizing. I’m always interested in people’s reaction to receiving money because most of the time it’s contrary to what’s
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