Insights, Advice, and Conversations to Shape Your Financial Future
DISCUSS WITH RUSS
“Discuss With Russ” is your go-to resource for navigating the complex world of personal finance. Whether you’re looking to manage risk, seize new opportunities, or avoid common financial pitfalls, our blog offers insights to help you succeed at every stage of your financial journey.
We’re here to provide actionable strategies and thoughtful guidance to help you take control of your financial future.
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Talking to the Next Generation: Financial Literacy in Action
When it comes to educating our next generation on financial literacy, hosting a one-time seminar isn’t going to cut it. To make a real impact on our next generation, it’s going to take integrating finance, budgeting, and more concepts into the education system.
Practical Ways to Support Local Small Businesses
Shopping at locally owned small businesses is a great way to give your local economy a boost while enjoying more personalized service from members of your own community.
How to Budget for the Holidays
Security and peace of mind are much more desirable than extravagant holiday spending. If you want to enjoy the holidays this year and still meet your financial goals for the coming year, you’ll need to create a holiday budget and stick to it.
Talking to the Next Generation About Financial Choices: Be Relatable
Regardless of income or wealth status, one thing is clear for families preparing to teach their kids about money practically: there is no “right” way. In this Discuss with Russ, Maurice Redhead, President of Martin Bridge Accounting, talks to Russ about how to get kids involved in financial decisions, how to make it fun, and the importance of doing both of these things early.
How to Make Charitable Giving a Family Affair
Here are some ideas on how you can get the whole family involved with charitable giving, along with what you need to consider before you donate your time or money.
How Do We Improve Financial Outcomes for the Next Generation?
How do we improve financial outcomes and thus quality of life for our next generations? It’s simple: financial literacy education.
Year-End Money Moves to Start Planning Now
With the holidays fast approaching, don’t let the hustle and bustle of travel, shopping, and gatherings distract you from what’s best for you and your family. Here are some end-of-year money moves you’ll want to consider now.
Life Skills College Students Should Know Before Leaving Home
There are many skills young adults need to successfully live on their own, and most parents have tried to prepare them for this big transition. To help you be sure your college student is ready, here’s our list of nine life skills your college students need to have.
Getting Married? Let’s Talk About Divorce
No matter how in love or idealistic you are, marriage is a contract and a prenuptial agreement is like insurance designed to protect you and your contributions to the marriage. And if you are already married, there are some reasons you may even want to consider a post-nuptial agreement.
Factors to Consider When Buying Life Insurance
When your time comes to an end, you’ll leave behind expenses that need to be covered, and may also leave behind loved ones that need financial support. Be sure you understand your life insurance options, so you purchase the coverage that’s right for you.
5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Vacation Home
Purchasing a vacation home may seem pretty straightforward — find a place, buy it, and start living your best vacation life. But in reality, just like owning a “regular” home, vacation homes come with many of the same considerations as homeownership of any kind.
Preparing Your Will As a New Parent
Most parents with new and growing families assume they have plenty of time for estate planning and preparing a will, often putting the tasks off and putting their loved ones at risk for far too long. Not only can we never predict the timing of death, but there are also important special considerations that families with younger children need to take into account when preparing a will.
Making the Most of Your Employee Benefits
Whether you’re looking at health insurance, life insurance, disability, or retirement, the first step to maximizing your benefits is understanding what is available to you. Don’t let them go to waste.
Does a Tax-Free Weekend Actually Save You Money?
With costs rising, families are looking for ways to save on necessities, not just for back to school but throughout the year. One way people do this is by taking advantage of their state’s tax-free weekend.
Smoothing the Estate Transition
In this video, Episode 26 of the Discuss With Russ series, Russell speaks with Tara Faquir, Co-Founder and COO of Trustate, an estate administrative services firm that helps executors navigate the complex and stressful process of settling the estate of a loved one.
Checklist for What to Do When a Spouse or Parent Dies
Knowing exactly what to do when a spouse or parent dies can be difficult, but mistakes and oversights can be costly or lead to serious problems down the road. This checklist will help ensure you know what to do when a death occurs.
Your Credit Score and Retirement: What You Need to Know
Financial planning for your retirement is critical, and that includes having a strong credit score. Here’s how you can build and maintain a good credit score as a future or current retiree.
Preparing For and Recovering from Disasters
Disaster can strike at any time. It’s vital that you think ahead and prepare for disaster recovery before the disaster happens in order to mitigate financial risk and minimize the emotional toll devastating loss can bring.
The Fear is the Worst of It
Fear can be a great motivator—to freeze and do nothing. And when you freeze, it pays to have a professional who will guide you through the issues, whatever they might be, with rationality and experience to get you moving in the right direction.
Tips For a Healthy and Happy Retirement
Retirement signals the end of our wage-earning years, so the primary concern tends to be making sure you’ll be able to take care of your needs and maintain your lifestyle without running out of money, but your physical and mental health are equally important.