Financial Planning News & Resources

What Is the Debt Ceiling? The term debt ceiling often makes headlines, especially when Congress debates whether or not to raise it. But what does it mean exactly, and why does it matter to investors and households? The debt ceiling is the maximum amount of money the U.S. government is legally allowed to borrow to meet its existing financial obligations. Those obligations include things like paying interest on the national debt, Social Security and Medicare benefits, military salaries, and tax r

Understanding tariffs is essential for anyone following the global economy or anyone who manages an investment portfolio that could be influenced by trade policy. Here we’ll answer some of the most common questions about tariffs, how they work, and why they matter to investors. What Is a Tariff? A tariff is a tax that a government places on imported goods and services. The goal is typically to make foreign products more expensive compared to domestic ones, encouraging consumers and busines

An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is more than just a retirement benefit. ESOPs are a key part of powerful business and succession planning strategy. Unlike an ESPP, which involves buying stock, an ESOP is primarily funded by the company, either through contributions of stock, or cash to buy stock. For business owners, ESOPs can serve as a way to gradually transfer ownership, gain liquidity, and reward employees who help build the company’s success. For employees, ESOPs create an own