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Many moons ago, I was a Personal Finance Planning major at Central Michigan University. I distinctly remember in the Spring of 2012, my finance class had a competition amongst my peers to see who could make the most money in a trading simulation system. At the time, gold was trading at all-time highs. It was the “hot” asset class that was outperforming everything else. The code was cracked (buy gold), and I was destined to be the top performer. Alas, it was not to be, but it got me thinking. With all of the recent headlines of gold hitting all-time highs and the infatuation from the consumer: Is gold really an asset class for the long term?

The single most important investment in the global financial system is the U.S. Treasury Security. In my first investing class in college, I remember the professor explaining that our entire investing and financial system is built upon the premise that treasuries are the safest investment and that the U.S. always pays its debts. That statement might sound strange to those who are not a fan of the way we as a country run a deficit or to those who have paid close attention to the budget ceiling fights in recent years. Despite those factors, the premise is true, and that is why treasuries are the single most important investment in the U.S. financial system.

It is often said that “half of marriages end in divorce.” The truth is that divorce rates have declined over the last ten years (1). Whether you choose to stay married or divorce, the amount of couples getting divorced is still staggering and it can happen to any of us. Divorce is far reaching, often affecting more than just the two people involved and their possessions. Family, friendships, children, businesses, real estate, income, assets, and retirement are a few things on that very long list.

Socially responsible investing (more commonly understood as ESG) was once a fringe concept. In recent years, this trend has gone from the fringe to the forefront. So what is socially responsible investing?

Many 401k participants have a little-known feature available to them that dramatically increases the number of investment options and, by extension, increases the quality of their options. This feature is available at major employers such as The University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Lansing Board of Water and Light, and the State of Michigan. The feature is known as a self-directed brokerage account.

Winning the lottery can be a life-changing event, and it's important to make wise decisions to ensure your financial and personal well-being. Here are some steps to consider if you win the lottery:

For over a decade (from 2009 through 2021), many investors dismissed these investments because the interest they could earn was almost laughable. However, things have changed! Since the end of 2021, interest rates have increased dramatically on virtually all interest bearing investments. As a result, the interest you can earn on your “safe” money through investments like CDs and annuities has more than doubled. By the end of this article, you will better understand when and how you can use each of these investments to maximize your financial well-being, improve your retirement, and keep your money working hard for you.

One of the most costly living expenses for many Americans is health care. In some cases, your employer may pay for all or a portion of your insurance costs, but what if your circumstances are different?