Joseph Ortiz, Edward Jones

Joseph Ortiz, Edward Jones

The financial events of 2008 brought home to many investors the importance of sound financial advice. The aftermath of the market decline felt by many investors created what can best be described as a crisis of confidence. Shaken by the events in the broader financial world, today's more timid investors are looking to reduce their anxiety and adopt a course toward retirement security that is soundly based.

The financial events of 2008 brought home to many investors the importance of sound financial advice. The aftermath of the market decline felt by many investors created what can best be described as a crisis of confidence. Shaken by the events in the broader financial world, today's more timid investors are looking to reduce their anxiety and adopt a course toward retirement security that is soundly based.

New York -- Every January, it’s the same drill. This is the year you will cut your debt, save money and spend more wisely.

With unemployment at around 8 percent and hundreds of thousands of foreclosed homes, all of us are probably only one or two steps away from knowing someone who has lost a job or home in today’s economy.

When you add a child to your family, either through birth or adoption, it’s obviously an exciting and joyful time in your life — and it’s also a busy one, as you deal with all the challenges and commitments faced by all parents.

Within a marriage, a man and a woman’s financial circumstances are generally pretty much equal. But if a divorce occurs, the woman’s situation tends to be some-what more challenging than that of her ex-spouse. And that’s why, during this major life transition, you may want to meet with a professional financial advisor to go over your spending needs and your cash flow, so that you know what you absolutely need today — and how you can plan for tomorrow.

Within a marriage, a man and a woman’s financial circumstances are generally pretty much equal. But if a divorce occurs, the woman’s situation tends to be somewhat more challenging than that of her ex-spouse. And that’s why, during this major life transition, you may want to meet with a professional financial advisor to go over your spending needs and your cash flow, so that you know what you absolutely need today — and how you can plan for tomorrow.

If you’ve just had a new baby, your life is filled with more joy (but less sleep). You’re probably already aware of the time and effort you must invest in raising your child, but you may not have thought as much about another aspect — the financial one.

It’s graduation time and if you have children graduating from college, you’re probably excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for them. But once your last child leaves home, and you become an “empty-nester,” you may also find some good opportunities for yourself — opportunities to improve your financial situation.

Once again, it's time to make some New Year's resolutions. This year, in addition to hitting the gym, learning that second language and getting better organized, why not also consider a few financial resolutions?

Once again, it's time to make some New Year's resolutions. This year, in addition to hitting the gym, learning that second language and getting better organized, why not also consider a few financial resolutions?

For many, going to college is the first experience handling their own finances. Follows are 10 tips to help make it easier:

As an investor, what are your goals? You can probably think of quite a few — but over the course of your lifetime, your objectives typically will fall into five key categories. And once you’re familiar with these areas, you can start thinking of what they’ll mean to you in terms of your financial and investment strategies.

As an investor, what are your goals? You can probably think of quite a few — but over the course of your lifetime, your objectives typically will fall into five key categories. And once you’re familiar with these areas, you can start thinking of what they’ll mean to you in terms of your financial and investment strategies.

If nothing ever changed in your life, you could probably chart your financial and investment strategies and then forget about them. But your life is full of changes — and many of them will require you to take a new look at how you save, invest and protect your family.

As an adult, you’re fortunate if you still have your parents. However, as they get older, you may well have to assist them in some key areas of their life.

If you’re planning to get remarried, you have plenty of company: More than 40 percent of all U.S. weddings are second marriages for at least one of the participants, according to an estimate by the National Stepfamily Resource Center. Naturally, a second marriage will bring many changes to your life — not the least of which may be changes in your financial strategy and goals.

Once again, Independence Day is here, bringing fireworks and barbecues. Of course, the Fourth of July is more than hoopla — it’s a time to reflect on the many freedoms we enjoy in this country. Yet, for many people, one important type of freedom — financial freedom — is still elusive. So you may want to use this holiday as an occasion to think of those steps you can take to eventually declare your own financial Independence Day.

With the pace of higher-education costs consistently on the rise faster than the general Consumer Price Index (CPI), understanding the alternatives and opportunities you and your child or grandchild may have regarding financial aid is more important than ever.

With the pace of higher-education costs consistently on the rise faster than the general Consumer Price Index (CPI), understanding the alternatives and opportunities you and your child or grandchild may have regarding financial aid is more important than ever.

With the recent headlines and stock market volatility, you may be wondering if we are seeing a repeat of the market activity of 2008.