Giving Your Kids An Allowance (April 17, 2018)

Giving your kids an allowance is a vital part of their financial education. It’s an early step towards financial independence, and can teach them basic budgeting, sensible saving, and wise spending.

There’s a lot to think about as a parent when giving your kids an allowance. When should you start giving your kids an allowance? How much should you give them, and how often? Should allowances be tied to chores, grades, or more? Our sister site, SageVest Kids, provides answers to these and other common questions that parents have about allowances for kids. Read More

A Step-By-Step Guide To Financial Literacy For Kids (April 9, 2018)

If you want your kids to develop a healthy relationship with money, including sensible saving and spending habits, there’s a lot for them to learn. It all starts at home, with you, and with April marking Financial Literacy Month, what better time than now?

Our sister site, SageVest Kids, offers a step-by-step guide to financial literacy for kids of all ages, including guidance on saving, spending, budgeting, earning, borrowing, giving, and more. It’s time to begin focusing on financial literacy for your toddlers, kids, and teens and we have a wealth of resources to help you. Read More

Teaching Your Kids About Money Before College (March 23, 2018)

Preparing to send your teen off to college can be an exciting, busy and stressful time. There’s a lot to plan for with little time remaining.

Hopefully you’ve had many years of teaching your kids about money before college. If you haven’t, it’s crunch time to instill some teen financial basics. Even if your teen is financially ready and capable, now’s a great time to review budgeting, spending, and saving. SageVest Kids’ six-month plan will help guide these final months of teaching your kids about money before college. Read More

Healthy Financial Parenting And Managing Parental Differences (February 23, 2018)

One of the most fundamental aspects of teaching your kids about financial literacy is being a strong money role model. Healthy financial parenting starts with understanding your own approach to money, and, if you’re part of a couple, your partner’s outlook on money too. If you have differing financial perspectives, it can be difficult to manage parental differences. This can be especially true if the family’s divided by separation or divorce. Our sister site, SageVest Kids, offers some helpful insights into how to manage parental differences about money and establish healthy financial parenting behaviors. Read More

Financial Planning Tips For Parents (February 13, 2018)

For many individuals, one of the most rewarding and challenging journeys in life involves being a parent. Beyond the daily essentials like love, good food, toys, and more that your child will need to learn and grow, there are also a host of financial considerations for you to plan for. These include decisions about childcare costs, healthcare coverage, and estate planning options.

If you’re thinking about parenthood now or in the future, SageVest’s sister site, SageVest Kids, offers some helpful financial planning tips for parents. Read More

Washingtonian Top Fee-Only Financial Planner In The DC Area (December 21, 2017)

2017 marks 10 years since Jennifer Myers first founded SageVest Wealth Management as an independent, fee-only financial planner in the Washington, DC area. Throughout the last decade, our firm has remained committed to delivering excellence in investment and financial planning services to individuals, families, and business owners throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the wider DC Metropolitan region.

We’re always honored to receive recognition for the exceptional level and breadth of knowledge, experience, and service that we render for our clients. Read More

The Post-9/11 GI Bill (November 8, 2017)

Soldiers setting flags – Arlington National Cemetery DOD 160527-D-XT155-003

The original GI Bill of 1944 helped WWII Veterans return to civilian life, providing a range of benefits, including academic and vocational funding. It was so successful that similar measures were adopted for subsequent Veterans. The most recent of these is the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which includes up to 36 months of educational benefits to eligible service personnel and, uniquely, to your dependents – if you plan ahead.

As part of SageVest’s commitment to America’s military families, we consider current provisions of the Post-9/11 GI Bill, plus recent legislative updates, as they relate to your broader wealth planning. Read More

Adoption: What To Expect Practically, Financially, And More (November 2, 2017)

November is National Adoption Awareness Month. If you’re pursuing adoption, perhaps your journey is due to fertility issues, being single or part of a same-sex couple, or simply a fundamental desire to provide a loving home to a child in need. Whatever the reason, adoption is a joyful, life-changing experience for both parent and child.

It also requires careful consideration: practically, financially, and emotionally. I can attest to this as a proud adoptive single mother of two, and President of SageVest Wealth Management.

When I first explored adoption, there seemed little clear guidance about this important life event. While everyone’s adoptive experience is unique, I’m happy to share my own insights with other prospective parents. Read More

Top Wealth Manager Award For SageVest’s Jennifer Myers (October 23, 2017)

At SageVest Wealth Management, we offer a highly personalized approach to wealth management, one where our focus is always on you. We get to know you and your family, and as a fee-only fiduciary, always place your best interests first. Furthermore, as a woman-owned investment management firm, we’re particularly attuned to the complexities of financial planning for women, families, and multiple generations.

We’re delighted that our dedication to exceptional personalized planning and investment advice has again been formally recognized. Read More

A Quick Review Financial Planning Checklist (October 2, 2017)

October is Financial Planning month, making now a great time to think about your financial preparedness and wellbeing. Money isn’t everything in life, but it certainly helps to achieve security and to open opportunities for you and your family.

Personal finance can be complex, especially as your wealth grows. Each of your decisions must support the next, and align with your life goals. The following financial planning checklist will help you identify which financial topics you’ve got covered, and areas where we can help you to achieve your wealth and life objectives. Read More

Money & Millennials: The Most Important Financial Fundamental (September 8, 2017)

As a young adult, you’re just beginning your professional and life journey. You may be fresh out of college, perhaps carrying some student loan debt. Maybe you’ve already got a foot on the career ladder. Perhaps you’re renting an apartment on your own, sharing space with friends, still living at home, or already own your own home. The concept of financial planning may seem a long way off right now; something that your parents do, not you.

Financial planning, however, doesn’t need to be either daunting or stuffy. Understanding and implementing sound cash flow management is the cornerstone of financial planning – and you may already be doing it, in some form or another. Read More

Jennifer Myers – A NoVA Top Financial Professional (August 28, 2017)

Top Financial Professional in Northern Virginia

As our clients know, SageVest Wealth Management takes pride in connecting you with your wealth in impactful and meaningful ways. Our team of advisors provides personalized, comprehensive financial advisory and investment management services to individuals, families, and business owners across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and the Greater Washington, DC area.

It’s fitting, therefore, that Jennifer Myers was again recognized this year as a Top Financial Professional in the Northern Virginia area. Read More

How To Teach Your Kids To Save Money (August 23, 2017)

There are many aspects to financial learning and literacy, but a pinnacle objective is learning how to save money. Being able to save for your future is critical in supporting your ultimate financial well-being, security, and long-term happiness. It’s also personally rewarding, can build self-confidence, and enhance self-esteem.

It’s important to discuss the value of saving with your kids, but lectures aren’t the best method of teaching them successful saving habits. It’s far more effective to help your kids learn through hands-on experience. Here are eight tips to help your kids become savings-savvy. Read More

Teaching Your Kids About Money In A Digital Age (June 16, 2017)

Learning about money as a resource for life achievement is a critical aspect of your child’s development. You can encourage financially savvy kids through age-appropriate activities and responsibilities that focus on key financial principles like savings for kids, budgeting, and giving. Piggy banks, chores, and allowances are some of the traditional tools that can help support your child’s financial education.

What happens to financial literacy, though, in today’s digital age, when your kids are more likely to see you pay by swiping a credit card or phone, rather than with cash? Read More

Summer Fun – Free Activities For Kids, Families And Adults (June 2, 2017)

Butterfly Discovery — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

As the long, hazy days of summer stretch ahead, it can prove challenging to find fun summer activities for your kids and yourself that keep everyone happy and occupied without breaking the bank.

SageVest’s extensive list of free activities offers interesting ideas everyone can enjoy, whatever your age. Enjoying free activities with your kids, partner, friends, or other family members is a great way to spend quality time together. Free activities not only save you money, but also demonstrate that fun doesn’t always have to come with a dollar sign attached. Read More

New And Improved Washington DC College Savings Plan Options (May 24, 2017)

Washington DC residents have long been underserved and underrepresented. While we don’t have any updates on representation, we do have good news about college saving options for DC residents, and associated tax benefits.

Washington DC’s College 529 Plan recently introduced changes to add stronger investment choices and reduce fees.

This is a great saving recipe if you’re a DC resident saving for college and seeking to gain DC income tax deductions too. Read More

SageVest Wealth Management – 10 Years As A Fee-Only Financial Advisor (May 15, 2017)

Jennifer Myers, CFP ® established SageVest Wealth Management in May 2007, to provide high quality, customized, and comprehensive investment management and financial planning services to individuals, families and business owners in the Washington, DC area and beyond.

A decade later, and with twenty years of experience, Jennifer’s the recipient of multiple top advisor awards, including Washingtonian Top Financial Advisor, and SageVest is celebrating our tenth anniversary! This seems an ideal time to thank our clients, and to offer a quick reminder of our services, our fields of expertise, and the core principles that guide us in pursuit of your financial and life goals. Read More

Graduation Gifts For Financial Success (May 3, 2017)

Congratulations if your child, grandchild, or other family member is about to graduate from college! Attaining a degree is an accomplishment worthy of celebration. It’s also a time for your grad to transition into independence, learning financial and life responsibilities to achieve future success.

If you’re searching for a meaningful graduation gift to encourage lifelong wealth, SageVest advisors offer ten of our favorite financial gifts for college graduates. Read More

Tips To Help You Raise Financially Wise Children (March 27, 2017)

Money management skills lay the foundation for lifelong success, and the path to financial wisdom begins in childhood. In recognition of Financial Literacy month in April, we’re proud to announce the launch of SageVestKids, a website dedicated to helping you raise happy, financially wise children through developmentally appropriate activities and responsibilities.

Our new site has already been recognized by CNBC, Investment News, and Yahoo Finance as a rich resource for financial literacy, and we encourage you, your family, friends and others to visit SageVestKids for more information. Below are some of our top tips in brief to help you guide your kids towards financially rewarding lives. Read More

Hiring A Domestic Employee (September 30, 2016)

For many people, juggling family, work, and household priorities can be a daily challenge. If your finances allow, hiring some household help can streamline your schedule and free up precious time for you to spend enjoying what matters most, with the ones you love.

Whether you’re considering a part-time maid to help keep your home tidy, or someone for a more demanding role like a live-in caregiver or personal assistant, there are a number of factors to weigh carefully before you hire someone. Read More

FAFSA Application Changes (August 24, 2016)

SageVest is committed to providing you with timely and appropriate information and updates that encourage smarter financial planning decisions and help translate your wealth potential into real life solutions of benefit to you and your loved ones.

To that end, we wanted to let you know about upcoming changes to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application process that may be of interest to you or those you know. Read More

New Campus Banking Rules Benefit Students (August 10, 2016)

If you’re college-bound this Fall, you’ll benefit from a recent Department of Education ruling that governs certain campus debit and prepaid cards.

These cards are often marketed by colleges as an easy way for you to receive and use remaining Federal aid funds, once your tuition and other fees have been disbursed.

The new ruling, which took effect July 1, is designed to provide broader options regarding how you receive your student aid, aims to limit excessive fees, and much more. Read More

College Funding Decisions (July 29, 2016)

Helping your teen embark on their college experience entails a host of decisions more important than which mini fridge to purchase or what color shower caddy to choose. For parents, one of the primary decisions is how to fund the tuition bills.

Hopefully you’ve been diligent in preparing for the costs of college. There are several types of accounts you might have contributed to over the years in order to accumulate college savings. If you have balances in both custodial accounts (UGMA and UTMA) and Section 529 Plans, which should you draw upon first to begin funding your child’s higher education? Read More

Money And Millennials: Setting Financial Goals (June 9, 2016)

As a young adult, it’s important to learn the best strategies and habits to manage your finances, both now and in the future. The earlier you understand and utilize these practices, the better. But where should you begin?

Like any journey, the road to financial success needs a destination. The first step is to define financial goals that support your personal ambitions and life objectives. These decisions will form the foundation of your broader financial plans. Read More

Top Ten Financial Tips For Teens Heading To College (August 21, 2015)

Across the nation, parents are bidding a tearful goodbye as their excited teenagers head to college for the first time … or bidding on that home fitness center on eBay, as they turn their son or daughter’s room into an in-home gym before the car’s even left the driveway.

We can’t help with the emotional aspects, or with putting the workout equipment together. But when it comes to nurturing financial skills and wisdom, SageVest and SageVest Kids are valuable resources for you and your family. Following are a number of points we recommend discussing with your teenager, or in collaboration with one of our advisors, with a goal of launching your young adult on the road to life success as well as the road to college. Read More

How Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren With College Costs (September 5, 2014)

As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents and start gifting what’s predicted to be trillions of dollars over the coming decades.

Helping to pay for a grandchild’s college education can bring great personal satisfaction and is a smart way for grandparents to pass on wealth without having to pay gift and estate taxes. So what are some ways to accomplish this goal? Read More

Summer Jobs For Students – Tax Tips (June 24, 2014)

Many students take a job in the summer after school lets out. If it’s your first job it gives you a chance to learn about the working world. That includes taxes we pay to support the place where we live, our state and our nation. Here are eight things that students who take a summer job should know about taxes.

This information regarding tax tips for students who take a summer job was recently released by the IRS. Please feel free to pass it on to anyone who may benefit from this useful advice. Please visit www.IRS.gov for more about tax rules for students, or click on the links below. Read More

Latest College Costs And Social Security & Medicare Figures (December 15, 2013)

Every October, the College Board releases its Trends in College Pricing report, highlighting college cost increases for the current academic year, and trends in the world of higher education. While costs can vary significantly depending on the region and individual college, the College Board publishes average cost figures, based on its survey of nearly 4,000 colleges across the country.

In addition, Social Security and Medicare figures are announced for calendar year 2014. Read More

Teaching Your College-Age Child About Money (August 13, 2013)

When your child first started school, you doled out the change for milk and a snack on a daily basis.But now that your kindergartner has grown up, it’s time for you to make sure that your child has enough financial knowledge to manage money independently.

Perhaps your child already understands the basics of budgeting from having to handle an allowance or wages from a part-time job during high school. But as your child prepares to leave for college, he or she may need to draft a “real world” budget, especially if he or she lives off-campus and is responsible for paying for rent and utilities. Read More

College Financial Aid 101 (February 25, 2013)

Many parents pay for college with a combination of savings and financial aid. Financial aid is money distributed primarily by the Federal government and colleges in the form of student loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study jobs. Loans and work-study must be repaid (through monetary or work obligations), while grants and scholarships do not. A student can receive both Federal and college aid. By learning the basics, you’ll be able to understand how the financial aid process works, properly fill out aid applications, and compare the aid awards your child receives. Read More

Saving For College (September 17, 2012)

Being able to send your child to college is near the top of the wish list for most parents. A college education can open doors to many opportunities, and is increasingly necessary in today’s economy.

But that diploma doesn’t come cheap!

Start saving as early as possible. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a college savings vehicle that offers the best combination of tax advantages, financial aid benefits, and flexibility, while meeting your overall investment needs. Read More

The information contained herein is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy or completeness is not guaranteed. This article is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of SageVest Wealth Management and should not be construed as investment advice. All expressions of opinions are subject to change and past performance is no guarantee of future results. SageVest Wealth Management does not render legal, tax, or accounting services. Accordingly, you, your attorneys and your accountants are ultimately responsible for determining the legal, tax and accounting consequences of any suggestions offered herein.

In accordance with IRS CIRCULAR 230, we inform you that any U.S. Federal tax advice contained in this communication (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by a taxpayer, for the purpose of (a) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or that may otherwise be imposed on the taxpayer by any government taxing authority or agency, or (b) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

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