Hillcrest Financial Group

11/03/2026

Money talks often impact relationships, but new research shows couples are more aligned than you might think. According to one study, most partners share retirement goals but struggle with other plans. Learn five expert tips to achieve financial harmony: https://bit.ly/4fx66D4

Many couples trust each other and have shared goals for retirement, but more than half have yet to put an estate plan in place.

11/02/2026

Retirement can put even strong marriages to the test, especially when one partner wants to spend and the other wants to save. The right money habits can help turn that tension into teamwork. Here are a few worth building into your relationship.

Build a plan you both believe in: Couples with a financial plan are more than twice as likely to feel confident about retirement, while regular “money dates” can help keep that plan an ongoing conversation.

Talk about what money represents: Spending may reflect a desire for freedom, while saving may reflect a need for security, so start with the values behind the numbers.

Commit to real transparency: You don’t need joint accounts, but both partners should know where everything is and how the household finances would work if one spouse were no longer there.

See how stronger money conversations can help couples stay aligned in retirement: https://bit.ly/4sqO1x7

Financial experts reveal the simple conversations and strategies that keep spouses connected and thriving after they stop working.

11/02/2026

Is there a role for both active and passive investments in your portfolio?

In investments, one great debate asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”

11/01/2026

78% of families haven’t had an in-depth conversation about life insurance, and assumptions can leave real gaps. Closing that gap starts with conversation, not spreadsheets. Here’s where to begin:

Start with goals, not policies: Talk first about who depends on you and what you want to protect before getting into coverage details.

Check assumptions against reality: Confirm that loved ones know where important documents are and that beneficiary designations still reflect your wishes.

Look at the bigger picture: Review life insurance alongside retirement, investments, and estate planning so everyone understands how the pieces fit together.

See how better family conversations can bring more clarity to your financial plan: https://bit.ly/3Wvbph8

How much do you know about your family's life insurance and other major financial decisions? Talking about it will create clarity now, before it becomes urgent.

10/31/2026

The best kind of financial planning is a lot less scary than it sounds. It’s simply about knowing what matters to you and having a plan for getting there. Happy Halloween!

10/31/2026

Gen Z is starting to save for retirement at age 24 on average, a full decade earlier than boomers did. Here’s what’s helping them get a head start and what savers of any age can take from it.

Time is the real advantage: Starting early and contributing enough to capture an employer match can give savings more years to compound.

Fewer expenses can mean more flexibility: Younger workers without mortgages, childcare or caregiving costs may have more room to save each month.

It’s not too late to catch up: Older workers can continue increasing 401(k) contributions and use catch-up contributions when eligible.

See what Gen Z’s early start can teach savers at any age: https://yhoo.it/4sp2rOp

Gen Z starts saving for retirement at 24, a decade earlier than boomers. Learn how that head start can pay off in a big way.

10/30/2026

When are you taking your Social Security benefits? Considering the timing can help maximize your benefit.

Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.

10/30/2026

Roth conversions are up 41% this year, but the “juice isn’t always worth the squeeze,” as one advisor puts it. The tax impact can reach well beyond your current bracket, especially with recent rule changes in play.

Watch for hidden phaseouts: Extra income from a conversion can affect eligibility for certain credits and deductions, including education credits, SALT and the senior bonus deduction.

Factor in Medicare and ACA impacts: Higher income may increase Medicare premiums or reduce marketplace health insurance subsidies.

Run the numbers every year: Social Security timing, tax rules, income and legacy goals can all change whether a conversion makes sense.

See what to consider before making a year-end Roth conversion: https://cnb.cx/4yqqgqt

If you're considering a year-end Roth conversion for 2026, there are some key things to know, experts say.

10/29/2026

The typical first-time homebuyer is now 40, a record high. Younger Americans aren’t necessarily giving up on homeownership and retirement; many are simply taking a different path to get there.

Priorities are shifting: 62% say owning a home and saving for retirement have become more challenging, prompting many younger adults to rethink when and how they pursue those goals.

Financial pressures are reshaping choices: Housing costs, inflation, and student debt are influencing how younger professionals think about careers, lifestyles and long-term plans.

Homeownership looks different now: Multigenerational purchases and co-ownership arrangements are becoming more common as buyers find alternative paths to the same goal.

See how younger generations are redefining financial success: https://bit.ly/3TQtCVH

The younger generations are increasingly living for the here and now.

10/28/2026

Medicare doesn’t cover all the health-care expenses you may experience. Enter Medigap.

Important as it is, Medicare does not cover the full range of health-care expenses you may experience in your golden years.