Planning

ARM vs. Fixed Mortgage: Which One Is Right for You?

One of the biggest decisions homebuyers face is choosing between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM). While most people focus on which loan offers the lower payment today, the better question is often which loan best matches your future plans.Neither option is inherently better. The right choice depends on your timeline, financial flexibility, and tolerance for uncertainty.See Fixed Mortgage vs Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) Calculator – Gilbert WealthUnderstanding the DifferenceA fixed-rate mortgage provides an interest rate that remains unchanged for the life of the loan. Whether interest rates rise or fall in the future, your principal and interest…
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How to Get an EIN (Quick and Simple)​

How to Get an EIN (Quick and Simple) Obtaining an EIN is fairly straight forward and, in most cases, very quick. See this article for more information: A Simple Guide to EINs for Business Owners and Individuals – Gilbert Wealth Step 1: Apply Online with the IRS Go directly through the IRS website. It’s free. Get an employer identification number | Internal Revenue Service You can submit an application via fax or mail but this will take much longer. Step 2: Choose What You’re Creating You’ll select: Business (LLC, sole prop, etc.) Trust Retirement plan Step 3: Enter Basic Info Name…
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What Are Mortgage Points?

When people hear the term “mortgage points,” they often think of them as some kind of mysterious fee. In reality, points are mostly a pricing mechanism lenders use to adjust the interest rate on your loan.At its core, mortgage points are a tradeoff:Lower Up front costs but a Higher RateHigher Up Front Costs but a Lower RatePoints are how lenders move you along that spectrum. How Mortgage Pricing Actually Works There is usually a “base” or “par” rate available for a mortgage. This is the rate where the lender is neither charging significant discount points nor giving significant lender credits.From…
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When Might a Trust Be Worth Considering?

Many people wonder whether they should have a trust as part of their estate plan. Sometimes that question is framed around wealth: “Do I have enough money to need a trust?” But in many cases, a trust is less about estate size and more about purpose.A trust can be a versatile planning tool used in many different ways and for people at many different wealth levels. It may help provide structure, protect beneficiaries, preserve privacy, reduce administrative burdens, plan for incapacity, or give more specific instructions about how assets should be managed and distributed.At the same time, a trust is…
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How to Save a Website to Your Phone Screen Like an App

iPhone / iPad Instructions These steps work best using Safari.Open the Safari app.Go to the website you want to save.Tap the Share button.This is the square icon with an arrow pointing upward.Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.Edit the name if you want a shorter app-style label.Tap Add in the top-right corner.The website icon will now appear on your iPhone or iPad home screen. You can tap it just like an app.If you are using Chrome, Edge, or another browser on iPhone, the Add to Home Screen option may not appear the same way. Safari is usually the simplest…
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How Insurance and Annuity Compensation Works

Compensation for insurance and annuity products is complex and has evolved over the years. Broadly speaking, there are two main ways an advisor can receive compensation from these products. Commission This is the predominant model and has existed for many years. Essentially, commissions are a percentage of the premium paid into the product.For example, if a product has a 2% commission and you put in $250,000, the commission will be $5,000. Commission rates vary significantly by product. Some products have lower commission rates and some have higher. Commissions can be paid by one of two parties: the client or the insurance company.When…
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The Rule of 55 – A Strategic Early Retirement Tool

For many individuals, the gap between early retirement and age 59½ presents a planning challenge. Retirement accounts are often the largest source of wealth—but accessing them too early typically triggers a 10% penalty.However, a lesser-known provision—the Rule of 55—creates a powerful exception. When used correctly, it can provide meaningful flexibility for early retirees, career changers, or those facing unexpected job transitions. What is the Rule of 55 The Rule of 55 allows individuals to take penalty-free (but not tax-free) withdrawals from certain employer-sponsored retirement plans if they separate from service in or after the calendar year they turn age 55. To…
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How to Get a Loan in Retirement With No Income

Retirement can create a strange lending problem.A retiree may have a paid-off home, a large investment portfolio, excellent credit, and decades of responsible financial habits, yet still struggle to qualify for a loan because they no longer receive a regular paycheck.That can feel backwards. After all, a person with $1 million in retirement savings may be in a stronger financial position than someone earning $80,000 per year with little savings. But lenders are not simply asking, “Is this person wealthy?” They are asking, “Can we document a reliable way this person will make the payments?”That distinction matters.Getting a loan in…
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What should you do if your identity has been stolen?

Discovering that your identity has been stolen can be overwhelming. It may feel invasive, confusing, and urgent all at once. The good news is that there are specific steps you can take to limit the damage, document what happened, and begin restoring your financial identity.Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information without permission, often for financial gain. This may include your name, Social Security number, date of birth, bank account information, credit card number, online login credentials, or other identifying details. A thief may use that information to open accounts, make purchases, apply for loans, file a fraudulent…
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The Three Phases of Retirement: Go-Go, Slow-Go, No-Go

When most people picture retirement, they imagine one long season of freedom. In reality, retirement tends to unfold in chapters.Not because something goes wrong but because life naturally changes over time. Changes to health, family, or other influences might impact how you live out your retirement.A common way to think about this is through three phases:Go-Go years, Slow-Go years, and No-Go years.Understanding these phases can make your retirement plan feel a lot more real—and a lot more confident. The Go-Go Years These are the early years of retirement. You’re healthy, independent, and excited to take advantage of the time you’ve worked…
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