Jeff Witz, CFP

Procrastination and lack of an investment strategy can jeopardize long-term success.

"It is important you find individuals you trust who have the expertise to assist you," Jeff Witz, CFP, advises.

Ownership has advantages, but debt levels and contracts are considerations, according to Jeff Witz, CFP.

"When markets are down significantly, investors commonly feel a sense of panic or fear they are losing everything they have accumulated," writes Jeff Witz, CFP.

As you prepare your 2018 taxes, here some big changes from the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act you should pay attention to.

Include disability insurance and estate planning on your financial checklist for this year, advises Jeff Witz, CFP.

The rule must be applied when making a distribution from non-Roth IRA.

"Health care flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) are great ways to pay for medical, dental, and vision expenses," writes Jeff Witz, CFP.

Take time to review your emergency fund and max out retirement account contributions.

Several strategies are available, each with their own pros and cons.

Selling a bond prior to maturity may require offering a discount, according to Jeff Witz, CFP.

The popular approach offers ‘hands-off’ investing for retirement, according to Jeff Witz, CFP, and David Zemon.

Start saving and investing early in order to achieve your financial goals.

Funds incorporate tax benefits with donor control over who receives grants.

Acting based on fear can negatively affect long-term investment performance, write Jeff Witz, CFP, and David Zemon.

"The primary advantage of using an ABLE account is that the savings largely do not affect an individual’s eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)," write Jeff Witz, CFP, and David Zemon.

An emergency fund is an important part of any financial plan and can be the difference between comfortably surviving an unexpected event and financial distress.

Here is a brief overview of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed by Congress.

Forming a student loan repayment strategy is not a one-size-fits-all process. What works well for a friend or colleague may not be an effective strategy for you.

"The potential GOP tax bill makes it difficult to know exactly how the landscape will look in 2018... nevertheless, there are some items you can take care of before the end of the year that can impact your 2017 taxes and overall financial plan," write Jeff Witz, CFP, and David Zemon.

There are several options for saving for retirement, but first develop a good understanding of how these retirement accounts work to get the most out of your savings.

The chances of needing long-term disability insurance are higher than you might think and can be worth the expense

As some assets appreciate in value and others lose value, your portfolio’s allocation changes. Rebalancing is the remedy for asset drift and an important part of maintaining a healthy investment portfolio.

Following some basic guidelines will ensure the beneficiary designations you make are accurate and up to date.

"Determining what to invest in should be based primarily on the needs, temperament, and available resources of each individual or family," write Jeff Witz, CFP, and David Zemon.

With the U.S. stock market reaching record highs, it’s important to know how to prepare for an eventual fall. Plus, tax credits may be available for tuition payers.

When trying to determine how much is enough when saving for retirement, there are many elements that must be considered. Plus, weigh these pros and cons when deciding how long to receive payments from an immediate annuity.