Melissa Granato, Financial Professional, MassMutual Greater Houston

02/02/2018

Life's milestones delayed

Life’s milestones: Delayed, but diminished?

Life events like marriage, buying a house, and children are coming later in life. What are the consequences on a personal and societal level?

02/01/2018

It’s the New Year! What are you financial goals this year?

01/31/2018

Cutting corners isn't always a bad thing. How do you cut back on everyday expenses?

01/30/2018

Retiring soon

Retiring in 12 months or less? What to do.

Retiring in 12 months? Stress test your budget, review your health insurance, and time your Social Security benefits carefully.

01/29/2018

Gift of a Lifetime - Whole Life Insurance

Whole life insurance can give a child a financial head start and provide a range of benefits for years to come. It can truly be a gift of a lifetime.

Participating whole life insurance can give a child a financial head start and provide a range of benefits for years to come. It can truly be a gift of a lif...

01/26/2018

What financial lessons do you teach your children?

01/25/2018

What millennials think about the future | Aperion Care

2,000 millennials were surveyed about their attitudes, future–their individual future, and ours collectively. Check out the interesting results here:

In our latest survey conducted by Aperion Care, we asked 2,000 millennials their thoughts on life expectancy, retirement, our future, and more.

01/24/2018

Top 8 money mistakes to avoid in 2018

8 mistakes you don’t want to make in 2018 with your money!

While many Americans focus on shrinking their waistlines for the start of the New Year, some money experts say it’s also a perfect time to get your finances in order.

01/23/2018

The strategy an NBA star uses to save half his income is one almost anyone can use

The power of forced savings!

Cleveland Cavalier Iman Shumpert is smart with his money.

12/08/2017

5 Mistakes Can Implode an Estate Planning Strategy

Let's face it: you're not invincible. Let's talk to make a plan today, for the sake of your loved ones.

When it comes to your financial assets, mistakes you make in estate planning can cost you plenty.

12/07/2017

3 Ways Stay-At-Home Moms Can Invest for Retirement

Are you familiar with the motherhood gap?

The motherhood penalty can be reduced with planning and fiscal discipline.

12/06/2017

5 Steps to a More Affordable Retirement - Next Avenue

Here's 5 steps to help lower your expenses and raise your happiness quotient

These five steps to keep your retirement cheap can lower your expenses and raise your happiness quotient.

12/05/2017

FutureSmart: A two million student story http://bit.ly/2jdifm7

12/04/2017

Millennials Hold Too Much Cash, Too Few Equities: Report

Report says, Millennials hold too much cash, to few equities.

Conversely, older investors are too heavily invested in equities, according to the Wells Fargo Investment Institute.

12/01/2017

5 Pieces of Free Financial Advice You Can't Afford to Take

5 Pieces of Free Financial Advice You Can't Afford to Take

A lot of the "commonsense'' advice is why a lot of people have little or nothing set aside for retirement.

11/30/2017

Caregiving can be one of the hardest things we ever do. It’s a role that changes over time and at different life stages, from caring for a pet to a baby to an older child to an aging parent. Each of these roles comes with unique responsibilities, emotions, and financial challenges. http://bit.ly/2AFdAUe

11/29/2017

How Does Household Debt Affect Retirement? | Capital Ideas

How does household debt affect retirement? Find out more here:

Americans are taking on more debt, at earlier ages. This can have a large impact on future retirement security without advance financial planning.

11/28/2017

Mark Cuban Just Finished Reading These 4 Books to Stay at the Top of His Game

Mark Cuban Just Finished Reading These 4 Books to Stay at the Top of His Game

Cuban's brushing up on social psychology, computer science, sociology and politics.

11/24/2017

Even These Small Money Mistakes Can Jeopardize Your Retirement | Bottom Line Inc

Even These Small Money Mistakes Can Jeopardize Your Retirement

Small mistakes in retirement can jeopardize your long-term financial security. Keep your retirement on track by avoiding these common mistakes.

11/23/2017

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

11/22/2017

The Basics of Disability Income Insurance

Disability Income (DI) Insurance isn't as complex as it may sound. Watch this segment of "The Basics" to see how DI could work for you

Disability Income (DI) Insurance isn't as complex as it may sound. Watch this segment of "The Basics" to see how DI could work for you. CRN202003-157710

11/21/2017

Lack of Funds for LTC is Americans’ Greatest Fear About Aging | PLANADVISER

Only 20% have taken any step toward funding their long-term care expenses

Yet only 20% have taken any step toward funding their long-term care expenses.

11/20/2017

As families gather from far and wide to break bread over the Thanksgiving holiday, financial professionals suggest adding a less traditional topic to the conversation lineup: estate planning. http://bit.ly/2zQUasb

11/10/2017

Your savings could disappear if you don't complete this paperwork

American workers could be losing a collective $2 trillion in lost retirement savings simply by not rolling over their 401(k) savings accounts when they change jobs.

When people change jobs, their 401(k) account often gets left behind with their former employer — and that’s where the problems begin.

11/09/2017

5 Healthy-Eating Strategies That Will Outlast Any Trend

Most of us have a real desire to eat healthier, whatever our current eating habits might be like.

Most of us have a real desire to eat healthier, whatever our current eating habits might be like. We keep reading articles, joining programs, following t...

11/08/2017

Why You Need a NextGen Advisor on Your Team

Having an age-diversified team is important.

Financial Advisors need to break down NextGen Stereotypes and learn how to recruit and communicate with millennials.

11/07/2017

67% of American families surveyed say they are behind when saving for their children's higher education. http://bit.ly/2ilwios

11/06/2017

Study: Women Feel Left Behind By Advisors, Wall Street

Studies show that women are the financial decision makers in the house. So why do they feel left behind? A lack of information from their financial professional may be the reason.

According to a survey of U.S. women sponsored by New York-based roboadvisor WorthFM, most women feel underserved by the financial services industry and are wary of trusting Wall Street.

11/03/2017

Americans Worry About Going Broke In Retirement, Survey Says

Americans fear running out of money after retirement. The answer is talking about it with their family.

According to a recent study from Radnor, Penn.-based Hartford Funds, Americans worry about becoming a burden on their own children due to running out of money in retirement, but are rarely talking to their families about their plans for old age.

11/02/2017

3 Ways Life Insurance Can Help Maximize Your Retirement | Life Happens

Life insurance can open up options for you in retirement in three unique ways.

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who owns a permanent life insurance policy (or are thinking about getting one!) you’ve probably done it primarily to protect your loved ones. But over time, many of your financial obligations may have ended. That’s when your policy can take on a new life—as...

11/01/2017

What Tom Petty's choices can teach you about end-of-life care

Making arrangements for your care should something happen to you should be a crucial part of your estate plan. And the considerations extend beyond your health.

The famous rocker allegedly made provisions for a health emergency before his death. Here's how to plan for your own worst-case scenarios.

10/31/2017

Why Bill Gates says you need confidence at a young age to achieve success

Bill Gates says that you need to have confidence to be successful

Having self-confidence doesn't come easy.

10/27/2017

Lottery: Waiting for magic?

Lottery: Waiting for magic?

The odds of winning the lottery are one in 292 million. The odds you’ll need disability income insurance is one in four.

10/26/2017

5 reasons why women should be selfish…financially

5 reasons why women should be selfish…financially

Women often help their friends and family at the expense of their own financial security.

10/25/2017

Living Mutual: Songs and snapshots

How do you give back to those who saw you through the early years of life? In two recent cases, it’s as simple as a song and pictures

Two young men find creative ways to return the love they received in their childhood.