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In this five-part series, Merrill Edge answers your pressing questions about financial planning. Read on for Part 1.

• Unexpected, costly events can happen at any moment, making it difficult for even the “best” planners to adapt to. What can I do to better prepare financially for any unplanned expenses?         

If you have not yet established a financial safety net, or emergency fund, to give yourself a “soft...

As we head into the school year, college is front-of-mind for many students and parents. Jessica Sharkey, of Sharkey College Consulting, educates students, informs parents and guides families through each step of the college admission process. Here, she provides helpful tips for those embarking on their college search and how to make it a fun, stress-free time for all those involved.

AFM: How can a student and family make the college search an...

There’s a lot of gatekeeping – when people take it upon themselves to prevent access to a community or identity – when it comes to our phones. You’ve probably seen the memes shared on Facebook and other sites complaining how people are glued to their phones instead of being in the moment.

This article is a rebuttal on that mode of thinking.

A cell phone is so common nowadays that we often forget the dos and don’ts associated with cell phone useage. We have endless possibilities in our hands; we can play games, send a tweet, or snap a photo in a matter of seconds. With all this new technology, it’s often easy to forget that face-to-face interaction is more important than a conversation on a cell phone.

“All in all, a [cell phone] is atempting distraction for many users. Knowing these portable devices have endless features, it’s important to resist the urge to disconnect with reality. Although useful and necessary, cellphones don’t compete with...