Q: When I look over my investment statement, I see my stocks and mutual funds categorized by “cap” — large-cap, small-cap, etc. Can you please explain to me what that term means? 

Q: My husband and I are planning to adopt a baby! As hopeful same-sex parents, we want to begin thinking about our short- and longer-term planning. Can you offer any thoughts to get us on the right path financially?

Q: My partner and I may wish to downsize and move to a smaller home when we retire. But we’re also very comfortable in our current home, even though it’s a bit large for our needs. How do we decide to stay or move into something smaller?

Q: My wife and I are looking to retire soon. We’ve always managed our own finances to this point, but think maybe we should seek guidance from a professional. Can you help us understand what to expect when working with an advisor?

Q: My partner and I were recently married and we have a young son. We think we should be looking to update our wills and beneficiary information on our retirement accounts, just in case. Any thoughts on where to start? 

Q: I contribute to a retirement plan at work. Within the plan, I can allocate some of my contributions to my company’s own stock. Is that a wise move?

A: Thanks for your question. Many publicly traded companies today offer their own stock as an investment option in their employee-retirement plans. Here are a few things to consider which may help you answer your question. 

Q: I’ve recently retired and will be using money from my various investment accounts to pay my expenses going forward. I have IRAs, a 401(K) and brokerage accounts. How do I know where to take money from and what it will mean for me tax-wise?

Q: My advisor talks about how my accounts are doing compared to the “benchmark,” but I’m not really sure I understand what that means. Can you please help explain this?

A: Thanks for the question. It’s good to use benchmarks to track your investments over time. I’m sure your advisor would be able to explain this to you as well, but I’m more than happy to help you get started.

Q: My partner and I are considering leaving money to some local LGBT charities by naming them as beneficiaries on our life insurance, since we don’t really need the insurance coverage anymore. Is this a good strategy? 

Q: My partner and I were recently married and are beginning to discuss buying our first home in the coming year. What information do we need to know to make this a thoughtful and hopefully enjoyable experience?

A: First, congratulations on your recent marriage and for preparing to take this next exciting step. For many people, buying their first home represents the biggest financial commitment they’ll ever make. Before making such an important decision, you should consider a variety of factors, starting with whether home ownership is right for you.