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Thursday, June 1, 2023

This month’s Your Money Matters newsletter contains a primer on how dividends work, steps for how to appeal your property tax assessment, an explanation on alternative investments, and information about socially responsible...

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Spring has Sprung, and it’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. April’s stock market was a mixed bag, with stocks ending the month higher despite several lackluster sessions. The Nasdaq managed a small...

Thursday, February 2, 2023

Our Your Money Matters Newsletter features helpful content on disability insurance, the benefits of time when you start saving early, asks the question, “Active or Passive Investing: Which Is Better?”, and notes a few...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

This month's Retirement Readiness newsletter features important questions to consider when filling your post-retirement days with purpose, choosing a retirement plan that fits your business, the role of traditional and Roth IRAs in...

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

The dream of a secure retirement, college funding, or a vacation home may be the financial “prize” you’re keeping your eyes on. But it’s hard for investors, even seasoned ones, to stay focused in the face of...

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Tuesday, May 17, 2022

We know the market has experienced some volatility lately, which may provoke some anxiety when you open your most recent statement. It can be hard to stomach seeing some red in your account! But don’t be alarmed – changes...

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

While it’s natural to look ahead to a leisurely retirement, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four...

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

When you change jobs, it’s critical to remember to create a plan for past employee-sponsored retirement accounts. While you have the choice to simply leave it, you also have the option to consolidate past plans which brings all...

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

As a business owner, it often makes sense to offer your employees a way to save for their retirement.By helping your team save for the future, you support their long-term financial goals and retirement readiness.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Recently, you may have seen some headlines talking about an “inverted yield curve” and what it may mean for the economy.  An inverted yield curve is just one indicator of the economy’s possible direction. so...

Tuesday, April 5, 2022

The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report was recently released and confirmed what economists anticipated: consumer inflation has risen 7.9% over the past year, the largest spike since 1982— none of which is a surprise for...

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

It’s easy to get excited reading the news. With all of the storm and stress of the last few years, it’s only natural to react to each ping of our phone’s news apps with a deep sigh and a cynical “what...

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

What is unfolding in Ukraine is extremely troubling. As Russia presses its military advantage, it is inspiring to see Ukrainians defending their country. And while the images of fleeing refugees and bombed-out maternity wards create...

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Are you looking forward to the longer days and warmer temps of spring?  As the excitement of college basketball playoffs goes into full swing this month, March also marks the 27th year of commemorating Women’s History...

Tuesday, March 8, 2022

The time is here again! Twice a year, we adjust our clocks and disrupt sleeping patterns, work schedules, and the balance of our day. Even though it’s only an hour, springing forward for Daylight Saving Time each March is always...

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

It’s been a difficult 24 hours, with many of us waking up to learn about the terrible events in Ukraine. You’ve likely heard about the possible second-order effects, like a skittish stock market, potential energy supply...

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Every February, Americans celebrate Black History Month. In addition to honoring the accomplishments of Black Americans past and present, many clients often ask if they can do more. The answer is yes! By supporting Black-owned...

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

As the struggle to control COVID-19 drags on, many of us experience periodic fatigue from distancing, negative headlines and future uncertainties. Staying disciplined when weary is difficult but crucial to short-term financial wellness...

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

For many of us, Social Security plays an important part in our financial plans for retirement or later stage of life. Even if you’re years away from applying for benefits, there are good reasons to set up your online Social...

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Until early 2018, stocks were enjoying their longest period without a five percent pullback in nearly 90 years.1,2 But in early February, that calm came to a sudden and decisive end, as the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell...

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Some people approach buying a car like they approach marriage, “‘til death do us part.” Others prefer to keep their options open, trading in every few years for the latest make and model, the most cutting-edge...

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

The famous saying from Poor Richard’s Almanack is frequently misquoted. It was published by founder Benjamin Franklin in 1737: “A penny saved is two pence clear.” Finding ways to manage expenses is one of...

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power...

Friday, December 3, 2021

About 12.6 percent of all motorists, or one-in-eight drivers, do not have automobile insurance, according to the Insurance Research Council.¹ Having the misfortune to get into an accident with an uninsured motorist may have...

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

“Audit” is a word that can strike fear into the hearts of taxpayers. However, the chances of an Internal Revenue Service audit aren’t that high. Between 2010 and 2018, the IRS only audited 0.6% of all individual tax...

Friday, November 26, 2021

The Internal Revenue Service estimates that taxpayers and businesses spend about 8 billion hours a year complying with tax-filing requirements. To put this into perspective, if all this work were done by a single company, it would need...

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

In 2020, the U.S. had a record 22 million millionaires, up from 20.2 million in the previous year. An increase in personal wealth may bring greater financial flexibility; it may also bring greater liability. Individuals with high net...

Friday, November 19, 2021

One of the common threads of a mobile workforce is that many individuals who leave their job are faced with a decision about what to do with their 401(k) account.¹ Individuals have four choices with the 401(k) account they accrued...

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

As a homeowner, are you responsible for the damage caused by a tree on your property that hits your neighbor’s home or other insured structure, such as a garage or shed? In most cases, the answer is “no.” When such...

Friday, November 12, 2021

Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own...

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

As Teddy Roosevelt once observed, “Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you've got to start young.”1 The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing...

Friday, November 5, 2021

The growth of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been explosive. In 2002, there were only 102; by 2020, there were over 7,000 investing in a wide range of stocks, bonds, and other securities and instruments.1 At first glance, ETFs have a...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

If you are like most homeowners, you love selecting the fixtures, fabrics, and paint colors of your home improvement project. But there is one very important item that you may overlook—making certain you are properly insured. WHY...

Friday, October 29, 2021

One landmark study found that credit-based insurance scores are used by about 95 percent of all auto and home insurers in calculating the cost of insurance to individuals.¹ While the vast majority of insurance companies use...

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The average household with credit card debt had a balance of $7,149 in 2020. For the average household carrying credit card debt as of September 2020, this equates to an annual interest of $1,155. With the average credit card annual...

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

INFORMATION VS. INSTINCT. When it comes to investing, many people believe they have a “knack” for choosing good investments. But what exactly is that “knack” based on? The fact is, the choices we make with our...

Friday, October 15, 2021

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average person covered by Medicare has out-of-pocket medical expenses in excess of $5,400 a year. Premium costs accounted for 42% of the total, while long-term facility costs, medical...

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

One of the attractions of leasing a car is that it generally requires a much smaller upfront outlay of cash compared to what purchasing a car might require. This preference to minimize an upfront cash payment may mean that some...

Friday, October 8, 2021

Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance has many names. For some healthcare professionals, it's called malpractice insurance. For lawyers, it may be called professional liability insurance. Whatever name it goes by, E&O insurance is...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Whole life insurance is designed to remain in force for your whole life, as long as you remain current with your premiums. In exchange for fixed premiums, the insurance company promises to pay a set benefit when the policyholder dies....

Friday, October 1, 2021

Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 65 is growing. In the past decade, the population of Americans aged 65 and older has grown 35%, and is expected to reach 94.7 million in...

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Despite not being as well known as some other retirement tools, annuities account for 7% of all assets earmarked for retirement. With about $2.5 trillion in assets, annuities hold more funds than Roth IRAs.1 An annuity is a contract...

Friday, September 24, 2021

FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS Joint Ownership Durable Power of Attorney Living Trust What does it do? Enables you to own property jointly with another person Authorizes someone to handle legal and financial decisions if you become incapacitated...

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

WHEN YOU LOSE A SPOUSE, PARTNER, OR PARENT, THE GRIEF CAN BE OVERWHELMING. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in recognition of this reality, here is a...

Friday, September 17, 2021

In a recent survey, 68% of current workers stated they plan to work for pay after retiring.1 And that possibility raises an interesting question: how will working affect Social Security benefits? The answer to that question requires an...

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

For the casual observer, it sometimes seems that variable annuities are either “terrible” or “wonderful.” Commentators in the financial media seem to occupy a polarity of opinions we might see in politics. What...

Friday, September 10, 2021

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE “SEQUENCE OF RETURNS”? The phrase describes the yearly variation in an investment portfolio’s rate of return. But what kind of impact do these deviations from the average return have on a...

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

WILL YOU PAY HIGHER TAXES IN RETIREMENT? It’s possible. But that will largely depend on how you generate income. Will it be from working? Will it be from retirement plans? And if it does come from retirement plans, it’s...

Friday, September 3, 2021

One of the greatest legacies any parent can give a child is a framework for living an enduring healthy lifestyle. It is hard to underestimate the power parents have on their children’s development, which is why parenting is such...

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Much is written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Some classic financial missteps have been known to plague retirees, too.Publish Calling them...

Friday, August 27, 2021

Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want to consider donating those shares to charity rather than selling them. Donating appreciated securities to a tax-qualified charity...

Tuesday, August 24, 2021

You may have heard of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if you or someone you know has plans to attend a college, career school, or university. Last year, over 60% of high school seniors submitted a FAFSA to the...

Friday, August 20, 2021

As a small-business owner, figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating. How do you pick the most appropriate retirement plan for your business as well as your employees? There are a number of choices when creating...

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: DIVERSIFICATION. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over...

Friday, August 13, 2021

Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to? While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Let’s take a quick look at the five...

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

If you have yet to develop a retirement plan for your business, or if you're not sure the plan you've chosen is the right one, here are some things to consider. HOW MUCH CAN MY BUSINESS AFFORD TO CONTRIBUTE? The cost of contributions...

Friday, August 6, 2021

DO YOU NEED A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY IN RETIREMENT? One school of thought questions this decision. Perhaps your kids have grown, and the need to help protect the household against the loss of an income-earner has passed. If you are...

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Chris Rock once remarked, “You don’t pay taxes – they take taxes.”1 That applies not only to income, but also to capital gains. Capital gains result when an individual sells an investment for an amount greater...

Friday, July 30, 2021

Interest in making an impact with one’s investments has grown in recent years, which means many investors may have an increased interest in environmentally or socially focused investments as well. In fact, impact investments...

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

Want to give your child or grandchild a financial head start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. Read on to learn more about how doing this may benefit both of you. RULES FOR SETTING UP A ROTH IRA. If your teen has an earned...

Friday, July 23, 2021

AS A YOUNG INVESTOR, YOU HAVE A POWERFUL ALLY ON YOUR SIDE: TIME. When you start investing in your twenties or thirties for retirement, you can put it to work for you. THE POWER OF COMPOUNDING. Many people underestimate it, so it is...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

HOW DO YOU PICTURE YOUR FUTURE? Some see retirement as a time to start a new career. Others see it as a time to travel. Still others plan to spend more time with family and friends. With that in mind, here are some things to consider....

Friday, July 16, 2021

When you read about money matters, you may see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? TO SOME, WHEN YOUR FINANCIAL “HOUSE IS IN ORDER,” IT MEANS IT IS BUILT ON A SOLID...

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a good thing. Over time, the...

Friday, July 9, 2021

INVESTMENT FIRMS HAVE A CLIENT SERVICE FEATURE THAT MAY BE A BENEFIT TO CERTAIN INVESTORS. They will ask you whether you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1 You do not have to supply this information,...

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your life changes—and your approach to managing your money may change as well. The good news is it’s usually not so difficult. At some point, you will have to ask...

Friday, July 2, 2021

INHERITING WEALTH CAN BE A BURDEN AND A BLESSING. Even if you have an inclination that a family member may remember you in their last will and testament, there are many facets to the process of inheritance that you may not have...

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits. This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in...

Friday, June 25, 2021

Summer brings the perfect time for BBQs with friends, fun in the sun, and making memories at the beach or pool. With the first half of the year in the rearview mirror, summer also gives us a chance to perform a mid-year assessment on...

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate strategizing for married LGBTQ+ couples. If you are filing a joint tax return for this year or are considering updating your estate strategy, here are some...

Friday, June 18, 2021

If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022.Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in Social...

Tuesday, June 15, 2021

Over Memorial Day weekend, gasoline prices hit the highest for this holiday weekend since 2014.1With the Colonial Pipeline outage in the rear-view mirror and an ever-increasing number of adults vaccinated, formerly cooped-up motorists...

Friday, June 11, 2021

As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news attention as of late. Consumer prices are rising amidst economic recovery. In fact, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8%...

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

The talk is of tapering, and it’s making investors nervous.The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its April meeting last week. The report suggested that should the economy continue to make progress, it...

Friday, June 4, 2021

Ever considered writing your own will? While you can draft a will on your own, there are plenty of reasons why you may not want to go that route. Most people do it to save money, but they may overlook or forget to take care of some...

Friday, May 28, 2021

Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my income may stay the same.”The most recent reading on consumer prices put inflation back into the conversation. The...

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Most of us recognize the importance of creating a thorough, well-reasoned estate plan. But, we may not give adequate thought to choosing the right executor to carry out the provisions of our wills. It’s a responsibility that...

Friday, May 21, 2021

Will your retirement dreams match your reality?That's perhaps the most critical question to ask people who are currently retired. Was your retirement what you expected, or was it something else?For more than 30 years, the Employee...

Tuesday, May 18, 2021

You spend your whole life raising your children to be self-sufficient. You give them your time, your love, and your money to set them up for success. So, what do you do when your now-adult-child asks for financial aid?As more baby...

Friday, May 14, 2021

We know how devastating being the victim of fraud can be. When it comes to protecting credit, most people only consider taking precautions for adults. But many victims of identity theft crimes are children. Why? Their credit typically...

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

Saving money is a bit like eating healthy, you know you should eat your veggies but it’s hard to resist indulging in something a bit more fun. Like making healthy choices, a tax refund can present the opportunity to splurge but,...

Friday, May 7, 2021

A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1There are many reasons for this change, but here are a few of the most...

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Are you saving for the future?People often come to me asking for financial advice. Some want to know how to invest or diversify the money they’ve saved, but others admit to me they’re just not sure how to save. If...

Friday, April 30, 2021

Inflation has emerged as one of the top financial concerns for investors as they size up the economy for the rest of the year.According to research by Deutsche Bank, Google searches for “inflation” are rising rapidly and...

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Have you been let go at work? What happens to the money you have saved in your employee retirement plan?If you have been terminated by your employer, you have 4 choices when it comes to your retirement plan money:Cash it out (and lose...

Friday, April 23, 2021

Recently, you may have seen reports that a record-low number of homes are available for sale—roughly 1.03 million nationwide. If you compare that to the average number of homes for sale during the past 10 years, it's no surprise...

Tuesday, April 20, 2021

It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street.Lately, the financial markets have been fixated on federal taxes and what may be proposed on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead.Wall Street’s focus on...

Friday, April 16, 2021

Among the many changes arising from the pandemic, one of the most noticeable was a change in American spending habits.A survey released in March 2021 by Pew Research shows that Americans have increasingly chosen to put away what extra...

Tuesday, April 13, 2021

The day is coming, Tax Day! This year, the tax deadline has been extended to May 17th due to the ongoing pandemic. The IRS permits contributions to specific accounts for the 2020 tax year before filing, so you can utilize the extra...

Friday, April 9, 2021

Once you complete this year’s taxes, you may wonder what to do with that pile of records, 1099s, receipts, and bank statements. The IRS recommends holding on to any documents related to the income you’re reporting or any...

Tuesday, April 6, 2021

While creating an estate plan is a common part of a financial plan, creating a family legacy is equally as important when thinking about how you want the wealth you’ve built to be distributed. In addition to including your...

Friday, April 2, 2021

When you have a major life event such as getting married, having a child, or buying a home, your financial situation and priorities may change. As your life changes, your financial decisions must stay in line with your goals, values,...

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

While it’s natural to look ahead to a leisurely retirement, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four...

Friday, March 26, 2021

Preparing your taxes can be a real drag. It can feel like tax day looms over your spring! Well, fear not: the IRS has given you another month to file your taxes!The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service has announced that...

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

One year into the global pandemic, President Biden has signed into action a new $1.9 trillion stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan Act. It’s designed to help the American people continue to recover from the...

Friday, March 19, 2021

During our working years, many of us have access to an employer-sponsored health insurance plan either through our own job or our spouse’s job. But when it comes to retirement, we typically rely on Medicare and Medicare...

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Most people understand that stock prices don't go straight up. But when market volatility increases, the price action can test the mettle of even the most seasoned investor.In recent weeks, stock prices have trended lower with a few...

Friday, March 12, 2021

The current tax environment and impact on household income due to COVID-19 has increased opportunity for Roth conversions. Roth conversions can be a great tool for reducing future tax liability because of their tax-free distributions....

Tuesday, March 9, 2021

We always hope our clients feel confident discussing money with their families. The truth is, talking about money can be uncomfortable! Where do you begin? What’s the right age? The good news is, it’s never too early to...

Friday, March 5, 2021

The acronym “SPAC” is showing up more often these days because there is some big money behind the revitalized investment approach.SPAC stands for Special Purpose Acquisition Company, and they are sometimes referred to as...

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

On Monday, Feb. 22, the White House announced several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that went into effect on Wednesday, Feb. 24. These changes are intended to further target “the smallest businesses and those...

Friday, February 26, 2021

While we all hope its something that will never affect us personally, cancer is a worry to all who are impacted by it. Along with the anguish of being diagnosed with cancer, many patients are also hit with major medical bills for...

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in...

Friday, February 19, 2021

While many in the United States are beginning to receive vaccinations and people are starting to foresee a life after COVID-19, it remains clear that things aren’t yet back to normal. As a result, there has been a great deal of...

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

As you think toward your retirement dreams, they could certainly include visions of travel, relaxation, and family. But retirement often looks different today than it once did. With second careers becoming more and more popular, one...

Friday, February 12, 2021

We wanted to send along a reminder that the General Open Enrollment Period to apply for Medicare Part A and/or Part B is January 1 through March 31, 2021. Coverage for those who do enroll will begin July 1, 2021.Most people enroll in...

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax season will start a little later than usual. This year the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax returns on Friday, February 12, 2021.1In light of the December...

Friday, February 5, 2021

Here’s a difficult question: What would your family do without you? If you were no longer around, would they have enough to survive and move forward? Many people think financial professionals only specialize in investment...

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Tax time is upon us and that means gathering all of your documents needed and getting them in one place to make filing your taxes as easy as possible. We thought it would be helpful to send along this handy checklist to help with that...

Friday, January 29, 2021

As we’ve seen, data breaches, such as the Russian-based SolarWinds attack that was announced late last year, can have major impact on online security. In light of these recent data breaches, we wanted to send along some tips to...

Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Each fall the Treasury Department announces inflation adjustments to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and income limits for the following tax year. They recently announced contribution limits and changes for the 2021 tax year.For...

Friday, January 22, 2021

When you were young, your parent most likely warned you not to trust strangers. As your parent grows older, it’s time to return the favor. Seniors are frequent targets for financial scams, many have considerable assets and...

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

If you are anticipating an annual bonus this year, it’s wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash before it comes so you can get the most benefit from it. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit...

Friday, January 15, 2021

For many of us, Social Security plays an important part in our financial plans for retirement or later stage of life. Even if you’re years away from applying for benefits, there are good reasons to set up your online Social...

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

We wish you a happy new year! Despite a crazy year or perhaps because of it, many Americans will be making financial resolutions for 2021. If you’d like to put some of this year’s focus on financial goals but haven’t...

Friday, January 8, 2021

Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased...

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

The year of 2020 will forever be remembered as the year of the pandemic. As we continue to navigate the new “normal” we look back at the unprecedented investment market reactions to COVID-19.Please see the attached annual...

Friday, January 1, 2021

We wish you a very happy new year! As we close in on year-end, a common topic of conversation amongst friends and family is what resolutions they vow to make in the new year. One of the top kind of resolutions deal with finances in...

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides greater unemployment benefits and additional stimulus payments to individuals and families, as well as more...

Thursday, December 24, 2020

For many of us, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. For some, it’s brought hardships that have tested the hardiest of souls. For others, it has brought unspeakable loss.Yet, we press on, and as we do, we may be surprised to...

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

The start of the holiday shopping season can provide important clues about the economy's state and, more importantly, overall consumer confidence. So far, the results have been a “mixed bag” with empty malls and busy...

Friday, December 18, 2020

Making charitable contributions is a great way to help people in need while maximizing tax benefits, creating a win-win. Contributions made to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations can shrink taxable income, saving hard-earned cash...

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

As we continue to brave the impact of the pandemic, estate planning is a topic on many people’s minds. With the uncertainties we are all facing, now is good time to review your estate planning documents and/or ensure you have...

Friday, December 11, 2020

Insurance. We all hope to not need it, but wouldn’t want to be without it if we do. Car insurance… health insurance… life insurance… home insurance… you probably have most – if not all – of...

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

When we think about retirement planning, we usually focus on the obvious: money. Maximizing contributions. Minimizing taxes. Diversifying accounts and assets. But even the best financial planning can be undermined by the unexpected...

Friday, December 4, 2020

For all the discussion surrounding Social Security – on the news, online, at cocktail parties – there are more than a few obscure features of the program that fly under the radar, and that can impact your...

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

One of the biggest decisions to make in retirement is ensuring you have the health care coverage you need, when you need it. Medicare can be a complicated program to navigate and as you approach the time in which you can begin...

Friday, November 27, 2020

Retirement evokes different dreams for everyone, but for many, travel is part of the image. If travel is part of your retirement vision, before you leave town, it’s important be aware of whether Medicare coverage will...

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Medicare can be complicated to sort through, there are many options and choices available to suit different needs. To make it simpler, the program has been broken down into four basic parts. As you think about how Medicare will cover...

Friday, November 20, 2020

The number one goal in preparing for retirement is to accumulate wealth over time, and there are many tips and tricks to navigating your saving years that can maximize your money and minimize risk. One of these is to create an...

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

If you want to start investing but don’t think you have enough funds, you’re not alone…but you may in fact be mistaken! The size of your portfolio 20, 30 or 40 years from now won’t be reflective of how much you...

Friday, November 13, 2020

It often seems like those with money have it all, right? Yes, having ample financial resources can certainly make life easier. But there are some headaches associated with having a high income or net worth, too. Specifically, those...

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

If you’re new to investing or know someone who is, chances are you’ll start and then immediately feel like you’re drowning in the vocabulary alone. And I’m not just referring to the hundreds of financial...

Friday, November 6, 2020

Saving vs. Investing…it’s often the first choice investors have to make when they decide it’s time to get serious about their financial futures. But because I hear these two words used interchangeably so frequently,...

Tuesday, November 3, 2020

When I get into conversations with people who are thinking about investing but haven’t quite made the commitment, I find that the most common reason they give for waiting is that they don’t have the money to get started....

Friday, October 30, 2020

Preparing for retirement is complex for many reasons. With improved medical care, a person retiring today at typical retirement age may need their savings to last 30 years or more, making it necessary for retirement funds to sustain a...

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Estate planning can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of financial planning, however, it’s a vital part to ensure your assets and family are protected. Unfortunately, common myths convince many they don’t need to...

Friday, October 23, 2020

The countdown to Halloween is officially on! Bags of candy fill the store shelves and scary costumes are flooding aisles. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Halloween may need to look a little different this year to keep your family and...

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

One of the biggest financial challenges women often face is preparing for and having enough saved for retirement years. There are numerous reasons why these challenges exist, but through continued awareness and planning those...

Friday, October 16, 2020

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it a good time to review things you may not know about life insurance, such as:Policies differ widely. Term life insurance pays out a death benefit if you die within the specified...

Tuesday, October 13, 2020

As the struggle to control COVID-19 drags on, many of us experience periodic fatigue from distancing, negative headlines and future uncertainties. Staying disciplined when weary is difficult but crucial to short-term financial...

Friday, October 9, 2020

When you change jobs, it’s critical to remember to create a plan for past employee sponsored retirement accounts. While you have the choice to simply leave it, you also have the option to consolidate past plans which brings all...

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

We know, at times, that retirement decisions can be confusing and there is substantial information surrounding the investment vehicles that can be utilized to reach your retirement goals. We thought we’d send along some...

Friday, October 2, 2020

Navigating the death of a close family member can be difficult to endure. When a loved one is lost, the first thoughts likely won’t be about what to do with their IRA. But for beneficiaries, it is important to make wise...

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

There’s a great debate raging about what style of investment management is better, active or passive. And if you ask 10 different financial professionals, you could get 10 different answers. So first, let’s understand the...

Friday, September 25, 2020

There’s an old saying, “May you live in interesting times,” and we sure have.Sometimes “interesting” means inspiring and wonderful, but other times, it can be downright scary. Even scarier is when those...

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

Over the last four decades, the price of a college education has grown disproportionately to other costs. Inflation set aside, college cost has more than doubled since the 1960's and college costs have gone up by more than 50% for...

Friday, September 18, 2020

In these unique times, many have experienced some form of economic challenge and altered lifestyle due to health and financial concerns. To assist with these hardships, companies are coming up with new ways to help those who may need...

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

For so many reasons, going through a divorce is not easy. The challenges associated with ending a marriage are many, ranging from the legal to the practical to the emotional. As with any complex situation, understanding the steps that...

Friday, September 11, 2020

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has kept countless people working from home for months now. Many have been wondering whether they should consider claiming the home office deduction on taxes next year so we thought we’d pass along...

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

At some point in life, you’ll be in the market to buy something that costs big bucks. No matter the purchase, sometimes the decision can be hard to make. Here are three things you should ask yourself before you spend your...

Friday, September 4, 2020

How many hours have you spent at home sheltering in place because of the global coronavirus pandemic? It’s not very exciting to sit around inside, but all this social distancing does open up a convenient opportunity to review...

Monday, August 31, 2020

What are some of your favorite spring cleaning rituals? With so much time at home because of the global coronavirus pandemic, houses may be cleaner than ever this year. But don’t stop at sweeping up the house! Cleaning up...

Friday, August 28, 2020

Many of us have been sheltering in place for so long that we forget what day it is (Blursday, anyone?). You might feel helpless being stuck at home so much, but there are ways to make good use of this time and impact your finances in...

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Since the global pandemic has given many of us more free time on our hands than usual, you might want to use this time at home to review your insurance policies, like life and homeowners’ coverage. These types of products are...

Friday, August 21, 2020

The number one goal in preparing for retirement is to accumulate wealth over time, and there are many tips and tricks to navigating your saving years that can maximize your money and minimize risk. One of these is to create an...

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

As you enter each new phase of your life, milestones such as marriage, buying a home and having kids will impact you financially and inevitably affect how much money you can put toward retirement. While these new expenses can be...

Friday, August 14, 2020

There are many different strategies that can be used to take full advantage of investing opportunities and help you reach your financial goals; one such strategy is called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). Dollar Cost Averaging is...

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

2020 may be a year that none of us ever forgets, for many reasons. But here’s one positive: Roth IRAs can be particularly beneficial for financial planning in the current tax and economic environment. A major incentive for...

Friday, August 7, 2020

The dream of a secure retirement, college funding, or a vacation home may be the financial “prize” you’re keeping your eyes on. But it’s hard for investors, even seasoned ones, to stay focused in the face of...

Tuesday, August 4, 2020

When you have a family, life can be very full. Between a house, a job, a spouse, kids, and the rigors of everyday life, it can be hard to fit in everything that’s important to you.But finding some balance is critical, especially...

Friday, July 31, 2020

Clients and friends ask all the time where they should put their money. That’s a great question, and it would be even better if there were a one-size-fits-all answer. Unfortunately, though, market performance is fickle. The same...

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020, there may be some potential good news on the horizon. On July 16, 2020, the interest rate for a 30-year...

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

As a woman, you’re expected to manage more than your share. When you’re growing up in your family, you’re more likely to have to help out with chores and household responsibilities than a brother might be…on...

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