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Money and LifeStyle Blog
June 2023: Your Money Matters
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...
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Your Monthly Market Newsletter, May 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...
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February 2023: Your Money Matters
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...
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January 2023: Retirement Readiness Newsletter
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...
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You can't time the market, so focus on time IN the market
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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A Note Regarding Recent Performance
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...
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Don’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
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...
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Is Your Retirement Account as Large as it Could Be?
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...
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Does Your Retirement Plan Support Your Employees?
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.
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And the Executor is
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.
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A Note on the Yield Curve
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...
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Consumer Confidence at the Pump
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...
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Keeping it in Perspective
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...
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Our Thoughts on the Current Market Volatility
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...
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March Madness and More!
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...
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Daylight Saving – Tips to Spring Forward
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...
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A Note on the Conflict in Ukraine
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...
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How to Support Black-Owned Businesses
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...
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Keeping your eyes on the goal
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...
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Why You Should Set Up Your Online Social Security Account
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...
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4 Reasons for the Return of Market Volatility
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...
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Buying vs. Leasing a Car
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...
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A Penny Saved is Two Pennies Earned
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...
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Inflation and the Real Rate of Return
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...
Read MoreProtection Against Uninsured Drivers
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...
Read MoreWhat If You Get Audited?
“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...
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How Income Taxes Work
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...
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Keep Your Umbrella Handy
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...
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Choices for Your 401(k) at a Former Employer
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...
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Fallen Tree Damage—Who Pays?
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...
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Does Your Portfolio Fit Your Retirement Lifestyle?
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...
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Preparing for the Expected
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...
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Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
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...
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The Most Overlooked Item of Any Home Improvement
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...
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Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Insurance Rates?
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...
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Should You Borrow from Your 401(k)?
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...
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Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
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...
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Money that Buys Good Health is Never Ill Spent
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...
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Gap Insurance for Leased Cars
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...
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Errors and Omissions Insurance
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...
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A Look at Whole Life Insurance
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....
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Caring for Aging Parents
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...
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Immediate vs. Deferred Annuities
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...
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Critical Estate Documents
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...
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A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes
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...
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How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?
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...
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Is a Variable Annuity Right for Me?
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...
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The Sequence of Returns
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...
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Tax Efficiency in Retirement
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...
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Raising Healthy Children
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...
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Navigating Retirement Pitfalls
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...
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Making a Charitable Contribution
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...
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Exploring the Federal Student Grant Program
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...
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Retirement Plan Choices for Small Businesses
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...
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Diversification, Patience, and Consistency
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...
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Five Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
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...
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Choosing a Retirement Plan that Fits Your Business
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...
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Consider Keeping Your Life Insurance When You Retire
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...
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A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
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...
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Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?
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...
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Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen
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...
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Saving Early & Letting Time Work For You
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...
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Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes
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....
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Building a Solid Financial Foundation
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...
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Rebalancing Your Portfolio
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...
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Who Is Your Trusted Contact?
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,...
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Managing Money as a Couple
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...
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Managing an Inheritance
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...
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Social Security: The 64,000 Dollar Question
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...
Read MoreIt’s the Perfect Time…
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...
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Tax & Estate Strategies for Married LGBTQ+ Couples
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...
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A COLA with Your Social Security?
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...
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A Seven-Year High for Gas Prices
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...
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Inflation Outlook for 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%...
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The Fed’s Taper Rehearsal
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...
Read MoreReasons Not to Write Your Own Will
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...
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Inflation Can Be a Scary Word
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...
Read MoreChoosing an Executor for Your Will
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...
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2021 Retirement Confidence Survey
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...
Read MoreAvoid Becoming the Bank of Mom and Dad
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...
Read MoreSteps To Avoid Credit Fraud Against Children
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...
Read MoreWays to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
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,...
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Investor Sentiment Is Shifting
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...
Read MoreFive Savings Secrets
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...
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Inflation Boogeyman
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...
Read MoreIRA Rollovers for Terminated Employees
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...
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What Forces Are Driving the Housing Market?
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...
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The Whims of Wall Street
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...
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Are Americans Saving Too Much?
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...
Read MoreLast Minute Tips Before Tax Day!
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...
Read MoreDon’t Shred Those Tax Documents Yet!
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...
Read MoreCreating Your Family Legacy
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...
Read MoreLife Events that Impact your Financial Plan in a Big Way!
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,...
Read MoreDon’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
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...
Read MoreHaven’t Filed Your Taxes Yet? Don’t Worry!
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...
Read MoreAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – What’s Included?
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...
Read MoreLong-term Care Could Save Your Nest Egg
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...
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Volatility Tests Your Mettle
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...
Read MoreIs a Roth Rollover Right for You?
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....
Read MoreCashflow for the Kiddos!
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...
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SPACs Take Center Stage
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...
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Changes to Paycheck Protection
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...
Read MoreMedicare and Cancer Care
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...
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Economic Predictions: What Lies Ahead?
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...
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How Soon Might the Stimulus Arrive?
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...
Read MoreContemplating a Second Career?
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...
Read MoreDon’t Miss The March 31st Deadline For General Medicare Enrollment!
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...
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Tax Filing Season Is a Little Later This Year
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...
Read MoreI Can Help Protect You from Risk
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...
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Income Tax Checklist to Stay on Track
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...
Read More2021 Tips for Cyber Security
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...
Read MoreNewly Announced IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 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...
Read MoreProtecting an Aging Parent From Fraud
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...
Read MoreSmart Things to Do with a Year-End Bonus
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...
Read MoreWhy You Should Set Up Your Online Social Security Account
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...
Read MoreFinancial Resolutions for 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...
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Market Insights: The Year in Review
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...
Read More2020: An Unprecedented Year for Investment Markets
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...
Read MoreFinancial resolutions that are actually attainable.
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...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Stimulus Package - What's Included?
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...
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Thinking of You During the Holidays
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...
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Will the Grinch Steal Christmas?
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...
Read MoreAre you getting the most out of giving?
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...
Read MoreCritical estate planning documents you need during COVID-19
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...
Read MoreWhen was the last time you updated your beneficiaries?
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...
Read MoreFocus on Health Now – Retire Better Later
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...
Read MoreSocial Security Secrets. What do you know?
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...
Read MoreMedicare 101: Understanding the Basics
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...
Read MoreMedicare and Travel – What to be Aware of
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...
Read MoreMedicare Parts Explained
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...
Read MoreEmergency Fund vs. 401(k) – Where Not to Pull From
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...
Read MoreSmall budget investing
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...
Read MoreIt’s true: a higher income brings a higher chance of being audited
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...
Read MoreDeciphering the alphabet soup of financial terms
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...
Read MoreSaving vs investing: Two very different things!
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,...
Read MoreTo spend vs invest...that is the question!
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....
Read MoreRetirement Challenges in Current Times
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...
Read MoreEstate Planning Myths
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...
Read MoreSafe Ways to Safely Celebrate Halloween 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...
Read MoreTop Retirement Challenges for Women
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...
Read MoreThings to Know About Life Insurance
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...
Read MoreKeeping your eyes on the goal
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...
Read MoreIs Your Retirement Account as Large as it Could Be?
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...
Read MoreIRA vs. 401(k): How to Choose
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...
Read MoreInherited IRAs: Learn About The Options
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...
Read MoreActive or passive or both?
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...
Read MoreResilient Markets Bounce Back
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...
Read MoreSaving For Higher Education – What are Your Options?
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...
Read MoreCredit Card Companies Respond to COVID-19
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...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know After a Divorce
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...
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Can You Deduct Your Work From Home Expenses on Taxes?
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...
Read MoreQuestions to Ask Yourself Before a Big Purchase
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...
Read MoreDisinfecting finances during quarantine
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...
Read MoreQuarantine clean your recurring bills for better deals!
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...
Read MoreDeclutter and dust off your credit in quarantine
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...
Read MoreAre your insurance policies spotless during quarantine?
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...
Read MoreEmergency Fund vs. 401(k) – Where Not to Pull From
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...
Read MoreThe Best Moments of Life – How to Afford Them
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...
Read MoreBuild Wealth Over Time
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...
Read MoreRoth conversions in 2020 could help your retirement plan
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...
Read MoreYou can't time the market, so focus on time IN the market
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...
Read MorePlanning your finances for your family
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...
Read MoreWhere should you put your money? It depends.
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...
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30-year Home Loans Fall to Historic Lows
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...
Read MoreSavvy Investing for Savvy Women
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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