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6 Ways to Organize Your Wealth and Prepare for a Confident Retirement
Learn how to organize your finances, maximize retirement accounts, and plan for taxes with these six essential wealth‑planning ideas.
Read MoreDon’t Leave Your Estate Planning Up to Chance
Learn how a complete estate plan safeguards your assets, simplifies taxes, and preserves your family’s future. Get professional guidance and a free checklist.
Read MoreTurning Fortune into Financial Freedom: A Beneficiary’s Guide to Handling an Inheritance
Inheriting comes with many emotions, from sadness to confusion to perhaps even joy or relief. An inheritance can take various forms, such as cash, properties, stocks, bonds, property, or other assets.
Read MoreSandwich Generation: Watch Out for These Costly Financial Pitfalls
The sandwich generation is generally defined as middle-aged individuals aged 40 to 60 (Generation X) sandwiched between aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren. Because members of the sandwich generation have been in the...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Downsizing Checklist Before Retiring
By focusing on goals and priorities, you can create a new, simplified lifestyle. As retirement approaches, many older adults consider downsizing their home as a way to simplify their lives, reduce expenses, and focus on what truly matters.
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A Public Servant's Roadmap to a Confident Retirement
Public servants may face unusual challenges and opportunities when it comes to planning for retirement. On the one hand, public service positions usually pay less than the same types of work in the private sector.
Read MoreTake a Swing at Investing Like a Golfer
Golfing and investing may not seem to share much common ground at first glance. But the more you think about it, a successful golfer and a successful investor share a number of traits.
Read MoreHow to Navigate Buying a Home During High Inflation
With rising housing prices and interest rates, you may feel pressured to jump on the carousel to avoid being left behind. However, a home is one of the most expensive purchases most Americans will make, and you don't want to rush.
Read MoreCash as an Investment: Navigating the Changing Landscape Amid Future Fed Rate Cuts
For investors, cash and cash-like investments have been unusually attractive over the past two years, offering a safe haven with surprisingly robust returns.
Read MoreMay Client Letter
After a strong first quarter for stocks, some April showers rained down as the S&P 500 fell about 4% last month. Hopefully those showers will bring some flowers in May, despite the widely cited stock market adage, “Sell in May and go away.”
Read MoreBenefits of Early Tax Planning With a Financial Professional
Tax planning is a crucial component of personal finance and a vital component of your overall financial planning. Failing to consider tax planning could result in missed opportunities for tax savings and other tax opportunities.
Read MoreOpportunities & Challenges in This Labor Market
Tips to focus on financial resilience, personal development, and planning. For young professionals, the current economic climate presents a unique mix of opportunities and challenges.
Read MoreTips for Navigating Inflation as a Small Business Owner
Small business owners face many challenges, which may become even more significant during inflation. As inflation hit new highs in recent years, small business owners are being tested and challenged by high costs and high interest rates.
Read MoreApril Client Letter
The first quarter is in the books, and it was an excellent one for stocks. The S&P 500 index rode a resilient U.S. economy, easing inflation, rising corporate profits, and anticipation of summertime rate cuts from the Federal Reserve (Fed)
Read MoreAn Estate Planning Guide for Beginners
Estate planning is a comprehensive process that involves organizing your assets and making informed decisions concerning how your wealth will be handled before and after death. It is a critical phase of wealth management.
Read MoreKey Benefits of Working With a Financial Professional
Whether you wonder about your investments’ rates of return or are concerned that your financial affairs are a bit too complicated for your next of kin to handle, it may be time to seek advice from a financial professional.
Read MoreThe Importance of Choosing the Right Life Insurance Policy for Your Retirement Years
Life insurance has its benefits, and choosing a manageable life insurance policy is a critical step in your retirement planning. It can help your family cover end-of-life expenses, funeral and burial costs, and pay for estate taxes.
Read MoreThe Basics of the 401(k)
Most often, the first question a prospective employee will ask is about your company’s benefit program. And in my experience, the two most often-asked questions are about health insurance and an employer-sponsored retirement program.
Read MoreMarch Client Letter
As spring approaches, the weather is starting to warm up. For the stock market, the temperature has been rising for a while now. In fact, since December 2023, the S&P 500 has not experienced a pullback of even 2%.
Read More5 Handy Tools and Resources for Building Financial Literacy
Increasing your financial literacy may allow you to make better decisions about your money and your financial future. Many great resources are available to get you started on the path to financial literacy and to expand your knowledge.
Read More401(k) Options for Small Business Owners
Regardless of the business's size, small business owners have 401(k) retirement savings plan options that may be suitable for their situation. Business owners must plan for retirement by utilizing retirement savings vehicles that may...
Read MoreRetirement Planning: A Map to Changes in 2024
Navigating these demands an adaptable approach to planning your finances As we kick off 2024, the world of retirement planning is undergoing a fairly significant transformation, as tax brackets, retirement contribution limits, estate...
Read MoreLuck of the Investor: Making Your Own Luck on St. Patrick's Day
As Samuel Goldwyn once said, "The harder I work…the luckier I get!" 1 But when it comes to investing, luck may play a huge role in outcomes—no matter how hard you work.2 Below, we discuss some ways that luck may...
Read MoreWomen’s History Month: Advising Women
Financial professionals need to address the special financial concerns of women Women’s History Month has its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed and authorized a resolution and requested the President...
Read MoreAvoid the Two-Income Trap
Asking questions and planning will give you both peace of mind Combining love, lives and laundry is one thing. Combining your money is another. Newly married couples who both work would do well to think about what to do with two...
Read MoreFebruary Client Letter
Stocks are off to a solid start in 2024. January gains are particularly enjoyable because of the old adage from the Stock Trader’s Almanac, “As goes January, so goes the year.”
Read MoreBack to Basics with Budgeting
Sitting down to figure out your budget can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know where to start or what you’re specifically budgeting for. The following tips offer simple ideas to help you get your finances on...
Read More5 Valentine's Day Gifts that Grow in Value Over Time
Valentine's Day is one of the biggest holidays for romance and for lavishing gifts on that special someone in your life. While flowers and chocolates may be the most common gifts exchanged on that day, why not consider a gift that may...
Read More5 Ways Senior Citizens Can Invest Their Savings
Even if you are already retired, it doesn't mean you should stop trying to grow your savings. Inflation, unexpected medical bills, and changes to your lifestyle or family may result in the need for additional income than you initially...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Role and Tasks of an Executor
An executor of an estate or trust plays a pivotal role in the legal system, especially when dealing with the responsibilities and tasks related to a deceased person's property and financial matters. The executor acts as the manager and...
Read MoreJanuary Client Letter
Read our January 2024 Client Letter to stay up to date on all things financial. Stocks defied the skeptics in a very unpredictable 2023....Read More.
Read MoreHow to Recognize and Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft
When you hear the term identity theft, the first thought that comes to mind may involve a data breach or opening a credit card in someone else's name. But another common type of identity theft involves the use of someone's Social...
Read More5 Tax Benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance
Kitty O’Neill Collings, an American politician and pioneer in the area of international diplomacy, civil liberties, and social justice, once quipped, “Aging seems to be the only available way to live a long life.”...
Read MoreTax Tips Every Married Couple Should Know
Getting married is a joyous time, but one that comes with numerous considerations. From living arrangements to future goals, marriage may quickly change a lot of things in your life. One thing that may drastically change after your...
Read MoreFinancial Resolutions for Small Business Owners
The new year is fast approaching, and it is a good time for small business owners to make some financial resolutions to help lead them toward a solid financial path. Whether your business is just starting or you have been running it...
Read MoreRinging in the New Year in Your Golden Years
Whether you are just entering your golden years or are already several years in, setting goals to stay on track and maintain your health, happiness, and finances is essential. So why not use the New Year's holiday to make goals resolutions?
Read MoreA Look at Tax Planning for Retirement
After years of saving and planning for their golden years, many people nearing retirement fail to consider the tax burden they may face on income they receive after they stop working.
Read MoreDecember 2023 Client Letter
Check out our latest client letter to stay up to date on what's happening in the financial markets. Increasing confidence in a soft landing for the U.S. economy has shifted the focus away from rate hikes and toward eventual cuts...
Read MoreWriting a Business Plan for a Small Business
Running a business without a written business plan is like heading out on a cross-country trip without a map or GPS. Although you may be able to make it to your destination, you may spend far more time and money navigating through problems.
Read MoreUnderstanding Charitable Giving
Charitable giving is a great way to support your community, make an impact, or leave a legacy while receiving tax benefits for giving. If you choose to give and find an organization you’re passionate about.
Read MoreThe Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How To Mitigate Them
In the realm of estate planning, the ripple effects of our oversights often linger long after we're gone, impacting the lives of those we leave behind. It’s the uniqueness of this area of planning that makes it paramount to get...
Read MoreCreating Your Perfect Retirement Recipe
Although achieving your financial goals is more challenging than following a step-by-step recipe, a few common ingredients and preparation methods may help improve your ability to manage financial resources. Here is one recipe for a...
Read MoreUnderstanding Capital Gains Taxes and Planning
It’s not just about how much money you make, but how much you keep Capital gains taxes might sound like a complex financial term reserved for Wall Street tycoons, but in reality, they touch most investors and many homeowners....
Read MoreSocial Security Benefits Set to Increase in 2024
Proper financial planning includes forecasting future Social Security benefits In a welcome development for millions of Americans relying on Social Security, the Social Security Administration has recently announced a substantial...
Read More5 Expensive Long-Term Care Planning Mistakes to Avoid
The vast majority of Americans need long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people over age 65 may need some long-term care during their lives.1 Unfortunately, planning for long-term care...
Read MoreTips to Navigate Tax Filing Season and the IRS
Be proactive and follow these steps to ensure accuracy and compliance Tax filing season can be a stressful time for many individuals. Dealing with the IRS and ensuring compliance with tax regulations can seem daunting. However, with...
Read MoreFinancial Planning Tips for Newlyweds
Starting your life together as a newlywed couple comes with many new responsibilities and opportunities, including creating a solid financial foundation for your future. Here are some essential financial planning tips to help you...
Read MoreBaby Boomers Are Overestimating Social Security
Tips to ensure that Social Security assumptions don’t derail your retirement The Social Security system has long been a cornerstone of retirement planning, providing a safety net for millions of Americans who have paid into the...
Read MoreNavigating the 4 Phases of Retirement
Retirement seems like a long way off, but it arrives faster than you think. The big question is, are you ready? What exactly does retirement entail? Analysts suggest there are four designated phases of retirement that a person often...
Read MoreAn Essential Guide to Estate Planning Preparedness
A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...
Read MoreTax Planning Tips: Life Insurance
Understanding the importance of life insurance is one thing. Understanding the tax rules is quite another. As insurance products have evolved and become more sophisticated, the line separating insurance vehicles from investment...
Read MoreSoaring Temps and Tips to Cool Off Your Portfolio
Ensure your investments don’t overheat in this scorching stock market run Much of the United States and many parts around the world are grappling with a massive heat wave that is sending day-time temperatures to all-time records...
Read MoreThe Great Wealth Transfer and Generation X
A call to action for Generation X to improve their retirement readiness For many members of Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, a comfortable retirement may feel like an increasingly distant dream. Despite being in their...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Downsizing Checklist Before Retiring
By focusing on goals and priorities, you can create a new, simplified lifestyle As retirement approaches, many older adults consider downsizing their home as a way to simplify their lives, reduce expenses, and focus on what truly...
Read MoreConducting a Midyear Financial Checkup
As we’ve just passed the midpoint of the year, now is the perfect time to assess your financial well-being by conducting a review.Just like a routine health checkup can ensure your physical health, a financial checkup can help...
Read More3 Ways Planning For Retirement is Like Planning For Summer
Retirement planning can take time and effort – but just as you wouldn't embark on the vacation of a lifetime without doing a bit of preliminary research, you also don't want to leap into retirement without a plan.
Read MoreSmall Business Owners: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Financial Independence
Being a small business owner can be rewarding but also may bring a lot of stress. You may be experiencing the pressures of trying to grow your company while providing a solid future for your employees. On top of all that, you will also...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom, Market Volatility, and You
If recent market volatility has you questioning your opportunities for financial freedom, you are not alone. Due to rising inflation, higher interest rates, a volatile stock market, and recession fears, many investors find themselves...
Read MoreAn Introduction to Estate Planning for the Sandwich Generation
For members of the "Sandwich Generation"—those currently in their 40s and 50s who are caring for children and their parents who are over 65-years old—estate planning may seem like a low priority. After all, when you're...
Read MoreGenerational Wealth and the Gift of Financial Freedom
Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully. Did you know that only about one-third of adults have a prepared will,...
Read MoreFamily Wealth Transfer Planning: Keeping it in the Family through Generational Giving
What is family wealth, and how do you preserve it? You have worked hard for years and accumulated wealth. You earned this money through your job, investing, and saving, and you want to preserve it for yourself and to take care of...
Read MoreRetirement Annuities Explained: What They Are and How They Work
Having enough retirement income is a top concern for many Americans nearing or in retirement. Even though they may have saved consistently throughout the working years, they may be concerned that their retirement plans will succeed. A...
Read More5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
Estate planning helps disperse your assets according to your wishes. The effort may seem daunting at first, but estate planning does not have to be overly complicated. With the proper planning, you may find yourself resting a little...
Read MoreEstate Planning and 529 Plans
When you contribute to a 529 plan, you'll not only help your child, grandchild, or other loved one pay for school, but you'll also remove money from your taxable estate. This will help you minimize your tax liability and preserve more...
Read MoreGenerational Wealth and the Gift of Financial Freedom
Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully.
Read More3 Tips for Staying Calm While Navigating a Volatile Market
When market volatility takes investors on a wild ride, fear and panic are common responses to this stock market roller coaster. Acknowledging these emotions may be a good first step, but acting upon them could result in impulsive,...
Read MoreStrategies Using Life Insurance
What is it?Life insurance is not only about protecting your survivors in the event of your death. Depending upon the type of policy you purchase, it can also enable you to meet specific life goals: retiring comfortably, paying for your...
Read MoreUnderstanding Social Security Strategies
As you age, the question of when to collect Social Security (SS) retirement benefits will likely come to mind. There is no one size fits all age; your unique circumstances and goals will dictate the appropriate time for you to take...
Read MoreCheck List: Keep Calm Financially
Check List: Keep Calm and (Financially) Plan On: Navigating Money Stress with a Financial Professional
Read MoreKeep Calm and (Financially) Plan On: Navigating Money Stress with a Financial Professional
In the midst of inflation, war, and stock market volatility, it may be tough to maintain a level head. What might a financial professional do to help you navigate money stress?
Read MoreA Full Year of Interest Rate Hikes From the Fed
The aggressive interest rate hikes have had a mixed impact on the economy. On the positive side, inflation has somewhat moderated, as the rate hikes have helped to reduce demand-side pressures.
Read More3 Golf Tips to Keep Your Retirement Plan on Course
In golf, as in finances, there are a few rules of thumb that may improve your game: keep a level head, avoid traps, practice before trying something new and stay the course. Applying lessons from the golf course to your financial life...
Read More5 Last Minute Considerations Before Tax Day
With April’s federal tax filing and payment deadline on the horizon, Americans are dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s as they prepare for the countdown to Tax Day. But before you rush to get that return out the...
Read MoreBank Alternatives for Diversifying Cash Holdings
You may have heard about the recent failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. These two events highlight the importance of diversifying your cash holdings and exploring bank alternatives.
Read MoreWhat to know about the Secure Act 2.0
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SECURE ACT 2.0 With the signing of the Omnibus Appropriations package into law, both employees and employers can take advantage of more than 90 new provisions aimed at creating opportunities to create or...
Read MoreClose to Retirement? What to know about the secure act 2.0
Are you getting close to retirement and trying to stay on top of any changes to the retirement laws that may impact your goals and strategy? With the Secure Act 2.0 now signed into law, there are numerous retirement-related provisions inclu
Read MoreEmergency Savings or Your Retirement Goals?
Deciding which one comes first so you know where to focus your efforts. When it comes to personal finance, there are a number of competing priorities that can make it difficult to determine where to focus your efforts.
Read More3 U.S. Presidents Who Still Influence Your Retirement Planning Today
3 U.S. Presidents Who Still Influence Your Retirement Planning Today
Read MoreTips for Leaving an Inheritance to Family
Families inherit money and sometimes make the right moves investing and spending. Inheritances can also ignite disruption, divorce and a host of bad behavior – far from the hopes and plans of the benefactor.
Read MoreIndependent and Thriving: What to Consider In Your Later Years
While you never know your needs as you age, the first step is thinking about your financial situation and health today so you can plan for your later years. With a one in four chance of making it to our 90th birthday, being independent...
Read MoreThinking About Working in Retirement? Here's What to Consider
If you're thinking about working in retirement, you must consider a few things before making your decision. As you get older, the question of when to collect Social Security retirement benefits and how your monthly payment may be impacted b
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