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Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Use This Annual Reminder as an Opportunity to Strengthen Your Financial Future. Saving money isn't just a smart financial habit; it's an important step toward securing a prosperous and secure future. Mark your calendars! National...

Wednesday, September 27, 2023

With the final quarter of the year on the horizon, it's time to gear up for Q4 financial planning. The end of the year provides a unique opportunity to assess your financial landscape, recalibrate your goals, and set a course for a...

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

The concept of wellness is used often, generally when referring to a balanced and fulfilling life overall. But what does it mean when someone refers to their financial wellness? Financial wellness encompasses all aspects of an...

Wednesday, September 13, 2023

As the seasons transition and we enter fall, it’s a great time to reflect on the importance of securing your loved ones’ future. September is primarily recognized as Life Insurance Awareness Month, a season dedicated to highlighting...

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) plans are powerful tools for securing a financially stable retirement. However, misconceptions and myths can hinder individuals from making informed decisions about these essential...

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Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Your age significantly affects how much money you'll have during your retirement years, and different retirement benefits have different eligibility ages. Over the course of 23 years, from age 49 to 72, you'll need a financial...

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

An annuity is an investment product that is designed to provide a guaranteed income stream for a predetermined period, often for the rest of one’s life. An annuity is typically purchased from an insurance company, and the purchaser...

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Retirement is a major milestone in the life of every individual, and it is no different for high-net-worth individuals. If you’re one of these individuals, you may think that being comfortable means you can worry less about retirement...

Thursday, May 11, 2023

One investment and income strategy that can be useful when it comes to setting yourself up for retirement is one involving dividends. Dividends are regular payouts to shareholders based on the profits of the company. If you own some...

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Come springtime, you might be thinking about doing some spring cleaning, whether it’s cleaning out your garage, throwing out old items, or rearranging your furniture. However, it’s important not to forget to do some spring cleaning on...

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

The concept of financial literacy refers to knowing the basics of financial concepts to make smart decisions. Specifically, financial literacy can help prevent costly mistakes that could derail your life plans, prepare you for...

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

In the world of retirement strategizing, the focus tends to be on 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, or other retirement investment accounts. But that doesn’t mean you should forget about the traditional savings account.Savings accounts can have...

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

As an adult, you may have had tough learning moments when it comes to financial management. It could have been when you failed to pay your rent on time or got too deep in credit card debt. To keep your children or grandchildren from...

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Financial Literacy Month is not only a celebration, it’s a challenge to take care of your finances as best you can. This month can be your opportunity to review your finances and take a concerted approach to improve them. But what’s...

Thursday, March 30, 2023

If you’ve ever asked yourself, “what if there’s a way to reduce the taxes I owe when I sell stocks or rebalance my portfolio?” then you should know about the tax-minimization strategy called tax-loss harvesting. It’s important to know...

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

You may not know it, but Social Security income is taxed! However, your tax burden isn’t simply a gross income tax, and there are unique factors that dictate your tax rate and overall tax liability. First, not all Social Security...

Thursday, March 16, 2023

In retirement, it’s not about receiving as much income as possible. During your working years, it might be, but when you’re the one paying yourself, it’s important not to turn your hard-earned savings into a large pile of income that’s...

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Thinking about investment strategy may conjure thoughts of stock trading, ticker symbols, brokerage accounts, and investment theses. But one of the most important factors in developing an investment strategy is the tax aspect.There are...

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

When you started out saving for retirement, you may have contributed to an IRA or 401(k) through your employer. In addition, you heard that your contributions were tax-deferred, and you’d have to pay taxes when you reached your 70s....

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Achieving a comfortable retirement often comes down to investment performance and tax burden. However, it’s a tricky task to balance investment gains with a tax-minimization plan. If you expect your investments to perform well, you may...

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

Taxes may be one of your biggest concerns when it comes to retirement. Whether you’re well into your retirement or just starting to think about it, taxes can be one of the main factors in maximizing your savings to stretch all the way...

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Rates on fixed interest investment options are the highest we've seen in over a decade. But concerning signals from the 10-Year Treasury (no, not yield curve inversion) may be telling investors to act now or miss out...

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

The average couple retiring today needs a whopping $315,000 to cover the cost of health care throughout their retirement.1 You’ll want to plan for those future health costs. Have you considered that your HSA (Health Savings Account)...

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

ForbesAdvisor.com recently reported, “According to a 2020 survey from Allianz, nearly half of Americans are worried that rising prices in retirement will cause basic expenses to be unaffordable once they stop working. But there’s an...

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Many Americans underestimate the impact that caring for a loved one can have on their lives, marriage, work, and finances. In a column by Michelle Singletary, a Washington Post columnist, an “AARP study found that three-quarters of...

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Some say the markets have gotten off to an unexpected start in 2022.  Were January’s markets nerve-wrecking? Sure, especially if you gambled on Netflix.  Were they unexpected? Only to those with the wrong...

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Download your free 2022 Quick Tax Reference Guide.

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Another year in the books. As you take a look through global market results for 2021 keep in mind that TIME is perhaps your most precious asset!

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Markets ramped up the volatility in the 4th quarter of 2021. Take a look across global markets to see which areas drove growth, and which detracted from it.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

It's Long-Term Care (LTC) Awareness Month, and whether you're in the market now or just curious about insurance coverage choices for the future, it's important to know where, why, and how to get answers. There are three main options...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

You've probably heard the saying: Opinions are like... ________ ...everybody has one! Fill in the blank as you please, but swap out Opinions for Market Forecasts. Forecasts aiming to time the markets, or predict the next Bitcoin, have no

Friday, August 13, 2021

Download Your Free Reference Guide: 2021 Essential Financial Figures

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

If you're 62 or older – and want money to pay off your mortgage, supplement your income, or pay for healthcare expenses – you may consider a reverse mortgage. It allows you to convert part of the equity in your home into cash without...

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

2021 could be the pivotal year for how businesses operate moving forward. Will they offer employees a work from home option, will Zoom meetings be standard procedure, will telehealth replace typical doctor visits? The answers are still...

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

There's much to be said for taking care of your health, and you should make caring for your wealth part of your focus, too, as it directly correlates. In fact, the American Journal of Public Health confirms that Americans at lower...

Friday, July 16, 2021

See the Q1 2021 Market Review A year ago, at the end of March 2020, the US Stock Market1 was down over 20% and the world was scrambling into lockdown. Many experts wrote articles telling us where we would be in a year. I don't...

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

The 2019 Employee Wellness survey by PwC found that 73% of Millennials, 70% of Generation X, and 61% of Baby Boomers think health care costs will adversely affect their retirement. If a healthy 65-year-old couple retiring in 2019...

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

"Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations." The saying is true, and the cycle is real. As the expression indicates, after the buying, the building, and the selling, there's rarely anything left of a family's wealth for the...

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

For many, owning a business is the American dream come true, and making management decisions that grow your business brings about well-deserved feelings of accomplishment. Playing devil's advocate here—did you decide to use any of your...

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Many families have plans to give their children and grandchildren financial gifts when they die, but it might make sense to gift earlier. Making financial gifts during your lifetime can significantly impact their lives, sometimes when...

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Every year the federal government decides how much of your estate isn't subject to taxes when you die. This year, thanks to inflation, it increased to $11.7 million. This means, when you pass away, the value of your estate is...

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Candidates run campaigns on promises and plans, but that doesn't mean they ever come to fruition. The Biden administration will maintain a Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate for at least the next two years, giving him...

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

Does your estate plan include transferring your wealth onto your family? Have you looked over potential tax implications? It's important to understand that your beneficiaries may be in for sticker shock when they receive a tax bill...

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

We spend years of our life working and saving for that retirement dream, and as you get closer, it's important to take all steps to preserve your nest egg. Perhaps a move across state lines will help in that endeavor. Some states don't...

Monday, April 19, 2021

See the Q1 2021 Market ReviewA year ago, at the end of March 2020, the US Stock Market1 was down over 20% and the world was scrambling into lockdown. Many experts wrote articles telling us where we would be in a year. I don't remember...

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced that the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for benefits would be 1.3%. Here's a closer look at some of the most significant changes affecting Social Security recipients...

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Financial Literacy Month suggests it's time to take advantage of available tools, resources, and tips for financial education that can help increase your financial success. This month put yourself back in the driver's seat! Do a...

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

Don't overlook the benefits that annuities provide during your retirement planning years. Yes, some myths make them appear to be a lousy choice, but there are reasons to trust in financial insight rather than the Google results on the...

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The loose definition of a financial professional is someone that provides insight intended to lead to a better outcome for your financial future. The workings of their daily routine include everything from planning to building your...

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) option, the benefits are worth the investment. The tax benefits of an HSA magnify the advantage of investing in, say, stock funds or diversified mutual funds. First, your contribution is...

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Retirees face multiple income traps, and many retired taxpayers will see a portion of their Social Security income make its way onto the taxable income line of their 1040s. Those who convert their traditional IRAs to Roth IRAs are...

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's tax season started on Friday, February 12, 2021, but it’s important to note that the filing deadline wasn’t extended. The February 12 start date for individual tax return filers...

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Imagine if Goldilocks was planning her retirement: “this date is too early” and “this date is too late” but “this date is just right”! Sweet retirement can’t come soon enough for some of us, but it’s important to know precisely when...

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Your business’s success is in your hands when you're self-employed, so you need to be knowledgeable about and take advantage of whatever assistance is available—especially when it comes to lowering your tax bill. It’s commonly known...

Monday, February 8, 2021

We're already a month into 2021, I know. Honestly, it's hard to wrap up a review of 2020. A year chalked full of words and phrases we would all rather not hear for a long,...

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

The face of identity theft has changed dramatically, evolving with the technology and economic landscape surrounding it. Understanding your exposure and staying informed of the trends and methods that thieves use to steal from you is...

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Places...

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

This past year highlighted small businesses more than any other. The impact from a struggling economy has not gone unnoticed and the support from local shoppers has made the difference between open and closed for many small business...

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have now certified their presidential election results, and President-Elect Joe Biden will drive our next four years. What does that mean for your investments as you move closer to retirement?...

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Happy New Year! It’s a new year, a new you, and a new time to do things differently—like your taxes. Tax-filing season is officially here, and there are many things you can do to be prepared and organized. Here are a few simple tips...

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Did you know it’s possible for your tax bill to go up once you retire? One possible reason: A portion of your Social Security benefits could be taxed. Another possibility: Your tax-deferred retirement account tax bill comes due when...

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced that the 2021 annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for benefits will be 1.3%. That's a small but essential increase for millions of beneficiaries who will see a rise in...

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Go beyond maxing out your employee 401(k) to find the opportunities that could save you your hard-earned cash when it comes to paying taxes. Minimize the use of Active Management for Brokerage Accounts.The more you trade, the more...

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Are you wondering if you can deduct your credit card interest this tax season to move to a lower tax bracket? The answer is most likely no. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, signed by President Trump in 2017 was the biggest overhaul of the...

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

In addition to the emotional high that giving to those you care about brings, giving can now also be a savvy tax move for families with substantial wealth. That’s because both the present value and any potential growth of the...

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Consider this: about 70% of Americans will require long-term care, long-term care facilities cost between $80,000-$150,000 annually, and the average stay is approximately 3 years. Those figures all add up to one thing; it’s time to...

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2020, and there are a lot of changes that will impact Medicare Advantage plans and Part D coverage options for those ages 65+. Premium and deductible costs – The standard premium for Medicare...

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Should you develop a health condition that requires part- or full-time care, and your health insurance doesn’t cover the costs, how will you pay for what you need? Answer: Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCi). The U.S. Department of Health...

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

As we head toward the finish line of 2020 and gear up for 2021, setting goals and getting your life in order should be a priority. One of the best places to start is by understanding your net worth and determining if you are on track...

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

You have worked hard to build up your retirement savings, but you can’t keep retirement funds in your account indefinitely. However, thanks to the recent SECURE Act, if your 70th birthday is July 1, 2019 or later, you can delay taking...

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, 2020 and if you’re new to Medicare or if you need to review and make changes, it’s time to talk with your financial professional to ensure your future medical needs will be covered....