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Assessing the Health of Your Business
Learn how assessing the health of your business can improve efficiency, guide strategy, and help you prepare for future challenges.
Read MoreUnderstanding Real Estate Investment Trusts
Real Estate Investment Trusts, commonly known as REITs, have become a popular investment choice for individuals seeking exposure to the real estate market without directly owning properties. Offering unique advantages and disadvantages...
Read More2025 Contribution Limits: What’s New?
Life today is expensive, and contributing to a retirement plan is more beneficial than ever. Often, the IRS raises contribution limits annually, such as the contribution limit for 401(k)s increasing to $23,500 for 2025 from $23,000 in...
Read MoreLegacy of Love: 10 Questions to Help Families Prepare for a Wealth Transfer
Wealth transfer is more than just a financial transaction; it's an opportunity for families to pass on their values, wisdom, and a legacy of love. Navigating this process requires careful consideration, open communication, and a shared...
Read MoreInvesting in Your 60s and Beyond
Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents? The answer often lies in a...
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Financial Freedom Starts with Financial Literacy
Celebrate Financial Freedom Day by understanding what financial literacy is and how to increase the financial literacy of all Americans so they can work towards financial freedom. By definition: “Financial literacy refers to the set of...
Read MoreSix Uses for Life Insurance You May Not Know About
When people think of life insurance, what usually comes to mind is settling the deceased's final expenses and providing financial support for their beneficiaries. Although these are the most common uses of life insurance, cash value,...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know for the 2024 Tax Season: Credits Deductions and Policies
The 2024 tax season is approaching, so be prepared for any changes that could affect your return. As credits, deductions, and tax laws change frequently, it pays to plan ahead to get all the tax breaks you deserve and take advantage of...
Read More4 Tough Questions Clients Ask Their Financial Professionals
One of the most important decisions we make in our lives is how we plan to manage our money. Some people feel confident enough to tackle it themselves. However, investment advisory firm, The Vanguard Group, found that people who take...
Read MorePrepare or Beware: The Dangers of Retirement Planning Procrastination
Most people looking forward to retirement anticipate years of relaxation and fulfillment after decades of hard work. But the reality of retirement is often far different.
Read MoreRetiring on Your Own Terms: 7 Ways You Can Work Toward an Early Retirement
Many dream of working toward early retirement, but getting there generally doesn’t happen by accident. Retiring early requires financial independence that can last for decades, but that is much easier said than done.
Read MoreInvesting vs. Saving: Key Differences and Why Your Money Mindset Matters
You often hear people discuss "saving for retirement,” but in many cases, they're actually referring to their investing.
Read More3 Investing Lessons For Beginners You Won't Learn In School
Twenty-one U.S. states, including Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia, require public schools to provide high school students with financial literacy courses.
Read MoreTips for the Fast-Growing Sandwich Generation
Over the last 20 years, the median-age for Americans (the median age is the point where exactly half the population is older and the other half is younger) has increased by about 3 ½ years. Today, the median age is 38.8 years. But just...
Read MoreWealth, Family, and Legacy: A Guide for High-Net-Worth Individuals in the Sandwich Generation
Wealth and estate planning are vital for all individuals but are particularly essential for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals in the sandwich generation. "Sandwich generation" refers to individuals caring for their aging parents and...
Read MoreIs an Annuity Appropriate for You?
When it comes to your retirement, there are three factors that you may want to take into account when planning for your retirement income needs.
Read More3 Ways Planning For Retirement is Like Planning For Summer Break
For kids, teens, and college students, summer break often represents freedom from schedules, responsibilities, and all those other drains on your time. Retirement actually can provide a similar level of freedom.
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 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 easier.
Read MoreAfter the Military: Tips for Your Financial Transition to Civilian Life
A drawdown is looming. You're separating at the end of active service. You've decided to retire after a long career. No matter why you're leaving the military, a big part of preparing for your civilian life is taking steps to...
Read MoreInvesting Options for Veterans and Military Members
Veterans and military members have access to various investment options, some of which are not offered to the general population. Managing investments depends on individual goals, risk tolerance, and financial situation. Here are some...
Read MoreHow to Make Sense of Your Pension Options
Pension plans are still offered at many types of employers today. A pension plan is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan the employer contributes toward to fund their employees' future retirement. There are two types of...
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. It...
Read MoreGet More Out of Your Social Security Benefits With These Tips
Social Security benefits are critical to retirement planning. These monthly benefits provide a financial safety net for millions of Americans. But you must navigate the system strategically to get the most out of your Social Security...
Read MoreHow Social Security Fits into a Well-Rounded Retirement Plan
If you're nearing retirement age, you know the Social Security process and how much you will likely receive. With that information, you may have also anticipated that your Social Security benefit would not be enough to sustain you in...
Read MoreHigh-Net-Worth Retirement Planning: How Social Security Fits In
As high-net-worth (HNW) individuals approach their golden years, retirement planning often becomes a focal point of their financial strategies. One aspect of this planning that sometimes creates confusion or misinterpretation is the...
Read MoreSocial Security Simplified: Common Questions and Answers
Most American workers who earn wage income and pay Social Security taxes via withholding receive Social Security benefits at some point in retirement. While the Social Security Administration has tried to make the process easier to...
Read MoreStepping Up to the Plate: Four Baseball Money Lessons
Baseball and financial management can have more in common than meets the eye. Below, we discuss four key lessons that investors—and everyone else—can learn from America's favorite pastime. Diversification of Assets is...
Read MoreBatter Up! How to Score a Retirement Planning Home Run
There are two things Americans have always looked forward to: going to the ballpark for the big game and retiring after a fulfilling career. Interestingly, baseball and retirement planning have several aspects in common. Taking the...
Read MoreMarch Madness Costs Corporations $14 Billion - Don't Let Your Portfolio Slack Off Too
With an estimated $10 billion in annual spending, March Madness is big business—and big entertainment. In 2022, March Madness cost employers nearly $14 billion in lost productivity as employees carved time out of the...
Read MoreBrackets to Portfolios: March Madness Lessons
March Madness is upon us, and for basketball fans and investors alike, it's the most exciting time of the year. As the top college basketball teams prepare to tip off the Sweet 16 and the Elite 8 at the NCAA Tournament this weekend,...
Read MoreRetiring Early As a Couple: A Financial Love Story
Retiring early as a couple is a goal shared by many, and if planned comprehensively, it may provide opportunities for travel, passion projects, and more quality time together.
Read MoreLegacy of Love: 10 Questions to Help Families Prepare for a Wealth Transfer
Wealth transfer is more than just a financial transaction; it's an opportunity for families to pass on their values, wisdom, and a legacy of love.
Read MoreNothing Says Love on Valentine's Day Like a Spousal IRA
Looking for ways to save "I love you" on Valentine's Day? Then you may want to consider opening a spousal individual retirement account (IRA).
Read MoreHow Portfolio Diversification Can Be Sweet Like a Box of Chocolates
In the world of investing, risk and reward go hand-in-hand. To help manage risk and reward, investors often utilize a portfolio diversification strategy that mitigates risk while working toward accumulation across asset classes.
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.
Read MoreThe 5 Elements of Financial Wellness
Financial wellness is a term that refers to the overall health and well-being of an individual's finances. In order to work toward financial wellness, it is essential to understand and manage the five key elements of personal finance.
Read MoreKey Financial Wellness Metrics for Near-Retirement Individuals
As one approaches retirement, monitoring your financial situation by understanding your net worth and assessing the assets and resources needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout retirement is vital.
Read More2024 Outlook: A Turning Point
LPL Research’s Outlook 2024: A Turning Point provides insight and analysis into next year’s opportunities, challenges, and potential surprises. We understand that making progress toward long-term financial goals requires a strong plan...
Read More8 Financial Wellness Tips to Help Manage Generational Wealth
Asset management and financial wellness can help develop long-term confidence when wealth transfers from generation to generation.
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 turn these goals...
Read MoreDos and Don'ts for Investing During the Holidays
In the world of investing, the "holiday effect," as it is often referred to, is a phenomenon where stock prices see an increase right before a major holiday. There are many theories on why this may occur. It could be from trading...
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. While you will likely see a reduction in the amount...
Read MoreYour Year-End Estate Planning Guide: An 8-Step Checklist
When it comes to your estate plan, you don’t just have it drafted and put away until it is time for your loved ones to manage your lifetime of affairs. As your world changes year by year, it is critical that you review your...
Read More5 Year-End Tax Planning Tips for Small Business Owners
Tax planning preparations include small-business owners taking necessary measures to optimize their taxes by taking advantage of deductions and benefits. Here is a brief tax planning overview for small-business owners preparing for tax...
Read MoreYour Traditional 401(k) Year-End Review Checklist
A 401(k) plan is one of the most popular and effective techniques for saving for your retirement. A company will automatically withdraw and contribute money from each paycheck to your 401(k) plan. Some employers will even match a...
Read MoreTrusts and Year-End Planning: A Checklist
A trust is a legal vehicle that protects your assets that contains instructions for your assets when you die or become incapacitated. When you set up a trust, you transfer assets from your name into your trust's name while you still...
Read MoreYear-End Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Individuals
As the year’s end approaches, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) must prepare for one of the most critical monetary tasks: year-end tax planning. Due to the nature of their holdings and dynamic financial situation, HNWIs often...
Read MoreCybersecurity Awareness: What You Need to Know
October 2023 marks the 20th Cybersecurity Awareness Month—and cybercrime continues to evolve.1 Though you may not get as many emails promising bodily enhancements or asking you to keep some overseas funds in your checking account...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Estate Planning Process
It is common for people to put off planning their estates. After all, no one wants to anticipate their death. In addition, many may believe that only the wealthy require estate planning or that all that is involved is tax planning,...
Read MoreStaying the Course
The S&P 500 lost 3.3% in the third quarter after sliding nearly 5% in September. Putting this into perspective, nothing really qualifies as out of the ordinary. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has historically declined in September 55% of the...
Read MoreMoney Milestones: 4 Financial Goals for Older Individuals
If you saved for retirement for a while, you might look forward to a break from financial responsibility for the remaining portion of your life. But striving for economic betterment should not end when you hit retirement. You may...
Read MoreFinding Focus with Financial Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide
You have probably heard about financial planning and its potential benefits, but you are unsure how to apply the principles to your life. A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition and...
Read MoreOwnership of Life Insurance: Estate Planning
What are the ownership issues of life insurance? In estate planning, life insurance is purchased for several reasons: (1) to provide cash to the insured's family for daily living expenses, (2) to provide cash for potential death taxes...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Home Financing Guide
Congratulations! You’re ready to buy a home. But before you start scouring the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), you need to secure a home loan. Use this guide to learn about some of the most common types of mortgages and which one...
Read MoreGeneration-Skipping Trusts
What is a generation-skipping trust? By definition, a generation-skipping trust is any trust having beneficiaries who belong to two or more generations below the grantor (i.e., "skip" persons). More specifically, a generation-skipping...
Read MoreReading and Understanding Your Life Insurance Policy
Most people hate the thought of reading a life insurance policy (or any insurance policy, for that matter). However, if you can find the time and muster the patience, it's probably a good idea to read through your policy. If you do,...
Read More4 Tips and Resources to Help Seniors During Periods of High Inflation and Market Volatility
In 2022, U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high, with prices for food, housing, gasoline, and other key staples increasing by nearly 10% over the previous year.1 During these uncertain times, stocks have continued a roller-coaster ride that...
Read More10 Easy Financial Planning Steps for Beginners
If you've never engaged in financial planning and are unsure how to get started, this article is for you. A financial plan starts by evaluating your current financial situation and future expectations and can be created independently...
Read MoreElder Law or Estate Planning: Do You Know the Difference?
Do you know what arrangements you need to make when the time comes? What are the differences between elder law and estate planning? And what should you know before you begin to get your affairs in order?
Read MoreDo You Know What Type of Investor You Are?
Do you know the answer if your financial professional asks you what type of investor you are? While it may be challenging to classify yourself off the top of your head, knowing what type of investor you are might help you avoid making...
Read MoreInvestor Summer School: 3 Investing Moves to Make Before Summer is Over
Many investors still adhere to the old adage—"sell in May and go away"—while others remain fully invested even as the summer heat waves begin. What goes unsaid is that if your asset allocation accurately reflects your risk...
Read MoreInsurance Needs in Retirement
Your goals and priorities will probably change as you plan to retire. Along with them, your insurance needs may change as well. Retirement is typically a good time to review the different parts of your insurance program and make any...
Read MoreAcquaint Grown Children with Your Financial Affairs
Many parents may feel it is unnecessary to inform their adult children about their personal, financial affairs. However, as your children grow older, it can work to your advantage—and that of your entire family— to share...
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation: Caring for Parents and Children Simultaneously
The Sandwich Generation: Caring for Parents and Children SimultaneouslyAs the U.S. population continues to age, the “sandwich generation” is caught in the middle, supporting both their parents and their children, whether...
Read MoreAging Parents and Money
Getting old is hard. Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age. Helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you need to approach carefully.When you hit a certain age of your life, you may...
Read MoreAs Rates Rise, CDs Are Making A Big Comeback
Low-risk, predictable returns for investors needing to preserve their capitalIn a rising interest rate environment, fixed-income investments become increasingly important for investors. Fixed-income investments such as bonds, Treasury...
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 such as patience, perseverance, attention to detail...
Read MoreDebt Ceiling Drama Is Behind Us All
Every so often Washington likes to remind us how hard it can be to get things accomplished. The most recent example is the debt ceiling—the amount Congress can borrow to pay its bills.
Read MoreInvesting in Your 60s and Beyond
Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents? The answer often lies in a...
Read More529 College Savings Plans: A Cheat Sheet for Common Questions
If you are worried about being able to afford college costs for your children or teens, a 529 education plan might be one way to boost your savings.
Read MoreMedicare Will Not Cover All Health Care Costs
Medicare will not cover all healthcare costs. While there are insurance options available that can help fill some of these gaps, individuals should be aware of the limitations of Medicare coverage and plan accordingly.
Read More5 Social Security Benefits You Might Be Missing Out On
Deciding when to file for your Social Security payments is what most people focus on when it comes to Social Security, but there are some other benefits you may be missing out on that are worth investigating
Read MoreInvestor Sentiment Tested
Spring is often thought of as an uplifting time, marked by growth and renewed hope. Investors saw signs of such renewed hope in recent weeks, especially on the inflation front as several inflation measures showed signs of improvement.
Read MoreEmergency Savings or Your Retirement Goals?
For many people, the choice between building emergency savings and working towards their retirement goals is one of the biggest dilemmas they face. So, which should you focus on first?
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 More6 Money Myths That Are Limiting Your Wealth
When people think of “myths,” they often think of such stories as Pandora’s Box (the woman who took the lid off of a jar releasing all of the world’s ills upon the world, were taxes one of them?), or the Tale of...
Read MoreFive Ways SECURE 2.0 Changes the Required Minimum Distribution Rules
The SECURE 2.0 legislation included in the $1.7 trillion appropriations bill passed late last year builds on changes established by the original Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE 1.0) enacted in 2019....
Read MoreA Resilient March
The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy—and not to mention concerns over the durability of the banking system.
Read MoreWHAT 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 modify workplace retirement plans and...
Read MoreHow Emotional and Behavioral Barriers May Impact Your Investing Decisions
Ah, Money. The word leaves you with a positive or a negative feeling when you hear it. The feeling we get from money, and investing, has deep roots inside our emotions, although we may not understand why. Behavioral science explains...
Read MoreMedicaid Planning Goals and Strategies
Why is Medicaid planning important?Aging is inevitable, and a gradual (or not so gradual) inability to function independently is a great concern for many people. While the prospect of entering a nursing home is a daunting one, equally...
Read MoreEverything Older Workers Need to Know About Retiring
Many workers have been dreaming of retirement since they first entered the workforce. However, once this retirement date draws near, the prospect of giving up your primary source of income may be nerve-wracking, even if you've diligently sa
Read MoreWomen’s Financial Empowerment: The Challenge of Financial Wellness and Why We Need Women’s History M
March is Women’s History Month, a month-long celebration of female empowerment1. This effort includes advocating for better representation in the workforce, pay parity and improved work-life balance.
Read MoreWaiting For New Highs
Financial markets have experienced quite a bit of change this year in just two short months.
Read MoreFour Actions to Take if You’re Retiring This Year
Retirement is a major transition point – as you go from saver to spender It's common for people who are retiring to set their retirement date in either the springtime or the early summer. If you happen to be one of those lucky...
Read MoreRECONCILING YOUR LOSSES IN A TOUGH MARKET THROUGH TAX-LOSS HARVESTING
It has been a tumultuous year for the investing community, with interest rate hikes, rumors of a looming recession on the horizon, and a seemingly continuous rising inflation that has left the U.S. and global market reeling. From the...
Read MoreEntrepreneurship and Financial Risk: What You Need to Know
Entrepreneurs tend to be natural risk-takers but this doesn't mean committing to uncompensated risk. A wise entrepreneur considers their potential exposure before leaping into a new business venture, moving forward only on those...
Read MoreKick off the Big Game With These 7 Super Investing Lessons From the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is more than just a game. It's an American holiday. As you prepare for this fun day, you may also want to think about how to create "big wins'' in your investment strategy. Get ready for Super Bowl Sunday by checking out...
Read MoreOpportunities in 2023
Whether you’re one to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions or simply use the beginning of the year to reset on a few habits, there’s almost always some value in reflecting on the past year before looking ahead. The...
Read MoreBeware Scams at Tax Time
Identity theft runs rampant during tax seasonHere’s what to know and how you can help protect yourself.Identity thieves often swipe your bank or credit card account numbers, birth date information or Social Security Number (SSN)...
Read MoreDetermining Whether Your Hobby is a Business
It’s more than just figuring out if you’re doing it to make a profitMillions of people enjoy hobbies that are also a source of income. From catering to cupcake baking, crafting homemade jewelry to glass blowing -- no matter...
Read MoreTaxation of Investments
It's nice to own stocks, bonds, and other investments. Nice, that is, until it's time to fill out your federal income tax return. At that point, you may be left scratching your head. Just how do you report your investments and how are...
Read MoreYour New Year’s (Financial) Resolutions
A resolution for every month to help you work towards financial independenceCleaning up personal finances remains one of the top resolutions every New Year. But we all know what happens to most such self-promises, so...
Read MoreReasons For Optimism
The beginning of a calendar year is a time when the previous year’s reflections transition to a new year’s hopes. Given the market’s instability during 2022 and a tough period for stocks and bonds, everyone is hoping for a fresh start.
Read MoreCountdown To Investing in the New Year: 10 Questions To Ask Yourself
If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans...
Read MoreDoing Good, Feeling Good
We all know the feeling of giving a gift so special and perfect that it’s better than any gift you could ever receive. There is something inherently powerful about giving, and, while right now might be prime time for gift-giving,...
Read MoreIRS Increases 401(k) Limit By Record Amounts
As inflation soars, you can now save a lot more for your retirementOn October 21st, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500, up from...
Read More5 Year-End Tax Planning Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional
The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...
Read MoreYear-End Donations and #GivingTuesday
A list of things to consider as you think about year-end charitable donations With its family traditions and festive celebrations, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to GivingTuesday.org, the...
Read MoreMembers of the Military - Estate Planning
Whether you're a veteran or just starting out in the military, planning and preparing your estate is of vital importance. Why is estate planning so critical?Because, at your death, you leave behind the people you love and all your...
Read MoreA Year-End Wealth Planning Guide
As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:...
Read MoreToo Good To Be True? 4 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams and How To Spot Them
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the greatest days to score deals for holiday shopping. Unfortunately, with amazing deals plentiful, some scammers use these days to take advantage of shoppers looking for the greatest bargains...
Read MoreLooking Ahead
October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month.
Read MoreHow Financial Planning Can Help Prepare for LTC Costs
With the cost of long-term care (LTC) increasing year over year, considering how the costs of long-term LTC will impact your financial plan is essential. According to insurance company Genworth, the price of LTC services increased...
Read MoreTips to Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes
With a few simple actions, you can ensure your estate planning is effectiveWhether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness. Are you...
Read More6 Ways to Minimize Your Tax Liability Throughout the Year
You don't need to wait until the end of the year to look for ways to minimize your tax liability. Tax planning should take place throughout the year to have you prepared well ahead of tax season. Here are six ways to minimize your tax...
Read MoreCould the Worst be Behind Us?
We understand how difficult it is to stay invested during these bouts of market volatility. But markets have already priced in a lot of bad news, and I think we are closer to the end of this negative cycle than the beginning.
Read MoreAll About Financial Planning
No matter where you are in life, you may have at least a few financial goals. Perhaps you want to buy a house, save for your child’s college education, or retire early. Regardless of what your goals are, financial planning can...
Read MoreBack to Basics - Diversification and Asset Allocation
When investing, particularly for long-term goals, there are two concepts you will likely hear about over and over again — diversification and asset allocation.Diversification helps limit exposure to loss in any one investment or...
Read MoreKeeping It Simple: The Benefits of Simplifying Your Investment Strategies
When it comes to investing, having fewer investments might help streamline your portfolio to manage stress better. Here are some benefits of a simple portfolio and some ways to help you create one.The Benefits of SimplicityUnless you...
Read MoreFiguring Out a 401(k) Strategy That Works for You
Matching your tolerance for risk with your investment objectivesEveryone wants a comfortable retirement, but the road you take there will depend on your specific situation. When you invest, you assume a certain level of risk (but like...
Read MoreThe Best And Worst Of Times
When it comes to stock market performance, August was “the best of times, and the worst of times.”
Read MoreNow Might Be a Good Time for a Roth Conversion
One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to federal income tax in the year of conversion, which might be a...
Read More10 Terms Every Investor Should Know
If you're new to investing, you may encounter some unfamiliar jargon. Understanding the following terms may help you become a more confident investor.PortfolioAn investment portfolio is a collection of investments owned by an...
Read More5 Tips For Budgeting Like A Boss
When it comes to creating your own monthly budget, sometimes planning is easier than the practice. Keeping track of finances can be tricky, but, with a few guidelines and time, you can take charge of your bank account once and for all...
Read MoreInvestment Planning - The Basics
Why do so many people never obtain the financial independence that they desire? Often it's because they just don't take that first step — getting started. Besides procrastination, other excuses people make are that investing is...
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...
Read MoreBig Week For Market Watchers
Last week was epic for market-watchers. A Fed rate hike, a much-anticipated GDP report, and the busiest week of earnings season got most of the headlines.
Read MoreSecuring Your Future with Life Cycle Planning
The need for regular saving and investing spans many life stages. Through the years, your goals will change and your strategies will shift, but don’t be alarmed. You’re just progressing through the normal stages of life,...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom vs Financial Independence - Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both
Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...
Read MoreContinuing to Work After Drawing Social Security? What Retirees Should Know
Like many people, you may associate Social Security retirement benefits with a key part of their name: retirement. However, you may continue working while drawing Social Security retirement or survivor's benefits, and in many cases,...
Read MoreLooking Forward
Both stock and bond markets have been challenging this year, but it’s important to focus on what this tends to mean looking forward.
Read MoreBoomers' Post-Pandemic Retirement Concerns
For many who are decades away from leaving the workforce, retirement may seem like an abstract concept. But once you've entered your late fifties—like the youngest Baby Boomers, turning 57 in 2021—retirement may begin to...
Read MoreFinancial Aid Resources for Your Incoming Freshman
College is expensive for many people. The average tuition and fees at a college or university for the 2019 to 2020 academic year at a four-year institution was $9,4001. This may include the cost of tuition, books, and housing. For some...
Read MoreBull Market Hangs By A Thread
While we wait uncomfortably to see if the S&P 500 can hold its recent lows, it is somewhat reassuring to know that bear markets that are not accompanied by recessions tend to be milder.
Read MoreApril Showers Bring May Flowers
As we move into spring and leave behind the last signs of a long winter, many worries from a chilly start to the year for markets, unfortunately, are still with us.
Read MoreWhat role does Social Security play in your retirement income strategy?
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3 Moments in Life Where You Should Consider Consulting a Financial Professional
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How to Recognize and Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft
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Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date.
Read MoreDeveloping a Dynamic Business Plan
A well-crafted business plan can be a blueprint for entrepreneurial confidence. This multifaceted tool is as important to established business owners looking to grow their companies as it is to budding entrepreneurs. A business plan...
Read MoreA Season of Giving: 5 Different Ways To Give During the Holidays
With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...
Read MoreRemarkable Rise Of ESG Investing
Responsible investing is widely understood as the integration of environmental, social and governance factors – hence the ESG acronym – into investment processes and decision-making. ESG factors cover a wide spectrum of...
Read MoreRetirement Mistakes to Fix Before the Holidays
You probably spend more time planning your holiday gathering than preparing for your golden years. As a result, you make basic mistakes in trying to fund your retirement. Here are a few of the top mistakes people make to screw up this...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Estate Planning Process
A well-structured estate plan can be invaluable to you and your family It is common for people to put off planning their estates. After all, no one wants to anticipate his or her own death. In addition, many people may believe that...
Read MoreCarving Out Time to Support Small Business Saturday
American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010 to provide small businesses with a holiday season boost on the heels of Black Friday. The day comes after one of the biggest shopping sales events and serves as a reminder to...
Read More10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
Members of the military have a lot of special financial challenges that most people don't encounter. However, they have access to many benefits, tax breaks and legal protections that can make a huge difference in their families'...
Read MoreA Financial Review Can Pay Off at Year End
Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now...
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