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10 Easy Financial Planning Steps for Beginners

Troy Stubbs

Monday, August 14, 2023

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...

Elder Law or Estate Planning: Do You Know the Difference?

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

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?

Do You Know What Type of Investor You Are?

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

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...

Investor Summer School: 3 Investing Moves to Make Before Summer is Over

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

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...

Insurance Needs in Retirement

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

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...

Acquaint Grown Children with Your Financial Affairs

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

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...

The Sandwich Generation: Caring for Parents and Children Simultaneously

Troy Stubbs

Thursday, July 6, 2023

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...

Aging Parents and Money

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

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...

As Rates Rise, CDs Are Making A Big Comeback

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

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...

Take a Swing at Investing Like a Golfer

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

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...

Debt Ceiling Drama Is Behind Us All

Troy Stubbs

Friday, June 9, 2023

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.

Investing in Your 60s and Beyond

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

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...

529 College Savings Plans: A Cheat Sheet for Common Questions

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

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.

Medicare Will Not Cover All Health Care Costs

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

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.

5 Social Security Benefits You Might Be Missing Out On

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

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

Investor Sentiment Tested

Troy Stubbs

Wednesday, May 3, 2023

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.

Emergency Savings or Your Retirement Goals?

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

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?

Understanding Social Security Strategies

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

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...

6 Money Myths That Are Limiting Your Wealth

Troy Stubbs

Monday, April 17, 2023

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...

Five Ways SECURE 2.0 Changes the Required Minimum Distribution Rules

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

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....

A Resilient March

Troy Stubbs

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

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.

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SECURE ACT 2.0

Troy Stubbs

Monday, April 3, 2023

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...

How Emotional and Behavioral Barriers May Impact Your Investing Decisions

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

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...

Medicaid Planning Goals and Strategies

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

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...

Everything Older Workers Need to Know About Retiring

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

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

Women’s Financial Empowerment: The Challenge of Financial Wellness and Why We Need Women’s History M

Troy Stubbs

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

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.

Waiting For New Highs

Troy Stubbs

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Financial markets have experienced quite a bit of change this year in just two short months.

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...

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...

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...

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...

Opportunities in 2023

Troy Stubbs

Wednesday, February 1, 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...

Beware Scams at Tax Time

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

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)...

Determining Whether Your Hobby is a Business

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

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...

Taxation of Investments

Troy Stubbs

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

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...

Your New Year’s (Financial) Resolutions

Troy Stubbs

Thursday, January 5, 2023

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...

Reasons For Optimism

Troy Stubbs

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

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.

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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:...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

When it comes to stock market performance, August was “the best of times, and the worst of times.”

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...

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...

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...

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...

 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...

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.

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,...

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...

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,...

Both stock and bond markets have been challenging this year, but it’s important to focus on what this tends to mean looking forward.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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'...

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...