Blog
Market Week: March 18
Equities fluctuated again this week, with tech shares in focus amid ongoing inflation talks. Energy performed well, while bond yields and the dollar also moved.
Read MoreMarket Week: March 4
Upbeat job reports offer short-term economic promise, but cautious optimism prevails. As the NASDAQ cools down from its robust performance in recent weeks, a more subdued U.S. market experience is anticipated.
Read MoreThe Spending Plan: Setting and Prioritizing Your Budget Goals
More on Money Management March: creating the roadmap to your financial goals. The budget is a potent tool that should serve as the crux of your financial plan, because you can only save what you don't spend.
Read MoreMarkets Warming Up
As spring approaches, the stock market shows signs of warming up, suggesting potential opportunities for investors.
Read MoreEstablishing a Budget
The budget is one of the most fundamental and crucial pieces of your financial health. This piece will teach you the important steps you need to take when establishing a budget and provide tips to help you stay the course.
Read MoreShow All
Market Week: March 4, 2024
Wall Street's February rally extended into March, driven by tech shares like AI stocks, with positive inflation data easing concerns about delayed interest rate cuts; last week saw mixed stock performance.
Read MoreLeaving a Legacy
Discover the essential strategies for preserving your wealth and ensuring your legacy reaches your loved ones through wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and joint ownership arrangements.
Read MoreMarket Week: February 26, 2024
Discover the latest market movements, where tech stocks led the charge, propelling major indexes like the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 to post gains for the 16th time in the last 18 weeks.
Read MoreAsset Protection in Estate Planning
Protect Your Wealth: Learn how to safeguard your assets from potential creditors and secure your financial future with tools like liability insurance, trusts, business entities, and more.
Read MoreMarket Week: February 19
While small caps saw gains, major indexes like the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed lower. With markets closed on President's Day, investors await potential shifts in upcoming sessions. Stay informed with the latest Market Week for February 19th.
Read MoreMarket Week: February 12
Stocks closed higher last week, with the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq reaching record highs. Investors were encouraged by generally favorable fourth-quarter corporate earnings data and a downwardly revised CPI for December.
Read MoreSolid Start to 2024
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.” Nearly 75 years of historical data shows...
Read MoreDo You Have These Key Estate Planning Documents
Secure your future and ensure your wishes are honored by proactively establishing essential estate planning documents like durable power of attorney, advance medical directives, a will, and a letter of instruction.
Read MoreMarket Week: February 5
Strong labor reports and megatech earnings led to an overall promising week, despite a mid-week dip. The week ended on an optimistic note, highlighting the importance of a long-term investing strategy.
Read MoreNew Year, New Opportunity to Save
Explore fresh possibilities within 529 Plans to improve the financial future of your child or grandchild. These plans are more adaptable than ever, marking a significant evolution in their flexibility over the past 25 years.
Read MoreMarket Week: January 29
Hot markets! S&P 500, Nasdaq break records; energy soars, gold falters. Crude oil surges 6%, GDP beats at 3.3%. Brace for Fed meeting impact and January job figures.
Read MoreCan Your Personality Influence Your Portfolio? New Research Points to Yes
Uncover how your personality traits shape financial decisions and wealth in studies connecting traits like openness and neuroticism to market perceptions and investment behavior, providing insights for a successful investment strategy.
Read MoreMarket Week January 22
Wall Street saw gains driven by tech, but caution lingered; bond yields and Fed comments led to mid-week declines. Read more to learn what the numbers say about the coming weeks.
Read MoreMarket Week January 15
Learn more about the contributions of the tech and communication sectors to last week's financial markets rebound, despite concerns over interest rates and lower-than-expected earnings.
Read MoreReflections on a Resilient Market
Discover valuable lessons from the unpredictable twists of 2023, including the resilience of stocks, bond market surprises, and key insights for a prosperous 2024.
Read MoreChina 2024 Faces Demanding Economic Challenges
China's economy has seen a significant resurgence from its' lows during the pandemic, but flows into China's public companies have been hampered by regulatory concerns that seem to be fluctuate on political whims.
Read MoreKey Equity Themes Underlying U.S. Stock Market Outlook for 2024
Seize Opportunities in the 2024 Bull Market: Embrace Growth with the Fed's 2% Inflation Target on the Horizon.
Read MoreOutlook 2024: A Turning Point
LPL Research recently unveiled Outlook 2024: A Turning Point, which recaps where markets have been over the last half of 2023 to help position your portfolio through midyear of 2024.
Read MoreDiscord in the OPEC+ Oil Patch
Benchmark oil prices are on the decline, following concerns of oversupply and questions about the effectiveness of Saudi Arabia's leadership in the context of OPEC+. Record US production of crude oil is a contributor to falling oil prices.
Read MoreA November to Remember
Solid gains for both stocks and bonds gave investors a November to remember. I'm reminded of the Charlie Munger quote: “The world is full of foolish gamblers, and they will not do as well as the patient investors.”
Read MoreMarket Opportunities Amid An Economic Rotation
Opportunities abound in the markets, even during periods when the economy appears ripe for a regime shift. Recent growth metrics surprised to the upside, but leading indicators point toward some downside risk.
Read MoreAnatomy of a Market Rally: Looking at Key Catalysts
Thanksgiving gains suggest positive seasonality amidst market consolidation. Despite economic worries, historical resilience of the S&P 500 may benefit long-term investors amid a potential Fed pivot.
Read MoreIs the Stock Market Correction Over?
There is nothing like an eight-day winning streak to change the market narrative. Stocks have quickly gone from a correction to a comeback this month, providing additional promise to long-term investors.
Read MoreCan Muni Investors Catch a Break? We Think So
Muni investors endure volatility, but a year-end rally could be the silver lining. Fed's rate hikes may cease, bringing relief for muni investors in this challenging market.
Read MoreOffering Thanks
As 2023 draws to a close, amid the various challenges faced by investors, let's reflect on the reasons for gratitude, such as the value of focusing on long-term investment strategies rather than short-term gains.
Read MorePossible Halloween Scares for Markets and the Economy
The current geopolitical climate is scarier than any Halloween costume you may see this year, but a strong job market and cooling inflation help ease the minds of long-term investors.
Read MoreEconomic Impact: Can Something Good Come from a Crisis?
Despite headwinds, the U.S. could experience structural changes in the labor market, residential real estate, and inflation as the post-pandemic economy progresses into the New Year.
Read MoreEarnings Hope to Keep This One-Year-Old Bull Market Going
Earnings season kicks off with banks and blue chips reporting Q3 results. The focus is ending the earnings recession, expecting 3-4% YoY growth, marking a shift from Q4 2022. Stay tuned for insights.
Read MoreYields Higher for Longer: Why We’re Updating Our Treasury Forecast
The rise in U.S. Treasury yields is like a financial rollercoaster fueled by the resilience of the American economy and the Federal Reserve's bold stance on keeping interest rates high.
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. Should we be spooked this October?
Read MoreProspects for a Fourth Quarter Rally
After a tough September, investors are looking to October, the start of the historically strong fourth quarter. However, predicting a repeat this year remains a challenge. Take a look at the prospects for a Q4 rally in this tough backdrop.
Read MoreIs India Surpassing China to Become the Next Superpower?
With much to offer as an emerging market, India's outperformance over China suggests promise for foreign investors. A growing workforce, investment in infrastructure, and an ongoing digital transformation have been key to India's evolution.
Read MoreGet ready now for the expiring tax provisions of 2025
We fear that many high-net worth individuals aren't aware that these upcoming changes could derail the estate plans they already have in place, and skew their total financial picture.
Read MoreGet Ready Now for the Expiring Tax Provisions of 2025
I fear many high-net worth individuals aren't aware that these upcoming changes could derail the estate plans they already have in place, and skew their total financial picture.
Read MoreFour Key Objectives of a Sound Retirement Plan
A sound retirement plan should be based on your particular circumstances. No one strategy is suitable for everyone. Once you're retired, your income plan should strive to address four basic objectives.
Read MoreAdvice to Advisors: Buy Japan, Hold U.S., Sell Europe
Recent data shows Europe's economic decline, questioning its once-positive investment outlook due to weakened growth, a stronger U.S. dollar, and diminishing earnings momentum, prompting investors to seek alternatives elsewhere.
Read MoreEmployee Access to Roth 401(k) Plans on the Rise
Thanks to the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, beginning in 2024, Roth 401(k)s will no longer impose required minimum distributions in retirement. The percentage of employers offering a Roth 401(k) plan grew substantially from 2012 to 2021.
Read MoreThe Growing List—and Politicization—of BRICS and Friends
"What the BRICS+ offers is an opportunity within the broader emerging market composite, but given the political overhang on these markets, investing in this space has become more than just focusing on valuations, profits, and economics."
Read MoreNavigating Market Setbacks
History tells us that strong returns in the first seven months of the year could lead to a positive end to 2023. Learn more about how unemployment, back-to-school shopping, and the housing market may indicate promise for investors.
Read MoreInterest Rates Are Back to Normal, But What Is Normal
Fixed income investors have faced challenges with negative returns in core bonds, but the current rise in interest rates is not indicative of a sustained bear market. Read more to find out why
Read MoreOpportunities and Risks in the Markets: Lessons Learned from the Grand Tetons
Dive into the outcomes of the Jackson Hole Symposium: Learn about shifting global monetary policies, the importance of "soft data," potential changes in the neutral interest rate, and their impact on bonds and equities.
Read MoreWhy Did Retirement Confidence Falter in 2023?
The latest Retirement Confidence Survey revealed that modern workers and retirees lack assurance in their ability to adequately finance their retirement.
Read MorePullback Perspective: The Reason Why Stocks Are Pulling Back
Find out how the recent jump in interest rates have led to a pullback in this bull market, particularly to the technology sector. Remember, volatility creates opportunity, and is expected in any bull market.
Read MoreSaving for Retirement Health-Care Costs
Discover Smart Medicare Savings: Empowering Your Retirement Financial Planning
Read More2024 Introduces Exciting Changes to 529 Plans and Student Loan Payments
Game-Changing Reforms: In 2024, new rules take effect, allowing tax-free rollovers from 529 plans to Roth IRAs and making student loan payments eligible for employer retirement matching contributions.
Read MoreConverting Retirement Savings to Retirement Income
Secure your retirement income with a strategic plan! Evaluate your needs, maximize predictable income from Social Security and pensions, and explore savings plan options.
Read MoreTips For Talking to Your Aging Parents About Their Finances
One of the most difficult conversations many of us face with parents is talking about money. Initiate open communication early to avoid stress when making critical decisions.
Read MoreAre You Prepared for an Estate Tax Sunset
In 2025, the gift and estate tax basic exclusion amount and the generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption will be cut nearly by half. We can help you with your estate strategy—regardless of whether Congress takes action in time.
Read MoreDeciding When to Take Social Security
One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income in retirement.
Read MoreResumption of Student Loan Payments and Interest Accrual
The U.S. Department of Education has officially announced that student loan payments will resume in October, ending the three-year-long pause that was implemented due to the pandemic.
Read MoreBe Prepared to Retire in a Volatile Market
In an ideal world, your retirement would be timed perfectly. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world, and events can take you by surprise. What if you retire during a market downturn?
Read MoreHow Much Should a Family Borrow for College?
There is no magic formula to determine how much you or your child should borrow for college. But how much is too much?
Read MoreRetirement Expectations vs. Reality
You can't always envision what will happen in your "second act." Just as few weathercasters can accurately forecast a month's worth of temperatures and storms, many retirees find their futures unfolding differently than they assumed.
Read MoreAre You Prepared to Retire?
Boomers are less confident than ever that they will have enough money for a secure and comfortable retirement. According to a recent Insured Retirement Institute report, only 24% of Baby Boomers are confident their savings will last.
Read More6 Steps to Take as Retirement Nears
If you have decided to retire, you may have already been saving and planning for the day you stop working. Here are some suggestions towards making the move from employee to retiree as smooth as possible.
Read MorePower of Compound Returns
As young adults embark on their first real job, get married, or start a family, retirement might be the last thing on their minds. Even so, they might want to make it a financial priority.
Read MoreWhy You Should Review Buy-Sell Plans
Buy-sells can accomplish many objectives, but are primarily used to ensure the smooth continuation of a business after a potentially disruptive event, such as an owner's retirement, incapacity, or death.
Read MoreRetirement Savings in a Volatile Market
If you worry about your retirement investments during market downturns, you're not alone. Unfortunately, emotions are often the enemy of sound investing. Here are some points to help you stay clear-headed during periods of market...
Read MoreThree Things to Know About Recessions
If the U.S. economy enters a recession, the causes and potential outcome will be hotly debated. This week’s commentary will remind us of three things we know about historical recessions.
Read MoreConsider a Bond Ladder for Rising Interest Rates
One way to address rising rates is to create a bond ladder, a portfolio of bonds with maturities that are spaced out at regular intervals over a certain number of years.
Read MoreA Realistic Approach to Long-Term Care
“An idealist believes the short run doesn’t count. A cynic believes the long run doesn’t matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run.”
Read MoreFour ways interest Rate Hikes Can Affect Your Finances
Unless you live on another planet, you are fully aware of this thing called inflation — whether you’re at the grocery store, a gas station, buying clothes online, or doing almost any other thing that requires spending money.
Read More5 Key Points of Estate Planning for Everyone
Have you every wondered how estate planning might fit into your overall, future plans? Even if you are just starting to build your estate and do not need complex estate planning, here’s five key points to consider.
Read MoreWhy It May Be Time to Take Advantage of Higher Yields
Now that interest rates have moved substantially higher, we believe opportunities in fixed income have improved and are looking to add back to certain areas within fixed income that may benefit.
Read MoreIs Now a Good Time to Consider a Roth Conversion?
This year has been challenging on many fronts, but one financial opportunity may have emerged from the economic turbulence. If you've been thinking about converting your traditional IRA to a Roth, now might be an appropriate time to do...
Read MoreWhat Can the Elder Index Tell us About Retirement?
The Elder Economic Security Standard Index, or Elder Index, was developed by the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston. It measures the cost of housing, health care, transportation, food and other essentials...
Read MoreHow Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren with College Costs
As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents.
Read MoreFour Questions to Ask Yourself About Social Security & Retirement
Ernest Ackerman was the first person to receive a Social Security benefit. In March 1937, the Cleveland streetcar motorman received a one-time, lump-sum payment of 17¢.
Read MoreInflation Doesn’t Retire When You Do
Inflation has emerged as one of the top financial concerns for individuals as they size up the economy for the rest of the year. Retirees have something else to consider: they are subject to a higher rate of inflation than 7.5% CPI.
Read MoreBaseball Lessons That Might Help Change Up Your Finances
Here are a few lessons from America's pastime that might inspire you to take a fresh look at your finances.
Read MoreA Wall Around Your Wealth: The Importance of Asset Protection
Success can come with a major downside: It can make you a potential magnet for lawsuits—including frivolous and unfounded ones—and other attacks that can wreak havoc on your financial health and stability.
Read MorePlan Ahead to Help Ease the Burden of Tax Season
Here are some steps that might help reduce stress when preparing your return.
Read MoreFinding the Right Wealth Manager For You
Any wealth managers you consider working with—or currently work with—should possess three key characteristics: integrity, competence and experience. Here’s how you can assess a wealth manager in all three areas.
Read MoreSuccession Planning for Family Businesses
Family conflicts can wreak havoc on a family-run business—especially when it comes time to transfer ownership of the company from one generation to the next. Here’s a look at how a well-designed succession plan can reduce that risk.
Read MoreMaintaining Your Standard of Living in Retirement
Yes, You Can Still Enjoy the Finer Things after You Retire Even after retirement, you can maintain your standard of living if you plan properly in advance. To live comfortably, spend some time now to determine how much money...
Read MoreFour Basic Principles of Financial Literacy
Whether you are just starting out and beginning to manage your own finances or simply want to stay on top of your current financial situation, it's important to always keep these basic principles of financial literacy in mind.
Read MoreBig Wealth Mistakes the Affluent Don't Make
The bad decisions you avoid can be just as important as the good moves you make. Here’s a look at some wealth-destroying mistakes that highly successful people do a good job of sidestepping—and how you can too.
Read MoreFive Questions about Long-Term Care
Understandably, many people put off planning for long-term care. But although it's hard to face the fact that health problems may someday result in a loss of independence, if you begin planning now, you'll have more options open to you.
Read MoreCharitable Giving
Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the amount of taxes your estate may owe when you die.
Read MoreBoost Your Confidence - Boost Your Results
Confidence can take you far—and can motivate other top people to work with you. Even though we’re sometimes very confident and sometimes uncertain, we can take steps to enhance how assured we feel about ourselves.
Read MoreSocial Security's Uncertain Future: What You Should Know
Social Security is not in danger of collapsing, but the clock is ticking on the program's ability to pay full benefits.
Read MoreWhat is Wealth Planning, Really?
It can be all too easy to focus on just one aspect of your financial life—and in doing so, miss opportunities as well as incur unnecessary risk. That’s where wealth planning comes in.
Read MoreGrandparent 529 Plans Get a Boost Under New FAFSA Rules
Under the new FAFSA rules, grandparent-owned 529 plans still do not need to be listed as an asset, and distributions will no longer be counted as untaxed student income.
Read MoreFour Reasons to Review Your Life Insurance Needs
When your life circumstances change, you have a fresh opportunity to make sure the people you love are protected.
Read MoreCaring for Aging Parents
There are important steps you can take to help your aging parents find living and health care assistance, as well as to secure financing for the cost of the care.
Read MoreEconomic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation
Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general.” Inflation tends to be uneven and affects the price of some items more than others.
Read MoreHow Good Is the Financial Advice You’re Getting?
Finding true professionals to help you make smart financial decisions can be a challenge. Here’s how to spot Pretenders, Predators and Exploiters so you can steer clear of them and get the help you need.
Read MoreMid-Year Is a Good Time for a Financial Checkup
The first half of 2021 is behind us. As life emerges from the pandemic to a "new normal," a mid-year financial checkup may be more important than ever this year.
Read MoreFive Keys to Investing for Retirement
Making decisions about your retirement account can seem overwhelming, especially if you feel unsure about your knowledge of investments. Here are five basic rules everyone can use.
Read More5 Retirement Myths & Realities
Five retirement myths and realities.
Read MoreLife Insurance Beneficiary Mistakes to Avoid
Life insurance is a useful financial tool, and naming your policy's beneficiaries should be a relatively simple task. However, there are some pitfalls - here's what to look out for.
Read MoreShould You Be an Executor?
Administering an estate and making sure all the i’s are dotted and all the t’s are crossed can be a daunting task. Discover what it takes to be an effective executor so that if you’re asked to be one, you can decide whether it's for you.
Read MoreBreaking Down the Real Costs of Purchasing a Home
You’re finally ready to move up from your rental unit to your own home. Before you start searching for a home, understand how much money you’ll really need.
Read MoreDecisions, Decisions: Weighing the Pros and Cons of an IRA Rollover
If you lose a job, switch employers, or step into retirement, you might consider rolling your retirement plan savings into an IRA. But this isn't your only option.
Read MoreTo Make It Big, Know Your Course—And Stay the Course
Determine what you excel at that also helps you generate tremendous success—then focus on those actions and that knowledge in all you do. Need to address other issues? Outsourcing is the key to success there.
Read MoreGrandparents Can Help Bridge the College Cost Gap
For many families, a college education is a significant financial burden that is increasingly hard to meet with savings, current income, and a manageable amount of loans.
Read More6 Tips on a Restart for Your Finances
The vaccine rollout has brought hope for a brighter 2021. If you are looking forward to a fresh start this spring, why not begin with your personal finances? Here are some tips to help you get started. 1. Use tax time to examine your...
Read MoreMaking Sense of Your Roth 401(k)
There are specific rules addressing distributions and rollovers of a Roth 401(k), which combines features of Roth IRAs and a traditional 401(k).
Read MoreReady to Retire? How to Know for Sure
Retirement is an exciting time for many, and the reward for years of hard work. While there is no set age for retirement, it is important to be prepared before you make the leap, so that you enjoy your retirement and financial...
Read MoreTips to Keep Emotions and Investing Separate
Money is always an emotional subject, but often when our emotions get involved with our investments we will make wrong decisions. And that can be a costly mistake. Keeping emotions and investing separate seems almost impossible for...
Read MoreBeyond Retirement: Consider Your Other Goals
When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying off debt and saving for retirement. In reality, many other financial goals beckon to individuals during their lifetime. Because of this, it’s important to look...
Read MoreTips for Tax Preparation
In 2020, the government gave taxpayers an automatic six-month extension due to the coronavirus. Individuals who were affected by the damaging wildfires were also given additional time to meet most tax deadlines. However, in 2021, the...
Read MoreLife Insurance Warning Signs: Time To Look Under the Hood?
Some wealth plans that use life insurance can seem esoteric or downright baffling to many people. Don’t let confusion reign. If you’re unclear or worried about insurance you have or are considering, put it through its paces! Here’s how.
Read MoreRe-thinking Your Bucket List
When approaching the latter part of life, it is easy to get caught up in achieving every goal on your bucket list. Individual lists vary widely, but often are filled with wild adventures like skydiving and scuba diving in the Great...
Read MoreIRA vs. 401(k): What Savers Should Know
As of 2018, about 58 million Americans had a 401(k), while around one-third of households owned an individual retirement account (IRA).1, 2 Yet for as commonplace as these retirement accounts can be, the nuances of contributions are a...
Read MoreThe Power of Purpose in Reaching Audacious Goals
We find that people who have reached the highest levels of success and built truly significant wealth tend to share a number of key traits that are responsible for their amazing results.
Read MoreBegin Investing While Young
There’s a simple word that has profound implications for savings and investing: compounding. Like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a hill, compounding provides the potential for your money to grow, reinvesting your...
Read MoreWhen to Begin Collecting Social Security
Deciding when to begin collecting Social Security depends on a number of factors, including how long you anticipate needing it. Body Deciding when to retire and begin collecting Social Security is an important life decision. For some,...
Read MoreCommon Retirement Investment Mistakes
Only one-in-four Americans (27%) feel very confident that they will have enough money to live comfortably when they retire, according to the 2020 Retirement Confidence Survey Summary Report.11 While the number is up slightly from the...
Read MoreEstate Planning Strategies in a Low-Interest-Rate Environment
The federal government requires the use of certain interest rates (published by the IRS) to value various items used in estate planning, such as an income, annuity, or remainder interest in a trust. The government also has interest...
Read MoreTips for Organizing Your Financial Documents
In an increasingly paper-free society, organizing your financial documents can still be a challenge. No matter how simple or complex your financial picture might be, it takes some thought-out organization to keep your tax documents,...
Read MoreFive Big Mistakes Affluent Homeowners Make—and How to Avoid Them
Do you have the right kind of insurance to protect your home and the items in it—as well as the right amount of coverage? It’s entirely possible that you’ve overlooked something important that could cause trouble down the road.
Read MoreNew Year's Resolutions to Get Your Finances in Order
New Year's is traditionally the time to review your life and make resolutions for change. In addition to thinking about working out, eating healthy, and meeting personal and professional goals, you should also think about your finances...
Read MoreBoost Your Efficiency and Effectiveness—at Work, at Home and in the World
Wouldn’t it be great if you could tackle your many to-do lists more effectively and efficiently than ever, and boost both your success and your overall enjoyment of life?
Read MoreManaging Risk With Diversification
When you first considered investing, it probably seemed like a good idea to focus heavily on what worked best for you from the beginning. But effective diversification requires more than just purchasing a random bundle of investments.
Read MoreConsider the Value of Long-term Care Insurance
Individuals who have worked hard and built up assets over the course of their careers may be particularly concerned that their savings could be affected by a long-term care event. As the costs associated with long-term care continue to...
Read MoreFive Investment Tasks to Tackle by Year-End
Market turbulence in 2020 may have wreaked havoc on your investment goals for the year. It probably also highlighted the importance of periodically reviewing your investment portfolio to determine whether adjustments are needed to...
Read MoreTop Year-End Investment Tips
Just what you need, right? One more time-consuming task to be taken care of between now and the end of the year. But taking a little time out from the holiday chores to make some strategic saving and investing decisions before...
Read MorePublic Service Loan Forgiveness – Is It Right For You?
Do you feel as though you are drowning in student loan debt? Painstakingly repaying hefty loans can be a long and arduous process. Could the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program work for you? The Public Service Loan Forgiveness...
Read MoreEnd of Year Planning: Set Goals and Reduce Taxes
By the last third of the calendar year, you're likely to have a pretty good idea of what your annual income will be and whether any major expenses or big life changes await you. This can allow you to engage in more robust tax planning,...
Read MoreThe Role of Trusts in Protecting Your Assets
You may be the target of a frivolous lawsuit, especially if you have deep pockets. Systematic asset protection planning potentially can help—and one of your options could be an asset protection trust.
Read MoreWhat to Know About Working With a Financial Professional
If you've been wondering how to optimize your finances and ensure your money continues to work for you, a financial professional may be able to help. But the thought of turning over your most sensitive financial information to a...
Read MoreWhat are the Odds? The Benefits of Probability Thinking
Decisions in business and in life are rarely 100 percent black or white—so stop using a yes-or-no mindset, and start using probability thinking to assess situations more effectively and to make better decisions.
Read MoreHow to Protect Your Wealth as You Get Older
As you get older and closer to retirement, your financial practices need to shift slightly as you transition from working and saving to relying on your nest egg. As you approach this stage of your life, you need to take steps to...
Read MoreHow Financial Planning Helps You Work Towards Your Self-Improvement Goals
Many self-improvement goals focus on stability and personal growth — and financial goals are often no different. From buying your first home to saving for retirement, planning your finances can also help you work toward your...
Read MoreLife Insurance at Various Life Stages
Your need for life insurance changes as your life changes. When you're young, you typically have less need for life insurance, but that changes as you take on more responsibility and your family grows. Then, as your responsibilities...
Read MoreIt's Time for Family Business Owners to Think About Succession
Keeping your family business in the family—successfully and according to your wishes—takes smart, proactive planning. Here are some of the key issues you need to address to pass on your business to another family member.
Read MoreTeaching Money Mindfulness to Your Children
At some point in a child's development, all parents wonder: how can I best teach my child the value of money? Parents who grew up in more modest circumstances than their own children can struggle to balance the desire to provide their...
Read More401k Planning: 5 Questions to Ask
When was the last time you took steps to optimize your 401k? If it's been a while, you're not alone. Research indicates that only one in three Americans utilize employer-sponsored 401k retirement accounts; even those who are...
Read MoreChoosing an Executor for Your Estate
Who will make sure your assets go where you want them to go after you’re gone? Your executor, of course. Here’s a look at how you can go about choosing the right person for this all-important job.
Read MoreThree Tips for Planning Your Income in Retirement
If you've been diligently saving for your retirement, you may often find yourself wondering when you can afford to set an official retirement date. The answer to this question can often depend on how much monthly or annual income your...
Read MoreCountdown to Retirement: Strategies for Saving in Your 50s
Strategies for saving in your 50s Many retirees today are redefining the “golden years.” Forget about endless days of leisure. Retirees seek adventure, travel, and new business pursuits. While these changes may redefine...
Read MorePlanning Your Distributions After Retirement
When it comes to retirement planning, much ado is made of how much to save. But often, the real difference lies in shrewd distribution planning. By withdrawing funds from certain account types in a certain order, you might...
Read MorePreparing for the Worst
Some of the very wealthiest families are taking steps to safeguard themselves from global catastrophic events. Here’s how you can take a page from their playbook to protect yourself and your family against your own worst case scenario.
Read More529 College Savings Plans
529 savings plans are tax-advantaged education savings vehicles and one of the most popular ways to save for college today. They can also be used to save for K-12 tuition. Much like the way 401(k) plans changed the world of retirement...
Read MoreBuy Experiences, Not Stuff. Here’s Why.
Does what you buy make you happy, deep down? If not, consider allocating more of your spending to experiences that help create meaning and satisfaction that stick with you.
Read MoreSaving for College
There's no denying the benefits of a college education: the ability to compete in today's job market, increased earning power, and expanded horizons. But these advantages come at a price. And yet, year after year, thousands of...
Read MoreWhat You Should Know About Contributing to an IRA at Every Age
A traditional IRA offers a great way to shield income from taxation while boosting your retirement accounts. Meanwhile, a Roth IRA can let you pay tomorrow's taxes today. But how can workers who are eligible to contribute to either...
Read MoreWhat to Consider Before Making Major Purchases
Many people who diligently seek out money-saving discounts on smaller purchases may still find themselves inadvertently overspending by thousands on major purchases. Over time, this type of large-scale overspending may cut into your...
Read MoreKnow What to Do When Conflicts Arise in the Family Business
Most family businesses experience disagreements and fights. Here’s a look at how to make sure those conflicts are addressed properly so they don’t harm or destroy the company.
Read MoreHow to Make Savings Last Longer in Retirement
Whether you dream of a travel-filled retirement or would prefer to relax and enjoy spending more time at home, you're probably wondering what you can do to make your golden years as stress-free as possible. For many who have spent the...
Read MorePortfolio Performance: Choose Your Benchmarks Wisely
Dramatic market turbulence has been common in 2020, and you can't help but hear about the frequent ups and downs of the Dow Jones Industrial Average or the S&P 500 index. The performance of these major indexes is widely reported and...
Read MorePreparing Heirs for Their Inheritance
Inheriting money comes with plenty of benefits. From being less worried about paying for life’s necessities to enjoying the luxuries affluence can bring, inheritors often find that many of life’s key stumbling blocks are no...
Read MoreAvoid These Financial Traps
Money. It's hard to get and easy to lose. It doesn't take long for the wealth you've accumulated to disappear if you don't manage your money well or have a plan to protect your assets from sudden calamity. Snares like the ones...
Read MoreInvestor Psychology: Behavioral Biases That Can Lead to Costly Mistakes
It can be difficult to act rationally when your financial future is at stake, especially when unexpected events upset the markets. But understanding certain aspects of human nature, and your own vulnerabilities, might help you stay level.
Read MoreMid-Year Is a Good Time to Fine-Tune Your Finances
The first part of 2020 was rocky, but there should be better days ahead. Taking a close look at your finances mid-year may give you the foundation you need to begin moving forward.
Read MoreHow Your Health Can Impact Your Finances
Benjamin Franklin once quoted, “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”—but the key to good health (and good financial health) involves far more than just getting enough sleep.1 For...
Read MoreWhat the Rich Can Teach Us About Transferring Wealth to Heirs
Are you prepared to pass along the wealth you have built to your children or grandchildren in ways that are tax-efficient and meet your goals? For a reality check, look at how some extremely wealthy families address wealth transfer.
Read MoreYour Best Possible Self: Three Ways to Make It Happen
Despite our successes, many of us often feel we’re not at the place in our lives we’re supposed to be. The good news: We can reframe our viewpoints and take action steps that can help us grow and evolve.
Read MoreReclaim Your Time
Finding the right work-life balance The “work first, life second” mantra guides far too many of us these days. The good news: You can make the time to create a meaningful, fulfilling life and find the work-life balance.
Read MoreWhat to Do with Your Retirement Plan During Lay-Offs or Furloughs
In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the government has shut down numerous businesses throughout the country, and others have drastically cut hours. As a result, over 10 million workers filed for unemployment in March...
Read MoreSafeguarding Your Entrepreneurial and Personal Wealth
Think for a moment about how hard you have worked to build your company and your personal wealth over time. It feels great, doesn’t it?
Read MoreThe Four Types of Financial Advisors
Here’s a look at four different types of advisors you are likely to encounter and how they stack up against each other in some key areas.
Read MoreSpring Clean Your Finances
As temperatures warm up, trees begin budding, and the days get longer, you probably throw open your windows and think about spring cleaning your home. As you tackle washing windows, cleaning carpets, and sorting out the garage,...
Read MoreA Clear Vision of Financial Goals
Our everyday lives have changed dramatically over the last few weeks as we work together to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We know these efforts are necessary, but they also have come at a cost. Global economic growth...
Read MoreLife Insurance Basics Everyone Should Know
Term. Permanent. Whole. Universal. Indexed. The life insurance landscape can be tricky to understand and navigate. Here’s a primer to get you on your way.
Read MoreFive Ways to Avoid—Not Evade—Taxes
You have many legal ways to reduce your tax burden. Here are some tax-reduction tips to consider as you look for ways to boost your bottom line.
Read MoreFour Lies You Tell Yourself About Building Healthier Habits-and How to Overcome Them
Just because we know what to do to improve ourselves doesn’t mean we take action, does it? The good news: We’ve got four ways to knock down the obstacles in your path to living your best life.
Read MoreHelping to Care for Aging Parents
Many adults are finding that their aging parents are in need of health care assistance. Luckily, there are many options available today to help your parents grow old gracefully, either in their own home or in a facility, and several...
Read MoreHow to Balance Fun With Savings
As you start your career and work toward advancement, you are likely to hear all kinds of advice about the importance of saving and investing for the future. A healthy savings account and the right investments can help you get through...
Read MoreTax Planning for the Self-Employed
Self-employment is the opportunity to be your own boss, to come and go as you please, and oh yes, to establish a lifelong bond with your accountant. If you're self-employed, you'll need to pay your own FICA taxes and take charge of...
Read MoreNot Wealthy Enough for an Estate Plan? Think Again
If you care about ensuring your loved ones will be in good financial shape after you’re gone, then you should consider creating an estate plan—regardless of how much money you have. Here are the keys for an exceptional estate plan.
Read MoreHow to Help Parents—and Yourself—Live Better at 80, 90 and Beyond
New challenges arise as our parents age—and as we enter our golden years, too. Learn how to take steps that can help you or your parents age in place, as well as how to safeguard against bad financial decisions and scams in old age.
Read More6 Essential Tips for Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is all about the future, your future. Whether you are classified as a millennial, Gen Xers, women, or you are in your 40s-50s, retirement planning is a must. The key to successful retirement planning is starting...
Read MoreBuying a Home
There's no doubt about it--owning a home is an exciting prospect. After all, you've always dreamed of having a place that you could truly call your own. But buying a home can be stressful, especially when you're buying one for the...
Read MoreDon’t Leap Before You Look!
The powerful benefits of thoughtful action When people are confronted with adversity, opportunity or both, they often react quickly—with the intention of dealing with the situation rapidly and moving forward.
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Investing with an eye toward promoting social, political, or environmental concerns (or at least not supporting activities you feel are harmful) doesn't mean you have to forgo pursuing a return on your money. Socially responsible...
Read MoreTop 10 Tips for Fiscal Fitness
As days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, it may feel like there is little time to catch up on all of your financial responsibilities. Sometimes it may be easier to simply toss ATM receipts, credit card bills, and bank...
Read MoreHelpful Tax Tips before Year End
Tax planning can be more advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities may exist for you to minimize tax liability, which could leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally,...
Read MoreHere’s Why You May Need to Update Your Estate Plan
When done well, estate planning aims both to allow you to pass on your assets as you see fit, and to minimize the state and federal tax bite that often accompanies wealth transfer. Sadly, most estate plans are old—and potentially outdated.
Read MorePlanning a Family? Get to Know Your Health Insurance Policy
Congratulations! You've decided to start a family. Up until now, your health insurance has probably been adequate, paying for routine doctor visits and prescription drugs. But now that you're facing a lifestyle change, you must make...
Read MoreSmart Financial Moves in Your 40's and 50's
These crucial years call for action. Today, retirement may seem nearer to you than it once did. The following moves might be worth making—and soon. Catch-up contributions to your retirement accounts. Starting in the year you...
Read More5 Big Problems to Solve Before You Retire
It seems, sometimes, as though financial professionals come in only two flavors. There are those who promise everything is going to be fine; you don't have to fret about retirement, they say, because they'll help you make more than...
Read More4 Retirement Planning Tips for Millennials and Gen X
In 2014, almost one-third of baby boomers had nothing saved for retirement. For those who did save, the median was around $200,000. This is a far cry less than the $1 million experts recommend for a 30-year retirement plan. Luckily,...
Read MoreWills: The Cornerstone of Your Estate Plan
If you care about what happens to your money, home, and other property after you die, you need to do some estate planning. There are many tools you can use to achieve your estate planning goals, but a will is probably the most vital....
Read MoreWorking with a Financial Advisor
The world of 50 years ago was a lot different than it is today. An individual often worked at the same job all his or her adult life, lived in the same house, and stayed married to the same spouse. In those days, too, one spouse could...
Read MoreFinancial Planning: Helping You See the Big Picture
Where do you picture yourself in the future? Will you be in a new home, traveling the globe, or planning a big family celebration? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag...
Read MoreLife Insurance: Is It Missing From Your Plan?
Life insurance may be a cornerstone of a sound financial plan, providing potential financial stability to a surviving spouse, children, or other family members in the event of your untimely death. Sadly, many Americans have no life...
Read MoreABCs of Financial Aid
It's hard to talk about college without mentioning financial aid. Yet this pairing isn't a marriage of love, but one of necessity. In many cases, financial aid may be the deciding factor in whether your child attends the college of his...
Read MoreHow Playing the Long Game Could Help Build Wealth and Success
Many extremely wealthy people have a much better handle than others on a key concept of success: the long game.
Read MoreDo Millennials Need Life Insurance?
The financial challenges millennials face can be overwhelming. it's no wonder that life insurance as a financial asset gets little to no attention. But it should. There are many reasons to have life insurance at a relatively young age.
Read MoreThe Passive vs. Active Debate
It's fairly difficult — even for professional investors — to consistently "beat the market." This realization led to the creation of index mutual funds.
Read MoreExpectations vs Reality - At What Age Will You Retire?
A closer look at what some of the survey results reveals various lessons today's workers can learn from current retirees.
Read MoreEleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market
Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It's useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility.
Read MoreConsider This if You Are Retiring With a Pension
As retirement approaches, you might be facing the choice of accepting a lumpsum pension payout or a lifelong stream of pension checks. What factors should you consider when making this decision?
Read MoreMoney Ideas for Women in Their 20s
These moves may help you build, protect, and enhance wealth. Want a good start on retirement saving and building wealth? Start early. Now is the ideal time to do important things for your future.
Read MoreThe Smart Way to Save for Retirement and Pay Down Debt
It can be difficult, but not impossible, to save for retirement while paying down your credit card bills and student loans. Even small steps now can make a big difference later.
Read MoreToo Young to Think About Investing? Think Again!
"How did it get so late so soon?" -- Dr. Seuss His simple but powerful words continue to resonate today, even in the context of planning for a financially secure future.
Read MoreSaving for Retirement When You Are a Small Business Owner
Owning your own business gives you freedom and control. Unfortunately, it also gives you financial concerns, such as managing your retirement fund.
Read MoreWhy It Makes Sense to Consolidate Your Financial Portfolios
Juggling multiple financial portfolios with numerous advisors could create problems, whereas working with just one investment firm can provide many advantages.
Read MoreMaking Sure You're Properly Covered
Millennials have youth on their side and may not devote much attention to their insurance needs. Consider insurance coverage that befits your personal circumstances without overspending.
Read MoreThat's a Wrap: Knowing When to Retire
Retirement is inevitable, but knowing exactly when to do so is often unclear. No matter when you actually begin your retirement, you’ll benefit from planning your post-work life as early as possible.
Read MoreWhy Not Do It Now? New Research on Procrastination
Do you have a tendency to push off important tasks? Do you do things at the last minute, or maybe not do them at all? If so, you're not alone. About one in five adults is a chronic procrastinator.
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Tax Withholding Lately?
If you were unpleasantly surprised by the amount of tax you owed or the amount of your tax refund when you filed your 2018 tax return, it may be time to check your withholding.
Read MoreIs It Time to Declare Your Financial Independence?
No matter how much money you have or which life stage you're in, becoming financially independent starts with a dream. Your dream might be to finally pay off the mountain of debt you've accumulated, retire early, or open your own business.
Read MoreShape Your Legacy with Planning
Legacy planning takes estate planning to another level, looking beyond the numbers—passing on your values as well as your wealth. Choose how you want to be remembered.
Read MoreFive Money Rules to Live By
Using your non-financial skills and talents in new ways can bring you prosperity and a greater sense of personal satisfaction. Here are five tips to follow when seeking balance in your finances.
Read MoreHow to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets
We are pleased to announce the release of the LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets, with investment insights and market guidance through the end of 2019. LPL Research.
Read MoreMid-Year Tax Planning Check Up
Were the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changes less favorable for you? It may be time for a Mid-Year Tax Planning Check Up.
Read MoreProtect Yourself Against Identity Theft
Experiencing identity theft can be traumatic and financially painful. It’s important to be proactive in formulating a cybersecurity strategy.
Read MoreWhat the New Retiree Needs to Know About Market Performance
10,000 people a day are facing retirement, and considering how their savings will last. This year, facing a 10-year-old bull market, what would the consequence of a market selloff be to the newly retired?
Read MoreTug of War-- Handling the Challenge of Competing Financial Goals
Answering the following questions will help jump-start your planning process. There are web-based financial calculators available to help you in the planning process, as well.
Read MoreRetirees Face a Different Type of "R&R"-- Reviewing and Revising Your Plan
Following are some options to consider if you aren’t on track to retire when you would like or you don’t expect to have enough money saved to live your desired lifestyle in retirement:
Read MoreFinancial Advice for Recent College Graduates
You've put in the hard work as a college student and finally received your diploma. Now you're ready to head out on your own. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to start on the right track with your personal finances.
Read MoreTime for a Mid-Year Investment Check
Periodically reviewing your portfolio with your financial professional can be an excellent way to keep your investments on track, and midway through the year is a good time for a checkup. Here are three questions to consider.
Read MoreThe Retirement Income Gender Gap: Dealing with a Shortfall
When planning you may find that reality is not in sync with your projections, and it looks like your retirement income will be insufficient to meet your estimated expenses during retirement. This is called a projected income shortfall.
Read More529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Options
529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but they're not the only way. When you're investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options.
Read MoreFinancial Fitness- The Key to Making Your Money Last
To live a long life, you’ll need a healthy supply of money to go the distance with you. The risk of outliving your money is called “longevity risk.” Begin early and follow the following good financial habits.
Read MoreAssessing Your Financial Health
Recent history has moved many of us to take another look at our finances—a smart thing to do in any economy. Maybe it’s been a while since you took your financial temperature, or maybe considered it.
Read MoreReady to Start a Family? Make Sure Your Finances Are Ready, Too.
It takes more than love to start a family—it also takes money. I can work with you to help prepare your finances for the road ahead.
Read MoreHandle With Care
Thinking about how you’ll pay for long-term care should be a part of everyone’s retirement planning process. A recent study found that most Americans don't have any idea of the costs of long-term care.
Read MoreKickstart Your College Fund with a 529 Plan
If you're looking to save money for college, one option to consider is a 529 college savings plan.
Read MoreHow Does the Federal Reserve Affect the Economy?
You've probably heard many references to "the Fed" along the lines of "the Fed held interest rates," or "market watchers are wondering what the Fed will do next." So what exactly is the Fed and what does it do?
Read MoreHow to Recover from a Mid-Life Financial Crisis
A financial crisis can be scary at any age, but this is especially true when you're in your 40s or 50s. It's important to develop a strategy that will help you re-establish financial stability.
Read MoreGetting the Most Value from Your Financial Advisor
You have an impressive financial portfolio that has specific needs. Make sure you’re taking advantage of the services your financial advisor can provide.
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Investing with an eye toward promoting social, political, or environmental concerns (or at least not supporting activities you feel are harmful) doesn't mean you have to forgo pursuing a return on your money.
Read MoreCould You be Missing a Critical Piece of Your Portfolio Management?
Why you should be checking your allocation just as much as – if not more than – your performance.
Read MoreReasons You Shouldn't Shun Wall Street
Some young investors are wary of equities. They remember how the 2007-09 bear market hurt their parents' retirement accounts. But it's important to recognize that Wall Street downturn for what it was: a regular part of the economic cycle.
Read MoreHow to Know When to Exit Your Business
Leaving your company is a life milestone that profoundly affects your financial and emotional wellbeing. However, eventually circumstances may arise that indicate the time to leave has arrived. When is the right time to call it quits?
Read MoreDon't Make These Wrong Turns with Your Money
Financial mistakes can occur throughout your lifetime. Whether you're in your 40s, 50s or 60s, it's important to be aware of financial pitfalls to avoid.
Read MoreMarch Madness or Tuition Madness?
As you cheer for your favorites in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Tournament, you may not be thinking about the cost of college – but here’s a fun bracket that shows you how the NCAA schools measure up, tuition wise.
Read MoreMoney Moves to Consider Post- Retirement
When you enter retirement, you'll immediately notice two things: You no longer draw a salary, and you have more time on your hands. Use that time to effectively manage your finances to take care of yourself and family overtime.
Read MoreThe Importance of Connecting as a Family
Daily obligations and tasks while raising kids can make it hard to connect as a family. Learn why it's important to spend quality time with your family and how it benefits everyone.
Read MoreWeighing the Pros and Cons of Giving Your Children Their Inheritance Early
They say timing is everything. The best time to distribute an inheritance might be right now. Here are some pros and cons of distributing your inheritance early.
Read MoreHow Does Your Employer's Retirement Plan Compare
Each year, the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) surveys employers to gauge trends in retirement plan features and participation. How does your plan compare?
Read MoreCatching up on Retirement Saving
If you're unhappy about your retirement savings, consider these tips to help you get back on track before time runs out.
Read MoreFour Reasons Your Parents Might Be in Financial Trouble
Money can be a sensitive subject to discuss with your aging parents. Before you start the conversation, consider the following four signs that your parents might be experiencing financial challenges.
Read MoreHow to Be Happy and Stay Busy After Retiring
While retirement is generally thought of as a utopian stage of life, upon first entering it, many find themselves struggling to fill their days.
Read MoreRisks You May Not See
As successful families plan to sustain their assets, they must also consider potential financial hazards. Some of these risks are not always obvious.
Read MoreProtecting the Financial Future of Your Family with a Will
Parents may not like to dwell upon their untimely deaths, but creating a will now will help ensure your family's finances.
Read MoreWhen Couples Differ on Money
You see money one way, your partner sees it another. Don't let financial disagreements take a toll on your relationship.
Read MoreFamous People Who Failed to Plan Properly
You might think that those who are rich and famous would be way ahead of the curve when it comes to planning their estates properly, considering the resources and lawyers presumably available to them.
Read MoreHidden Gem: HSAs in Retirement
When saving for retirement, you're probably aware of the benefits of using tax-preferred accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. But you may not be aware of another type of tax-preferred account that may prove very useful.
Read MoreWill the Stock Market Be Up, Down, or Sideways When You Retire?
Learn how the stock market can affect your retirement strategy.
Read MoreOn the Road to Retirement, Beware of These Five Risks
On your journey to retirement, you'll likely face many risks that have the potential to throw you off course. Following are five common challenges retirement investors face.
Read MoreWhy We Buy Our Values
In the simpler world of the twentieth century, parents were likely to buy brands based on a catchy jingle. Millennials are cut from a different cloth and are more likely to make purchases based on their values.
Read MoreEncouragement on the Way to Retirement
Money coaching is an excellent way to optimize your financial plans. Proper coaching promotes behavior that helps you build your wealth and rationalize retirement assets.
Read MoreNew Year, New Start. Time to Make Financial Resolutions.
The new year is almost here. Have you considered your financial resolutions for 2019? Whatever your current situation, you can benefit from improving your spending and saving habits.
Read MoreInvesting in Yourself for a Change
Retirement. College. An emergency fund. A new home or home improvement project. If you've been saving faithfully each month for some or all of these things, you might feel that you're on a never-ending financial treadmill.
Read MoreThe Gift of Investment Savings
The holidays are quickly approaching. Consider celebrating the season by gifting savings investments to your young loved ones.
Read MoreAre You Saving for These Expenses?
Have you saved enough for these major retirement expenses? Many people approach retirement thinking that their cost of living will decrease once they stop working. This is only partially true.
Read MorePlanning Your Financial Future (The Wealthvision Process)
The pace and complexity of managing modern finances leave many people feeling unprepared and uncertain about their financial future. Here's a look at our process.
Read MoreHow Inflation Threatens Retirees
Its effect is subtle, yet significant. In retirement, you face a quiet financial threat. Over time, inflation may erode your purchasing power.
Read MoreThe Value of Volunteering
Stepping into retirement is great for getting in that well-earned rest and relaxation - and for taking up volunteering, no matter what that looks like.
Read MoreYou vs. the Average Saver
If you're a disciplined saver, you increase the potential of enjoying a comfortable retirement. How does your savings compare to national averages?
Read MoreWhat to Consider Before Moving in with Your Partner
You and your significant other are ready to take the next big step in your relationship: moving in together. While this is an exciting milestone, it's also one that should prompt you and your partner to have some serious conversations.
Read MoreThe Financial Implications of a Chronic Illness
When you live with a chronic illness, you need to confront both the day-to-day and long-term financial implications of that illness.
Read MoreWhat to Do If Your Term Life Insurance Policy Is About to Expire
One advantage of term life insurance is that it is generally the most cost-effective way to achieve the maximum life insurance protection you can afford.
Read MoreWhy Retirement Planning Is So Vital for Women
How critical is it for women to build retirement savings? At least as critical as it is for men, perhaps more so because of two factors. Women have a longer life expectancy than men.
Read MoreI received a large refund on my tax return this year. Should I adjust my withholding?
You must have been pleasantly surprised to find out you'd be getting a refund from the IRS — especially if it was a large sum. And while you may have considered this type of windfall a stroke of good fortune, is it really?
Read MoreProtect Your Heirs by Naming a Trust as a Beneficiary
Often, tax-qualified retirement accounts such as IRAs make up a significant part of one's estate. Naming beneficiaries of an IRA can be an important part of an estate plan.
Read MoreHave You Made Any of These Financial Mistakes?
As people move through different stages of life, there are new financial opportunities — and potential pitfalls — around every corner. Have you made any of these mistakes?
Read MoreBuilding Confidence in Your Strategy for Retirement
Each year, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) conducts its Retirement Confidence Survey to assess both worker and retiree confidence in financial aspects of retirement.
Read MoreProtecting Your Loved Ones with Life Insurance
Your life insurance needs will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your family, the nature of your financial obligations, your career stage, and your goals.
Read MoreEasily Create and Maintain a Budget Using Wealthvision
Statistics tell us that the leading cause of household stress is money. Yet many people do not have a system for knowing where their money goes once it comes in the door.
Read MoreManaging Money When You Marry: Financial Tips for Newlyweds
Getting married is an exciting time for a couple. However, along with this excitement come many challenges. One such challenge is how to manage your finances together.
Read MoreA Parent-Child Conversation About College Costs
If you're the parent of a high school student who's looking ahead to college, it's important to have a grown-up conversation with your child about college costs.
Read MoreAsk Questions as You Plan Your Estate
Some individuals begin or revisit their estate planning in response to a life event; others do so when their business or career changes.
Read MoreWhen Spouses Combine Finances
After you marry, to what degree should your financial lives be shared?
Read MoreHow Women are Different from Men, Financially Speaking
We all know men and women are different in some fundamental ways. But is this true when it comes to financial planning? In a word, yes.
Read MoreMarriage and Money: Taking a Team Approach to Retirement
Now that it's fairly common for families to have two wage earners, many husbands and wives are accumulating assets in separate employer-sponsored retirement accounts.
Read MoreInvesting to Save Time Boosts Happiness Returns
The more money you make, the more valuable you perceive your time to be — and the more time-strapped you may feel, according to University of British Columbia psychology professor Elizabeth Dunn.
Read MoreSetting and Targeting Financial Goals with Wealthvision
Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it?
Read MoreDon't Discount Your Will
A self-created last will and testament may lead to problems. As an early step in estate planning, you may be tempted to write your own will. There are some good reasons why you shouldn't.
Read MoreDebt, Learning, and Future Earning
Some people decide to get another college degree later in life. That typically means taking on student debt, and dealing with that debt after 40 takes planning.
Read MoreSave Without Even Thinking About It
Automate your retirement planning and wealth-building approach.
Read MoreDividend Investing: Small Payments Can Boost Returns
Owning shares of stock or stock funds might increase the value of your portfolio in one of two fundamental ways: capital appreciation (i.e., price increases) and dividend payments.
Read MoreWealthvision Takes Your Security Seriously
Wealthvision is designed to consolidate all of your accounts, assets and information into one secure location, making your personal financial life easier.
Read MoreFour Things Women Need to Know about Social Security
Ever since a legal secretary named Ida May Fuller received the first retirement benefit check in 1940, women have been counting on Social Security to provide much-needed retirement income.
Read MoreFour Tips for Downsizing in Retirement
Going through years of accumulated possessions and memories is probably not how you envisioned spending part of your retirement. It may sound like a daunting and emotionally draining task, but downsizing could be a good move.
Read MoreCollege Saving: How Does a 529 Plan Compare to a Roth IRA?
529 plans were created 22 years ago, in 1996, to give people a tax-advantaged way to save for college. Roth IRAs were created a year later, in 1997, to give people a tax-advantaged way to save for retirement.
Read MoreWhat Is Critical Illness Insurance?
Critical illness insurance will pay you a lump sum if you are diagnosed with certain illnesses or injuries.
Read MoreSettling an Estate: Executors Inherit Important Title
Being named as the executor of a family member's estate is generally an honor. It means that person has been chosen to handle the financial affairs of the deceased individual and is trusted to help carry out his or her wishes.
Read MoreIs a nursing home the only option for long-term care?
If you or a loved one needs long-term care, other choices besides nursing home care may be available. Here are some of the other options. Home care Most people would prefer to stay in their homes as long as possible. Depending on your...
Read MoreWhy is it important to factor inflation into retirement planning?
Inflation is one of the key factors you will need to consider when planning for retirement. Not only will the cost of living rise while you're accumulating assets for retirement, but it will continue to rise during your retirement.
Read MoreDon't Wait to Ask Aging Parents These Important Questions
It's human nature to put off complicated or emotionally heavy tasks. Talking with aging parents about their finances, health, and overall well-being might fall in this category.
Read MoreWhat's Your Money Script?
Money is power. A fool and his money are soon parted. A penny saved is a penny earned. Money is the root of all evil. Do any of these expressions ring true for you?
Read MoreMoving Forward Financially After the Loss of a Spouse
Sadly, for many women, becoming a widow is a first step toward economic hardship. That's why it's critical for you to organize your finances after your spouse's death and take ongoing steps to secure your financial future.
Read MoreWomen and Retirement Planning
Women face special challenges when planning for retirement. To meet these financial challenges, you'll need to make retirement planning a priority.
Read MoreAdvanced Estate Planning Concepts for Women
Statistically speaking, women live longer than men; if you're married, that means that the odds are that you're going to outlive your husband. That's significant for a couple of reasons.
Read MoreWhat You Can Do with a Will
A will is often the cornerstone of an estate plan. Here are five things you can do with a will.
Read MoreFive Myths About Group Disability Insurance
You may think that the chances of becoming disabled during your working years are slight, and even if you did get hurt or had to miss time at work, you could get by because you have group disability insurance.
Read MoreWomen and Work: Why Salary, Benefits, and Work-Life Balance Count
As you progress along your career path, there's no telling how far you'll go. But to fully reap the financial rewards of all your hard work, you'll need to take charge of your own career--here are a few issues you'll want to address.
Read MoreManaging Debt While Saving for Retirement
It's a catch-22: You feel that you should focus on paying down debt, but you also want to save for retirement. It may be comforting to know you're not alone: 18% of today's workers describe their debt as a major problem.
Read MoreCompany Stock and Your Portfolio: Keep Your Eye on Concentration Risk
The opportunity to acquire company stock — inside or outside a workplace retirement plan — can be a lucrative employee benefit. But having too much of your retirement plan assets in one investment could expose you to concentration risk.
Read MoreThe Traits of a Good Investor and How Women Can Make the Most of Them
Women are increasingly taking responsibility for managing their own money. However, many women, including high-level professionals who are experts in their field, may not feel confident about their investing abilities.
Read MoreHow do economists measure inflation, and why does it matter to investors?
The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) adjusts interest rates to help keep inflation near a 2% target. How is this calculated?
Read MoreLife is For the Living, and So Is Life Insurance
Life can be busy. The requirements of work and family often leave little time to step back and think about where you've been and where you're heading. But as your responsibilities grow, so does your need for life insurance.
Read MoreFor Women, a Pay Gap Could Lead to a Retirement Gap
Women in the workforce generally earn less than men. While the gender pay gap is narrowing, it is still significant. The difference in wages, coupled with other factors, can lead to a shortfall in retirement savings for women.
Read MoreTest Your Investing IQ
How much do you know about market basics? Put your investing IQ to the test with this quiz on stocks, bonds, and mutual funds.
Read MoreWorking in Retirement: What You Need to Know
Planning on working during retirement? Recent studies have consistently shown that a majority of retirees plan to work at least some period of time during their retirement years. Here are some points to consider.
Read MoreCan I roll my traditional 401(k) account balance over to a Roth IRA?
Yes, you can make a direct or 60-day rollover from a 401(k) plan [or other qualified plan, 403(b) plan, or governmental 457(b) plan] to a Roth IRA, as long as you meet certain requirements.
Read MoreThe Health-Wealth Connection
It's a vicious cycle: Money is one of the greatest causes of stress, prolonged stress can lead to serious health issues, and health issues often result in yet more financial struggles.
Read MoreCounting on Your Husband's Retirement Income? Three Things Women Should Know
Women face special challenges when planning for retirement. Many generally work fewer years and save less, leaving many to rely on their husbands' savings and benefits to carry them both through retirement.
Read MoreIs It Wise to Trade Your Pension for a Lump Sum?
For many workers, there may be mathematical and psychological advantages to keeping the pension. However, a lump sum could provide financial flexibility that may benefit some families.
Read MoreWomen: Living in the Sandwich Generation
When your career is peaking and you are preparing for your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with the financial challenges of young adulthood while also looking after your aging parents.
Read MoreThe Retirement Income Gender Gap: Dealing with a Shortfall
When you determine your retirement income needs, you make your projections based on the type of lifestyle you plan to have and the desired timing of your retirement.
Read MoreTax Tips for the Self-Employed
Being self-employed has many advantages — the opportunity to be your own boss and come and go as you please, for example. However, it also comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to how to handle taxes.
Read MoreRetain and Reward Key Employees with an Executive Bonus Plan
The success of a business, especially a small business, is often predicated on the performance and retention of a few key employees. Here is one way owners can try to retain and reward their key employees.
Read More