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Top 5 (Almost Guaranteed) Predictions for 2023

The year 2022 will be remembered by investors as a very difficult year as almost all financial assets struggled. Stocks struggled, bonds struggled, housing struggled and cryptos got hammered as the Fed tried to reel in inflation by...

Life Insurance Trust: Revocable

What is a revocable life insurance trust?A revocable life insurance trust is a trust that is funded, at least in part, by life insurance policies or proceeds. It can be an effective planning tool that provides a source of liquid funds...

Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement?

You can use a variety of strategies to pay off debt, many of which can cut not only the amount of time it will take to pay off the debt but also the total interest paid. But like many people, you may be torn between paying off debt and...

Leaving Your Job? Your Retirement Savings Plan Options

Are you leaving your job and considering whether to take a distribution from your 401(k), 403(b), or governmental 457(b) plan? If so, make sure you've considered all your options.

The Importance of Setting Micro Goals in the Workplace

What is it?I think it’s safe to say micro goals are the individual pieces of your long-term puzzle—which together, make your end goal more clearly laid out with each piece you complete.BenefitsMicro goals are easier to plan...

Practical Tips to Starting a New Business

Simple steps to help you bounce back from challenging situationsBuilding and sustaining a business is not a task for the faint of heart. As anyone who has launched a business from the ground up knows, transforming an idea into a...

5 Differences Between Planning for Long-Term Care and Crisis Planning

If you're like many, you may associate long-term care with nursing homes and end-of-life care. But far more people will need long-term care in a crisis—an injury or illness that requires long-term care or rehab before you can...

Five Healthy Habits for Financial Wellness

Financial stress can have a direct negative impact on a person's health and happiness. Unfortunately, this may lead to a downward spiral. The more stress you're feeling, the larger your financial hurdles may seem, and the more you may...

Four Ways to Help Lower Your Taxes Now

The financial decisions you make between now and the end of the year can significantly impact how much taxes you will have to pay once tax day arrives. If you take action by December 31st, you can reduce your tax burden and keep more...

Get SMART with Your New Year’s Resolutions

Many of us set resolutions every New Year’s Day. But if your resolution is too broad or doesn’t have a deadline, it is much easier to abandon or forget it. As the saying goes, “A goal without a plan is just a wish...

Countdown To Investing in the New Year: 10 Questions To Ask Yourself

If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans.10....

A Retirement Countdown Checklist: 5 Steps to Consider Before Retirement

Whether you're hoping to retire soon or are just beginning to explore the idea of stepping back from your job, you're probably wondering how to make it happen. Will you have enough money? How will you spend your time? What will you do...

3 Tax Strategies to Consider at Year-End

With the year rapidly coming to a close, and the upcoming tax year looming with uncertainties, you should consider updating your tax strategy to best preserve your assets into the future. Don't wait to make these adjustments. Check out...

A Holiday Survival Guide for Your Finances

The average family spends an extra $1,000 or more during the holiday season. From gifts and travel to dinners, shows, and decorations, each purchase adds up.1 How might you take full advantage of holiday cheer while avoiding the...

Resources for First-Time Entrepreneurs

For many people, entrepreneurship is the ultimate American dream. Five years ago, there were already more than 25 million Americans running their own businesses.1 And with the COVID-19 pandemic leading many W-2 workers to reevaluate...

A Fall Financial Checklist

For many, autumn is the best time of year. The return of cool breezes, comforting foods, and pumpkins can be invigorating. It’s also a bookmark of sorts, especially for your finances—a perfect time to take stock of your...

5 Year-End Tax Planning Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional

The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...

October is National Financial Planning Month

The financial professional and financial planning firm you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions can affect your retirement and other major financial goals more, maybe, than even you. So it’s...

What the Mid-Terms Might Do to the Stock Market

The S&P 500 does best when one party controls Congress and the WH tooThe 2022 Midterm Elections will feature hundreds of hotly contested races at the state and local level and will decide whether the Democrats maintain – or the...

Resources for Women-Owned Small Businesses

Small businesses face many problems related to their size, capital, and capability, and for women-owned small businesses, the challenge is sometimes even greater. The good news is there are many professional organizations out there...

4 Ways to Save for Retirement Without a 401(k)

4 Ways to Save for Retirement Without a 401(k)You are not alone if you do not have access to a 401(k) retirement plan. Pew Research data reveals that 35% of private-sector employees do not work for an employer that offers a plan.1...

6 Important Components of Estate Planning

Basic estate planning is something that everyone should do, regardless of your age, marital status, the value of your assets, and if you’re a parent or not.  According to a 2021 poll by Gallup, less than half of U.S. adults...

3 Things to Know about College Planning and Financial aid

Planning how to pay for the expenses of attending college or a technical school is essential, and there are ways to save to make secondary education more affordable. Here are three things to know about secondary education planning and...

Preparing for the Worst: Disaster Planning

Given the daily responsibilities of running a business, planning for an event that may or may not happen may not seem to be a priority. But by preparing for a major disaster, your company will be in a better position to cope with more...

National Life Insurance Awareness Month

It’s also a good time to talk about the insurance crisis facing baby boomersBaby boomers’ huge numbers and surprisingly shaky health threaten government old-age benefits. That’s why you need to bolster your own...

The Basics of the 401(k): Thoughts from a financial professional

Most often, the first question a prospective employee will ask is about your company’s benefit program. And in my experience, the two most often-asked questions are about health insurance and an employer-sponsored retirement...

401(k) Rollover Options to Consider

When people are leaving their employer, one of the decisions they need to make is what to do with their 401(k). A retirement plan participant typically has four options (and may engage in a combination of these options), each choice...

10 Easy Financial Planning Steps for Beginners

If you've never engaged in financial planning and are unsure how to get started, this article is for you. A financial plan starts by evaluating your current financial situation and future expectations and can be created independently...

3 Investing Lessons For Beginners You Won't Learn In School

Twenty-one U.S. states, including Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia, require public schools to provide high school students with financial literacy courses.1 But even among the school systems that provide general financial education to...

Back to School Checklist

It’s so easy to get caught up in the bliss of summer that, before you know it, the new school year is a week away. To avoid being struck with last minute panic, here are a few things to ask yourself before the first day of school...

Rollovers and Prohibited Transactions: What Investors Need to Know

If you've left an employer and are considering moving your 401(k) retirement savings to another plan or an IRA, there is new legislation on these transactions you should know. On December 18, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) adopted...

Tips to Shape Up Your Fiscal Fitness this Summer

Many people realize that the best way to stay in shape is to develop an appropriate fitness regimen and then stick with it. If you start a fitness program and drop out, you never give yourself a chance to become physically fit. In the...

The Simple Life: 3 Tips for Simplifying Your Financial Life

If you sometimes feel like your financial life has too many moving parts, you may be looking for ways to get back to the basics—without letting anything slip through the cracks. Fortunately, simplifying your finances does not...

Financial Freedom vs. Financial Independence: Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both

Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...

5 Life Events That Impact Your Life Insurance Needs

Should You Invest All at Once or Over Time?

12 Things Investors Need to Know about the SECURE Act 2.0

What Homeowners Should Know About Estate Planning

529 College Savings Plans: A Cheat Sheet for Common Questions

4 Key Investments You Should Consider as a Small-Business Owner

6 Self-Care Strategies for Nurses

With the pandemic causing staffing shortages and full hospitals, many nurses work multiple shifts for days without a break. It may come as no surprise that nurse burnout rates are high, with many people struggling to keep going. Understanda

How to Beat the Retirement Blues

A Guide to Retirement Planning for Doctors

Social Security Retirement Benefit Basics

3 Moments in Life Where You Should Consider Consulting a Financial Professional

Invest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month

Five Things to Consider When Choosing a Tax Preparer

A Refresh for Your Finances

Women's History Month: 4 Female Financial Pioneers

Credit Education Month: 4 Ways to Boost Your Credit IQ

Financial Tips for HVAC Company Owners

5 Valentine's Day Gifts that Grow in Value Over Time

5 Types of Retirement Plans for Small Business Owners

What to Know About IRA Investing

What Should Small Business Owners Know About Data Privacy Obligations?

Beware Scams at Tax Time

Get SMART with Your New Year’s Resolutions

Focusing on Your Finances

Red Light, Green Light: When to Buy a Car and When to Hit the Brakes

According to Edmunds, the average transaction price for a new vehicle rose by 8.6 percent from June 2020 to June 2021, while the price for a used vehicle has risen by 27 percent over the same period. However, this doesn't mean there...

End of Year Financial Planning

For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the...

Writing a Business Plan for a Small Business

Running a business without a written business plan is like heading out on a cross-country trip without a map or GPS. Although you may be able to make it to your destination, you may spend far more time and money navigating through...

A Top-Shelf Community Institution

A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life. —Henry Ward Beecher A common misperception in the internet age is that libraries are a thing of the past. In reality, they are arguably more important than ever....

Holiday Resilience

Dear Valued Investor: We hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. While life has been challenging during the pandemic, we have a lot to be thankful for. At this time, we are especially grateful for...

Investing in Your Family: Creating a Family Business Succession Plan

No matter how successful your family business is today, at some point in the future, its ownership may need to change hands. Without a business succession plan, this transition can be fraught with hurt feelings, internal strife and...

Many Reasons to Be Thankful

The past year and a half have tested all of us, but overall, the economy continues to strengthen, COVID-19 trends are greatly improving, and this still relatively young bull market is alive and well. As the leaves turn colors and...

Mid-November Means Open Enrollment Time

Reviewing your benefit choices will maximize your employment benefits Open enrollment for employee benefits kicks off this month. While you plan your Thanksgiving menu, review your benefit choices. Even if little changed in your life...

The Most Common Tax Tips before Year End

Tax planning can be advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities exist for you to mitigate tax liability, which may leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally, people put...

Developed International: If Not Now, When?

Since we began our investing careers, we’ve had the concept of diversification drilled into our heads. Some refer to it as the only free lunch in investing. Well, when it comes to geography, that advice hasn’t been helpful...

Can You Spot the Scam? Common Financial Fraud Warning Signs

Many people are familiar with the scammers who promise to pay millions of dollars in exchange for briefly holding funds in your bank account or those who offer to enhance certain body parts risk-free. Today's scammers are clever at...

Charitable Giving and Donating Toys

As the holidays approach, many children start to make wish lists, but unfortunately, not all children have someone to give them gifts. Luckily, there are many charities that help get holiday gifts and joy to children. If you're...

Want to Make a Donation? Check Out This List of National Charities

Donating to charity is one way that people can help to change the world for the better, and as an added bonus, your contributions may even qualify you for a tax deduction. But with so many great charities around the country, how can...

Smart Shopping During the Holidays

The holiday season is just a short time away, which means the shopping season is about to be in full swing. Shopping for holiday gifts is stressful but also a little fun, especially when you think bout the joy you will bring to those...

End 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,...

No Matter Who Becomes President, Start to Plan

Tips for how to start your estate planning process today – for your future Many people postpone the planning of their estates because they assume that estate planning is only for the affluent. Others may think that estate...

Investing in an Election Year

The world's events always affect the markets, and making smart investment choices requires you to look at what's happening around the world. But what about during an election year? How should you invest while the country is deciding...

IRA 101: Know the Facts

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are one of the most common assets people rely on to save and invest for retirement. In fact, more than a third of households in America own an IRA. If you’re thinking of opening an IRA for...

Ready 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...

Tips for Navigating a Volatile Retirement

Retirement is the time in your life when you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of years of hard work. But unfortunately, when the market is volatile, it may bring additional anxiety and stress. The good news is, a volatile...

Short-Term Goals vs. Retirement Savings

American workers find it difficult to save for retirement because their distant financial needs tend to take a backseat to more immediate economic concerns, even if they have their day-to-day finances under control or are financially...

Perspective on the Second Fastest Bear Recovery

Starting with the last week in July and for the first three weeks of August, investors celebrated that the S&P 500 had advanced for four consecutive weeks, culminating with it passing its pre-COVID peak from February 19th on August...

3 High-Net Retirement Savings Mistakes You Want to Avoid

When it comes to retirement savings, the goal is quite simple for most. To accumulate as much wealth as possible so that they are able to retire in comfort and style, while they enjoy the fruits of years of labor. For those with a...

Brush Up on Your IRA Facts

If you are opening an individual retirement account (IRA) for the first time or need a refresher course on the specifics of IRA ownership, here are some facts for your consideration. IRAs in America IRAs continue to play an...

COVID-19 Delaying Your Retirement Date?

Recent surveys have indicated that many of us are rethinking our retirement plans because of COVID-19. In fact, one survey from the nonprofit group Life Happens suggests that a whopping 43% of Americans say they plan to postpone and...

Marriage: Entering a New Investment Life

There are a lot of issues that couples need to think about when tying the knot -- wedding preparations, family, and, of course, finances. Addressing personal finance and investment issues before the big day may help improve your odds...

Marriage - A “Reality Check” for Emerging Families

Steven and Pamela Jackson, both in their late twenties, have been married for five years. Steven is a customer service supervisor for a newspaper distribution company and Pamela works as a receptionist at a large bank. During the early...

5 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...

Balancing a Retirement Portfolio with Asset Allocation

The combination of investments you choose is as important as the individual investments themselves. In fact, many experts argue that it's even more important, since the mix of various types of investments accounts for most of the ups...

Women, Wealth, and Legacy Planning

Women play a central role in establishing and preserving family wealth -- whether nurturing the values of children, fulfilling charitable goals, or making investment decisions that affect the financial security of themselves or their...

Just Married: Newlywed Estate Planning Cheat Sheet

Congrats on your recent nuptials! Now that you’ve said the vows and enjoyed a relaxing honeymoon, it’s time to get down to business. Friends with Beneficiaries The following accounts need to be updated to reflect your...

Buying Locally and Giving Locally Maybe your charitable donations should stay in your zip code?

Buying Locally and Giving Locally Maybe your charitable donations should stay in your zip code? For many of us, buying locally matters. We’ve all heard the term and seen the signs: Shop Locally. Eat Locally. But let’s...

ORCHESTRATING YOUR RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS

An orchestra is merely a collection of instruments, each creating a unique sound. It is only when a conductor leads them that they produce the beautiful music imagined by the composer. The same can be said about your retirement...

Why financial planning retirement is for everyone

When it comes to retirement plans, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for how to invest. While there are some basic strategies everyone should follow, it’s important to keep in mind retirement plans will vary, depending on...

Avoid These Financial Traps -- They May Be Hazardous to Your Wealth

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...

Six Tips To Take Control of Your Financial Health

Similar to taking care of your personal health by proactively incorporating healthy habits and annual checkups, you can also take control of your financial health when you are proactive and engaged in managing your finances. And also...

Avoid 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...

Risk Management and Your Retirement Savings Plan

By investing for retirement through your employer-sponsored plan, you are helping to manage a critically important financial risk: the chance that you will outlive your money. But choosing to participate is just one step in your...

Retirement Assistance Within the CARES Act

In late March 2020, as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. surged past 100,000, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed into law.1 The CARES Act provides around $2.2 trillion in aid to...

What 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...

PULLBACKS, CORRECTIONS, AND BEAR MARKETS

The COVID-19 outbreak has put tremendous pressure on stock prices, prompting some investors to blindly and indiscriminately sell positions at a time when the entire market is trending lower. Worried investors believe "this time it's...

LESSER KNOWN PROVISIONS OF THE SECURE ACT

The SECURE Act was passed into law in late 2019 and changed several aspects of retirement investing. These modifications included modifying the ability to stretch an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and changing the age when IRA...

What Do You Really Know About Bear Markets?

A “bear market” occurs when stock prices in general are falling, and then widespread pessimism sustains the continued drop in prices. The stock market becomes a bear market whenever stock prices have fallen over 20% over...

The April 15th Tax Deadline is Now July 15th

The U.S. Department of the Treasury is delaying the April 15th deadline to file and pay taxes by 90 days, giving individuals and businesses another 3 months to file and then pay the government what they owe. What Should You Do? Putting...

Coping With Market Volatility in Uncertain Times

As the United States desperately tries to flatten the contagion curve for the coronavirus, many state governors have mandated the closure of an unprecedented number of businesses and issued stay-at-home orders to their citizens. The...

6 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...

9 Facts About Retirement

Tip: Nearly 70% of workers expect to work for pay in retirement, but only 26% of retirees actually have done so. Source: 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey, EBRI Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel...

Income Tax Planning and 529 Plans

The income tax benefits offered by 529 plans make these plans attractive to parents (and others) who are saving for college or K-12 tuition. Qualified withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax free at the federal level, and some states also...

When Your Child Has Special Needs

As the parent of a child with special needs, you face many of the same challenges that any parent faces. But you'll have to cope with some unique financial, medical, educational, and legal issues as well. Where do you start? Getting...

THE BASICS OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

Thinking about the need and the costs of long-term care is enough to make anyone uncomfortable. But while it's a difficult subject to talk about, it's also a topic that often generates lots of questions and misunderstanding. Consider...

EIGHT MISTAKES THAT CAN UPEND YOUR RETIREMENT

Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. NO STRATEGY: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy at...

Understanding Medicare: Parts A, B, C, and D

Medicare contains many rules that beneficiaries and their caregivers are required to learn. Perhaps the best way to grasp the program's details is to review the major components of the Medicare program: Parts A, B, C, and D. Medicare...

Choosing an Income Tax Filing Status

Selecting a filing status is one of the first decisions you'll make when you fill out your federal income tax return, so it's important to know the rules. And because you may have more than one option, you need to know the advantages...

Establishing a Budget

Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem like you're never able to get ahead? If so, you may want to establish a budget to help you keep track of how you spend your money and help you reach your financial goals...

Getting Started: Establishing a Financial Safety Net

In times of crisis, you don't want to be shaking pennies out of a piggy bank. Having a financial safety net in place can ensure that you're protected when a financial emergency arises. One way to accomplish this is by setting up a cash...

Tax 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...

The Sandwich Generation: Juggling Family Responsibilities

At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses while at the same time looking after the needs...

Charitable Giving: Good for Your Heart and Your 1040!

It may be better to give than to receive, but it may be even better to give and see your generosity rewarded. Charitable giving can play a valuable role in your financial and tax strategies. A well-planned gift to charity could provide...

How Charitable Giving Benefits Donors

Kelly and Bob regularly set aside a small portion of their budget for charitable donations. In addition to feeling good about supporting a number of worthy causes, they’ve been able to deduct the value of their charitable gifts...

9 Facts about Social Security

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...