What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
Small business owners may find it challenging to find ways to provide additional benefits to their children who work for the company. One often overlooked choice is including a Roth individual retirement account (IRA) as part of their...
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Monday, April 1, 2024
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...
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SMART Financial Goals Can Help Guide Your Way to Financial Wellness Financial goals play a crucial role in the pursuit of financial wellness. Whether it’s paying off credit card debt, saving for retirement, making a down payment on a...
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As we continue into 2024, we wanted to revisit the changes the SECURE 2.0 Act continues to bring to our retirement planning. Talk to a Financial Consultant if you think you could benefit from one of the changes listed below...
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Friday, March 1, 2024
When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief, life goes on. There are arrangements to be made, things to be taken care of – and in recognition of this reality, here...
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A money market fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in short-term treasuries and other money market instruments, including U.S. government securities and commercial paper. Due to the nature of the short-term investments, these...
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Thursday, February 1, 2024
America is a country on the move. Each year, around 10% of the US population changes homes. And of those, while 85% stay in state, 15% move to a new state (according to the US Census Bureau). As moving across state lines might be on...
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What You Need to Know Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes—but we should also associate December with important Individual Retirement Account (IRA) deadlines. This year, like 2024, will see a few changes and...
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Monday, January 1, 2024
A living trust is a popular consideration in many estate strategy conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives. What is a Living Trust? A living trust is created while you are alive and...
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Here Are Some Things You Might Consider Before Saying Goodbye to 2023 What has changed for you in 2023? For some, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind?...
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You may be able to reduce your tax liability if you consider adopting these tax strategies before year’s end. Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays should be celebratory..
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Thursday, November 30, 2023
As we near the end of 2023, we start seeing recaps of the year in review. How about making your own? One of the best ways to evaluate progress toward pursuing your financial goals is with an annual review. Late December and the...
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How to Perform a Six-Step Maintenance Checkup on Your Retirement Plan Does your retirement plan make curious noises when it travels over a few market bumps? Are you getting enough mileage out of your savings rate? Is your...
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Drawing down your retirement savings is necessary to avoid tax penalties. Here are two things to watch for, especially here at year's end.
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Wednesday, November 1, 2023
There’s a reason why even athletes, entertainers, and business people with seven-figure (and higher) incomes suddenly find themselves filing for bankruptcy. Money mismanagement can eat through even the biggest bankrolls. Here are...
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Retirement savings isn’t the only financial goal you should consider in your lifetime. There are other milestones that you ought to take into account as well. When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying...
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Sunday, October 1, 2023
Reminder: Medicare's Open Enrollment Period takes place this year from October 15th to December 7th. Also known as Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan annual election period, this window gives you the chance to...
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Planning To Retire Within Five Years or so? Include These Three Exercises in Your Flight Plan Whether you have a specific date in mind or not, choosing when to retire requires careful planning and preparation — even if you plan...
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Friday, September 1, 2023
If your family relies on your income, it’s critical to consider having enough life insurance to provide for them after you pass away. But too often, life insurance is an overlooked aspect of personal finances.In fact, according...
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Are you on track with your financial goals this year? Now is the perfect time to take a step back and evaluate your progress.As financial professionals, we're always working with our clients to help make certain they are...
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"A.I." seems to be everywhere lately. Mentioned by CEOs multiple times during second-quarter conference calls. Cited in strike negotiations by Hollywood actors. Posted on social media as a tool to turn yourself into Barbie or Ken...
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Tuesday, August 1, 2023
As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the "right" university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one's choice may not be...
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Especially during times of challenging markets, 401(k)s might be better Despite the challenging market conditions, 401(k) balances often fare better than IRAs, providing a little more hope for retirement investors.Here are 5 reasons...
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Saturday, July 1, 2023
The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, should you?Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you...
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What workers anticipate in terms of retirement income sources may differ considerably from what retirees actually experience. For many people, retirement income may come from a variety of sources. Here’s a quick review of...
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Thursday, June 1, 2023
Despite not being as well known as some other retirement tools, annuities account for 6% of all assets earmarked for retirement. With about $2.6 trillion in assets, annuities hold more funds than Roth IRAs.1An annuity is a contract...
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Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, as the world awakens from its winter slumber and new life begins to bloom. As the saying goes, "April showers bring May flowers", and this sentiment can also apply to your financial life....
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Five steps to take to minimize any penalties and consequences: This year, the tax deadline was moved from April 15 to April 18. If, however, you miss this year’s new tax filing deadline, the first thing you should do is not to panic.
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Monday, May 1, 2023
Much is written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Some classic financial missteps have been known to plague retirees, too.Calling them “missteps” may...
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Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last.When you are older, “and-a-half”...
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Saturday, April 1, 2023
Generally, the different parts of Medicare help cover specific services. Most beneficiaries choose to receive their Parts A and B benefits through Original Medicare, the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the...
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Women who share money management duties with their partner tend to take on a lion’s share of the responsibility for the household finances. Yet only 18% of women feel very confident in their ability to fully retire...
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Wednesday, March 1, 2023
The Social Security Disability Insurance program paid out over $140 billion in benefits in 2021. And with new applicants each year, the system is expected to exhaust its reserves at the end of 2034 if changes aren’t made.1...
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Have you ever taken a close look at paper money? Each U.S. bill has the words “Federal Reserve Note” imprinted across the top.But many individuals may not know why the bill is issued by the Federal Reserve and what role the...
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Wednesday, February 1, 2023
You may have heard the saying, “inflation hurts savers and benefits borrowers.” The expression suggests that borrowers benefit from inflation because they pay back lenders with dollars worth less than when the money...
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Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance....
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In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement. The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
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Sunday, January 1, 2023
Although market uncertainty might make you feel jittery, keeping your investment cool is critical to your financial success. While it's hard to watch your portfolio value fluctuate, remember these six things before acting out of emotion....
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Sometimes it feels like a year can go by in a flash. When you look back over the past 12 months, you might be surprised at how things have changed for you: individual finances, personal circumstances, or the economy in general...
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Thursday, December 1, 2022
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...
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Answers to your top inflation questions: been there, done that. Don’t want to do it again. That’s how many people who lived through the 1970s and 1980s feel about inflation. But today’s reality is that your money...
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Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Most portfolios are constructed based on an individual's investment objective, risk tolerance, and time horizon.Using these inputs and sophisticated portfolio-optimization calculations, most investors can feel confident that they own...
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Traditionally, we’ve been a little cautious when people say, “it’s different this time.” After all, the past few years have seen more financial “firsts” than most. But despite that skepticism...
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Saturday, October 1, 2022
Medicare Advantage, sometimes known as “Part C,” is something of a catch-all choice for those who are ready to sign up for Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers in conjunction with the Medicare...
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Thursday, September 1, 2022
It’s time for your life insurance checkup. September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage. If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone....
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Monday, August 1, 2022
Knowing the rules may help you decide when to start benefits. In a recent survey, 68% of current workers stated they plan to work for pay after retiring.1 And that possibility raises an interesting question: how will working affect...
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Friday, July 1, 2022
"What is your greatest retirement fear?" If you ask some pre-retirees this question, "outliving my money" may be one of the top answers. In fact, 42% of workers say they fear outliving their savings and investments.1 Retirees face...
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Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Life insurance proceeds are generally tax-free. But not in all cases. According to the most recent estimates from the US Census Bureau, the population of people over the age of 55 grew twenty times faster than...
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Sunday, May 1, 2022
Many investors are looking to build a portfolio that reflects their socially responsible values, while giving them the potential for solid returns. That’s where SRI Investing, Impact Investing, and ESG...
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Friday, April 1, 2022
Research suggests that 70% of married millennial couples argue about financial decisions more than any other topic. This could explain why some experts say financial problems are one of the top...
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Tuesday, March 1, 2022
As our nation ages, many Americans are turning their attention to caring for aging parents. Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, the worldwide population over age 65 is growing. In the past decade...
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Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Preparing for retirement is not entirely financial. Your degree of happiness in your “second act” may depend on some factors that don’t come with an obvious price tag. Here are some non-monetary factors to consider as...
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Saturday, January 1, 2022
When a family member passes away, there are many decisions that need to be made and many emotions to handle. The last thing anyone thinks about is taxes. Unfortunately, even the deceased can’t escape taxation. If the departed...
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Wednesday, December 1, 2021
Who among us wants to pay the IRS more taxes than we have to? While few may raise their hands, Americans regularly overpay because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Let’s take a quick look at the five...
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Monday, November 1, 2021
This time of year, you might glance at an account statement and see there has been an adjustment. But there may not be any cause for concern.Many mutual funds in December pay shareholders capital gains distributions that they have...
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Friday, October 1, 2021
Once you turn 65, the world of Medicare opens to you, and you also gain access to its offshoot supplemental programs. You likely know about Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, and other sections, but you may not know about the senior...
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
In a 2021 survey, 32% of all workers reported they were either “not too” or “not at all” confident that they would have enough money to pay for their medical expenses in retirement. Regardless of your confidence...
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Sunday, August 1, 2021
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.1 As a result, he reportedly cost his estate tens...
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Thursday, July 1, 2021
One of the most common questions people ask about Social Security is when they should start taking benefits. This is the $64,000 question. Making the right decision for you can have a meaningful impact on your financial income...
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Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my income may stay the same.”The most recent reading on consumer prices put inflation back into the conversation. The...
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Saturday, May 1, 2021
It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street.Lately, the financial markets have been fixated on federal taxes and what may be proposed on Capitol Hill in the weeks and months ahead.Wall Street’s focus on...
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Thursday, April 1, 2021
Major League Baseball scheduled Opening Day for April 1, but two states have already scored with spring training underway.Every year, spring training divides the 30 MLB teams into two squads. Half of the teams travel to Florida as...
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Monday, March 1, 2021
Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Bad things happen to the best of us, and sometimes it seems...
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Monday, February 1, 2021
There are unique financial planning considerations for women that translate into a need to save more money.
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Friday, January 1, 2021
Are your children prepared to maintain and enhance the family wealth? You can help prepare them for the financial decisions they will face as adults.
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Tuesday, December 1, 2020
According to Giving USA 2020, Americans gave an estimated $449.64 billion to charity in 2019. That’s one of the highest totals in more than 60 years since the report was first published.1 Americans give to charity for two main...
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Sunday, November 1, 2020
Few life events are more stressful than a job loss. If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions about job hunting, unemployment insurance, and health care.
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Thursday, October 1, 2020
As the U.S. presidential election draws near, expect to see more and more headlines that propose, "What will happen next if this person is elected?" or, "What policy changes to prepare for in the next four years?"In reality, however,...
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Tuesday, September 1, 2020
How are you holding up? If you’re like many of us, you’re probably feeling some level of anxiety regarding the COVID-19 outbreak. And that’s okay. We’re living in a time when feeling helpless is understandable....
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LPL Financial Research is looking ahead for new ways to face current challenges and prepare for better times. Use our Midyear Outlook 2020 to chart a path to eventual economic and market recovery. Plus, learn how stocks may predict the...
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Thursday, July 18, 2019
Taking control of your financial situation can help alleviate stress and potentially free up money to put toward your retirement savings. Grab your sunglasses: summer's here, it's time to kick back and relax. If only it were that easy...
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