Blog
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.
An Excellent First Quarter for Stocks
The first quarter is in the books, and it was an excellent one for stocks. The S&P 500 index rode a resilient U.S. economy, easing inflation, rising corporate profits, and anticipation of summertime rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.
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Social Security Simplified: Common Questions and Answers
Most American workers who earn wage income and pay Social Security taxes via withholding receive Social Security benefits at some point in retirement.
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Asking for Help Is a Strength, Not a Weakness. Here Are 10 Ways a Financial Professional Can Assist
Often, there is a misconception that seeking financial help indicates incompetence or lack of financial self-sufficiency.
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Wealth, Success, and Mental Health: Finding the Balance Between Wealthy and Healthy
April marks Stress Awareness Month, which provides a great opportunity to shed light on a topic often overlooked in the world of high-net-worth investors, which is mental health.
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Improving Your Financial Literacy Can Improve Your Business
Financial literacy is essential for your personal financial health and even more crucial for the financial health of your small business.
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5 Last Minute Considerations Before Tax Day
With April’s federal tax filing and payment deadline on the horizon, Americans are dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s as they prepare for the countdown to Tax Day.
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Five Money Moves to Make With Your Tax Refund
According to the IRS, the average refund will be about $3,300, and many receive the money within three weeks of filing their returns if they file electronically and elect to have their money sent by direct deposit to their bank account.
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The Importance of Business Credit and How to Build It
Credit is one of the most important factors of life that impacts all businesses. Having solid credit is necessary for securing a small business loan.
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The Ultimate Guide to Navigating Tax Filing Season
The federal income tax filing deadline isn’t until April. However, the start of tax season is nearly upon us.
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Solid 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.”
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A Beginner's Guide to Tax-Smart Retirement Withdrawal Strategies
Financial decisions before and during retirement can significantly influence our quality of life and tax liability.
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Tax Planning for Small Businesses
For small business owners, tax planning is crucial. Without proper planning, you may find a large portion of your hard-earned profits and savings eaten up by taxes that may not have been so high if you knew better options to pursue.
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Legacy of Love: 10 Questions to Help Families Prepare for a Wealth Transfer
Wealth transfer is more than just a financial transaction; it's an opportunity for families to pass on their values, wisdom, and a legacy of love.
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You’re About to Retire: Here are 7 Tips to Stay Independent
Living independently as you age isn't always easy and may take some degree of planning well before you are even ready to retire.
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Important Lessons from 2023
The Dow Jones finished at an all-time record high on December 28, and the S&P 500 came within a whisker of a fresh all-time high after the index rallied more than 20% for the year...
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Protect Yourself From Tax Identity Theft as You Approach Retirement
Tax identity theft is a serious type of fraud that affects individuals of all ages and stages of life.
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The Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes and How To Mitigate Them
In the realm of estate planning, the ripple effects of our oversights often linger long after we're gone, impacting the lives of those we leave behind.
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Key Financial Wellness Metrics for Near-Retirement Individuals
As one approaches retirement, monitoring your financial situation by understanding your net worth and assessing the assets and resources needed to maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout retirement is vital.
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4 Tax Planning Tips for High-Net-Worth Families
Tax planning might be complex, but it's also essential—especially for high-net-worth families, where missing tax breaks or failing to optimize income could cost significant dollars, maybe millions, over a lifetime.
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A November to Remember
Solid gains for both stocks and bonds gave investors a November to remember.
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6 Business Goals for a Prosperous New Year
Whether you want to increase your sales, gather a more extensive customer base, or just accomplish needed business improvements, below are a few goals to help you get started.
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Helpful Hints as You Think About Your Tax Filings
Different deadline, inflation adjustments, tax credits, brackets and more.
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Protecting Assets From Lawsuits: A Guide to Safeguarding Your Wealth
Wealthy individuals are particularly attractive targets for lawsuits, given the potential for a sizable payout. In this backdrop, safeguarding one's assets from potential legal threats has never been more crucial.
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A Look at Tax Planning for Retirement
After years of saving and planning for their golden years, many people nearing retirement fail to consider the tax burden they may face on income they receive after they stop working.
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Offering Thanks
The penultimate month of the year is often a time to reflect and offer thanks. And while economic and geopolitical uncertainty can overshadow the positives, there are things to be thankful for.
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Crucial Estate Planning Steps Before It’s Too Late
As 2026 approaches, the financial and legal communities are abuzz with discussions about the imminent sunset of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
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High Earning Women and Wealth Management
In the U.S., women control a third of household assets. But by 2030, U.S. women are expected to control much of the assets that the baby boomer generation will pass to heirs, roughly 30 trillion in assets.
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Tips to Navigate Tax Filing Season and the IRS
Dealing with the IRS and ensuring compliance with tax regulations can seem daunting. However, with proper preparation and a proactive approach, you can navigate the tax filing season with confidence.
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Year-end Tax Planning for High-Net-Worth Individuals
As the year’s end approaches, High-Net-Worth Individuals (HNWIs) must prepare for one of the most critical monetary tasks: year-end tax planning.
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Staying 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.
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Little Known Tax Credits for Business Owners
Your commitment to hiring practices that uplift veterans, marginalized communities, and those facing barriers to employment is commendable. But did you know the federal government offers incentives?
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Elder Care, Caregivers, and Estate Planning: What You Need to Know
If you or a loved one are approaching the point of needing elder care, you may be wondering what your options are.
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Retirement Revolution: 3 Reasons to Rethink Your Retirement Plan
While everyone looks forward to this seemingly-magical moment, if it is not the ideal time or plan, you may be in a poor financial position and unable to enjoy your retirement as you envisioned.
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Investing vs. Saving: Key Differences and Why Your Money Mindset Matters
You often hear people discuss "saving for retirement,” but in many cases, they're actually referring to their investing.
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Finding Focus with Financial Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide
You have probably heard about financial planning and its potential benefits, but you are unsure how to apply the principles to your life. A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition.
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A Retirement Planning Primer
Does your retirement seem years and years away? While it may appear this way, you owe it to yourself to look ahead and begin giving thought to a time in your life that may account for 20 or more "golden" years.
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Advantages, Challenges, and Opportunities for Businesswomen Today
By navigating challenges and taking advantage of opportunities that come their way, women can go further in business. Below are some of the challenges some women may face and opportunities that may offer them new success.
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Understanding the Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional
Not all sponsors of traditional 401(k)s have adopted the Roth feature, but it is not too early to consider whether contributing after-tax dollars to a Roth 401(k) can help you achieve greater financial security in retirement.
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Inflation Math for Today’s Retiree
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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Your Year-End Financial Checklist
The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want to pursue. To that end, here are some aspects of your financial life to think about as this year leads into the next. Keep in mind,...
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Cash Alternatives for Charitable Giving
The year is winding down, and you may be thinking of giving. In fact, you may want to explore the different ways in which you can donate to a charity or non-profit organization, apart from just making a cash gift. Consider some of the...
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Annual Financial To-Do List
What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building...
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Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...
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Insurance When you Marry After 40
With people marrying later in life these days, coverage has become even more important. When you marry, you buy life insurance. Right? You buy it out of consideration for your spouse, and also realize that in the event of either your...
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National Life Insurance Awareness Month
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.1 If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...
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Life Insurance with Extended-Care Riders
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed extended-care policies. While the specific policy information varies from company to company, in general, the pandemic has made it more difficult to qualify for extended-care policies. This can be...
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Conducting Your Mid-Year Financial Checkup
With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of summer, we encourage you to slow down and check up on...
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College Funding Choices
How can you help cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be key for most families. Here are some college savings vehicles to consider. 529 college savings plans. Offered by states and some...
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How Much Do You Really Know About Extended Care
How much does eldercare cost, and how do you arrange it when it is needed? The average person might have difficulty answering those two questions, for the answers are not widely known. For clarification, here are some facts to dispel...
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Qualified Charitable Distributions
A choice for I.R.A. owners who want to reduce taxes linked to I.R.A. distributions. Do you have an I.R.A.? As you enter your 70s, you may start to look at that I.R.A. not only as an asset, but also as a problem. By law, you must take...
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Tax Efficiency in Retirement
Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? Do you have a 401(k) or a traditional IRA? If so, you will receive income from both after age 72. However, if you have saved and invested much of your life, you may also end up retiring at a...
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Retirement Questions That Have Nothing to do with Money
Retirement planning 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 you...
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Contributing to Retirement Accounts
If you’re like many investors, you’re probably looking for a way to manage your tax bill. One approach to consider is contributing the full amount to your retirement accounts. It’s not too late to fund your retirement...
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Building a Healthy Financial Foundation
When you read about money matters, you will sometimes see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? When your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a...
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Distributions from Mutual Funds
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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The Social Security Administrative Announces 2021 COLA
What you should know about the most recent cost-of-living adjustment. On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living...
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Facts About Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, give yourself plenty of time. You may discover that it is much more complex than an employer-sponsored...
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End-of-the-Year Money Moves
Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2020. What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s...
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October is Financial Planning Month
When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to...
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Conquering Retirement Challenges for Women
Looking ahead can help you conquer these unique obstacles. When it comes to retirement, some women face obstacles that can make saving for retirement a challenge. Women typically earn less than their male counterparts and often take...
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Why Roth IRA Conversations May Now Be Advantageous
Roth IRAs have attracted retirement savers since their introduction in 1998. They offer the potential for tax-free retirement income, provided Internal Revenue Service rules are followed. Do Roth IRAs seem even more attractive these...
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The I.R.S. Has Enhanced the 2020 RMD Waivers
In March, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law. It was designed to help Americans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new law offered investors a financial break. It gave people the option to...
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Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen
This early financial decision could prove helpful over time. Want to give your child or grandchild a great financial start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. There are many reasons why starting a Roth IRA for a teenager may be...
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Time for a Mid-Year Review
Now that tax season is over it might be time for you to have a financial review. It is important to review your accounts periodically to make sure you are still on track towards your goals. Take a moment to think about any changes in...
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Eldercare Choices in the COVID-19 Era
Exploring your extended care options may be wise at this time. Given the threat of COVID-19, seniors today may be considering their extended care alternatives with extra caution.1In addition to health factors, the cost can be an issue....
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How the CARES Act Impacts RMDs
Tucked into the gigantic “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act were two key changes you should know about, regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs). Both were designed to give...
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Avoiding COVID-19 Scams
Scammers, fraudsters, and other criminals are taking advantage of rapidly changing data and facts associated with COVID-19, both in the workplace and in our homes. Government agencies, corporations, and news outlets continue to warn...
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We Are Here for You!
Delivering the Support and the Financial Guidance You NeedWe know that these can be frightening times, but we want to assure you that one thing you don’t need to worry about is us supporting you through them. We are committed to...
Read MoreOur Response to COVID-19
We want to share information about the steps we’ve taken to minimize any potential impact to our clients as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and maximize our efforts to keep our team and clients safe. This event,...
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Tax Considerations for Retirees
Tax Considerations for Retirees Are you aware of these potential tax breaks and tax-saving opportunities? The federal government offers some major tax breaks for older Americans. Some of these perks deserve more publicity than they...
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Annual Financial To-Do List
Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving, or...
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Annual Contribution Limits
The I.R.S. just announced the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used retirement plan accounts for 2020. Here’s a quick look at them. Next year, you can put up to $6,000 in any type of IRA. The limit is...
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A 2020 Look at Your IRA
As you may have heard, Congress passed legislation late last year that changed the rules for traditional IRAs and other defined contribution plans. These changes went into effect on January 1, 2020. Over the years, there have been many...
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