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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. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

 

Friday, September 22, 2023

A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...

 

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

If you just started a new job and you’re looking at the 401(k) options that are available, you probably have questions about how it all works. You might be wondering: How do I know these are good investment options? How much...

 

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

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. High-earning women have...

 

Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Everyone has spending limits—even the government. Believe it or not, though the American government has a habit of spending like it’s going out of style, there’s actually a limit to the amount of debt it can take on....

 

Friday, July 21, 2023

So, you started a family. And in the blink of an eye, your teenagers are heading to college right around the same time your aging parents need more attention. If this sounds familiar, congratulations—you’re part of the...

 

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Thursday, July 13, 2023

Our 2023 investing outlook started with a theme of returning to normalcy. Considering 2022’s market volatility and the aftereffects of the pandemic, the idea of finding balance was certainly a welcomed change. It’s a theme...

 

Monday, June 26, 2023

Despite progress, the pathway to financial access and stability is still rockyWhile the future seems brighter than ever for women entrepreneurs, a myriad of financial challenges continue to cast shadows over their journey. The...

 

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Whether you are expecting your first child or have been a parent for years, finances and building a future for your family go hand-in-hand. Luckily, there are money moves you can make now to help manage financial stress, support...

 

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

When you’re buying a home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the decisions you have to make. Are you looking for a fixer-upper or something move-in ready? City or country? Ranch house or townhome? Believe me, I get it. A...

 

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

If there’s one thing, we can all agree on, it’s that a college education is expensive. And although student loans are advertised as the easiest way to pay for college, they’re actually a huge burden on your...

 

Friday, April 28, 2023

Want to know what will derail your budget quicker than almost anything? Unexpected expenses. Want to know how to keep that from happening? Plan ahead!Maybe you’re thinking, Okay but how? How can I get ahead of something...

 

Thursday, April 20, 2023

When people think of “myths,” they often think of such stories as Pandora’s Box (the woman who took the lid off of a jar releasing all of the world’s ills upon the world, were taxes one of them?), or the Tale of...

 

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The future of Social Security is unpredictable to say the least.In fact, most workers are concerned Social Security won’t be there for them when they’re ready to retire. And yet, workers and retirees...

 

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Spring can be a fantastic time to refresh your retirement plan and savings habits. With 2023 bringing increased limits for 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and other tax-advantaged...

 

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Let's give a shout-out to all the women out there for a second—because there’s no doubt that women have been making serious strides lately. Today, more women are getting college degrees than men, and women now make up half...

 

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

Nowadays, everyone seems to be an expert on investing. How much to invest, where to put your money, and when to get out before the value drops. So, who do you believe? What are the right answers? Why does this stuff seem so...

 

Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Do you ever see people who are living their retirement dreams and wonder, What the heck did they do to get there? There’s joy in their voices as they talk about their plans to travel the world or be outrageously...

 

Friday, January 13, 2023

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

 

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Teaching children about financial wellness should start at an early age. Learning how making money, saving, and spending is related and the first step in teaching your child how to understand the value of money. Children learn from...

 

Thursday, December 15, 2022

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. Whether it’s about the markets...

 

Friday, December 2, 2022

As inflation soars, you can now save a lot more for your retirement On October 21st, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500, up...

 

Thursday, November 10, 2022

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 changed the rules for taking distributions from retirement accounts inherited after 2019. The so-called 10-year rule generally requires inherited accounts...

 

Monday, October 31, 2022

As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:...

 

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Specific questions to help frame your thinking as you talk to your heirs The murkiest part of estate planning is to discuss when and how to distribute your assets to your heirs. This process requires a series of considerations and...

 

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

With the cost of long-term care (LTC) increasing year over year, considering how the costs of long-term LTC will impact your financial plan is essential. According to insurance company Genworth, the price of LTC services increased...

 

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed...

 

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Understanding how much you can contribute as well as the catch-up limitsIn 1958, the Internal Revenue Service created 403(b) plans to encourage employees of certain organizations to begin saving for retirement. In 2001, the Economic...

 

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

There is always room for improvement.It’s an old cliché, but still apropos in the financial services industry as advisors strive to identify the best practices to create the best possible outcomes for clients.Advisors...

 

Monday, August 22, 2022

A Roth IRA conversion involves repositioning traditional IRA or qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan assets into a Roth IRA. One reason people convert traditional IRAs or other retirement accounts into Roth IRAs is so they...

 

Friday, August 12, 2022

A bear market is a prolonged period of price declines in securities, an index such as the S&P 500, or the overall stock market of usually 20% or more from a recent high. Bear markets can also signal economic downturns such as a...

 

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Markets are always forward looking, so it’s important to remain focused on what lies ahead. There will most certainly be challenges, but there are also some tailwinds from a strong job market, still resilient businesses, and the...

 

Friday, June 24, 2022

The cost and availability of life insurance depend on factors such as age, health, and the type and amount of insurance purchased.A complete statement of coverage, including exclusions, exceptions, and limitations, is found only in the...

 

Monday, June 20, 2022

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...

 

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Erica Gargol. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Erica below.Erica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Is there a...

 

Monday, June 6, 2022

Vacation is something that we all look forward to, but it’s important not to forget about your home—and its safety—while you’re away. With some pre-planning, it’s easy to make sure your house is safe and...

 

Monday, May 16, 2022

Americans seem to be traveling more than ever before and are doing so by either flying the friendly skies or sailing the seven seas. While more of us may be flying high or traveling the high seas, most of us would like to avoid the...

 

Monday, May 9, 2022

Finding a company that fits your values, purpose and personality takes time The Labor Department tracks monthly changes in job openings and as recently as February 1st, reported that the number of job openings in the U.S. reached 10.9...

 

Monday, April 25, 2022

Signing up for Social Security According to the Social Security Administration, you should apply for Social Security benefits approximately three months before your retirement date. To apply for Social Security benefits, you can fill...

 

Monday, April 11, 2022

April brings more than possible rain showers. It also marks Financial Literacy Month in the U.S. Whether you’re interested in a quick refresher or seeking to learn something new, it may be worth the effort to brush up on some...

 

Monday, March 14, 2022

Spring cleaning presents a great opportunity to clear out any items you no longer need—and the same goes for your finances. Checking in with your finances during tax season may be particularly beneficial, as it allows you to...

 

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Many IRA and retirement plan limits are indexed for inflation each year. Although the amount you can contribute to IRAs remains the same in 2022, other key numbers will increase, including how much you can contribute to a work-based...

 

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Stocks have gotten off to a very rocky start in 2022, with the potential for Federal Reserve rate hikes coming and the geopolitical worries over Russia and Ukraine only adding to the uncertainty. We don’t want to minimize the...

 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

Marriage brings about a lot of changes in your life, with one of them being finances. While some couples may decide to keep their finances separate and maintain multiple accounts, others may feel it is time to combine finances the same...

 

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

When you hear the term identity theft, the first thought that comes to mind may involve a data breach or opening a credit card in someone else's name. But another common type of identity theft involves the use of someone's Social...

 

Thursday, January 6, 2022

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

 

Tuesday, January 4, 2022

“Keep it Simple, Stupid” is a great approach to organizing your finances. Some folks think financial planning is very difficult. While certain aspects are hard, such as constructing the right asset allocation to meet your...

 

Thursday, December 9, 2021

Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now...

 

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Our resurgent economy grew at over a 6% pace in the first half of the year and is on track for over 5% growth for the year when 2021 draws to a close. The current economic recovery, which started in May 2020, has benefited from...

 

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Black Friday is sometimes the largest shopping holiday of the entire year. Millions of people typically shop in stores or online on Black Friday to score the top deals on must-have holiday gifts. While it may be easy to become...

 

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Personal finance is an important area of knowledge—but it's not always taught in schools. It may be tough to master when you haven't had much guidance prior to adulthood. You may be able to improve your financial literacy and...

 

Friday, October 15, 2021

In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2 Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....

 

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Being a woman in business today comes with many obstacles, but it may also bring some unique advantages and opportunities. By navigating challenges and taking advantage of opportunities that come their way, women can go further in...

 

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Retirement is often an elusive topic for many people because it requires the integration of so many unfamiliar choices. As financial planners we’ve helped clients negotiate everything from aspirational goals to the mundane...

 

Friday, September 10, 2021

Single parents are faced with the pressure of supporting an entire household on their own—which can often make paying for college seem like an insurmountable goal. Fortunately, there are several different ways for single parents...

 

Thursday, August 26, 2021

The golden rule of financial planning: if you can plan it, you can pursue it. Self-sufficiency isn’t guaranteed, but every one of us has the opportunity to achieve it. Check out these four steps to help you work towards financial...

 

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Are Millennial Women Saving Enough for Retirement? The available data is more encouraging than discouraging. Women 35 and younger are often hard-pressed to save money. Student loans may be...

 

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Insurance is defined as protection against a financial loss. Most people have insurance - homeowner’s insurance, car insurance and health insurance - but forget to protect their own lives in the event of their untimely death. We...

 

Monday, October 17, 2016

You may have to make estimated tax payments if you earn income that is not subject to withholding, such as income from self-employment, interest, dividends, alimony, rent, realized investment gains, prizes, and awards. You also may...