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. For anyone who is used to managing substantial wealth, the pressure to sustain success may take a toll on your mental well-being.

How to Build Professional Social Relationships While Running a Small Business

You need a healthy social network to make your small business truly successful. Not only can other small business owners help refer clients and customers your way, provide collaboration, and introduce you to useful contacts, but they can also provide an invaluable sounding board on challenges you may face. Below, we discuss eight winning strategies to help you cultivate meaningful

Sandwich Generation: Watch Out for These Costly Financial Pitfalls

The sandwich generation is generally defined as middle-aged individuals aged 40 to 60 (Generation X) sandwiched between aging parents, adult children, and grandchildren. Because members of the sandwich generation have been in the workforce for a while, they may be somewhat financially stable and, therefore, face some costly financial pitfalls when it comes to family. If you are part of the sandwich

The Founding Fathers’ Guide to Financial Independence

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” This nugget of financial wisdom from Benjamin Franklin, shared in the late 1700s, remains as relevant today as it was then. Despite living in a different era, our founding fathers were remarkably insightful, including when it came to finance. While the concept of financial independence may vary for each individual, it generally implies

6 Tips for Small Business Owners to Promote Workplace Wellness

Work is stressful at times, and anxiety and stress among your employees may lead to performance issues and an overall lower productivity rate. By promoting wellness in the workplace, you may reduce employee burnout and make the work environment more pleasant and productive. Below are a few simple tips to follow to help promote wellness in your small business.  1.

The Importance of Setting Career Goals

We all want to grow in our careers; after all, no one wants to be stuck in the same job for years and years. But in order to achieve any type of professional success, we must continually push ourselves and develop our skills. How do we do that? Set goals. Consider these goal-setting strategies.   Define what success means to

Homeownership: What It Could Mean for Your Estate Plan

There is one thing that we will most likely all do one day: regardless of your status in society, position at work, or whether you are tall or short, you may pass down assets to loved ones. When that day arrives, an estate plan is essential for managing and distributing those assets without too many hiccups. Physical real estate is

Stocks Benefit From Solid Fundamental Foundation

April showers brought May flowers as markets placed greater importance on economic growth and corporate profits than the “higher for longer” interest rate messages from the Federal Reserve (Fed). In fact, the S&P 500 ended May above where it ended March. So, as you prepare for summer vacations, how much should you worry about your stock portfolios? First, based on

How to Navigate Buying a Home During High Inflation

With rising housing prices and interest rates, you may feel pressured to jump on the carousel to avoid being left behind. However, a home is one of the most expensive purchases most Americans will make, and you don’t want to rush into a home that isn’t right for your needs. Below, we’ll explore a few key tips and insights to

4 Tips for How to Set Up a 529 Plan to Benefit Your Business

529 education savings plans allow families to put away money for their children’s education without paying taxes on the earnings, as long as the withdrawals are used for qualified educational expenses and fall within the applicable annual limits. While many people may already have these set up for their children or grandchildren, they also make a great benefit option to

Tips for Navigating Inflation as a Small Business Owner

Small business owners face many challenges, which may become even more significant during inflation. As inflation hit new highs in recent years, small business owners are being tested and challenged by high costs and high interest rates that have caused some to close their doors. So, how do small business owners weather the storm of inflation? Here are a few

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. To help you get started in tax planning for the new year, below are a few considerations to make.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Life Insurance Policy for Your Retirement Years

Life insurance has its benefits, and choosing a manageable life insurance policy is a critical step in your retirement planning. It can help your family cover end-of-life expenses, funeral and burial costs, and pay for estate taxes. It is essential you select a life insurance policy that could benefit you and your family in your retirement years. Here are a

Navigating May’s Stock Market Outlook

After a strong first quarter for stocks, some April showers rained down as the S&P 500 fell about 4% last month. Hopefully those showers will bring some flowers in May, despite the widely cited stock market adage, “Sell in May and go away.” There is some merit to this old adage because the S&P 500’s best six-month returns have, on

So You Think You Might Need A Financial Professional? A Guide to National Financial Advisor Day

National Financial Advisor Day is a celebration on April 18 of each year. This date is a time to explore the world of financial professionals and understand how they may help you navigate the complexities of managing your money. Whether you’re new to working with a financial professional or considering seeking more financial assistance, this is a helpful guide to

The ABCs of Financial Literacy

Learning financial literacy, such as money management, budgeting, and investing, can seem daunting, but is no different than learning how to speak another language. Being financially literate allows you to have a better, more intelligent relationship with your money, allowing you to make financial decisions more quickly and efficiently. Why is Financial Literacy so Important? Financial literacy is vital in

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. While the Social Security Administration has tried to make the process easier to understand and navigate, many questions remain. Whether you are getting close to retirement or even if retirement is still a little way off, here

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 (Fed) to solid gains in March, the fifth straight winning month, and the best first quarter since 2019. With stocks having

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. Being a small business owner comes with many responsibilities, one of which is maintaining the company’s finances and helping keep it on track toward a solid financial future. Whether you are just starting to explore financial literacy as a

Credit Education Month: 4 Ways to Boost Your Credit IQ

March is National Credit Education Month in the U.S., which makes it the perfect opportunity to brush up on your credit basics. Whether you’re a credit novice or well-versed in the art of the FICO score, below are four ways to potentially boost your credit IQ.

Why Your Credit Score Matters in Retirement

Regardless of the stage of life, your credit score is an essential component of your financial health when you’re in retirement. A consistently strong credit score can pave the way for greater confidence, easy loan access, and lower interest rates. Many retirees overlook the importance of maintaining a suitable credit score after they stop working or that credit scores lose

Markets Warming Up

As spring approaches, the weather is starting to warm up. For the stock market, the temperature has been rising for a while now. In fact, since December 2023, the S&P 500 has not experienced a pullback of even 2%. Strong starts to years tend to signal more gains ahead, so this calm market may not precede a storm. In fact,

Managing Your Money: Top Financial Habits for Women Entrepreneurs

Today, there are an estimated 12.3 million women-owned businesses. To give that some context, approximately 43% of entrepreneurs worldwide are women. A study conducted by Fidelity Investments showed that women are often less prepared for retirement than their male counterparts. Here are several financial habits women entrepreneurs can consider in pursuit of their money management goals:  Become an investor  

Pearls of Wisdom: Wealth Preservation for High-Net-Worth Women

Wealth preservation is essential for high-net-worth (HNW) individuals, but it warrants a gender-specific focus, too. Particularly for HNW women, understanding the complexities of wealth preservation is crucial. Whether due to inheritance, accomplishment in the corporate world, or entrepreneurial fulfillment, more women today find themselves in the ranks of HNW individuals.   What makes a woman’s situation unique   On average,

How to Help Your Children with Their Debt

Parenthood is full of highs and lows. If you have children, you probably know firsthand what it feels like to be in debt. Because you know how debt feels and you love your children, you probably want to step in and relieve them of their own financial worries. However, there are productive and unproductive ways to help adult children through

Caring For Your Family Members While Preparing For Retirement

The newest generation of upcoming retirees is facing a more unique and prominent dilemma than past generations have experienced: caring for family members at the same time they’re preparing for retirement. There are plenty of reasons for this, such as life expectancy being longer, and aging in place becoming more common. This can mean many people approaching retirement are also

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.” Nearly 75 years of historical data shows that when the S&P 500 has risen in January, the average gain for the remainder of the year has been about 12%.

Retiring Early As a Couple: A Financial Love Story

Retiring early as a couple is a goal shared by many, and if planned comprehensively, it may provide opportunities for travel, passion projects, and more quality time together. Retiring simultaneously can bring many benefits, such as shared experiences and time together, which may result in a stronger bond. However, it is essential to note that simultaneously retiring means that the

How to Estimate Your Quarterly Taxes as a Small Business Owner

For profitable small businesses, paying quarterly estimated taxes is part of the tax process to potentially avoid penalties at the end of your fiscal year. The quarterly taxes for a business are the estimated taxes that will be owed at the end of the year. Or, in some cases where businesses may see ebbs and flows, it may be based

How to Create the Best Personal Finance Spreadsheet

Follow these steps to create a basic fool-proof budget and spending tracker. Open an Excel or Google Sheets tab, and grab a pencil and notebook—let’s get started!

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. This article explores eight key financial wellness metrics individuals must monitor as they approach retirement.

8 Financial Wellness Tips to Help Manage Generational Wealth

Asset management and financial wellness can help develop long-term confidence when wealth transfers from generation to generation. Understanding and implementing financial wellness techniques is essential for effectively sharing wealth with the next generations.

Financial Wellness Checklist for Small Business Owners

Financial wellness is easier to work toward when a business owner understands their economic outlook and has set financial goals to take them through the next 5 to 10 years.2 Striving toward financial wellness is vital for any small business owner. When your finances are in a good place, you are able to focus on other important aspects of your business, such as business development and growth. So, if you are ready to take charge of your financial wellness, there are a few things to add to your financial wellness checklist.

Important Lessons from 2023

Stocks defied the skeptics in a very unpredictable 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.

Creating Financial Resolutions as a Couple

It’s a new year and the time of year when you want to make resolutions about your personal life, business life, and finances. It is the perfect time for couples to get together and set their own financial goals for the upcoming year. Need a few ideas to get started? Below are a few resolutions worth taking into consideration.

Year-End Tax Planning Considerations for Capital Gains

As the end of the year approaches, investors need to focus on tax-related considerations, particularly regarding capital gains. Year-end tax planning can help investors manage their overall tax liability while seeking to manage investments for suitable tax outcomes. In this article, we explore four key tax planning areas for capital gains: what it is, tax law changes, tax efficiency, and offsetting capital losses.

Year-End Planning Considerations for Business Owners

The end of the year can be a chaotic time for business owners. It is a time to compile data, review the numbers, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and determine growth opportunities for the future. A business owner would be keen to review several factors in preparing year-end documents and preparing for the following year. Here are five tips that may assist with organizing a strategy.

5 Strategies for Managing Financial Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season is a time of joy and headaches, celebration, fatigue, and togetherness mixed with a few knock-down drag-out fights. On top of the emotional rollercoaster ride can come a big wallop of financial stress.

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. While you will likely see a reduction in the amount of taxes you owe after the age of 65, you still need to plan ahead if you want to minimize your tax bill from the IRS.

Year-End Donations and #GivingTuesday

A list of things to consider as you think about year-end charitable donations With its family traditions and festive celebrations, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to GivingTuesday.org, the giving in the U.S. alone totaled $2.7 billion to nonprofits and community organizations on #GivingTuesday in 2021, a 6% increase from 2020. Unfortunately, despite

Year-End Planning for Retirees

As we approach the last quarter of each year, it is a good time to plan for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for existing retirees and those hoping to retire in the next few years. There are tax and income strategies you might consider regarding your financial assets. Here are three steps you may take when planning

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. Due to the nature of their holdings and dynamic financial situation, HNWIs often grapple with complex tax management issues. With astute planning, mitigating significant tax liability may be possible. First, comprehensive tax planning involves critically reviewing current income and

Tax Planning for the Self-Employed

What is it? According to the IRS, you are self-employed if you carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, as an independent contractor, as a member of a partnership, or if you are otherwise in business for yourself. You can be a full-time employee and still have self-employment income from a side job. To determine whether particular

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. Here is just some of what we’re thankful for, now that we’re in the second to last month of the year.

A Guide to Social Security for Seniors

Whether you’re nearing retirement age, have a significant disability or are struggling to meet your basic needs, you may be entitled to Social Security. This federal program includes several different components that can provide valuable financial assistance regardless of your age. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility and how to claim your benefits. What Is Social Security? The Social

What Should Women Entrepreneurs Know About Small Business Grants?

One of the biggest challenges for any new business involves maintaining liquidity and consistent cash flow. Many entrepreneurs take only a minimal salary—if any at all—during the first few years their business operates, choosing instead to sink any profits back into the business. Fortunately, there are grants available that can provide some much-needed liquidity to female entrepreneurs. Learn more about these grants

Employer Open Enrollment: Make Benefit Choices That Work for You

Open enrollment is the window of time when employers introduce changes to their benefit offerings for the upcoming plan year. If you’re employed, this is your once-a-year chance to make important decisions that will affect your healthcare choices and your finances. Even if you are satisfied with your current health plan, it may no longer be the most cost-effective option.

Making Decisions About Medicare

As you near age 65, you may start to think about Medicare. How do you sort through your coverage options? When (and how) do you enroll? And what if you have other health insurance? Here is some information to help you when it’s time to make decisions about Medicare. Medicare Coverage Basics Medicare, the federal health insurance program that covers

High Net-Worth Individuals: Are You Missing Opportunities in Your Financial Planning?

High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Often, they have missed opportunities in their financial planning because they haven’t planned adequately for their retirement even though they make a high income.

Assessing Potential Market Impact of Israel-Hamas War

On Saturday, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government, launched an attack on Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and taking dozens more hostage.

Women and Estate Planning Basics

When it comes to estate planning, women have unique concerns. The fact is that women live an average of 5.0 years longer than men.* That’s important because it means that there’s a greater chance that you’ll need your assets to last for a longer period of time and a greater need to plan for incapacity. It also means that you’ll

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.

Financial Planning: Who Needs It?

No matter how much money you make, completely mastering money early on in life can help you pursue what everyone wants: a financially comfortable today and a financially secure tomorrow. Mastering money in our society can be a challenging task. Making sound financial decisions requires knowledge of investments, taxes, risk management, estate planning, pension benefits, and other areas—coupled with an

Shutdowns and the Impact to Financial Markets

The following is a very brief history of U.S. government shutdowns and the effects they have on financial markets. More importantly, here are a few insights into how investors should prepare for the uncertainty surrounding such events.

Family Wealth Transfer Planning: Keeping It In the Family Through Generational Giving

You have worked hard for years and accumulated wealth. You earned this money through your job, investing, and saving, and you want to preserve it for yourself and to take care of the family you love.

Ten Things You Must Know About Medicare

Heading into your retirement years brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll, what to enroll in and what coverage will be best for you can be daunting. To help you wade easily into the waters, here are ten essential things you need to know about Medicare.

Figuring Out a 401(k) Strategy That Works for You

Everyone wants a comfortable retirement, but the road you take there will depend on your specific situation. When you invest, you assume a certain level of risk (but like everyone you’re hoping that your holdings will increase in value).

Navigating Market Setbacks

Financial markets lived up to their reputation during the month of August, which has a record for being difficult.

Charitable Giving

A gift to charity is simply a gratuitous transfer of property to a charitable organization. The key is that your gift must be some kind of property–your time or personal services do not count. There are several different types of property that can be donated to charity, and a gift is limited only by your imagination.

Women and Money: Taking Control of Your Finances

As a woman, you have financial needs that are unique to your situation in life. Perhaps you would like to buy your first home. Maybe you need to start saving for your child’s college education. Or you might be concerned about planning for retirement. Whatever your circumstances may be, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your overall financial position.

It’s Never Too Late to Improve Your Financial Awareness

Financial education is constantly evolving. As investments, financial priorities, and the economy change, so do financial strategies and plans. To stay on top of your retirement and ensure that you are on your way toward your financial goals, it’s vital to keep up with your financial education and awareness so that you will be able to make appropriate decisions regarding your financial future.

Why Stay Invested?

Making economic forecasts and stock market predictions can be humbling. It’s especially tough when you expect stocks to go higher and get a big drop instead.

Investor Summer School: 3 Investing Moves to Make Before Summer is Over

Many investors still adhere to the old adage—”sell in May and go away”—while others remain fully invested even as the summer heat waves begin. What goes unsaid is that if your asset allocation accurately reflects your risk tolerance, you won’t need to base your investment decisions on the calendar. Here are three key investing moves to make before the summer

Do You Know What Type of Investor You Are?

Do you know the answer if your financial professional asks you what type of investor you are? While it may be challenging to classify yourself off the top of your head, knowing what type of investor you are might help you avoid making knee-jerk decisions that could cost you money.

Acquaint Grown Children with Your Financial Affairs

As your children get older, it may be beneficial to share financial, medical, and estate planning information with them. Awareness of this information, and knowing where to locate documents, can help your children take appropriate action if necessary.

The Sandwich Generation – Caring for Parents and Children Simultaneously

As the population continues to age, the “sandwich generation” is caught in the middle, supporting both their parents and their children, whether financially, physically, or emotionally

Financial Freedom, Market Volatility, and You

Inflation, higher interest rates, a volatile stock market, and recession fears, has many investors wondering how to proceed. Here are some tips and tricks to help you deal with market volatility and assess the quality of your current investments.

Why Business Owners Need Financial Planning

Regardless of the income a business generates, the ages of the owners, or how many employees it has, a business financial plan can help plan for future and unexpected events.

3 Tips for Preserving Wealth in Your Golden Years

After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it can be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. With some careful planning and ongoing maintenance, you can maintain your lifestyle and potentially preserve your wealth to pass down to your loved ones.

Women and Estate Planning Basics

When it comes to estate planning, women have unique concerns. The fact is that women live an average of 5 years longer than men. That’s important because it means that there’s a greater chance that you’ll need your assets to last for a longer period of time and a greater need to plan for incapacity.

Money Mistakes that Young Professionals Make

As you enter the workforce and start to earn a regular income, it’s easy to get carried away with newfound financial freedom. However, this can often lead to costly money mistakes that can have long-lasting consequences.

Debt Ceiling Drama Is Behind Us

Every so often Washington likes to remind us how hard it can be to get things accomplished. The most recent example is the debt ceiling—the amount Congress can borrow to pay its bills.

Aging Parents and Money

Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age and helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you should approach carefully. Here are some tips to help you navigate this important transition.

Unused 529 Plan Funds: 5 Spending Options to Consider

Sometimes, 529 plans have unused funds after the beneficiary graduates or decides to discontinue their education. Whatever the reason for having unused 529 plan funds, here are five spending options to consider

Money Milestones: 4 Financial Goals for Older Individuals

Striving for financial betterment should not end when you hit retirement. You should continue to work toward new financial goals every year or every decade to manage the freedom you worked so hard to achieve.

Four 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. Social Security provides other important benefits too, including disability and survivor benefits that can help you and your family members. 1.  How does Social Security protect you and your family? When

Retiring as a Small-Business Owner: What to Know Before You Go

The thought of retiring may be intimidating for anyone—but if you own your own business, handing your “baby” to new owners might be enough to stop you in your tracks. What might you do to set your successor up for success? What should all business owners know before they go? Set Specific Retirement Goals When you retire, you want to

Investor Sentiment Tested

Spring is often thought of as an uplifting time, marked by growth and renewed hope as we emerge from the long months of winter and look ahead to the rest of year.

Five Ways SECURE 2.0 Changes the Required Minimum Distribution Rules

The SECURE Act 2.0 legislation has changed the landscape when it comes to RMDs (required minimum distributions) – but what does this actually mean for those planning for retirement? Find out on our blog.

How Single Women Are Transforming the Real Estate Market

According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2022 trend report, single women have outnumbered single men in the home-buying market. What could be behind this rise in female homeownership?

How to Spring Clean Your Finances with a Financial Review

We all know the benefits of a good spring cleaning—but have you considered doing the same for your finances? Tax season is a great time to check in and see what adjustments need to be made to optimize your financial situation for next year.

A Resilient March

The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy—and not to mention concerns over the durability of the banking system.

When Changing Jobs, Rollovers May Offer Benefits

Changing jobs often can have many benefits, but it also has one potential downside — retirement accounts that are spread across different companies.

Give Yourself Some Credit: Credit Repair and Looking Forward

A poor credit score may lead to higher interest rates, unfavorable loan terms, and in some cases, loan denial. If you have poor credit, here are a few ways to repair your score to improve your chances of securing a loan in the future.

Thinking About Working in Retirement? Here’s What to Consider

Social Security income planning is complicated. It isn’t just a matter of when to collect Social Security retirement benefits and how your monthly payment may be impacted by working. It’s also about tapping other available sources of income and keeping in mind tax considerations when determining your best course of action.

Women’s Financial Empowerment: The Challenge of Financial Wellness

March is #WomensHistoryMonth, a month-long celebration of female empowerment. In this blog we discuss some specific steps that women of all ages and all stages of life may take to manage their financial future.

Tax Planning for Business Owners

Learn more about tax planning for your business on our blog.

Waiting For New Highs

Financial markets have experienced quite a bit of change this year in just two short months. We started the year hopeful that stocks would benefit from a better economic and monetary policy environment by the spring, but recent developments suggest that may be further out than we initially thought.

Saving Tips for Younger Adults

Today, younger adults face a variety of challenges in their pursuit of financial independence. Here are five financial tips to help you manage your personal finances and prepare for your future.

Land of the Debt Free: 3 Steps To Declare Your Financial Independence

No matter what financial independence might look like for you, if you ultimately want to declare your financial independence, here are three things you may consider.

Healthcare in Retirement

Healthcare in retirement is available from many sources – government programs, supplemental health insurance, military benefits, retirement communities, and nursing homes. Depending on your needs, you may use a number of these resources in retirement.

Entrepreneurship and Financial Risk: What You Need to Know

Entrepreneurs tend to be natural risk-takers but this doesn’t mean committing to uncompensated risk. On our blog, we discuss some financial risks an entrepreneur may face and how they may be mitigated

Kick off the Big Game With These 7 Super Investing Lessons From the Super Bowl

Get ready for Super Bowl Sunday by checking out these Super Bowl-inspired investment strategies in our latest blog.

Opportunities in 2023

Whether you’re one to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions or simply use the beginning of the year to reset on a few habits, there’s almost always some value in reflecting on the past year before looking ahead. The same is true for the markets. When we look back on 2022, it’s easy to identify the challenges—but if we look closer,

Beware of Scams at Tax Time

To help avoid tax identity theft, avoid using your Social Security number as part of a password or pin number, or on your driver’s license, unless absolutely necessary. If you believe your Social Security number may have been compromised, respond immediately to any IRS notice and go to identitytheft.gov for steps to protect yourself.

Women – Moving Forward Financially After the Loss of a Spouse

Becoming a widow at any age can be one of the most difficult challenges a woman faces. Not only is there the emotional loss of a spouse, but also the task of handling everything — including all the finances — without the help of a spouse. It is critical to organize your finances after your spouse’s death and take ongoing steps to help secure your financial future and that of your family.

Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season

It’s never too early to get started on tax preparation, so why not start today? Check out our article on everything you’ll need to be ready for tax season.

What You Need to Know About the SECURE Act 2.0

With the signing of the Omnibus Appropriations package into law, both employees and employers can take advantage of more than 90 new provisions aimed at creating opportunities to create or modify workplace retirement plans and strategies.

Your New Year’s (Financial) Resolutions

Cleaning up personal finances remains one of the top resolutions every New Year, so here’s a month-by-month to-do list to help cultivate better financial health.

Reasons For Optimism

The beginning of a calendar year is often the time when the previous year’s reflections transition to a new year’s hopes. Given the market’s continued instability during 2022 and a resulting tough period for stock and bond prices, everyone is hoping for a fresh start.

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.

IRS Increases 401(k) Limit By Record Amounts

As inflation soars, you can now save a lot more for your retirement. Learn more about the new IRS rules on our blog.

The 12 Days of Year-End Planning: Things to Consider Going into “The New Year”

At year-end, it’s important to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. If these tasks seem overwhelming, consider using this 12-day year-end planning checklist to break down this process into manageable steps.

Outlook 2024: A Turning Point

Solid gains for both stocks and bonds gave investors a November to remember. Increasing confidence in a soft landing for the U.S. economy has shifted the focus away from rate hikes and toward eventual cuts, helping to pull long-term interest rates down and encouraging market participants to pay higher prices for stocks relative to expected earnings. Patient investors have been

Doing Good, Feeling Good

When it comes to giving back, your mind might jump to making monetary donations—but that’s not all you can do. Using your unique talents and interests to give back is one of the best ways to make a difference.

7 Retirement Considerations

When helping people get ready for retirement, financial professionals find the same issues come up over and over. Here are 7 retirement considerations that every investor should think about.

Year-End Donations and #GivingTuesday

According to GivingTuesday.org, donations to nonprofits and community organizations totaled $2.7 billion on #GivingTuesday in 2021. Here is a list of things for you to think about as you consider your year-end charitable donations.

Trusts and Year-End Planning: A Checklist

The end of the year is a great time to review your trust document, update information, buy or sell assets or even cancel your trust if you choose. Here is a checklist to help you complete your trust and year-end planning.

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

There are many tax planning moves you can make before December 31 to reduce your owed taxes, but how do you know which ones are available to you? Here are five year-end tax planning questions you may want to ask your financial professional soon.

Looking Ahead

October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month.

How Financial Planning Can Help Prepare for LTC Costs

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. Here are three tips that may help make the cost of LTC more affordable.

Worried About Your Financial Health? It May Be Time For A Checkup

When was the last time you gave yourself a financial checkup? Setting aside time to understand your financial condition and conduct an honest assessment of where you stand is a great way to get started.

Staying on Track with Your Retirement Investments

Investing for your retirement isn’t about getting rich quick, it’s about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. Investing for your retirement over the long term takes some practice and a little discipline.

Could the Worst be Behind Us?

This has clearly been a challenging year for households. Stocks and bonds are both down significantly. Elevated food and gas prices continue to stretch budgets, and higher interest rates have increased borrowing costs. But we continue to see signs that the worst may be behind us.

3 Common Financial Planning Fears and How To Conquer Them

Two in every three Americans report regularly feeling stressed about their finances. It’s time to overcome these fears and get your finances back on track.

Better Times Ahead

In the last several weeks, we have continued to face elevated uncertainty in financial markets due to high inflation and rising interest rates, and we thought it was an important time to take stock with the final quarter of 2022 just ahead. It has been a difficult year, not only for investors but also for households and businesses as we

Identify Your Personal Retirement Goals

In order to achieve your retirement goals, you must understand what is required to fulfill them. On our blog, we discuss why planning is so important for retirement and share a checklist to help you determine your progress.

The Best And Worst Of Times

When it comes to stock market performance, August was “the best of times, and the worst of times.”

Now Might Be a Good Time for a Roth Conversion

One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

Resources for Women-Owned Small Businesses

There are many professional organizations that understand the challenges that women-owned small businesses face and offer resources to help provide assistance.

Advanced Estate Planning Concepts for Women

So if you are married, you’ll also probably have the last word about the final disposition of all of the assets you’ve accumulated during your marriage. You’ll want to consider whether these concepts and strategies apply to your specific circumstances.

Teaching Your Teen about Money

Your teen is becoming more independent, but still needs plenty of advice from you. With more money to spend and more opportunities to spend it, your teen can easily get into financial trouble. So before money burns a hole in your child’s pocket, teach him or her a few financial lessons.

Setting and Targeting Investment Goals

Setting investment goals means defining your dreams for the future. When you’re setting goals, it’s best to be as specific as possible.

Big Week For Market Watchers

Last week was epic for market-watchers. A Fed rate hike, a much-anticipated GDP report, and the busiest week of earnings season got most of the headlines. 

Securing Your Future with Life Cycle Planning

The need for regular saving and investing spans many life stages. Through the years, your goals will change and your strategies will shift, but don’t be alarmed. You’re just progressing through the normal stages of life, getting closer to achieving your own financial freedom.

Despite Concerns, Retirement Confidence Remains Steady

Nearly three quarters of workers and 77% of retirees in a recent survey said they remain at least somewhat confident that they will experience a comfortable retirement

Keeping It Simple: The Benefits of Simplifying Your Investment Strategies

When it comes to investing, having fewer investments might help streamline your portfolio to manage stress better

Why 9.1% Inflation Is Likely to Go Even Higher

It is imperative that your long-term retirement strategies account for inflation and that you prepare for a decrease in the purchasing power of your dollar over time.

Mid-Year Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence

The Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2022 and beyond.

Managing Bond Risks When Interest Rates Rise

After dropping the benchmark federal funds rate to a rock-bottom range of 0%–0.25% early in the pandemic, the Federal Open Market Committee has begun raising the rate toward more typical historical levels in response to high inflation

Looking Forward

Both stock and bond markets have been challenging this year, but it’s important to focus on what this tends to mean looking forward.

Tips for Women Who Are Living in the Sandwich Generation

The day-to-day demands of caring for an aging parent and children can put a tremendous strain — both emotional and financial — on the primary caregiver.

Planning for Marriage – Financial Tips for Women

As you are planning for marriage, it’s important to consider how this big life event will impact your finances. Careful planning can increase the likelihood that you’ll have financial success as you enter this new chapter in your life.

The Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenthood

As your children grow from infancy to adulthood, you try to protect them. You want to make sure that they are financially secure, but meeting expenses can be challenging.

Charitable Giving: Making a Positive Difference

There are countless benefits of charitable giving. Through generous donations, you can make a difference in your community and society. You may also feel happier and even save on your taxes.

A Bear Market is Officially Here

A bear market is officially here thanks largely to stubbornly high inflation. It has likely felt like a bear market for a while now, but the S&P 500 Index didn’t close more than 20% below its January 3 record high until Monday.

ESG Investing: The New Frontier for Environmentally Conscious Investors

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing is on the rise throughout the world. Here are some definitions and considerations to make when diving into the ins and outs of ESG investments.

Bull Market Hangs By A Thread

The bull market that began in March of 2020 came dangerously close to an end.

4 Costly 529 Plan Mistakes To Avoid

For many parents, 529 college savings accounts may be a way to invest for your child’s future while perhaps saving money on taxes in some states. However, these 529 accounts have some challenges that may lead you astray if you do not pay attention. Here are four of the costliest 529 mistakes you might make.

Grow Old with Me – Live (Almost) Tax-Free

While the income of older Americans may be freer from encumbrances of children or work- related expenses, the expenses of daily living must still be planned for cautiously. Income must be managed appropriately so that it’s available to meet ongoing expenses, and higher health care costs.

High Inflation – How Long Will It Last?

When inflation began rising in the spring of 2021, many economists, including policymakers at the Federal Reserve, believed the increase would be transitory and subside over a period of months. One year later, inflation has proven to be more stubborn than expected

What Is An Inverting Yield Curve And Does It Mean We’re Heading For A Recession?

One key predictor of downturns in the economy is what is known as the yield curve. This typically refers to the market for what the US government borrows, by issuing bonds and other securities that mature over different time horizons ranging from weeks to 30 years.

Inflation: The Not-So-Silent Retirement Killer

You hear it all the time: you should make sure your retirement savings at least keep pace with inflation. But what is inflation and how does it really affect your retirement savings?

A Beginner’s Guide to Investing After Retirement

You may be retired and considering investing some of your retirement nest egg. Depending on your situation, it is crucial that investing in the stock market, bond market, or other investments does not jeopardize your retirement savings. For this reason, investments that preserve your initial contribution but still provide growth opportunity is essential.

Volatility Continues

2022 has been a challenging year for investors so far. The S&P 500 Index just had one of its worst Aprils in decades, and May is off to a rocky start.

Wealth-Transfer Taxes Can Take a Toll on Small Businesses

Under the current estate tax laws, there are several steps a business owner can take to help prevent his or her business from being liquidated to raise cash to help pay estate taxes.

April Showers Bring May Flowers

As we move into spring and leave behind the last signs of a long winter, many worries from a chilly start to the year for markets, unfortunately, are still with us.

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

We discuss three common situations in life when it’s a good idea to consult a financial professional.

What Role Does Social Security Play in Your Retirement Income Strategy?

As you near retirement, it’s likely you’ll have many questions about Social Security. How much will your retirement benefit be? When should you apply? Will earnings from a part-time job affect your benefit?

Tax Planning and Financial Planning Go Hand in Hand

With tax season coming to an end, it’s the ideal time to use this year’s tax return to help update your financial plan. If you’re in the group of one in four Americans who do not already have a financial plan, it may be time to create your first one.

Making the Most of Your Relationship with a Financial Professional

A strong relationship with your financial professional may be key in managing your finances, both now and in the future. Below, we discuss a few ways you may be able to make the most of your relationship with your financial professional.

Black Swans: Short-term Crisis, Long-term Opportunity

Buy on Fear, Sell on Greed? Legendary investor Warren Buffet is a big proponent of this strategy. When others are greedy—typically when prices are boiling over—assets may be overpriced. On the flipside, there may be good buying opportunities when others are fearful.

3 Estate Planning Tips for Small-Business Owners

Having a solid estate and succession plan in place may be crucial to your business’s long-term success. If you are incapable of making business decisions, or if you unexpectedly pass away without an estate plan, your heirs may scramble to keep your business afloat.

Working During Retirement

Planning on working during retirement? If so, you’re not alone. An increasing number of employees nearing retirement plan to work at least some period of time during their retirement years.

What to Do if You Underpay Your Taxes

Every year, there are taxpayers that underpay their taxes. It just happens. But if you do that, no matter how innocent your underpayment might have been, you can be subject to penalties. The IRS issued a statement to help those who underpay to avoid penalties.

Navigating Geopolitical Tensions

The green shoots are hard to see right now as spring approaches, clouded by war in Ukraine. Democracy is under attack and innocent lives are tragically being lost. But while we keep one eye on overseas developments, the other remains squarely focused on the fundamentals of the U.S. economy and the stock market to help investors stay the course.

America’s Changing Vision of Retirement

Retirement planning is a primary reason for long-term saving, and when people think about retirement, finances are often the focus. However, it is important to also look at the nonfinancial aspects of transitioning from the world of work to the world of leisure.

Positivity Amidst Uncertainty

Potential Fed Reserve rate hikes and the geopolitical worries over Russia and Ukraine only add to the uncertainty around financial markets.

10 Projects to Help You Live in Your Home Forever

Aging-in-place improvements that help seniors stay safely in their homes are more stylish and functional than ever before.

How to Recognize and Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft

A common type of identity theft involves the use of someone’s Social Security number to unlawfully intercept their income tax refund.

Stocks’ Road Ahead

The calendar had barely flipped to 2022 and investors were reminded that even attractive long-term stock returns come with a cost: volatility.

What 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.

The Fed Pivots to Fight Inflation

On December 15, 2021, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) of the Federal Reserve System made a significant shift in monetary policy in response to rising inflation.

Moving Forward After a Pullback

Stocks have gotten off to a tough start in 2022. Why has the market pulled back and what might we see going forward?

Here’s How to Turn Your Hobbies into Cash

Hobbies are important to a work-life balance. They are an outlet to express yourself, de-stress, and dream. However, they can also lead to extra income and personal reward. If you’re considering turning a hobby into a side-hustle, read this guide to prepare properly.

Why Is Home Buying a Key Personal Investment?

Why should you pay your landlord’s mortgage when you can pay your own? Intuitively, it feels true, but how true is it—and how do we really know?

New Beginnings in 2022

2021 was an incredible year for the economy and investors, but to us the future remains bright for 2022 and beyond.

Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season

It’s a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date.

Five Wealth-Building New Year’s Resolutions

Here are five resolutions you may make to increase financial independence and work toward building wealth.

New Year, New Goals: Your Countdown to Financial Health

What steps should you take to get the most bang for your buck over the next year? Below we discuss three New Year’s resolutions that may help you get your new year off to a great start.

A Season of Giving: 5 Different Ways To Give During the Holidays

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others’ lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person’s life or the life of many, there are many ways to give this holiday season. Here are some different ways to give back to others in a major way this holiday season.

2022 Outlook: Passing the Baton

In 2022, we may be ready for a handoff—or a “Passing of the Baton”— back to a greater emphasis on the individual choices of households and businesses to drive the economic expansion.

Holiday Shopping: Back to Basics

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others’ lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person’s life or the life of many, there are many ways to give this holiday season. Here are some different ways to give back to others in a major way this holiday season.

RMD Roundup: A Few Key Reminders About Required Minimum Distributions

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others’ lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person’s life or the life of many, there are many ways to give this holiday season. Here are some different ways to give back to others in a major way this holiday season.

Thanks and Giving: How You Make a Difference on Giving Tuesday

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others’ lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person’s life or the life of many, there are many ways to give this holiday season. Here are some different ways to give back to others in a major way this holiday season.

Carving Out Time to Support Small Business Saturday

American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010 to provide small businesses with a holiday season boost on the heels of Black Friday. The day comes after one of the biggest shopping sales events and serves as a reminder to spend some of your holiday funds with local shops. Those shops may on your support to stay in business. Check out some simple ways to support your local businesses this Small Business Saturday.

Solo Opportunities: One-Person 401(k)s

If you are a small business owner with no employees, the one-person 401(k) may offer a suitable combination of benefits that can help you save more for retirement.

Can You Spot the Scam? Common Financial Fraud Warning Signs

Today’s scammers are clever at making their offers seem legitimate. How can you spot scams before they happen? We discuss the five biggest red flags of a potential scam.

Your 2021 Year-End Planning Checklist

It’s a good time to reevaluate your 2021 finances and turn an eye toward 2022. What can you do now to potentially improve and streamline your 2022 budget? Below, we discuss three year-end planning steps that may make your 2022 finances run more smoothly.

Protecting Your Financial Information Online

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks.

Understanding the Estate Planning Process

A well-structured estate plan can be invaluable. Through it you can control the distribution of your assets and possessions, as well as name guardians for your children or plan care for other dependents.

Home Sweet Home: Setting Up Your Home-Based Business

If you’re considering starting your own home-based business, you may be in good company. Setting up a business from home may mean more than just hooking up a printer or ordering business cards. Below are a few steps to take when setting up your home-based business.

Financial Planning at Every Age

Knowing where your money is going and making sure you’re adequately funding your future could be helpful to maintain your lifestyle for the decades that you may live. Whether you’re a Baby Boomer, Gen X-er, Millennial, or a member of Gen Z, there are a few things you may focus on to help you pursue your financial goals.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Franchise

Though franchises may take away much of the hassle and up-front cost of starting a business, essentially providing a “business in a box,” there are also some special considerations to mull over before purchasing a franchise.

American Business Women’s Day

September 22nd is American Business Women’s Day, and it may be the perfect day to celebrate women who have surpassed the glass ceiling and gone on to be leaders and inspirations for businesswomen everywhere.

Financial Considerations for Working Parents

Though working parents make up one of the largest demographic groups in the country, they face many challenges—from the cost of childcare to inconvenient scheduling issues.

Clearing the Air on 401(K) Hardship Withdrawals

When it comes to 401(k) plans, some people may find themselves a bit confused about the 10% Federal income tax penalty for withdrawals prior to age 59½ and hardship withdrawals from a 401(k) plan.

The Importance of Charitable Giving

Nonprofit charitable organizations often rely on contributions from businesses and individuals to help them accomplish their goals and provide the products, programs, and services needed.

How To Financially Prepare for a Disaster

By taking some steps toward disaster preparedness, you may gain some security that helps you set these worries aside.