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Factors Leading to a Cooling Housing Market
Over the past several years, the housing market has been on a relentless upward trajectory, with home prices reaching record levels and demand outpacing supply. However, recent trends suggest that the market is starting to cool down, with
Read More5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
Estate planning helps disperse your assets according to your wishes. The effort may seem daunting at first, but estate planning does not have to be overly complicated. With the proper planning, you may find yourself resting a little easier
Read More529 Plans: The Ins and Outs of Contributions and Withdrawals
529 plans can be powerful college savings tools, but you need to understand how your plan works before you can take full advantage of it. Among other things, this means becoming familiar with the finer points of contributions and withdrawal
Read MorePlanning for Succession of a Business Interest
One of the important decisions a business owner must face is when and how to step out of the business — in other words, business succession planning. Do you expect to retire from your business? Do you have a plan in place?
Read More4 Financial Planning Tips for Firefighters
Firefighters put their life on the line every day to protect communities from fires and other emergencies. They work long hours, often in hazardous conditions, and their jobs can take a toll on their health and well-being. In recognition of
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Life Insurance: Business Applications
Life insurance is an important part of a business. It may be used as a funding mechanism for your buy-sell agreement and as business interruption insurance to pay the business for interruptions caused by the death of key employees.
Read More5 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. But before you rush to get that return out the...
Read MoreInvest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month
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...
Read More4 Social Security Benefits You Might Be Missing Out On
Most people know that once they approach retirement age, their reward for years of work comes from Social Security payments they put money towards during their employment. Deciding when to file for your Social Security payments is...
Read MoreSocial Security: What Should You Do at Age 62
Is 62 your lucky number? If you're eligible, that's the earliest age you can start receiving Social Security retirement benefits.Although collecting early retirement benefits makes sense for some people, there's a major drawback to...
Read MoreCommon Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Credit
Having a good credit score doesn't just get you the best interest rates. It can also reduce your auto insurance premiums, allow you to avoid security deposits, and in some cases, even help you get hired. But what goes into your credit...
Read More5 Tax Planning Tips for Women Entrepreneurs
When you are busy running a company, it may be difficult to think about your taxes. Proactive tax planning helps you to avoid an unexpected tax liability when you file. These helpful strategies may offset your tax liability and might...
Read MoreEmergency Savings or Your Retirement Goals?
When it comes to personal finance, there are a number of competing priorities that can make it difficult to determine where to focus your efforts. For many people, the choice between building emergency savings and working towards their...
Read MoreStocks and Bonds Before and After Taxes
Investing in U.S. stocks and bonds is a popular way for individuals and institutions to grow their wealth and generate income. However, it is important to consider the impact of taxes on these investments before and after making them....
Read MoreBeing Your Own Boss – A Different Kind of Freedom
It is a dream of many people to be able to own and run their own businesses. You have the potential to make a living and support your family, and being an entrepreneur provides a certain amount of flexibility that an employee of a...
Read More5 Valentine's Day Gifts that Grow in Value Over Time
Valentine's Day is one of the biggest holidays for romance and for lavishing gifts on that special someone in your life. While flowers and chocolates may be the most common gifts exchanged on that day, why not consider a gift that may...
Read MorePay Down Debt or Save for Retirement?
You can use a variety of strategies to pay off debt, many of which can cut not only the amount of time it will take to pay off the debt but also the total interest paid. But like many people, you may be torn between paying off debt and...
Read MoreLife Insurance Trust: Revocable
What is a revocable life insurance trust?A revocable life insurance trust is a trust that is funded, at least in part, by life insurance policies or proceeds. It can be an effective planning tool that provides a source of liquid funds...
Read MoreIdentity Theft and Your Taxes
Identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the United States. According to Consumer Affairs, in a 2022 study, each year, seven to ten percent of the U.S. population are victims of identity fraud, and 21 percent of those are...
Read MoreTax Planning for Income
You don't want to pay more in federal income tax than you have to. With that in mind, here are five things to consider when it comes to keeping more of your income.1. Postpone your income to minimize your current income tax liabilityBy...
Read MoreNew Year, New Goals: Your Countdown to Financial Health
For many people, a new year provides a new start—and nothing says "new start" like a fresh new set of financial goals. But setting these goals is easier said than done. What steps should you take to get the most bang for your...
Read MoreFive Healthy Habits for Financial Wellness
Financial stress can have a direct negative impact on a person's health and happiness. Unfortunately, this may lead to a downward spiral. The more stress you're feeling, the larger your financial hurdles may seem, and the more you may...
Read MoreWhat Business Owners and Employers Need to Know About State-Mandated Retirement Plans
State-mandated retirement plans result from legislation requiring employers to provide their employees with retirement savings opportunities. Businesses can comply with these laws by enrolling their employees into a state-sponsored...
Read MoreCountdown To Investing in the New Year: 10 Questions To Ask Yourself
If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans.10....
Read MoreA Holiday Survival Guide for Your Finances
The average family spends an extra $1,000 or more during the holiday season. From gifts and travel to dinners, shows, and decorations, each purchase adds up.1 How might you take full advantage of holiday cheer while avoiding the...
Read MoreAppropriate Checklists for Year-End Tax Planning
What are appropriate checklists for year-end tax planning?Tax planners often develop checklists to guide taxpayers toward year-end strategies that might help reduce taxes. Typically, suggestions are grouped into several different...
Read MoreMaking Your Money Work for You Through “Giving” Strategies
Part of the joy of making money and building wealth is not solely the aim to live a flexible life of convenience; it is also giving to those we love. Typically when we think of passing down money to loved ones, it is through a will...
Read MoreA Fall Financial Checklist
For many, autumn is the best time of year. The return of cool breezes, comforting foods, and pumpkins can be invigorating. It’s also a bookmark of sorts, especially for your finances—a perfect time to take stock of your...
Read More5 Year-End Tax Planning Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional
The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...
Read MoreEnduring Market Volatility With a Financial Plan
If you hope to retire soon and are concerned about what the future may hold for your investments, you are not alone. Inflation has many retirees and soon-to-be retirees worried about outliving their savings and investments.1What might...
Read More6 Ways to Minimize Your Tax Liability Throughout the Year
You don't need to wait until the end of the year to look for ways to minimize your tax liability. Tax planning should take place throughout the year to have you prepared well ahead of tax season. Here are six ways to minimize your tax...
Read MoreFive Questions to Ask As You Consider Retiring
Normal retirement age used to be 65, but things are way different today.You might be thinking about retiring, but how do you know when you are really ready for it, mentally and financially? For decades, the normal retirement age was 65...
Read MoreThe One Question That Your Financial Professional Should Ask
Too much focus is placed on markets, investment returns and stock pricesHow you arrange your financial life is important. But so too is how you live your life. The second part is unfortunately often neglected in financial planning....
Read MoreResources for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Small businesses face many problems related to their size, capital, and capability, and for women-owned small businesses, the challenge is sometimes even greater. The good news is there are many professional organizations out there...
Read MoreNational Life Insurance Awareness Month
It’s also a good time to talk about the insurance crisis facing baby boomers. Baby boomers’ huge numbers and surprisingly shaky health threaten government old-age benefits. That’s why you need to bolster your own...
Read MoreThe Basics of the 401(k): Thoughts from a financial professional
Most often, the first question a prospective employee will ask is about your company’s benefit program. And in my experience, the two most often-asked questions are about health insurance and an employer-sponsored...
Read MoreStep-by-step Response and Recovery Plan for a small Business
Given the daily responsibilities of running a business, planning for an event that may or may not happen may not seem to be a priority. But by preparing for a major disaster, your company will be in a better position to cope with more...
Read MoreRetirement Income Investing - Beyond Annuities
Some retirees put all their money into bonds, only to suffer from the impact of years of inflation. If you get a 4% return and inflation is 3% annually, your real return is only about 1% — not counting any fees or taxes. Retiring...
Read MoreMarket and Investment Evaluation Methods
Doing your homeworkBefore investing in publicly traded securities, it would be wise to do some research--at least enough to understand just what you're investing in. An educated investment decision involves some knowledge of the stock...
Read MoreSetting and Targeting Investment Goals
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.Dollar-cost averaging does not ensure a profit or prevent a loss. Such plans involve...
Read MoreFive Keys to Investing for Retirement
Because inflation could reduce your purchasing power over time, you'll probably need to contribute more to your retirement plan than you think. What seems like a healthy amount now is likely to feel smaller and smaller over time.All...
Read MoreThe Great Wealth Transfer: Is Your Family Prepared?
Over the next twenty years, a wealth transfer will occur that exceeds $30 trillion as the Baby Boomer generation passes the remainder of their wealth to the Millennials and subsequent generations. The Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) are...
Read MoreBuilding a Strong Financial Foundation
Today, many people are concerned about saving for retirement or paying for a large ticket item, such as a child’s college education. If you belong to this group, now may be the time to organize your finances. It is never too...
Read MoreFinancial Planning Challenges and Strategies for the Sandwich Generation
Almost half of all adults are part of the "sandwich generation." These are adults in their 40s and 50s who are helping support or care for a parent while also supporting or caring for a child.1 Being caught between two generations of...
Read MoreFinancial Freedom vs. Financial Independence: Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both
Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...
Read MoreInheritance Planning Can Help Avoid Headache
Families inherit money and sometimes make the right moves investing and spending. Inheritances can also ignite disruption, divorce and a host of bad behavior far from the hopes and plans of the benefactor.What happens when you leave...
Read MoreConsidering an Annuity for Your 401(k) Rollover?
With companies downsizing to stay in business and corporate takeovers occurring almost every other day, the only thing certain in anyone’s career these days is change.Take Chris Brown, age 48, for example. After 15 years as a...
Read MoreWarren Buffett on How to Plan for Inflation
We’ve all heard about Warren Buffett, the 91-year-old multibillionaire known for his friendly demeanor, modest style of living in Omaha, and remarkable ability to create wealth.
Read More4 Key Investments You Should Consider as a Small-Business Owner
As a small-business owner, you may be looking for the next big thing—an investment that might double your profits within the next year or allow you to maintain your income while working just a few hours a week.
Read MoreTax-Advantaged 529 Accounts
According to the College Board, the most recently published figures of the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a public university for the 2021-2022 school year was $10,740 for in-state students and $27,560 for out-of-state...
Read MoreAre You Maximizing 401(k) Contributions?
The more money that you can save when you are working, the easier it should be for you to retire and enjoy your golden years. Unfortunately, Social Security may no longer provide a sufficient income to live on during retirement.
Read More3 Moments in Life Where You Should Consider Consulting a Financial Professional
If you've ever wondered why so many lottery winners (an estimated 70 percent) seem to blow through all their winnings so quickly, the answer often lies in two key traits: overconfidence and trusting the wrong people.
Read More7 Retirement Considerations
When helping people get ready for retirement, financial professionals find the same issues come up over and over.
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