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Curated articles, videos, and more for a more financially savvy you.

 

Friday, December 1, 2023

Military members and their families face one-of-a-kind challenges, such as deployment to conflict zones, overseas assignments, and the constancy of change, all of which make dedicating time to personal finance a challenge. Luckily,...

 

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Everybody wants to save on their taxes. If you think tax-saving strategies are too complicated, you could be missing out on tax savings. There are a few simple tax-saving strategies available to nearly everyone. Tax planning is more...

 

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Open enrollment is coming up soon, and it's important to know about all your insurance plan options before deciding which one is right for you. Two options you could have are a Health Savings Account plan (HSA) and a Preferred...

 

Friday, September 1, 2023

If you have yet to develop a retirement plan for your business, or if you're not sure the plan you've chosen is the right one, here are some things to consider. How much can my business afford to contribute? The cost of contributions...

 

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Did you recently add a second comma to your bank balance? Has a recent financial event raised your net worth to the next level? It's an exciting time, whether it's the result of your long-term goals (e.g., from the sale of a business),...

 

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Monday, July 3, 2023

Many companies offer employer-issued stock as a benefit, in addition to other compensation and benefits. But what happens if you leave a job that offered you employer-issued stock or if you experience another triggering life event...

 

Thursday, June 1, 2023

When it comes to estate planning, trusts, and wills, you have many options—which begs the question: Which estate planning options are suitable for you and your family? There's no quick answer to that question because everyone's...

 

Monday, May 1, 2023

As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the "right" university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one's choice may not be...

 

Monday, April 3, 2023

Perhaps Bette Davis said it best when she observed, “Old age is no place for sissies.”¹ The challenges seniors have met throughout their lives have made them wiser and stronger, preparing them for the unique challenges...

 

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

 

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

 

Sunday, January 1, 2023

 

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Do you have a long-lost retirement account left with a former employer? Maybe it's been so long that you can't even remember? With over 24 million "forgotten" 401(k) accounts holding roughly $1.35 trillion in assets, even the most...

 

Sunday, October 2, 2022

As the holiday season draws near, most people are thinking about their finances over the next few months and budgeting for how they can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Which is perfect timing because October is National...

 

Thursday, September 1, 2022

Throughout human history, economic security has taken many forms. For the ancient Greeks, it was stockpiling olive oil. Olive oil could be stored for long periods of time; it could also help with nutrition during times of famine....

 

Monday, August 1, 2022

College tuition is at an all-time high. As of 2022, the average student loan debt is about $39,000 per student, and the average monthly student loan payment is nearly $400.1 It's no wonder parents want to help their children pay off...

 

Friday, July 1, 2022

While many people are familiar with the benefits of traditional 401(k) plans, others are not as acquainted with Roth 401(k)s.Since January 1, 2006, employers have been allowed to offer workers access to Roth 401(k) plans. And some have...

 

Thursday, June 2, 2022

 

Monday, May 2, 2022

 

Saturday, April 2, 2022

 

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

 

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

 

Sunday, January 2, 2022

 

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over...

 

Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Forty-eight percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, according to the most recent data available from Pew Research Center.1 Individuals may cite different reasons for not investing, but with important...

 

Monday, May 3, 2021

A transition plan can help with this change. If the time has come for you to sell the business you’ve spent countless hours growing into a successful operation, create a transition plan to ensure the legacy of your hard work....

 

Thursday, April 1, 2021

A living trust is a popular consideration in many estate strategy conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives. What is a living trust? A living trust is created while you are alive and...

 

Monday, March 1, 2021

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger is famous for more than just his time on the bench. When he died in 1995, he left a 176-word will that gave no specific power to his executors.1 As a result, he reportedly cost his estate tens...

 

Monday, February 1, 2021

Classic investments, like stocks, are not the only investments taxed by capital gains. Capital gains taxes can apply to any other property that acquires value over time. These taxes are calculated by subtracting the cost of the...

 

Monday, January 4, 2021

2020 is a year most of us would prefer to forget. When the year started, nobody expected natural disasters of historic proportion, the COVID-19 pandemic or the residual economic hardships that followed. But with the first year of the...

 

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Federal estate taxes have been a source of funding for the federal government almost since the U.S. was founded. In 1797, Congress instituted a system of federal stamps that were required on all wills offered for probate when property...

 

Monday, November 2, 2020

Medicare Advantage, sometimes known as “Part C,” is something of a catch-all choice for those who are ready to sign up for Medicare. Rather than being one plan (featuring solely government programs), Medicare Advantage...

 

Thursday, October 1, 2020

The Social Security program allows you to start receiving benefits as soon as you reach age 62. The question is, should you? Monthly payments differ substantially depending on when you start receiving benefits. The longer you wait (up...

 

Tuesday, September 1, 2020

As colleges and universities grapple with reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of college students and their parents find themselves struggling to pay tuition costs. In fact, a recent study found that nearly half...

 

Sunday, August 2, 2020

According to the Conway Center for Family Business, family businesses account for 64% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet 57% of family businesses have no formal succession plan.1 While the number may shock you, it is not...

 

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Many people have a clear vision of what their ideal retirement looks like. Some desire vacation homes in tropical destinations, while others plan to spend quality time with their grandchildren and family. We know that many of these...

 

Monday, June 1, 2020

Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of...

 

Friday, May 1, 2020

Anyone who has gone through the process of mapping out their retirement knows there can be a lot to keep in mind. Saving, investing, anticipating medical costs, and making sure you have enough tucked away for years to come is just the...

 

Thursday, April 2, 2020

During a crisis, you need answers, and your financial advisor knows this. It is a scramble to find the right information, and sometimes you do not even know whom to call. So, what do you do? Well, luckily for you, we have spent some...

 

Monday, March 2, 2020

Proper financial planning should always be a focus, but for those who are dealing with a physically ill spouse or loved one, it is crucial. There are several financial considerations that you will need to ponder, and naturally, these...

 

Monday, February 3, 2020

The beginning of a new decade presents a unique opportunity for reflection and planning. Here are a few ways in which you can partner with your financial professional to help pursue a financially healthy new year and begin the new...

 

Monday, February 3, 2020

Accepting one’s own mortality is a tough pill to swallow. As such, estate planning can be a morbid topic that lingers in the background of our lives ominously. Nobody wants to plan for their own death! However, the repercussions...

 

Thursday, January 2, 2020

If you were to pass away or become incapacitated, your loved ones may be responsible for making challenging decisions about your health or estate. During a time of emotional distress or grieving, it’s difficult to think about...

 

Monday, December 2, 2019

One of the key indicators of economic growth, the gross domestic product (GDP), grew 4.1% in the second quarter – its best pace since 2014. Yet, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, consumers are saving less of...

 

Friday, November 1, 2019

Over the course of retirement, healthcare expenses are anticipated to cost $280,000, on average, for a couple turning age 65 today.1 Yet, many retirees significantly underestimate their out-of-pocket healthcare costs, assuming that...

 

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

John and Mary are nearing retirement and they have a lot of items on their bucket list. Longer life expectancies mean John and Mary may need to prepare for two or even three decades of retirement. How should they position their money?1...

 

Sunday, September 1, 2019

Feeling a little déjà vu? You’re not alone. Cetera Investment Management's latest commentary takes a neon-colored look at 10 ways today’s markets resemble the 1990s, including long-running bull markets, a...

 

Thursday, August 1, 2019

Buying a home is the single-largest financial commitment most people ever make. And sorting through mortgages involves a lot of critical choices. One of these is choosing between a fixed- or variable-interest-rate mortgage. True to...

 

Monday, July 1, 2019

Reviewing the beneficiary designations on your property and assets on an annual basis, or as circumstances in your life change, is one of the smartest financial moves you can make to protect your interests, your legacy and your loved...

 

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Keeping up with friends and family and sharing pictures of the grandkids and your most recent travel destination online may seem pretty tame. But according to several recent studies, social media use may leave you more vulnerable to...

 

Monday, October 22, 2018

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...