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A Holiday Survival Guide for Your Finances
How might you take full advantage of holiday cheer while avoiding the financial stress of going over budget? Here are four tips to help your budget have a happy holiday season.
Read MoreCreating Your Perfect Retirement Recipe
Although achieving your financial goals is more challenging than following a step-by-step recipe, a few common ingredients and preparation methods may help improve your ability to manage financial resources.
Read MoreQualified Charitable Distributions for RMDs
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are vital for those who must take an annual required minimum distribution (RMD) but seek a tax-advantaged strategy that may help lower their adjusted gross income (AGI).
Read MoreTake Steps to Protect Your Confidential Docs
One of the most important steps in safeguarding your confidential information is to identify what information needs to be protected. Once this information has been identified, it is important to implement security measures to protect it.
Read MoreSocial Security Benefits Set to Increase in 2024
In a welcome development for millions of Americans relying on Social Security, the Social Security Administration has recently announced a substantial increase in retirement and disability benefits.
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The Subtle Difference Between Charity and Philanthropy
Charity and philanthropy are two terms related to giving that are often used interchangeably, even though they differ. While the difference is subtle, it is essential to understand the differences between charity and philanthropy in...
Read MoreInvestment Scams: 7 Common Red Flags
Some investment opportunities are actually scams designed to steal investors' money. It is essential to know how to spot one before you give them your money. Below are some of the red flags you may find with investment scams.
Read MoreEnd of Year (EOY) Deadlines Checklist
For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for fresh starts and discovering the best versions of ourselves, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines—don't change much, if at all.
Read More10 Tips for Building Wealth Throughout Your Military Career
Joining the military and deciding to make it a career has many benefits that you can make work for you. Here are 10 tips for managing finances and potentially growing wealth throughout your military career.
Read MoreLittle Known Tax Credits for Business Owners
Beyond the satisfaction of providing jobs and supporting community members, there are tangible financial incentives available for businesses.
Read MoreThe Importance of Setting Career Goals
Success is often hard-earned, but it should never be impossible. Setting goals for yourself is a simple yet effective way to reach your professional dreams.
Read MoreWhy Did Retirement Confidence Falter in 2023?
In its annual Retirement Confidence Survey of current workers and retirees, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that workers' confidence in their ability to fund retirement fell...
Read MorePreparing for Hurricanes and Your Retirement
Tips for how to weather the storms of life no matter where you live. Just as one would hope for a calm after the storm, effective retirement planning allows you to pursue a serene and fulfilling life after the bustling years of work.
Read MoreThe Stealth Move by the IRS & Kids’ Inheritance
One recent development that has stirred conversations among investors and advisors alike is the issuance of the IRS Revenue Ruling 2023-2. This ruling has presented a unique set of challenges and opportunities for estate planning, especiall
Read MoreU.S. Credit Rating Downgraded: How Does That Impact Your Financial Decision-making?
For the second time in the nation’s history, the U.S. debt rating was downgraded by a rating agency, Fitch Ratings, from the highest rating, AAA (Exceptionally Strong), to AA+ (Very Strong). The last time this occurred was in 2011 when Stan
Read More6 Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids Pay Off Their Student Loans
The cost of living, inflation, and education expenses has continued to soar over the years, leaving our new graduates with debts far exceeding their entry-level incomes. Here are nine ways parents can help their kids repay their student loa
Read MoreSoaring Temps and Tips to Cool Off Your Portfolio
By diversifying our investment portfolios, setting realistic expectations, and staying informed, we can help our investments avoid overheating and maintain a resilient approach to weathering market volatility.
Read MoreUnderstanding Bond Yields and the Yield Curve
When it comes to investing in bonds, one of the first factors to consider is yield. But what exactly is "yield?" The answer depends on how the term is being used.
Read MoreThe Complex Waters of Aging Parents’ Finances
As professionals, managing our own finances can be a challenge. However, one area that we often overlook, yet is vitally important, is understanding and navigating our aging parents' finances.
Read MoreThe ABCs of Mutual Fund Share Classes
When investing in a mutual fund, there are several classes you may choose from, most commonly Class A, Class B, and Class C. This multi-class structure offers you the opportunity to select a share class that is best suitable.
Read MoreCongress Tells Treasury to Expect SECURE 2.0 Technical Fixes
In late May 2023, Congress sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel saying that it will introduce legislation to correct several technical errors in the SECURE 2.0 Act.
Read MoreThe Blame Game: Did Corporate Earnings Feed Inflation?
The world is facing an unprecedented economic challenge as the inflation rate continues to rise. People are trying to understand why their wallets are feeling lighter, and they are looking for someone to blame. Unfortunately,...
Read MoreFamily 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.
Read MoreFactors 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.
Read More5 Homeowner Estate Planning Tips to Consider
With the proper planning, you may find yourself resting a little easier knowing you have an estate plan in place. While an estate plan is personalized to the wants and needs of each person, here are a few tips to help anyone get started.
Read MoreRetirement Annuities Explained
Having enough retirement income for what you need and want is essential and must be planned for, even in the best economic conditions. A way to provide income safety is by using annuities as an asset class in your retirement portfolio.
Read MoreThe ABCs of Mutual Fund Share Classes
When investing in a mutual fund, you may have the opportunity to choose among several share classes, most commonly Class A, Class B, and Class C. This multi-class structure offers you the opportunity to select a share class that is best sui
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. When you develop a succession plan for your business you have two basic choices: you can sell your business, or you can give it away.
Read MoreLife Insurance Trust: Revocable
A revocable life insurance trust is a trust that is typically funded by life insurance policies. It can be an effective planning tool that provides a source of liquid funds for the payment of taxes, debts, and expenses.
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. This means becoming familiar with the finer points of contributions and withdrawals
Read MoreIncome Tax Planning and 529 Plans
It's important to evaluate the federal and state tax consequences of plan withdrawals and contributions before you invest in a 529 plan. There are two types of 529 plans — savings plans and prepaid tuition plans.
Read MoreFinancial Planning Tips for Police Officers
Police officers have one of the most stressful—and dangerous—jobs in the United States. As a result, they also have different retirement benefits that may allow full retirement after only a couple of decades of active duty.1
Read More4 Financial Planning Tips for Firefighters
Only about 25% of Americans aged 60 and over have access to a defined-benefit plan, also known as a pension.1 Firefighters are in the small group of Americans who have the option of an employer-sponsored pension plan.
Read More3 Golf Tips to Keep Your Retirement Plan on Course
In golf, as in finances, there are a few rules of thumb that may improve your game: keep a level head, avoid traps, practice before trying something new and stay the course. Applying lessons from the golf course to your financial life.
Read MoreOptimizing Your Social Security Retirement Benefits
Getting the most out of your contributions. Optimizing your Social Security retirement benefits means getting the best return possible on each dollar you've contributed to the system.
Read More10 Fun Financial Literacy Games & Activities for Kids of All Ages
Teaching children about money and financial literacy through games can make learning fun.
Read MoreA Full Year of Interest Rate Hikes From the Fed
Almost exactly one year ago, on March 16, 2022, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) enacted the first of what would become nine consecutive interest rate increases. This move marked the beginning of an aggressive (and unprecedented) mo
Read MoreInvesting in Your 60s and Beyond
Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?"
Read MoreBank Alternatives for Diversifying Cash Holdings
Options for biz owners in the wake of the SVB and Signature Bank failures
Read MoreAnnuities Within Employers’ Retirement Plans
Annuities can offer unique features and benefits, but also carry many risks
Read MoreCredit Credibility: 3 Types of Credit You Should Consider With Caution
Without credit, it may be difficult, even seemingly impossible, to participate in modern society. But some credit comes with high-interest rates, tricky terms, and other potential risks that could send you into excessive debt. What should
Read MoreSilicon Valley Bank Is the 2nd Largest Bank Failure
The FDIC-seizure of Silicon Valley Bank is the second-largest US bank failure in history as it held $209 billion in assets at the time of its collapse. Even after adjusting for inflation, by assets it trails only Washington Mutual.
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.
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 MoreFinancial Mistakes to Avoid in 2023
Could you be losing money because of simple monetary mistakes? Avoid these money-wasting habits in 2023 to have more cash when you need it—or save it for a rainy day.
Read MoreThe Gender Investing Gap: How Do We Bridge It?
In the U.S., men are investing and accumulating wealth at a greater pace than women, fueling the gender investing gap. Closing the investing gap is essential so that women accumulate enough retirement assets for their entire lives. On avera
Read MoreIndependent and Thriving: What to Consider In Your Later Years
While you never know your needs as you age, the first step is thinking about your financial situation and health today so you can plan for your later years. With a one in four chance of making it to our 90th birthday, being independent and
Read MoreChange on the Horizon: Preparing for the Estate and Gift Lifetime Tax Exemption Sunset (2025)
As people begin to age, having worked hard their entire lives and accumulated significant wealth in savings and investments, it becomes very important for many to evaluate strategies for leaving their wealth to loved ones. Luckily, there
Read MoreClose to Retirement? What to know about the secure act 2.0
Are you getting close to retirement and trying to stay on top of any changes to the retirement laws that may impact your goals and strategy?
Read MoreWhat 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...
Read MoreShould You Buy or Build a Home?
Should You Buy or Build a Home? To build or not to build, that is the question. Whether you buy or build a home, it can be a decision-filled, stressful process to try and stay within your budget. This decision doesn’t need to be complicated
Read MoreThe Importance of Financial Wellness
Financial wellness, like physical wellness, isn’t something you should ignore. Instead, it's a critical concept for anyone who wants to be knowledgeable and confident about their finances, and in fact, financial wellness is so...
Read MoreCLOSE TO RETIREMENT? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE SECURE ACT 2.0
Are you getting close to retirement and trying to stay on top of any changes to the retirement laws that may impact your goals and strategy? With the Secure Act 2.0 now signed into law, there are numerous retirement-related provisions inclu
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