Blog
Which Student Loan Repayment Strategy Is Appropriate for You?
When it comes to repaying your student loans, one size does not necessarily fit all. The key to a manageable repayment plan is to find a strategy that works well for your goals, budget, and lifestyle. Here is some questions to help you...
Read MoreA Generational Divide Among Retirement Savers
As the global economy grapples with uncertainty, investors' perceptions of a financial crisis diverge significantly along generational lines. While older generations, particularly Gen X and Baby Boomers, lean towards pessimistic views...
Read More4 Most Common Medicare Mistakes People Make
Medicare policies are the health insurance benefits you have worked toward throughout your life, and having the proper policy is critical as you are likely to face more health problems as you age. While these policies can provide you...
Read MoreThe Facts of Life Insurance: Debunking 5 Common Life Insurance Myths
Having a solid life insurance policy in place is crucial for any adult who has assets, a business, or a steady income. While most adults know that having a life insurance policy is a vital piece in their financial puzzle, there are...
Read MoreRetirement Re-education: Back to School Time for Retirement Planning
Retirement planning is a constantly evolving process. Strategies that may have worked fine a few years ago may no longer be the optimal direction to continue. Your life may have taken unexpected turns, you may have different retirement...
Read MoreShow All
Elder Law or Estate Planning: Do You Know the Difference?
Nearly 56 million American adults are 65 or older, and the demand for community living and estate planning services may increase over the next few decades.1 Do you know what arrangements you need to make when the time comes? What are...
Read MoreHow to Keep Your Finances Secure on Vacation
During vacation, the only things you should be focused on are how late you can sleep in, which brunch place has the fluffiest French toast, or how many European cities you can explore in a week. This is why you should formulate a plan...
Read More5 Ways Senior Citizens Can Invest Their Savings
Even if you are already retired, it doesn't mean you should stop trying to grow your savings. Inflation, unexpected medical bills, and changes to your lifestyle or family may result in the need for additional income than you initially...
Read MoreHigh-Net-Worth Retirement Planning: 6 Ideas to Help You Get Your Finances in Order
Do you consider yourself a high-net-worth individual (HNWI)? Most people tend not to categorize themselves or see themselves as anything more than a spouse, parent, sibling, neighbor, boss, or business owner. However, society does...
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation and Caregiving: Financial Impacts to Retirement Savings
Many people care for a loved one out of necessity as their family members can no longer care for themselves. More than one in ten people in the United States also care for an adult, spending about three hours each day on caregiving...
Read MoreSeeking Simplicity: Understanding SIMPLE IRAs and SIMPLE 401(k)s
For those who don't have a 401(k) option through their employer—which includes some small-business owners—how to save for retirement might be challenging. In a competitive employment market, offering retirement options to...
Read MoreRetirement Revolution: 3 Reasons to Rethink Your Retirement Plan
Retirement is a time that many of us look forward to our entire careers. It is the reward for a lifetime of work and the time to indulge in hobbies and enjoy much-needed vacations. While everyone looks forward to this seemingly-magical...
Read MoreInsurance Coverage Review
Right now is a great time to assess your insurance coverage. Insurance is a means of protecting your assets against premature liquidation. When a loss occurs, the assets you've worked hard to attain face liquidation if your insurance...
Read More3 Ways Planning For Retirement is Like Planning For Summer Break
For kids, teens, and college students, summer break often represents freedom from schedules, responsibilities, and all those other drains on your time. Retirement actually can provide a similar level of freedom, but only if you've...
Read MoreYounger Workers Stashing More for Retirement
The importance of retirement savings has been gaining traction among younger workers, with Generation Z and Millennials taking a proactive approach to secure their financial futures. According to new research from Vanguard, younger...
Read MoreRetirees Don’t Miss Working, They Miss People
In 1938, Harvard researchers began a groundbreaking study to answer a timeless question: What makes us happy in life? Over the decades, the study has followed 724 people from diverse backgrounds, collecting health records and asking...
Read MoreThe Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenthood
Parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Children give gifts only a parent can understand — from sticky-finger hugs to heartfelt pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. You raise them...
Read MoreUnused 529 Plan Funds: Retirement Planning Tool
529 plans are tax-advantaged savings vehicles designed to accumulate contributions and help pay for the beneficiary's qualifying education expenses. Sometimes, 529 plans have unused funds after the beneficiary graduates or decide to...
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?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents? The answer often lies in...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Retirement Bucket Strategy
Retirement is a significant milestone in one's life, which requires careful planning and foresight to pursue a confident and stress-free transition. One effective way to plan for retirement is by adopting the Retirement Bucket Strategy.
Read More4 Ways to Invest in Your Mental Health Bank
Are you feeling exhausted? Burnt out? When you feel that you are mentally done and have little to look forward to in life, odds are your mental health bank is dangerously low. Your mental health bank functions in a similar way...
Read MoreFive Ways SECURE 2.0 Changes the Required Minimum Distribution Rules
The SECURE 2.0 legislation included in the $1.7 trillion appropriations bill passed late last year builds on changes established by the original Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (SECURE 1.0) enacted in 2019.
Read More7 Retirement Considerations
When helping people get ready for retirement, financial professionals find the same issues come up over and over. Thinking ahead can spell the difference between a retirement with enough money and a stressful one with difficult decisions...
Read More3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Claim Social Security
Planning for retirement is exciting, but it may come with a bit of stress. If you worked hard all your life, now might be the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. One of the things that you may need to consider is when it is...
Read MoreGen Z Should Be Your Retirement Role Models
Generation Z, the youngest working generation, is commonly thought of as being consumed with the present and uninterested in the future. However, recent research has shown that this stereotype may not be accurate, as many Gen Z individuals
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 door, are you confident
Read MoreSpring Has Sprung: Time to Refresh Your Retirement Plan
Spring can be a fantastic time to refresh your retirement plan and savings habits. With 2023 bringing increased limits for 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), and other tax-advantaged accounts...
Read More6 Tips for Reducing Social Security Taxes
Determining how your income impacts Social Security (SS) taxes is important for tax planning. Factors that determine how much SS tax you pay, depending on your circumstances, include:
Read MoreHealth Savings Accounts - Are They Just What the Doctor Ordered
Are health insurance premiums taking too big of a bite out of your budget? Do you wish you had better control over how you spend your health-care dollars? If so, you may be interested in an alternative to traditional health insurance...
Read MoreNothing Says Love on Valentine's Day Like a Spousal IRA
Looking for ways to save "I love you" on Valentine's Day? Then you may want to consider opening a spousal individual retirement account (IRA). This gift says, "Let's grow old together comfortably," and shows your partner that you care...
Read MoreHow to Balance Your Professional and Personal Life
It’s easy to carry the stress of home to work, and work to home. Doing so will most likely inhibit your time to relax with friends, family, and your productivity in the work place. Budget your time accordingly for each aspect of...
Read MoreProtecting Your Tax Identity Doesn't Have to Be Taxing
When you think of identity theft, you may think of unauthorized credit card payments or new lines of credit. However, tax identity theft is one of the most common types of identity theft — and it’s also the most common...
Read MoreTax Tips Every Married Couple Should Know
Getting married is a joyous time, but one that comes with numerous considerations. From living arrangements to future goals, marriage may quickly change a lot of things in your life. One thing that may drastically change after your...
Read MoreAdvanced Tax Planning Ideas: Tax Loss Harvesting & Ways to Quantify the Benefits
When you lose money on certain investments, you can typically claim the loss against other investments, and in some cases, you may even be able to claim all or a portion of the loss against regular income. Called tax-loss harvesting,...
Read MoreUnderstanding Capital Gains Tax as an Investor
As an investor, you may be impacted by capital gains if you sell your investment – whether at a gain or loss. Understanding capital gains may help with your overall investment strategy and the potential to preserve your wealth....
Read MoreYour Financial Fresh Start: 12 Resolutions in 12 Months
Change may be difficult, especially when you try to change your financial habits. The process might be easier if you take an incremental approach. Do you want to get on top of your finances this year? Are you looking for ways to...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Secure Act 2.0: 401k and IRA Changes
Saving for retirement just got a little bit easier. Congress approved big changes that can help 401(k) and IRA savers put a little more money away for their futures.
Read MoreYear-End Investment Decisions
The basic strategy for year-end planning is both to time your income so that it will be taxed at a lower rate, and to time your deductible expenses so that they may be claimed in years when you are in a higher tax bracket. Here are some Yea
Read MoreA Retirement Countdown Checklist: 5 Steps to Consider Before Retirement
Whether you're hoping to retire soon or are just beginning to explore the idea of stepping back from your job, you're probably wondering how to make it happen. Will you have enough money? How will you spend your time? What will you do for h
Read MoreWhat is Family Wealth, and How Do You Preserve It?
There are several ways to pass wealth between generations that may provide tax advantages to help preserve it for the younger generations, as opposed to watching it disappear due to a tax consequence. Here are three options that you may...
Read MoreYour 2022 Year-End Financial Checklist
The end of the year is a good time to look back on the events that shaped the last 12 months and prepare for what may lie ahead. our year-end checklist can help you prepare to hit the ground running in 2023.
Read MoreWays to Minimize Tax on an Investment Portfolio
Because taxes lower the actual return on your investments, you should be interested in legitimate ways to minimize taxes on your investment portfolio. Several approaches and strategies exist, including the following.
Read MoreA Look at Tax Planning for Retirement
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.
Read MoreHow to Make Sense of Your Pension Options
Pension plans are still offered at many types of employers today. A pension plan is an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan the employer contributes toward to fund their employees' future retirement.There are two types of pension...
Read MoreToo Good To Be True? 4 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams and How To Spot Them
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the greatest days to score deals for holiday shopping. Unfortunately, with amazing deals plentiful, some scammers use these days to take advantage of shoppers looking for the greatest bargains...
Read MoreYear-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...
Read More5 Expensive Long-Term Care Planning Mistakes to Avoid
The vast majority of Americans need long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people over age 65 may need some long-term care during their lives.1 Unfortunately, planning for long-term care...
Read MoreHealthy at 75 Should Be Your Retirement Mantra
Good health means you can both pursue wealth and enjoy it. Too many people don’t realize that taking care of themselves physically can lead to more confident financial tomorrows. Planning for retirement should start in your early...
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately
It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven't given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a...
Read MoreWhy You Should Factor Long-Term Care Into Your Estate Plan
A solid estate plan should not only provide for your assets after you pass, but also plan for your long-term care while you're alive. With the median cost of a long-term care facility approaching $8,000 per month, paying for long-term...
Read MoreFactors to Consider When Setting a Retirement Savings Goal
Many Americans realize the importance of saving for retirement, but knowing exactly how much they need to save is another issue altogether. With all the information available about retirement, it is sometimes difficult to decipher what...
Read MoreFour Financial Planning Essentials to Ease Your Retirement Fears
When it comes to planning for retirement, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Putting together a financial strategy can be complicated at any time of life, what with changing regulations, ups and downs in the market, and disagreements...
Read MoreThe Ultimate Juggling Act: 4 Ways to Save for College and Retirement
With the average price for private college tuition and fees hitting $43,750 for the 2021-2022 school year and public college attendees paying more than $28,000 per year, many parents are nervously anticipating what will happen after...
Read MoreAging Gracefully: 6 Healthy Ways to Enjoy Your Retirement
Retirement is an exciting time. You have worked hard all of your life and now get to take advantage of the fruits of that hard labor. Taking care of your mental and physical health during retirement is crucial. Here is why!
Read More5 Tips for Navigating Medicare in Retirement
One of the main concerns about retirement is health care. As healthcare costs continue to rise, medical bills may quickly derail your retirement plan. The good news is when you turn 65, you will be able to apply for Medicare, which...
Read MoreFiguring Out a 401(k) Strategy That Works for You
Matching your tolerance for risk with your investment objectivesEveryone 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...
Read MorePlanning Ahead for Life Insurance Proceeds
Why did you purchase life insurance? If you're like most people who buy life insurance, you're looking to provide a source of income for someone (e.g., a spouse, parent, or child) after you die. Buying the policy was the first step....
Read MoreA Retirement Income Roadmap for Women
More women are working and taking charge of their own retirement planning than ever before. What does retirement mean to you? Do you dream of traveling? Pursuing a hobby? Volunteering your time, or starting a new career or business?...
Read MoreSeniors and Debt: Getting Back on Track after a Post-Retirement Financial Setback
You may have envisioned retirement as a second childhood—a time to relax, enjoy yourself, and devote your time to your favorite hobbies. Unfortunately, worry-free retirement is not the reality for some. Challenges from stock...
Read MoreBack to School Checklist
Why Not A Yearly Retirement List?Labor Day is right around the corner. The weather is starting to turn a little cooler, college football returns and the kids are back in school. For me, it’s always been the kids going back to...
Read More4 Tips and Resources to Help Seniors During Periods of High Inflation and Market Volatility
In 2022, U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high, with prices for food, housing, gasoline, and other key staples increasing by nearly 10% over the previous year.1 During these uncertain times, stocks have continued a roller-coaster ride...
Read MoreStaying on Track with Your Retirement Investments
Investing for your retirement isn't about getting rich quick. More often, it's about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. You wouldn't expect to be able to play the piano without learning the basics and...
Read MoreAging Parents and Money
Getting old is hard. Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age. Helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you need to approach carefully.When you hit a certain age of your life, you may...
Read MoreAn Introduction to Estate Planning for the Sandwich Generation
For members of the "Sandwich Generation"—those currently in their 40s and 50s who are caring for children and their parents who are over 65-years old—estate planning may seem like a low priority. After all, when you're...
Read MoreWellness in Retirement: The Benefits of Social Wellness for Retirees
Social isolation makes people more susceptible to illness and death.1 While retirement is a time for relaxation and enjoyment from a lifetime of work, it may lead to a lack of purpose if you have depended on work for social activities...
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 MorePlanning For Unexpected Costs Before You Retire
Your retirement planning needs to incorporate more than just investmentYour open heart and your relatives can combine to threaten your retirement savings – savings you soon may need. Learn the true cost to your future before you...
Read MoreSun, Fun, and Summer Savings: 5 Thrifty Tips for Summer Traveling
Summer is here, and it could be time to hit the road on a new adventure. If you’re on a tight budget, you don’t have to give up your summer vacation dreams. Here are a few tips you may be able to use to create the perfect...
Read MoreTaking Charitable Giving to Another Level
Did you know that you can gift a new or existing life insurance policy to your favorite charity? When properly designed, a charitable life insurance program may improve your overall financial situation and offer tax benefits, all while...
Read MoreWhat Homeowners Should Know About Estate Planning
If you have always thought estate planning was just for those nearing retirement or already retired, think again. If you own a home, it is important to have a plan in place. Without a will or other arrangements that allow your home to...
Read MoreThe Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenthood
Parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Children give gifts only a parent can understand — from sticky-finger hugs to heartfelt pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. You raise them...
Read MoreWhat role does Social Security play in your retirement income strategy?
Read More
3 Moments in Life Where You Should Consider Consulting a Financial Professional
Read More
What Should Small Business Owners Know About Data Privacy Obligations?
Read More
How to Recognize and Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft
Read More
Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
Read More
3 Financial Moves to Consider Before Ringing in the New Year
Although you don't have to wait until January to begin working on your financial goals, a new year may bring a much-needed fresh start on your spending and saving goals. Read on for three financial moves you may want to consider before...
Read MoreRetirement Mistakes to Fix Before the Holidays
Spend as much time fixing your mistakes as you do planning the holidays You probably spend more time planning your holiday gathering than preparing for your golden years. As a result, you make basic mistakes in trying to fund your...
Read MoreEnd of Year Financial Planning
For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the...
Read More2021 Year-End Planning for Retirees
For some, 2021 has flown by—and as we approach the last quarter of the year, it's a good time to begin planning for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for retirees and those hoping to retire in 2021 or 2022....
Read MoreMid-November Means Open Enrollment Time
Reviewing your benefit choices will maximize your employment benefits Open enrollment for employee benefits kicks off this month. While you plan your Thanksgiving menu, review your benefit choices. Even if little changed in your life...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know about Financial Fraud
Many of us grew up in a world where it was customary to be friendly, courteous, and trusting. Unfortunately, assumptions concerning these standards of conduct can sometimes get us into trouble. Con artists offering a variety of...
Read MoreLong-Term Care: Understanding Your Options
Over the next 50 years, the age 85 and older population is expected to be the fastest growing segment of society. Unfortunately, along with aging, the chances of needing long-term care (LTC) increase. The primary reason for this is...
Read MoreThe Financial Planning Process: Why and How
Planning personal finances used to be the worry of the wealthy and their worry—usually preservation of wealth—was attended to by teams of trust officers and lawyers. Many of today’s middle class families have...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About Medicare Advantage Plans
If your 65th birthday is coming up—or if you're receiving Social Security Disability payments and are about to qualify for Medicare before age 65—you may be wondering exactly what comes next.1 Below, we discuss some...
Read MorePaving Your Road to Retirement
Whatever your age, it’s never too soon to look ahead and begin giving thought to your retirement. With proper planning, you can make the transition to retirement a smooth, comfortable and confident ride. Today, more than ever,...
Read MoreJump-Starting the LTC Conversation
Talking about long term care (LTC) can be challenging, and it can be especially difficult to know where to start. How you choose to broach the conversation may depend on your loved one’s personality, age, health status, cognitive...
Read MoreLife Insurance: Protection for All Life’s Stages
As your life changes, your financial needs often change, as well. Regardless of whether you are just starting out in life, are in mid-career, or are at the peak of your earning years, life insurance can help you achieve a variety of...
Read More401k Planning: 5 Questions to Ask
When was the last time you took steps to optimize your 401k? If it's been a while, you're not alone. Research indicates that only one in three Americans utilize employer-sponsored 401k retirement accounts; even those who are...
Read MoreAlternatives for College Funding
A Primer Although we all know that “time flies,” it seems to move particularly fast as we watch our children grow. Yet, in considering a college future for a newborn, it is understandable that parents might procrastinate,...
Read MoreGrant Peace of Mind with a Financial Inventory
Suppose, during the middle of the workday, you receive an urgent phone call. It is the local hospital informing you that your elderly, widowed father has been the victim of a serious car accident and lies unconscious in the emergency...
Read MoreYour Fall Maintenance Checklist
As the summer draws to a close and the first chilly winds of autumn blow through, it’s time to think through the way you’ll clean up, fix up, and maintain your home for fall. By keeping up with your home’s maintenance...
Read MoreHow to Save During Tax-Free Weekend
Tax free sales present an opportunity for residents of 17 (mostly Southern) states to purchase clothes, shoes, electronics, and even firearms or ammunition without paying a penny in sales tax.1 But because these sale dates usually only...
Read MoreRevisit Your Investment Strategy at Each Age Milestone
As the saying goes, "50 is the new 40"—and with Americans living longer than ever before, it's not unusual for those in their 50s, 60s, or even 70s to be in their peak earning years.1 But for those who would prefer the option of...
Read MoreHow to Structure Charitable Giving Throughout Your Lifetime
Charitable giving is a way for affluent individuals spread their money around and to benefit causes that are near and dear to their hearts. Yet, for those who fall into the high net worth category, it is critical to structure...
Read MoreChanges to Student Loans and Payments in 2021
The student loan landscape has changed dramatically since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the suspension of interest payments on federal student loans to tax incentives for employers who pay their employees' student loans,...
Read MoreTaxpayer Appreciation Day—Recognizing Taxpayers' Contributions
Though U.S. taxpayers received an extra month to file and pay their federal income taxes in 2021, some are still smarting from having to write a check to the IRS.[1] For many, it can be tough to make the connection between those...
Read MoreChanges to Medicare in 2021: What Recipients Should Know
For many people, turning 65 provides one of the keys to retirement: access to affordable healthcare. Whether you're enrolling in the Medicare program for the first time or have been a Medicare enrollee for years, it's important to stay...
Read MoreFinancial Wellness Considerations for Those with Disabilities
Many people associate the term "financial wellness" with things like saving for retirement, paying down high-interest debt, or creating an emergency fund. But when you're living with a disability (or caring for a loved one who is...
Read MoreThe Best Money-Saving Travel Tips for 2021
If 2020 made you fantasize about a trip as soon as travel restrictions were lifted—and you’re still waiting—you aren’t alone. Although 2021 was poised to be a comeback year, it is shaping up to be another summer...
Read MoreMaximize Your Summer Fun With These Ideas
As temperatures start to heat up and the days get longer, summer fun can kick into gear. Looking for things to do this summer? Then, check out this list of fun and relaxing summertime ideas. Be a tourist in your own area You don't have...
Read MoreTips for Repaying Your Student Loans
Graduation is an exciting time for many. But now repaying student loans will start for the new graduates. While some lenders give you a sixth month grace period before you start to repay, starting to pay your loads right away save you...
Read More529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Accounts
529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but they're not the only way. When you're investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options. Mutual funds Mutual funds are an option to...
Read MoreHow Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
Your life insurance needs change as your life changes. When you are young, you may not have a need for life insurance. However, as you take on more responsibility and your family grows, your life insurance needs increase. Your needs...
Read MoreContribute to an IRA Before the May 17th Deadline
Your financial professional can help you navigate the ever-changing IRS rules.... Taxpayers of all ages may be able to claim a deduction on their 2020 tax return for contributions made to their Individual Retirement Account made...
Read More10 Tips for Small Business Owners
Small business owners should conduct an annual assessment of their personal finances. Owners of small businesses have much the same concerns as everyone else, except they are personally responsible for the fortunes of their enterprise....
Read MoreRetirement Planning: To Roth or Not to Roth?
When saving for retirement, it often makes sense to contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans to take advantage of any available employer match opportunities. However, not everyone has access to an employer-sponsored plan. Even...
Read MoreKey Benefits of a Financial Advisor
Whether you've been wondering about boosting your investments' rates of return or are concerned that your financial affairs are a bit too complicated for your next of kin to handle, it may be time to seek advice from a financial...
Read MoreUsing SRI and ESG to Balance Investment and Ideals
When you invest funds, you are preparing for your retirement and your future. But at the same time, you may also want to consider the impact your money has on the world. Ethical investment strategies seek to balance these two concepts....
Read MoreYour Retirement Planning: “Too Big to Fail”
Five common retirement planning misperceptions and how to avoid... Many of us remember the phrase “too big to fail” from the 2008 financial crisis and cringe now that its use has been resurrected during the coronavirus...
Read MoreTax Day for Individuals is Extended to May 17
But ask yourself whether there is any real benefit to waiting to file your taxes... The U.S. Department of the Treasury is delaying the April 15th deadline to file and pay taxes until May 17, giving individuals and businesses another...
Read MoreA Checklist for Your Retirement Planning
Remember, it is never too early to start planning for your future... The time to begin planning for your financial future is now. So, when it comes to preparing for retirement, the earlier you start, the better. Here are some steps to...
Read More3 Key Components of Financial Literacy
Financial feats that were once unheard of—from investing in cryptocurrency to instantly paying someone through an online payment system—have now become commonplace in many parts of the country. But these sophisticated tasks...
Read MoreSpring Clean Your Finances
As temperatures warm up, trees begin budding, and the days get longer, you probably throw open your windows and think about spring cleaning your home. As you tackle washing windows, cleaning carpets, and sorting out the garage,...
Read MoreFour Key Ways to Build Your Credit
If you're like many Americans, you may have a few dents and dings on your credit report. As of 2020, around one in five adults has either a "fair" or "poor" credit score, which can impact their ability to qualify for a loan, rent an...
Read MoreHow Much Do You Know About Credit
In 2020, the average FICO score in the U.S. rose to 711, an eight-point increase from 2019.1 When it comes to having healthy credit, your score is the result of many factors. But what specifically goes into someone's credit report, and...
Read MoreRetirement Planning - Options for Women Business Owners
You’re an entrepreneur and you’re not looking back. You’ve opened your own business, whether alone or with other partners, and you’ve found some success. You’ve hired employees, or not, depending on your...
Read MoreWomen, Wealth, and Legacy Planning
Women play a central role in establishing and preserving family wealth - whether nurturing the values of children, fulfilling charitable goals, or making investment decisions that affect the financial security of themselves or their...
Read MoreHistory of St. Patrick's Day
On Saint Patrick’s Day, towns hold festive parades, people head to restaurants to dine on Irish fare, children pinch each other if they don’t wear green, and everything from beers to milkshakes turn the color of shamrocks....
Read MoreWhat to Know About 2021 Annual Report Filing for LLCs
Have you received a letter notifying your business that the 2021 Annual Report Instruction Form for Connecticut is due? Notice the filing fee is significantly higher than last year? On November 17, 2020, state officials cautioned...
Read MoreWhat to Know About the American Rescue Plan
As the COVID-19 pandemic enters its second year, President Joe Biden has begun to outline details of the "American Rescue Plan," a $1.9 trillion relief plan designed to help stem the coronavirus pandemic while giving the U.S. economy a...
Read MoreMarriage and Money: Finding a Happy Balance
Marriage affects your finances in many ways, including your ability to build wealth, plan for retirement, plan your estate, and capitalize on tax and insurance-related benefits. Here are some considerations to keep in mind: Building...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward
LPL Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward is designed to help you navigate a year in which economic conditions may continue to improve dramatically. Like the markets, Outlook 2021 looks ahead. 2021 will bring advances to further...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Stimulus, Round Two: What Should You Know?
After months of intense debate, the House and Senate voted to pass a second COVID-19 economic stimulus bill and the President has signed it into law.1 At a total cost of $900 billion, this 5,600-page bill1 contains everything from...
Read MoreTax Identity Theft Awareness - Protecting Yourself from Tax Identity Theft
Tax identity theft is when someone steals your Social Security Number, files a tax return with your number, and directs a refund to their own bank account. In other cases, this type of identity theft may involve a scam artist calling...
Read MoreNew Year's Resolutions to Get Your Finances in Order
New Year's is traditionally the time to review your life and make resolutions for change. In addition to thinking about working out, eating healthy, and meeting personal and professional goals, you should also think about your finances...
Read MoreGetting a Jump on January Tax Season
From pandemic-related stimulus payments to job losses and furloughs, for many taxpayers, next spring's tax season may be more complex than usual. With the end of 2020 rapidly approaching, you should take some time to review your tax...
Read MoreEnd of Year Deadlines Checklist
2020 has been one of the most unprecedented years in recent history, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines — don't change much, if at all. And with the uncertainty surrounding just about everything...
Read More3 Tax Strategies to Consider at Year-End
With the year rapidly coming to a close, and the upcoming tax year looming with uncertainties, you should consider updating your tax strategy to best preserve your assets into the future. Don't wait until the end of the tax year to...
Read MoreSmart Shopping During the Holidays
Shopping for holiday gifts is stressful but also a little fun, especially when you think about the joy you will bring to those who receive them. But in all the rush to get everything done in time, it is easy to forget smart shopping...
Read More