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The 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 MoreMarket Policy Projections for 2021
As a result of the Senate runoffs in Georgia, Democrats are poised to take control of the US Senate, which would give them a majority in both houses of Congress. This will shift the policy outlook moderately to the left, but majorities...
Read MoreTips for Organizing Your Financial Documents
In an increasingly paper-free society, organizing your financial documents can still be a challenge. No matter how simple or complex your financial picture might be, it takes some thought-out organization to keep your tax documents,...
Read More10 Economic Lessons From 2020
2020 was a year characterized in part by the outbreak of a global pandemic, which captivated the world and shocked the global economy and financial markets. As we turn the page to 2021, it can be helpful to reflect on the lessons...
Read More2020/2021 Tax Season Guide
To ease some of the burdens of tax season, we’ve created this helpful guide, which contains all the information you may need to easily address tax issues and questions that you might face. It will assist you in becoming familiar...
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New 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 More8 Steps for Pre-Retirees to Pursue Retirement Income
Sometimes people get caught up in the numbers so much that they forget why they're saving for retirement. At the beginning of your career, you may not have known what you wanted to do. Now that you've officially joined the ranks of...
Read MoreA New Economic Start in 2021
After modest growth to begin 2020, the economy screeched to a halt as the onset of the pandemic ended the longest economic expansion ever. A record decline in gross domestic product (GDP) in the second quarter was followed by record...
Read MoreTips for Navigating a Volatile Retirement
Retirement is the time in your life when you want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of years of hard work. But unfortunately, when the market is volatile, it may bring additional anxiety and stress. The good news is, a volatile...
Read MoreTax Benefits of Charitable Planning
When you donate to a charity, you want to know that your donation is going to its highest and best purpose—which means minimizing the tax exposure of the donated assets. One way to accomplish this, whether you're hoping to donate...
Read MoreA Positive Outlook for 2021
To say that 2020 was a wild year would be an understatement. As we prepare to welcome in the New Year, we take a look at what we can expect in the stock and bond markets, the economy, and a new post-election policy environment in 2021....
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 MoreOutlook 2021: Powering Forward
More than most years, it’s hard to look ahead to the next year, to 2021, without looking back at 2020. A global pandemic, a massive economic collapse, a bear market, a surprisingly sharp reversal, a hotly contested election where...
Read MoreEnd of Year (EOY) 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 MoreCOVID-19 May Threaten the Recovery
A new wave of COVID-19 cases threatens to trip up the economy. Increasing cases in Europe and the United States have brought new restrictions on activities, but the market doesn’t appear to be fazed by the recent outbreaks....
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 to make these adjustments. Check out...
Read MoreCharitable Giving: How it Affects You Financially as Well as Personally
The holiday season is just around the corner and many charitable organizations are in desperate need of donations to help provide the vital services needed in the community. You are most often inundated with a number of charitable...
Read MoreFrothy Sentiment Rides Bullish Technicals
The post-election environment and positive developments toward a COVID-19 vaccine have led to a surge in stock prices. The added clarity on these two fronts has boosted sentiment, which may present a risk in the near term as stock...
Read More4 Reasons to Do Your Shopping on Small Business Saturday
When Thanksgiving rolls around, the holiday shopping season comes into full swing. While many people prepare their strategy for Black Friday shopping, a lot of them forget about the second shopping holiday that weekend: Small Business...
Read MoreAssessing Your Retirement Resources
How resourceful can you be during your retirement? Determining where your retirement money will come from is an integral part of planning for retirement. Most people draw on three main sources of income: Social Security,...
Read MoreQ3 Results Brighten 2021 Picture
Corporate America delivered quite an encore to a surprisingly good second quarter earnings season with more of the same in the third quarter, despite a higher bar. S&P 500 Index companies didn’t quite match the biggest upside...
Read MoreIdentify Your Personal Retirement Goals
Ask yourself, "What will my golden years hold for me?" Is the answer a comfortable home near a golf course? Free time to spend with your grandchildren? Or even a cross-country journey or trip around the world? Whatever your answer may...
Read MoreUsing Trusts to Manage Wealth: What Investors Should Know
Whether you manage a trust for someone else, are the beneficiary of a trust, or are thinking of creating a trust, you probably have some questions about the "best practices" of trust management. A well-managed trust can help preserve...
Read MoreHow Entrepreneurs Can Stay Nimble in the COVID Era
When one door closes, another opens—and entrepreneurs who keep this mantra in mind are more likely to remain on top once the world has moved beyond the novel COVID-19 pandemic. What can business owners and other entrepreneurs do...
Read MoreReady to Retire? How to Know for Sure
Retirement is an exciting time for many, and the reward for years of hard work. While there is no set age for retirement, it is important to be prepared before you make the leap, so that you enjoy your retirement and financial...
Read MoreEnd of Year Planning: Set Goals and Reduce Taxes
By the last third of the calendar year, you're likely to have a pretty good idea of what your annual income will be and whether any major expenses or big life changes await you. This can allow you to engage in more robust tax planning,...
Read MorePreparing For Year-End & The 2020/2021 Tax Season
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax advisor Year-end is approaching and being prepared is the best way to...
Read MoreAre The Polls Wrong Again?
The race for the White House is down to the homestretch, and although presidential candidate Joe Biden is comfortably ahead in the election polls, various market and economic-based indicators suggest the election may be much closer...
Read MoreYear-End Tax Planning
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your...
Read MoreWhat Should Women Entrepreneurs Do to Thrive in the COVID Era?
With COVID rocking the employment landscape for job-seekers, some women have taken this opportunity to reinvent themselves and take charge of their own financial futures by launching a business. Entrepreneurship is one of the most...
Read MoreThree Reasons We Like Small Caps
Markets have come a long way since the March lows, but we believe there may be more room for stocks to run. Given the impressive economic recovery to date and improving underlying technical and fundamental conditions, we think small...
Read MoreHow Financial Planning Helps You Work Towards Your Self-Improvement Goals
Many self-improvement goals focus on stability and personal growth — and financial goals are often no different. From buying your first home to saving for retirement, planning your finances can also help you work toward your...
Read MoreEarnings Growth is Approaching
This earnings season, corporate America will get closer to the return of earnings growth—which is likely in the first quarter of 2021. We probably will have another decline in profits for third quarter 2020, though potentially...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Delaying Your Retirement Date?
Recent surveys have indicated that many of us are rethinking our retirement plans because of COVID-19. In fact, one survey from the nonprofit group Life Happens suggests that a whopping 43% of Americans say they plan to postpone and...
Read MoreThree Things Millennials Should Know About Savings
Millennials often get a bad rap when it comes to hitting certain financial milestones like moving out or buying a home, but they've proven to be ahead of the game when it comes to savings. In fact, 25 percent of Millennials who save...
Read MoreMarket Responses to Election Uncertainty
Speculation has been increasing that the November election results may be delayed or disputed, or both. A contested election might affect financial markets in several ways. Also, the news that President Donald Trump has tested positive...
Read MoreWhat to Do If You're Working From Home Longer Than Expected
As the threat of the coronavirus swept through the nation in March, many businesses sent their workers home, and now, as fall looms around the corner, many people are continuing to work from home. If you're working home longer than...
Read MoreSecurity Checks: Tips for Securing Your Online Transactions
As technology continues to evolve, so too have the skills of cyber-criminals, who have honed their abilities to break through firewalls, stealing valuable personal data and funds. What steps might you consider to help secure your...
Read MoreWhat Technology's Correction Means
The recent correction in the S&P 500 Index’s technology sector presents a unique challenge to markets following a historic stretch of outperformance as technology’s share of the market has ballooned in size. Despite...
Read MoreCountdown to Retirement: Strategies for Saving in your 50s
Many retirees today are redefining the “golden years.” Forget about endless days of leisure. Retirees seek adventure, travel, and new business pursuits. While these changes may redefine retirement, will retirees be able to...
Read MoreCentral Bank Season
When seasons change, the major central banks meet. The Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, and Bank of Japan all met in September to discuss their outlooks on the economy and monetary policy going forward. Key observations from the...
Read MoreHow to Develop a Money Mindset That Aligns with Your Goals
Financial goals are essential. Setting them will help you to obtain the things you want out of life as well as live the lifestyle you desire, both during your working years and in your retirement. But obtaining these goals isn't always...
Read MoreThe Bull Case for Stocks
Markets have been on a wild ride in September so far, with a strong first two days of the month followed by one of the sharpest 10% corrections ever for the NASDAQ. The case can be made that stocks may move higher over the rest of 2020...
Read MoreI'm Changing Jobs. What Should I Do With the Money in My Plan?
Changing jobs is an important decision -- one that many of us are making more often. Once you've decided to switch jobs, your next move is to determine what to do with the money in your former employer's retirement plan. Four Common...
Read MoreTop 10 Investor Questions
Many investors, ourselves included, find it difficult to understand why stocks have done so well lately in such a challenging economic environment and COVID-19 still an ongoing threat. We heard that question quite a bit at our annual...
Read More5 Big Problems to Solve Before You Retire
It seems, sometimes, as though financial professionals come in only two flavors. There are those who promise everything is going to be fine; you don't have to fret about retirement, they say, because they'll help you make more than...
Read MoreElection Preview Part II: A Trump Second Term—Upside and Risks
A second term for President Donald Trump would likely feature a continuation of the pro-growth policies from the first term of his administration, and importantly for financial markets, a continuation of the status quo. Markets...
Read MoreNational Life Insurance Awareness Month
September is National Life Insurance Awareness month. And while most of us likely recognize that life insurance provides us peace of mind and security, there may be a few things you don’t know. Life Insurance is Not Just for the...
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