Blog
What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.
5 Types of Insurance Your College Student May Need
By now your college student may be settled in. It may be a great time for you to protect your family with one or all of these 5 different types of insurance.
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Is it time for a 401(k) review?
This is a great time of year to review your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Is it well aligned with your other investment accounts?
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Dollars and Degrees: The Cost of Education
As we approach the back-to-school season, I wanted to discuss an important topic that might be on your mind: the cost of education. Whether you have children or grandchildren preparing for college or considering furthering your...
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June 2023: Retirement Readiness
Our newsletter this month features nine retirement facts that might surprise you, the differences between retirement perception and retirement reality, an inside look at the different retirement adventures you might choose, and...
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Help for Your Elderly Parent
When the time comes to care for your elderly parents, there are many things to consider.
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Protecting an Aging Parent From Fraud
When you were young, your parent most likely warned you not to trust strangers. As your parent grows older, it’s time to return the favor. Seniors are frequent targets for financial scams, many have considerable assets and...
Read MoreMillennials Lead the Way in Impact Investing
Many of us are familiar with the phrase “doing well while doing good.” It’s a concept that’s gaining momentum, especially among millennial investors. Studies have shown millennials are more likely to prioritize...
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Weekly Market Insights: Attention Turns to the Debt Ceiling
Stocks were mixed last week as good inflation news was offset by mounting debt ceiling concerns and rekindled regional banking fears.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.11%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.29%. The...
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Your Monthly Market Newsletter, May 2023
Spring has Sprung, and it’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. April’s stock market was a mixed bag, with stocks ending the month higher despite several lackluster sessions. The Nasdaq managed a small...
Read MoreHaving Financial Conversations with Adult Children
A recent survey reported that 68% of parents had made financial sacrifices to support their adult children. It's often a difficult decision that can stress relationships, impact retirement strategies, and harm overall financial...
Read MoreApril 2023: Your Money Matters Newsletter
Our Your Money Matters newsletter features estate considerations for millennials, what to look for in personal finance apps, some financial literacy basics, and a quick note that it may be time for a financial checkup. Have a great...
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Your Monthly Market Newsletter, March 2023
Welcome to March, a time for renewal and growth, a time we look forward to spring, a time when the days growing longer and the weather beginning to warm. Unfortunately, February’s market performance feels more like atrophy, not...
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Your Monthly Market Newsletter, February 2023
Welcome to February, where the weather is traditionally cold and grey (a seemingly appropriate reflection of investor sentiment after surviving the market turbulence of 2022). Continuing the pattern, January was another roller...
Read MoreLast Minute Tips Before Tax Day
2023 Tax Planning WhitepaperFewer things are more reliable than Tax Day, even if the deadline has shifted around a bit in recent years. This year, it’s April 18th for most taxpayers, and recent legislation changes...
Read MoreCelebrate Financial Wellness Month
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays behind us, it’s a great time to mention that January is Financial Wellness Month. How should you observe this ‘holiday’? Consider it a reminder to prioritize and pay...
Read MoreSmart Things to Do with a Bonus
If you are anticipating an annual bonus this year, it’s wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash before it comes so you can get the most benefit from it. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit...
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From Our Homes to Yours… Happy Holidays!
Welcome to December. This time of year makes us all feel something. It may be happy; it may be sad; it may be giddy or stressed. But as we approach the end of a challenging year (to say the least), the one thing WE are...
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October’s Surge Holds Hope
Happy November. As we move into the season of giving thanks, we can all feel thankful for a bit of good news about the markets. Stocks soared during October, with value stocks outperforming growth as earnings season kicked into high...
Read MoreWays to Prevent Elder Financial Fraud
If you’re like most people, you don’t spend much time worrying about whether you’ll become a victim of financial fraud. Unfortunately, this overconfidence can leave you vulnerable. While financial fraud is a...
Read MoreLearn the Estate Planning Essentials
You’ve worked hard to establish a legacy you can be proud of, one that your family can continue to build upon for years to come. And as you know, a comprehensive estate plan is an essential piece of your financial puzzle. However...
Read MoreSeptember 2022: Retirement Readiness Newsletter
Our Retirement Readiness newsletter features a focus on women preparing for retirement, gets to the bottom of when you need a will, takes a look at the importance of your Trusted Contact, and asks a loaded question: what can a million...
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Farewell to Summer, Hello to Fall!
There are flowers enough in the summertime, More flowers than I can remember — But none with the purple, gold, and red That dye the flowers of September!—Mary Howitt (1799-1888)Summer may feel like it’s in...
Read MoreAugust 2022: Retirement Readiness
Our Retirement Readiness newsletter features info about how the right executor is an important role in your estate planning, a fun video on setting up financial goals for success, a quiz to find out your investment IQ, and 4...
Read MoreThe Dog Days of Summer Are Here!
Grab a lemonade and find a shady spot… we’re entering the dog days of summer! Any idea where that phrase comes from? Some say it’s because these hot, sultry days “aren’t fit for a dog,” but in fact...
Read MoreStay the Course
In light of recent worldwide events which have had significant impact on the markets, we wanted to proactively reach out to remind you that we are here to support you as we navigate these times of uncertainty. Knowledge is power, and...
Read MoreJune 2022: Retirement Readiness
Our newsletter this month features an overview on when to talk to your financial professional about changes in your situation, if your retiree health care coverage goes with you overseas, includes a pre-retirement checklist to...
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Creating Your Family Legacy
While creating an estate plan is a common part of a financial plan, creating a family legacy is equally as important when thinking about how you want the wealth you’ve built to be distributed. In addition to including your...
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November's Newsletter
RecapWelcome to November!November is an opportunity to gather with friends and family and be thankful for our blessings - and to gobble down an extra helping of green bean casserole!The stock market bounced back nicely in October...
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Considerations During Medicare’s Open Enrollment
How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage.Have you switched...
Read MoreDon’t Let Stocks Spook You
Autumn is here with its stunning scenery, lower temperatures and promise of the holidays, so bring on the candy and creative Halloween costumes! Don’t forget that the deadline to file your 2020 Form 1040 is October 15, 2021. The...
Read MoreLife Happens; Be Prepared
One minute you’re tooling down the sidewalk as you scroll through your phone looking for that important text message from yesterday… the next minute, WHAM! You’re broadsided as you absentmindedly step off the curb...
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This Month's Newsletter
RecapIt’s hard to believe we’re a few months away from turning the calendar to 2022. While this time of year can feel like it goes quickly, take a moment to enjoy fall: the weather cools, the leaves start to change,...
Read MoreWhat is a Coverdell ESA?
What does the Peace Corps, the US Senate, and the tax code have to do with education funding? They’re all related to Senator William Coverdell! Senator Coverdell represented Georgia from 1993 to 2000 after serving as the...
Read MoreYour Homework is Late!
Isn’t it the worst when you wake up after you’ve hit the snooze button? Just a few more minutes! If your child is approaching college and you're behind on education savings, it can feel like hitting the snooze button...
Read More4 Ideas for Back-to-School Savings
As summer comes to an end and the excitement of a new school year begins, most parents dread the price tag associated with back-to-school shopping. And we don’t blame them! The amount of necessary supplies has climbed to new...
Read MoreAugust 2021: Retirement Readiness
This month's Retirement Readiness newsletter features insights into inflation, the choices for your 401(k) at a former employer, rethinking the 4% rule, and considering how to live a fulfilling retirement. Hope you enjoy, and as...
Read MoreLife Events that Impact your Financial Plan in a Big Way!
When you have a major life event such as getting married, having a child, or buying a home, your financial situation and priorities may change. As your life changes, your financial decisions must stay in line with your goals, values,...
Read MoreThe American Jobs Act – 3 Potential Changes We’re Watching
Recently, there’s been a lot of noise about the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, commonly referred to as the ‘infrastructure bill.’ We’ve heard a lot about infrastructure over the few years, and...
Read MoreCashflow for the Kiddos!
We always hope our clients feel confident discussing money with their families. The truth is, talking about money can be uncomfortable! Where do you begin? What’s the right age? The good news is, it’s never too early to...
Read MoreTap into Free FAFSA Money for College
Each year there are billions of dollars in federal financial aid available from the U.S. Department of Education in the form of grants, loans and work-study funds. Current college or prospective students that fill out the Free...
Read MoreJune 2021: Your Money Matters
This month’s Your Money Matters newsletter features an overview on how inflation is reported and how it can affect investments, tips for inventorying your possessions plus how it can help you save in the event of a loss, ways to...
Read MoreSaving For Higher Education – What are Your Options?
Over the last four decades, the price of a college education has grown disproportionately to other costs. Inflation set aside, college cost has more than doubled since the 1960's and college costs have gone up by more than 50% for...
Read MoreMay 2021: Your Money Matters
This month’s Your Money Matters newsletter features some tips on budgeting after a divorce, a brief video on choosing a mortgage, how disability insurance may be a good way to protect your income and savings, along with some fun...
Read MoreMay 2021: Retirement Readiness
This month's Retirement Readiness newsletter features uncertainties we face in retirement that erode our sense of confidence, a brief video on how one might treat their next chapter in retirement, ideas around experiencing negative...
Read MoreSummer Savings Tips you MAY enjoy
Between celebrating mom and Memorial Day gatherings, May brings a month of transition from Spring into Summer. And with it, warmer temperatures that give us the chance to enjoy warm, lazy weekends with many opportunities to gather...
Read MoreThe American Jobs Act – 10 Potential Changes We’re Watching
President Biden has unveiled his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan; now, the focus turns to how the Administration proposes to pay for all (or some of) the measures. While these plans are still subject to significant change,...
Read MoreDon’t Shred Those Tax Documents Yet!
Once you complete this year’s taxes, you may wonder what to do with that pile of records, 1099s, receipts, and bank statements. The IRS recommends holding on to any documents related to the income you’re reporting or any...
Read MoreAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – What’s Included?
One year into the global pandemic, President Biden has signed into action a new $1.9 trillion stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan Act. It’s designed to help the American people continue to recover from the...
Read MoreFebruary's Theme: Love and Money
Help Your Family Plan Your Care Avoid misunderstandings by planning now for the day you can no longer care for yourself. Becoming increasingly dependent on others for the normal activities of daily life can be a harsh reality. It can...
Read MoreJanuary Is Financial Wellness Month
January is Financial Wellness Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.For me, it’s time for me to connect with new clients and discuss their financial situation and aspirations for their...
Read MoreCasualty of Online Fraud?
There may not be an easy way to protect your digital identity but there are steps you can take to thwart criminals. Freezing your credit, updating software on your devices, staying knowledgeable about the latest scams, making sure...
Read MorePreventing Identity Theft
Preventing Identity Theft Limiting exposure of your personal information is the best way to protect yourself from fraud. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that as many as nine million Americans have their identities stolen each...
Read MoreLong-term care could save your nest egg
During our working years, many of us have access to an employer-sponsored health insurance plan either through our own job or our spouse’s job. But when it comes to retirement, we typically rely on Medicare and Medicare...
Read MoreUnderstanding Long Term Care Insurance
If you’re like me, getting older has brought with it the quicker passage of time and a handful of new aches and pains. But what hurts more than the occasional morning stiffness is witnessing cherished friends or family members...
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Election 2020: A Dose of Patience
The upcoming election is prompting some people to reconsider their investment strategy.In fact, 45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their portfolio due to the upcoming 2020 presidential...
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Election 2020: Managing Your Emotions
It’s a startling statistic.45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their investments due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election.1Second-guessing your investment strategy is natural,...
Read MoreOctober is Estate Planning Month
Four Basic Estate Planning Documents Estate planning is less overwhelming if you break it into four areas of focus. Being prepared for major life and death decisions requires thoughtful, thorough planning. When it comes to your estate...
Read MoreHow Significant is the latest Market Decline?
The U.S. stock market has suddenly been hit by a new bout of volatility, reminding uneasy investors of the sharp downturn last February and March. We are nowhere near that level of decline at this point, but the fact that it happened...
Read MoreLife Happens, Be Prepared
Life Happens; Be Prepared September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, a campaign coordinated by the nonprofit Life HappensSM in response to growing concern about the number of Americans who lack adequate life insurance protection....
Read MoreNew Shopping Habits
New Shopping Habits The pandemic has changed our shopping habits, but how? A recent study by the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. shows some obvious—and not-so-obvious—changes in consumer behavior due to the Covid-19 economy....
Read MoreParental Attention
Parental Attention See if you can relate to this. A recent study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family looked at childrearing trends in 11 developed nations, and found that, back in 1965, the average mother spent just 54...
Read MoreStart Early on College Saving
College costs can be more than a little painful, but with the proper financial planning, you could be whistling your child’s college fight song all the way to the bank. Although federal and state financial aid for college...
Read MoreDelay Receiving Social Security to Increase Benefits
On Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law to help combat unemployment and guarantee income for retirees. Roosevelt acknowledged the limitations of the act, stating, "We can never insure...
Read MoreJune 16, 2020
Talking to Parents about Letters of Instruction How to talk to your parents about their estate plans without looking like a vulture. Few conversations can be harder to have with your parents than asking about the plans they’ve...
Read MoreHelping Your Parents Through Their Retirement
Helping Your Parents Through Their Retirement In 1900, life expectancy at birth in the U.S. was 47 years. Now that number is closer to 79, and many of today’s children could live to see 100. But with an increase in longevity...
Read MoreMay is Disability Insurance Awareness Month
Financial planning constantly asks the hard questions about life and death. Not just the “if” questions but also the “when” questions. Although it is often hard to think about the inevitable, the possible and...
Read MoreCoronavirus Legislation and Your Retirement
Coronavirus Legislation and Your Retirement Funds While it may be unpleasant to think about your 401(k) or IRA right now, you should know about changes COVID-19-related legislation has made to rules regarding tax-advantaged retirement...
Read More3 Major Retirement Hazards to Avoid
3 Major Retirement Hazards to Avoid Retirement can mean the beginning of a new life. Here are a few common dangers to avoid. Retirement planning is a tricky process, one that requires careful planning and patience. But even if you have...
Read MoreKeep Calm and Sit Tight
20200313_102047 from Karen Palomo on Vimeo.
Read MoreGifting to Reduce Your Taxable Estate
Control Your Legacy with a Private Foundation Private foundations can let you control your gifts, reduce taxes and impart your values to future generations. Call it the golf and gala glut: the growing list of charitable parties, balls...
Read MoreProtect Your Loved Ones
Protect Your Loved Ones from Financial Elder Abuse A study by MetLife Mature Market Institute, the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Virginia Tech estimates the annual loss by victims of financial elder abuse is...
Read MoreHelp your Family Plan Your Care
Help Your Family Plan Your Care Avoid misunderstandings by planning now for the day you can no longer care for yourself. Becoming increasingly dependent on others for the normal activities of daily life can be a harsh reality. It can...
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5 Tips for Keeping Financial Resolutions
With the New Year approaching, take time to make a list of your financial resolutions. Financial resolutions can be especially difficult to stick with because, like eating and exercising, our spending, saving and investing habits tend...
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Identity Theft Prevention & Awareness Month
Free Credit Reports: Have you requested yours? Thanks to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), all Americans have access to a free copy of their credit report. It requires the consumer reporting companies to provide a free copy...
Read MoreNovember is Long Term Care Month
A Lasting Legacy Why planning for long-term care is so necessary in today’s world. James and Irene Norris have been married for 65 years, raised two sons, and owned and operated a small business together for more than 50 years....
Read MoreFour Basic Estate Planning Documents
Four Basic Estate Planning Documents Estate planning is less overwhelming if you break it into four areas of focus. Being prepared for major life and death decisions requires thoughtful, thorough planning. When it comes to your estate,...
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