Blog
Fed Raises Rates for the 10th Consecutive Time
Understanding the impact on consumers, businesses and the stock market.The Federal Reserve's recent decision to raise the federal funds rate for the 10th consecutive time brings forth potential consequences for various stakeholders in...
Read MoreBank Failures Shine Light on Interest Rate Risks
Financial markets reacted turbulently to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) on March 10, 2023, followed two days later by the failure of Signature Bank of New York. With $209 billion in assets and $175 billion in deposits,...
Read MoreLife Insurance: How Much Is Enough?
You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your...
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...
Read MoreGoing Paperless in Account View 2.0
Get more security & convenience with your financial statementsI wanted to let you know you have the option to go paperless with your documents inside the Account View portal. Within the portal, you can sign up for paperless delivery of...
Read MoreShow All
Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market
Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It's useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are...
Read MoreCommon Factors Affecting Retirement Income
When it comes to planning for your retirement income, it's easy to overlook some of the common factors that can affect how much you'll have available to spend. If you don't consider how your retirement income can be impacted by...
Read MoreFive Financial Mistakes to Avoid
We all make mistakes, and through them, we learn. But when it comes to finances, trial-and-error may not be the most suitable approach for you. Five Financial Mistakes to AvoidAvoiding some of the following financial mistakes...
Read MoreSECURE 2.0 Top 10 Provisions
Congress passed SECURE 2.0 as part of the fiscal 2023 spending package. This bipartisan retirement security legislation could present opportunities for your retirement savings strategy.
Read More5 Ways a Financial Professional Could Be a Small-Business Owner's Best Friend
As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten employees, or some other tangible measure. However, financial professionals may...
Read MorePlanning For Unexpected Costs Before You Retire
Your retirement planning needs to incorporate more than just investments. Your 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...
Read MoreAn Annual Financial 'To-Do' List to Help Keep Your Finances on Track
Each year, many of us focus on our financial health by resetting goals and checking off items on our financial to-do list. Attempting to implement everything at once can be overwhelming but a month-by-month approach may help you plan...
Read More2022/2023 Tax Season at a Glance
Download and Print our 2022/2023 Tax Season Guide to help you this season.
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 MoreIRS Increases 401(k) Limit By Record Amounts
As inflation soars, you can now save a lot more for your retirement. On October 21st, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500,...
Read MoreThe 12 Days of Year-End Planning: Things to Consider Going into “The New Year"
At the end of the year, it is necessary to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. With all that is involved, it can seem overwhelming. Consider breaking up the responsibilities over...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Outlook 2023: Finding Balance
Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...
Read More5 Year-End Tax Planning Questions to Ask Your Financial Professional
The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...
Read MorePreparing for Year-End and the 2022/2023 Tax Season
Year-end is approaching and being prepared is the best way to make this tax season your easiest yet. Following are important information and tools to help you get ready. As always, meeting with me early and often will ensure your...
Read MoreA Year-End Wealth Planning Guide
As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:1....
Read MoreYour Long Term Care Action Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Those turning 65 this year have a 7 in 10 chance of needing long-term care (LTC) at some point.1 With the cost of a private room in a nursing home now topping $100,000 per year, the thought of paying this — or for a loved one...
Read More3 Ways To Improve Your Finances for Self-Improvement Month
September is self-improvement month and a great time to work on your financial health. When you think of self-improvement, you likely think of your health or career but may pay little attention to your finances. Getting your financial...
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 More5 Ways to Improve Your Financial Awareness
Regardless of what you do or how much you earn, you deal with money on a daily basis. The more you understand about finances, the more effectively you will be able to manage yours.Yet, many people lack financial literacy skills. One...
Read MoreMid-Year Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...
Read MoreSocial Wellness: What is It and Why is it Important?
Social wellness refers to the relationships you have and how you interact with others. It involves building and maintaining positive, supportive relationships and fostering meaningful connections.If you prioritize becoming socially...
Read More5 Financial Facts About the Sandwich Generation
The "sandwich generation" is the descriptive term for adults generally between the ages of 40 and 59 who are raising a minor child (or supporting a grown child) while also caring for a retirement-age or older parent. With financial...
Read MoreInvest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month
Read More
Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
Read More
New Year, New Goals: Your Countdown to Financial Health
For many people, a new year provides a new start—and nothing says "new start" like a fresh new set of financial goals. But setting these goals is easier said than done. What steps should you take to get the most bang for your...
Read MoreA Season of Giving: 5 Different Ways To Give During the Holidays
With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...
Read MoreCan You Spot the Scam? Common Financial Fraud Warning Signs
Many people are familiar with the scammers who promise to pay millions of dollars in exchange for briefly holding funds in your bank account or those who offer to enhance certain body parts risk-free. Today's scammers are clever at...
Read MoreYour 2021 Year-End Planning Checklist
It may be easy to forget we're nearing the end of the year. Even during the busy end of year rush, it's a good time to reevaluate your 2021 finances and turn an eye toward 2022. What can you do now to potentially improve and streamline...
Read MoreFinancial Planning at Every Age
In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2 Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know about the FAFSA for 2021
One of the most important pieces of the college financing puzzle is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Without the FAFSA, a college student is unlikely to be able to apply for or receive certain types of federal...
Read MoreCelebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
It’s time to celebrate Hispanic independence and heritage this September and October. From science, music, sports, journalism, and so much more–the vast and diverse culture has continuously made huge impacts in the United...
Read MoreThe Advantages & Disadvantages of 401(k) Loans
Sometimes a 401(k) loan makes sense, but there are a lot of considerations Tapping your tax-advantaged retirement savings seems like a desperate financial move (because it is), yet also a sound one in specific circumstances. Best know...
Read MoreOptimizing the Home for Virtual Classrooms
For many parents, COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a double-whammy of adjustment both professionally and personally. Along with managing the new normal in their jobs, parents became teachers, tutors, and counselors as they helped...
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 MoreTop Factors That Can Affect Your Insurance Rates
Between health, life, auto, disability, and homeowner/renter insurance, paying to insure your belongings--and yourself--can be a significant portion of your monthly budget. However, some of the factors that impact insurance rates are...
Read MoreAmerica’s Favorite Pastime Through the Years
Baseball has been America’s favorite game for well over two hundred years now, but how did our obsession begin, and where? 1800s The foundations of baseball in America are credited to Abner Doubleday in 1839, but the formation of...
Read MoreHappy Graduation! Time to Repay Your College Loans
Graduation from college is an exciting time for many and signals the start of student loan repayment. If you are a recent graduate, you may have a co-signer on your student loan. If you are a parent or family member that is a co-signer...
Read More529 Savings Plans: For Education Expenses and Estate Planning?
A 529 plan is a state-sponsored tax-advantaged plan designed for saving for future education expenses authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. If used for education, the assets grow tax-free. According to the College...
Read MoreHow to Stay Committed to Your Financial Goals
Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals. Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be difficult, especially when times may be financially tough. But by staying...
Read More5 Investment Considerations for Small Business Owners
If you're a small business owner, many of the best practices employed by individual investors are also available to you (of course!), but you also have some additional options and factors to weigh while creating your investment plans....
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 Considerations as You Start Receiving Social Security Benefits
As your retirement draws closer, you will probably start to have lots of questions such as:How much Social Security will I receive?When should I retire?How will I know when to retire?Do I have enough saved?What will I need to do to...
Read More