Blog

May, 2022 I want to reach out to you to share some of my observations about the market since we have been enduring a period of volatility. First, the good news: the economy is strong, earnings reports are at or above projections, people are returning to their...

  You’ve worked hard to plump up your Individual Retirement Account (IRA). But after years of doing your best to grow it, it can be hard to remember the reason you started it in the first place: to use it.  Even if you don’t feel the need to begin making...

  One of the best things you can do for your future self is to start saving for retirement as early as possible. Many employers offer tax-advantaged retirement plans, including public service and government organizations. These plans encourage workers to save and...

  Do you have clear retirement goals, and are they achievable? Unfortunately, many people don’t, and it’s understandable. Sometimes we’re overwhelmed dealing with short-term needs and can’t focus on long-term goals.  More than one-third of all Americans have...

  We want to help you stay on course as you pursue your financial goals. A complimentary goal planning session with one of our Financial Consultants helps you assess your current financial situation and create a personalized plan for the future that's focused on...

If you’re approaching the finish line toward a financially healthy retirement, or perhaps already got there, congratulations! Retiring with the money you need for any adventures that may come your way is a significant accomplishment, and one you undoubtedly strived...

If you’ve ever invested in a 401(k), 403(b), or similar tax-deferred plan, you likely know that you’re generally expected to keep the money in the account until you’re at least 59 1/2—if you don’t want to be stuck with a penalty. However, there is a way around the...

Stashing money away for your retirement is a wise, even necessary, thing to do. So, as you consider saving for your future, you might want to take a look at retirement vehicles that offer tax advantages. Some accounts offer tax advantages for the year that you make...

Long-term portfolio diversification, like journalism, requires diversified (and credible) “sources.” Investors can get the scoop from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, company announcements, financial news organizations, and other publicly available...

The last time we experienced a major pandemic 100 years ago, Wall Street followed up with the “Roaring 20s.”  Needless to say, there’s no guarantee of that kind of rebound after COVID-19, and the economy might have more dark days ahead in 2021. Still, the brightest...

  Retirement is full of possibilities. Will you travel? Pursue a new career or hobby? Volunteer in your community? Spend more time with friends and family? No matter your vision, you need a plan to help ensure you have sufficient income to enjoy this chapter of...

  The “fight or flight” instincts of humans long predate stock markets and even Warren Buffett, and many investors today are surely familiar with these basic impulses. Should you stand up to a threat and put up your dukes? Or turn tail and run away? Market...

We want to help you stay on course as you pursue your financial goals. A complimentary goal planning session with one of our Financial Consultants helps you assess your current financial situation and create a personalized plan for the future that's focused on your...

Access professional guidance for planning your retirement Your retirement plan isn’t something you set up once and then leave unattended. A successful retirement plan takes patience, attention, and discipline. To help you plan your retirement, we’ve created a list of...

​ The wildest and most unpredictable earnings season many of us are likely to ever see starts today. It begins with markets moving higher as political leaders sound more optimistic about bending the virus curve and the first reporting companies strike a relatively...

Key Takeaways Many analysts forecasting a recession in Q2 and Q3 Banks to kick off earnings season mid-month, followed by big tech and energy firms Comparing Q1 earnings data to those from previous quarters or years might offer very little insight Instead of checking...

Conference calls can be excruciating. If you’re the first one in, you have to make the most awkward of small talk–yes, it sure is cold–and if you’re last then you’re a jerk. They’re like meetings, only worse. This video from comedians Tripp and Tyler perfectly...

  The global spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus, is keeping people at home. Major conferences, including Mobile World Congress and Google I/O have been canceled to decrease the risk of infection. Some employers are encouraging or requiring people to work...

  About a year ago, Alex Reffett got a call from someone saying he owed thousands of dollars in taxes. The person gave him a bank account where he could wire the money, and Reffett said would go to the bank to complete the transfer. But when he began showing some...

  Roth or Traditional IRA If you're looking for a tax-advantaged way to save for retirement, two good options are the Traditional IRA and a Roth IRA. Each have their unique advantages, and the one you choose will largely depend on your earnings needs and...

What Is Dividend Yield?Let’s say you plant a tree in your yard to add beauty to your view and value to your home. And maybe you choose a tree that bears fruit to give you an epicurean delight in addition to that beauty and value. In other words, certain trees may put...

3 Strategies for Financial Gift GivingSome people can come up with incredible gift ideas effortlessly, while others rack their brains trying to come up with the perfect gift for loved ones. If you’re ever strapped for a meaningful gift idea, consider stocks or another...

Learn to Invest: Your Goals, Objectives, and InvestmentsAre you learning the basics of investing? If so, it might help to think of it as if you were moving to a large and unfamiliar city. Your first inclination is to find your way around, to really “learn” your...

There's only one way to retire: yoursWe offer solutions, resources, tools, and guidance to help you develop and manage your retirement strategy. And our knowledgeable representatives will be here every step of the way to help you plan your journey towards your...

7 Financial Steps For Newlyweds   If you’re about to wed, now’s the time to discuss your finances in marriage. It’s among the most important conversations the two of you will have as you embark on your lifelong journey together.“When it comes to money and...

After working and planning for years, the sweet stuff of retirement is supposed to follow. However, even after long-term planning, there can still be some concerns about retirement.You never know what the future may bring, especially when it comes to stagnant markets...

After a decade without cutting interest rates, the Fed announced a quarter-point easing Wednesday and also ended its balance sheet reduction program earlier than expected.  However, stocks fell sharply after the decision, possibly because in its post-meeting statement...

Tax penalties usually occur when taxpayers don’t file returns or extensions or make other errors that raise red flags with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).But retirement accounts can also be subject to tax penalties if investors make mistakes. Christine Russell,...

For a market nearing all-time highs, volatility remains curiously elevated. The message, in a slow news cycle like the one we’re currently in, could be that one tweet or statement has the chance to set things in a bad way quickly, especially considering how far the...

In 2011, the first of the baby boomers reached retirement age. And according to the Social Security Administration, about 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day. That’s a lot of baby boomer retirement, as well as a lot of concern among retiring boomers about the impact of...