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Got Investophobia? Here are 6 Steps to Overcome Your Investing Fears
Investing your money for the future might be one of the quickest ways to grow your wealth, whether saving for retirement or making a large purchase. While most people know investing is a potential way toward a more manageable...
Read MoreInvesting vs. Saving: Key Differences and Why Your Money Mindset Matters
You often hear people discuss "saving for retirement,” but in many cases, they're actually referring to their investing. The adage "you can't save your way to wealth" is simplistic, but has a kernel of truth; putting your money...
Read MoreRetirement Security Starts With Visualizing Your Future
Planning for your financial future and retirement looks much different now than in previous years. Some people must supplement their Social Security to have enough to maintain their desired lifestyle. This means financial planning is...
Read MoreThe Scary Truth About Loss Aversion and Fear of Investing
Loss aversion, or the phenomenon of experiencing losses much more severely than gains, can lead to unwise investment decisions. Whether you're hanging on to a loser of a stock for longer than you should or are afraid to invest at all...
Read MoreWhat Issues Should I Consider Before I Retire?
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What Issues Should I Consider When Reviewing My Existing Annuity?
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Read MoreYour Go To Checklist For Preparing To Buy A Home
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Read MoreMid-Year Outlook 2023
Our 2023 investing outlook started with a theme of returning to normalcy. Considering 2022’s market volatility and the aftereffects of the pandemic, the idea of finding balance was certainly a welcomed change. It’s a...
Read MoreIs This Bull Timid or Ready to Charge?
On June 8, 2023, the S&P 500 index closed at 4,293.93, just over 20% higher than its lowest recent closing value of 3,577.03 reached on October 12, 2022.1 According to a common definition of market cycles, this indicated that the...
Read More6 Ways Parents Can Help Their Kids Pay Off Their Student Loans
Most of us who have experienced college are all too familiar with that intimidating mountain you have to climb upon graduation: repaying your student debt. Seeing our children struggle financially is heart-wrenching, and though we want...
Read MoreThree Massive and Often Hidden Costs of Divorce
Navigating health insurance, retirement accounts and real estate Divorce, while an emotionally taxing experience, also comes with several financial implications that, if not properly managed, could result in long-lasting financial...
Read MoreA Guide to Student Loan Repayment Plans: 9 Options for Consideration
In a 6 to 3 vote, the Supreme Court struck down the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan denying a chance for at least 43 million eligible participants to eliminate up to $20,000 of their debt. Despite new...
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.
Read MoreGenerational Wealth and the Gift of Financial Freedom
Those who receive an inheritance with the passing of a loved one are potentially given the gift of financial freedom if they choose to manage the wealth carefully. Did you know that only about one-third of adults have a prepared will?
Read More6 Retirement Tips for Surviving the Sandwich Generation Squeeze
Adults caring for aging parents and children simultaneously have now become known as the "sandwich generation."
Read More4 Financial Lessons from America’s Founding Fathers
America’s Founding Fathers created the foundation of a nation like no other. Each had goals and dreams, many with high expectations of what the United States of America could become.
Read MoreYour College Student May Need These 6 Types of Insurance
There are insurances you may want to consider for your college student. Whether an accident or some other unforeseen event occurs, you may help relieve some of their (or your) financial stress through these six types of insurance.
Read MoreThe Benefits of a High-Yield Savings Account
Everyone should have a savings account. Savings are important so you can work toward your financial goals and have funds prepared in case of an emergency. Having multiple savings accounts can be a good idea, too, one or more of which...
Read MoreDreaming of Owning a Second Home?
A second home no doubt sounds enticing, but fulfilling this dream takes attention to detail and a firm vision of your long-term goals.
Read MoreWhat Issues Should I Consider When Owning A Rental Property?
Here are considerations you should take into account when considering whether or not to purchase a rental property.
Read More5 Ways to Protect Your Home from Summer Storms
Hurricane season runs from June to November, and it's also prime time for tornadoes, other wind and rainstorms, and lightning strikes.
Read MoreYour Guide to Travel Insurance
Vacations are an investment. A lot of planning and money goes into having the best trip possible—but should you buy travel insurance to protect yourself in the event of unforeseen changes and emergencies?
Read More529 Plans and Alternatives: Making an Educated Decision about Education Savings Options
Those that choose to invest in the education of a family member, friend or acquaintance are investing not only in that individual’s future, but also the future of society. It is an act of generosity, forward-thinking, and love....
Read More3 Tips for Preserving Wealth in Your Golden Years
After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it may be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. You may wonder whether there is any way to maintain your lifestyle and preserve your wealth to...
Read MoreThrive Thursday- What Savvy Consumers Should Know About Insurance
You're ready to buy an insurance policy, but you feel a bit uneasy embarking into the insurance world. After all, the language can be technical, and you're wary of insurance agents throwing sales pitches at you. Whether you're buying...
Read MoreA Tough Times Survival Guide for Small Businesses
Small businesses may often find themselves struggling, and there are many situations in which business owners may find themselves weathering a storm and hoping to make it through. While the strength and fortitude of those who run small...
Read MoreMay the 4th Be With You: 4 Money Lessons for Becoming a Financial Jedi Master
When it feels like the galaxy’s forces are all working against you when it comes to your finances, fighting back may seem incredibly daunting. However, becoming a financial Jedi Master is not as hard as you think. Here are four...
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 MoreThe Best Investment: Teaching Your Children to Save and Invest
A 2022 Gallup Poll found that 58% of all adult Americans own stock. The top 1% owns more than half the total amount invested among those who own stock. 1 Making investing possible for your children, nieces, nephews and other loved ones...
Read More7 Retirement Considerations
Thoughts from a financial professional 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...
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...
Read More6 Money Myths That Are Limiting Your Wealth
When people think of “myths,” they often think of such stories as Pandora’s Box (the woman who took the lid off of a jar releasing all of the world’s ills upon the world, were taxes one of them?), or the Tale of...
Read MoreThrive Thursday: What Should I Consider with Social Security?
Approximately 70 million people today receive some form of Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, survivor, and family benefits. Although most people receiving Social Security are retired, you and your family...
Read More5 Social Security Benefits You Might Be Missing Out On
Most people know that once they approach retirement age, their reward for years of work comes from Social Security payments they put money towards during their employment. Deciding when to file for your Social Security payments is...
Read MoreThe History of Mom-and-Pop Shops and How To Support Them Today
Mom-and-pop businesses have held a special place in the hearts of American consumers since the beginning of retail commerce in the USA. These family-owned, small businesses were America’s backbone before larger corporations began...
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...
Read MoreTHREE KEYS TO INVESTING
INFLATION WORRIES AND WHAT TO DO, AND THE INTERSECTION OF ADDICTION & TECHNOLOGYThere are three simple keys to investing that you use as a framework for thinking about different types of investments and how they fit into a...
Read MoreThe Gender Investing Gap: How Do We Bridge It?
In the U.S., men are investing and accumulating wealth at a greater pace than women, fueling the gender investing gap. Closing the investing gap is essential so that women accumulate enough retirement assets for their entire lives. On...
Read MoreCommon Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Credit
Having a good credit score doesn't just get you the best interest rates. It can also reduce your auto insurance premiums, allow you to avoid security deposits, and in some cases, even help you get hired.1But what goes into your credit...
Read MoreThrive Thursday: Should I Consider a Roth Conversion?
One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to federal income tax in the year of conversion, which might be a...
Read More10 Tips to Develop Financial Wellness This Year
Financial wellness is a state of being when one is in control of their finances, can cover expenses, and save for future goals. Consider financial wellness as your relationship with money; it can be either healthy or unhealthy....
Read More8 Tips for Becoming a Wise Consumer of Healthcare
With healthcare costs continuing to rise, there are ways to help lower the cost of healthcare for yourself by becoming a wise consumer of healthcare. February is National Wise Health Care Consumer Month and a great time to empower...
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 MoreWhat to Know About Secure Act 2.0
With the signing of the Omnibus Appropriations package into law, both employees and employers can take advantage of more than 90 new provisions aimed at creating opportunities to create or modify workplace retirement plans and...
Read MoreKick off the Big Game With These 7 Super Investing Lessons From the Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is more than just a game. It's an American holiday. As you prepare for this fun day, you may also want to think about how to create "big wins'' in your investment strategy. Get ready for Super Bowl Sunday by checking out...
Read MoreDon't Miss Out on These 5 Commonly Overlooked Tax Deductions
When you own a business, you get to deduct business expenses from your business income. This general rule applies, subject to certain limitations, whether you are a sole proprietor with employees or a self-employed freelancer...
Read MoreBeware Scams at Tax Time
Identity theft runs rampant during tax seasonHere’s what to know and how you can help protect yourself.Identity thieves often swipe your bank or credit card account numbers, birth date information or Social Security Number (SSN)...
Read MoreFinding Focus with Financial Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide
You have probably heard about financial planning and its potential benefits, but you are unsure how to apply the principles to your life. A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition and...
Read MoreThrive Thursday: Goal-Setting in 2023
Setting goals for a new year can feel overwhelming. We all know that resolutions don’t last, but we also feel the energy that comes with a new year of possibilities. Here’s a clearer path for setting and reaching your...
Read MoreTax Planning and Financial Planning Go Hand in Hand
With tax season coming to an end, it’s the ideal time to use this year's tax return to help update your financial plan. If you’re in the group of one in four Americans who do not already have a financial plan, it may be...
Read MoreReasons for Optimism
We wish you a happy New Year and hope you were able to close out 2022 with friends and family.The beginning of a calendar year is often the time when the previous year’s reflections transition to a new year’s hopes. Given...
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 More4 Simple Ways to Give Back
As you take a moment to reflect upon all of the things that bring you comfort and joy this holiday season, consider giving back to those in need. Whether you are participating in an organized fundraiser or diving headfirst into your...
Read MoreStock Market Stocking Stuffers: How To Give Stock as a Gift
If you struggle to find a gift for the person who has everything—or want to do your holiday shopping without having to leave the house—consider giving stock as a gift. Doing so is easier than you think, and it may offer a...
Read MoreGive the Gift of a Lifetime
If you ask someone their favorite part of the holiday season, giving or receiving gifts will likely be their response nine times out of ten. Gift-giving is a huge part of the holidays—it’s why there are entire days...
Read MoreThe 12 Days of Year-End Planning
The end of the year 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 twelve days,...
Read MoreMake a Positive Impact This Giving Tuesday With Impact Investing
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday center on consumer deals, Giving Tuesday—the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—has a different focus. Each year, individuals and corporations are encouraged to use the day to support charities...
Read MoreAn Extra Helping of Helpful Budgeting Tips for Black Friday
Black Friday is sometimes the largest shopping holiday of the entire year. Millions of people typically shop in stores or online on Black Friday to score the top deals on must-have holiday gifts. While it may be easy to become...
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 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 More5 Ways to Boost Your Business for Small Business Saturday
Shoppers spend nearly $20 billion every year on Small Business Saturday.1 If you’re not familiar with this particular holiday, it takes place in the U.S. the day after Black Friday in November, and a few days before Cyber...
Read MoreMoney Savings Tips Everyone Should Know
We've all heard this advice before: if you want to save money, you need to cut back on spending. However, it's not always so easy. Identifying senseless spending in the following areas can help you save more each month.But don't fret....
Read MoreRetirement Planning Does Not Stop in Retirement
Five easy pointers to help you plan during all of your retirement yearsIf you're retired, there's good news in that you'll probably live longer and perhaps better than your parents and grandparents did. The bad news: You'll live a...
Read MoreThe Different Stages of Financial Freedom
If you're living paycheck-to-paycheck or stuck in a job you don't love just to pay the bills, it can be easy to feel as though you're financially trapped. But financial freedom doesn't need to be elusive—with some focused and...
Read More3 Investing Lessons For Beginners You Won’t Learn In School
Twenty-one U.S. states, including Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia, require public schools to provide high school students with financial literacy courses.1 But even among the school systems that provide general financial education to...
Read MoreA Yearly Retirement 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 school...
Read MoreA Financial Planning Guide for Families with Disabilities
About 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability. Many of these disabilities are serious enough to impact a person's daily life.There may be financial benefits available to those whose disabilities leave them unable to hold...
Read MoreKeeping It Simple: The Benefits of Simplifying Your Investment Strategies
When it comes to investing, having fewer investments might help streamline your portfolio to manage stress better. Here are some benefits of a simple portfolio and some ways to help you create one.The Benefits of SimplicityUnless you...
Read MoreIn the Heat of Summer, Remember Your New Year’s Resolutions
Now is a good time to check-in and see how you're really doing:Amid the draining heat of mid-summer, do you remember your New Year's resolutions regarding your personal financial planning? How are you coming with your to-do list?Time...
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 MoreTips to Shape Up Your Fiscal Fitness this Summer
A regular program of disciplined financial practices can help you in the long-runMany people realize that the best way to stay in shape is to develop an appropriate fitness regimen and then stick with it. If you start a fitness program...
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 vacation on a...
Read MoreUse Your Annuity to Pay for Long Term Care Insurance
Generally, to be considered a tax-free exchange rather than a taxable surrender, you cannot receive the annuity proceeds directly—the proceeds from the annuity must be paid directly to the long-term care insurance company. Also,...
Read MoreSummertime Reminds Us To Be Flexible
As summer heats up, it pays to take a good look at how flexible you are. When you plan for the future, you need to be adaptable. No one knows what tomorrow holds.This is certainly true in the world of work. In a few short months, we...
Read MoreThe Basics of ESG Investing
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing is on the rise throughout the world. A 2018 study from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government found that ESG investing now accounts for nearly $30 trillion, which is more...
Read More4 Economic Benefits of Homeownership
Even though housing prices throughout much of the U.S. are at or near all-time highs, there are still many distinct financial advantages to owning a home.1 From tax benefits to capital gains exclusions and guaranteed rates of return,...
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