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Retirement 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:...
Read MoreStaying on Track with Your Retirement Investments
All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, and there can be no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. And asset allocation and diversification alone cannot guarantee a profit or eliminate...
Read MoreBig Week for Market Watchers
Last week was epic for market-watchers. A Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike, a much-anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) report, and the busiest week of earnings season got most of the headlines. There was even a surprise out of...
Read MoreMarket and Investment Evaluation Methods
Doing your homeworkBefore investing in publicly traded securities, it would be wise to do some research--at least enough to understand just what you're investing in. An educated investment decision involves some knowledge of the stock...
Read MoreWhat a Week for the Stock Market
That was quite a week. These days a Federal Reserve (Fed) policy meeting alone gets a lot of headlines and has market participants on the edge of their seats. Add to that the second straight quarter of negative gross domestic product...
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Vets, Don't Miss Out on 'Hidden Benefits'
After his grandfather died more than a decade ago, Lamarr Couser and his family were caught by surprise when the funeral director asked whether the World War II veteran was covered by a life insurance policy from the Department of...
Read MoreThree Factors That Could Change the Course of Inflation
For the past year, supply-related problems contributed more to inflation than demand-related imbalances, but that may be changing soon. There are at least three factors that could change the course of inflation. First, the improvement...
Read MoreManaging Market Volatility
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 MoreMidyear 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 MoreI-Bonds and Inflation: Why These Bonds May Be Suitable for You
With a volatile stock market, the Fed Funds rate near zero, and inflation the highest since 1982, some may seek an investment that can protect their purchasing power and limit their market exposure. A-Series I Bonds are appropriately...
Read MoreConstructive, Not Complacent: Lowering S&P 500 Target
Stocks have been unable to make up much ground since the June 16 lows, with a bear market rally amounting to only around a 4.3% gain in the S&P 500 Index since then (as of July 1). After the more than 6% rally the week of June 24 and...
Read More8 Reasons Small Businesses Should Hire Veterans
Hiring employees is sometimes a difficult task. You may need to find employees who fit the business culture and have the skills to get the job done. The good news for small businesses looking for employees with various skills and a...
Read MoreNavigating Market Volatility–or Not
Market volatility could spook even the most seasoned investor. If a precipitous week or two in the market has you ready to sell, you may want to reconsider your risk tolerance and asset allocation. Attempting to time the market by...
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 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 MoreRelief at the Pump and for Portfolios?
2022 has been rough all-around for the American consumer. Not only are we battling decades-high inflation, but investors’ portfolios are off to one of the worst starts to a year in history as we near the halfway point. Our...
Read MoreBear Market Q&A
The bear market that started on June 13 has left the S&P 500 Index 23.5% below its January 3 high. After the initial positive reaction to the Federal Reserve’s first 0.75% rate hike since 1994 and tough talk on inflation,...
Read MoreA Bear Market is Officially Here
A bear market is officially here thanks largely to stubbornly high inflation. For many of us, it has probably felt like a bear market for a while now, but the S&P 500 Index didn’t close more than 20% below its January 3 record...
Read MoreIs the 60/40 Portfolio Dead?
This year has been tough for investors, not just because stocks have fallen but also because bonds have not helped mitigate those losses as they have historically done. Below we discuss the outlook for diversified portfolios of stocks...
Read MoreThe Economy Is Slowing But Not Shrinking
Many pundits are issuing recession warnings and saying the economy is heading for a hard landing. Amid the cacophony of voices, we think the economy is slowing just like central bankers want but not shrinking. Further, we argue that a...
Read MoreBull Market Hangs by a Thread
The bull market that began in March of 2020 came dangerously close to an end. From March 23, 2020 through January 3, 2022, the S&P 500 Index gained 114% (excluding dividends). From that January 3 closing high through the recent low on...
Read MoreLooking through the Clouds
At the risk of sounding cliché, making the case for stocks to stage a second half rally back to the prior highs requires investors to see through some heavy cloud cover. If you prefer another market cliché, it’s times...
Read MoreAfter the Military: Tips for Your Financial Transition to Civilian Life
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A Place for Everything: A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Finances Organized
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Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
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Holiday Resilience
We hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. While life has been challenging during the pandemic, we have a lot to be thankful for. At this time, we are especially grateful for COVID-19 vaccines and...
Read More3 Financial Moves to Consider Before Ringing in the New Year
Although you don't have to wait until January to begin working on your financial goals, a new year may bring a much-needed fresh start on your spending and saving goals. Read on for three financial moves you may want to consider before...
Read MoreManaging A Budget During Your Retirement
Unless you have accumulated substantial wealth where money is not a concern, you face a critical task when you reach retirement to make sure that your assets will support you through your lifetime. When you retire and no longer earn an...
Read MoreRetirement Mistakes to Fix Before the Holidays
Spend as much time fixing your mistakes as you do planning the holidays You probably spend more time planning your holiday gathering than preparing for your golden years. As a result, you make basic mistakes in trying to fund your...
Read MoreThe Stock Market, Economy, and New Year: Three Reasons To Be Thankful
There are only six weeks to go in 2021 and it has been an incredible year for the stock market bulls. In fact, in many ways it could go down as one of the best years ever. This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, we wanted to take a...
Read More10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
Members of the military have a lot of special financial challenges that most people don't encounter. However, they have access to many benefits, tax breaks and legal protections that can make a huge difference in their families'...
Read MoreA Peek at Peak Inflation
After an upside inflation surprise in October, it’s clear that peak inflation may still be ahead, possibly even pushing into 2022. While the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintains its position that elevated inflation will be transitory...
Read More2021/2022 Year-End Guide: Investor Edition
To ease some of the burdens of the upcoming tax season, this helpful guide will help you become familiar with important dates, deadlines, challenges, and opportunities that may come up toward the end of the year. Of course, if you have...
Read MoreDeveloped International: If Not Now, When?
Since we began our investing careers, we’ve had the concept of diversification drilled into our heads. Some refer to it as the only free lunch in investing. Well, when it comes to geography, that advice hasn’t been helpful...
Read MoreMany Reasons to Be Thankful
The past year and a half have tested all of us, but overall, the economy continues to strengthen, COVID-19 trends are greatly improving, and this still relatively young bull market is alive and well. As the leaves turn colors and begin...
Read More5 Things That Might Spook Markets
With Halloween over the weekend, what better to write about this week than what scares us? If our positive near-term market outlook proves to be overly optimistic, we believe one—or perhaps more than one—of these five...
Read MoreFive Things You Need To Know About Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs related to long-term, chronic health concerns. It may cover things that traditional health insurance does not cover, such as personal care services. If you have a...
Read More2021 Year-End Planning for Retirees
For some, 2021 has flown by—and as we approach the last quarter of the year, it's a good time to begin planning for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for retirees and those hoping to retire in 2021 or 2022....
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Veterans is Different
Every Veteran is unique and requires personalized financial advice. According to the most recent data from the U.S. Census, there are over 17 million Veterans in the United States and more than nine million of these Veterans are served...
Read MoreWhat Veterans Should Know About Retirement Planning
Veterans' retirement benefits are among some of the most generous out there, in large part due to the risks and sacrifices that come from military service. But navigating this array of benefits may seem complicated. What should...
Read MorePaving Your Road to Retirement
Whatever your age, it’s never too soon to look ahead and begin giving thought to your retirement. With proper planning, you can make the transition to retirement a smooth, comfortable and confident ride. Today, more than ever,...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Estate Planning Process
It is common for people to put off planning their estates. After all, no one wants to anticipate his or her own death. In addition, many people may believe that only the wealthy require estate planning or that all that is involved is...
Read MoreLong-Term Care: Exploring Your Options
Have you ever thought about what would happen if you or a family member were no longer able to live independently? What if your elderly parents were no longer able to drive or perform basic activities of daily living, such as bathing...
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....
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