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Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What They Cost, How They Work, and When to Start Preparing
Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...
Read MoreWhen Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall retirement...
Read MoreTeaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...
Read MoreHelping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...
Read MoreThree Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...
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Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think
Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...
Read MoreTax Year 2025: Overview of Selected Federal Tax Filing Provisions
Tax Year 2025: Overview of Selected Federal Tax Filing Provisions Federal tax laws are subject to periodic change through inflation adjustments and legislative action. For tax year 2025, several provisions may affect how individuals and...
Read MoreAI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 2026
Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...
Read More2025 in Review and What You Should Know
As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals. 2025 was a year marked by...
Read MoreGoal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins
Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...
Read MoreYear-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful
Key Takeaways A third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December. Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...
Read MoreThe True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents
Key Takeaways Caring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a...
Read MoreMoney Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations
Key Takeaways Year-end holidays may be a good time to initiate a discussion about financial matters that may impact your family. If you have adult children, you may want to discuss your financial situation, estate strategy, and legal...
Read MoreShould You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Receiving a bonus, inheritance, or an increase in income often prompts a key financial question: Should I use this money to pay off my mortgage, or invest it? At first glance, the answer might seem simple. But in reality, it requires...
Read MoreA 2025 Guide to Protecting Seniors from Fraud
If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re...
Read More6 Smart Financial Moves Before Year-End
The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...
Read MoreWhat Does the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Mean for Your Taxes?
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...
Read MoreCan Strategic Gifting Help You Manage Estate Taxes?
Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime....
Read More🌟 How Will the 2025 Inherited IRA Rules Affect Your Legacy?
The rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the last five years, and failing to comply with the new requirements may result in IRS penalties. These changes affect people inheriting IRAs and those looking to leave retirement...
Read MoreBeyond Salary: Understanding Your Total Compensation
Compensation is more than just a number on a paycheck. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, preparing for a promotion, or evaluating your current benefits, it’s important to understand the full value of your total...
Read MoreUnderstanding Stock Market Indexes—In Plain English
While you may follow the various stock indexes on the nightly business news, how much do you know about their histories, how they work, and why they're important? We pulled together some information and interesting facts about some of...
Read MoreTurning Your Nest Egg Into Steady Income: Smart Steps for Retirement
You’ve likely spent years building your retirement nest egg—saving diligently, investing wisely, and contributing to retirement accounts along the way. But transitioning from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings can feel...
Read More“The Four Most Dangerous Words In Investing Are: ‘This Time It’s Different.’” – Sir John Templeton
Despite those who say the conventional wisdom that has guided investor actions over the years is no longer valid in 2025, remember the famous quote from legendary investor Sir John Templeton: "The four most dangerous words in...
Read MoreWhat’s the Job Market Look Like for 2025 Graduates?
It’s graduation season—a time of celebration and new beginnings. For families with college seniors, this time can bring both excitement and uncertainty. While some graduates have jobs lined up, many others still are navigating job...
Read MoreIs It Smarter to Buy or Rent a Second Home?
As summer approaches, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting on a pristine beach, fishing in a mountain lake, or playing the back nine between pickleball matches,...
Read MoreFrom College Acceptances to Affordability: Considerations for Families in the Final Stretch
April is a pivotal time in the college admissions process. After years of preparation, saving, and investing—not to mention the countless hours spent on exam prep, campus visits, and perfecting applications and essays—the finish line...
Read MoreSpring Into Financial Wellness: Actionable Steps for Financial Literacy Month
April isn’t just about filing taxes—it’s also Financial Literacy Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on your financial habits, expand your knowledge, and take meaningful steps toward improving your financial well-being. Whether...
Read More10 Things You Can Do Now to Help Simplify Your Estate for Your Heirs
One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a thoughtful estate strategy that outlines your wishes after you are gone. Discussing estate details with your team of professionals is another way to help manage your legacy...
Read MoreThe Evolving Role of Women in Family Finances
March is Women’s History Month, and according to a recent survey, 49% of women consider themselves to be the chief financial officer of their households, up from 41% in 2021.1 Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider...
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Don’t Leave Money Behind: Finding Your Missing 401(k)s
You've worked hard throughout your life to build assets to support your retirement. As financial professionals, one of the most critical functions we provide is helping clients determine their retirement income needs and structuring a...
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Tax season brings a new wave of identity theft risks
Tax season brings a new wave of identity theft risks, with criminals ready to exploit your personal data to file fraudulent tax returns in your name. Imagine the shock of discovering that a criminal beat you to filing your...
Read MoreNewly Announced IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
Each fall the Treasury Department announces inflation adjustments to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and income limits for the following tax year. They recently announced contribution limits and changes for the 2021 tax year.For...
Read MoreChild Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan provides the largest Child Tax Credit ever and historic relief to the most working families ever – and as of July 15th, most families are automatically receiving monthly payments...
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 MoreWhat is the difference between a Will and a Trust?
One of the most frequent questions clients ask me is, “What is the difference between a Will and a Trust?” I often start by telling them the similarities between the two. Both a Will and a Trust do the following: Appoint a...
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 MoreWhy You Should Set Up Your Online Social Security Account
For many of us, Social Security plays an important part in our financial plans for retirement or later stage of life. Even if you’re years away from applying for benefits, there are good reasons to set up your online Social...
Read MoreCOVID-19 Stimulus Package - What's Included?
Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides greater unemployment benefits and additional stimulus payments to individuals and families, as well as more...
Read MoreIs Your Retirement Account as Large as it Could Be?
When you change jobs, it’s critical to remember to create a plan for past employee sponsored retirement accounts. While you have the choice to simply leave it, you also have the option to consolidate past plans which brings all...
Read MoreTapping Your Retirement Nest Egg the Smart Way
Any financial professional or investment manager will tell you: because of compound interest, the earlier you start saving and the longer you let your investments percolate in the market, the larger your nest egg will be in retirement...
Read MoreRetirement Challenges in Current Times
Preparing for retirement is complex for many reasons. With improved medical care, a person retiring today at typical retirement age may need their savings to last 30 years or more, making it necessary for retirement funds to sustain a...
Read MoreA Tale of Two Decades : Lessons for Long- Term Investors
With US Stocks surging to new highs each week, it is a good time to revisit portfolio allocations, as well as history and see what we might learn from our past experiences. While "past performance is not indicative of future results," it is
Read MoreIRA vs. 401(k): How to Choose
We know, at times, that retirement decisions can be confusing and there is substantial information surrounding the investment vehicles that can be utilized to reach your retirement goals. We thought we’d send along some...
Read More2020 Vote: No Clear Winner Yet
Election years come with anticipated market volatility since elected administrations implement critical policies that will impact the economy. Many wonder what influence the outcome will have on markets and, subsequently, personal...
Read MoreStay the Course to Your Financial Destination
The stock market has its ups and its downs – it’s a lot like life that way. Another similarity? How you navigate the speed bumps you encounter along the way determines how successful your journey will be.During a round of...
Read MoreCan Good Behavior lead to Investment Success?
In Part 2 of our series "Behaving Your Way to Wealth," we are exploring how Good Behavior can lead to Investment Success and Poor Behavior leads to a lifetime of lost potential wealth. Perhaps no year since 2008 has tested the mettle...
Read MoreReminder: Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15!
As we roll into Fall, we wanted to send along a reminder that the Medicare annual open enrollment period begins October 15th and ends December 7th. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can change their Advantage plan or Part D...
Read MoreOctober 2020: Retirement Readiness
Our newsletter this month discusses a few misconceptions about social security while sharing some truth, covers a handful of really good reasons to start investing, how women can prepare for retirement, and bridging the confidence gap...
Read MoreTransitioning Into Retirement
When it comes to retirement, everyone has a different vision. But the path there is the same: you work, you save, and hopefully at some point you’ve saved enough that you can stop working and do something else. How much work...
Read MoreThings to Know About Life Insurance
September was Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it a good time to review things you may not know about life insurance, such as: Policies differ widely. Term life insurance pays out a death benefit if you die within the specified...
Read MoreSeptember 2020: 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...
Read MoreThe Cost of Trying To Time the Market
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Read MoreElection Year Politics and Stock Market Forecasts
Election Year Politics and Stock Market Forecasts A recent New York Times article discussed the stock market impact of Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election. The article quoted Lori Calvasina, head of US equity strategy at...
Read MoreSpread the Word: What's New with Valuation Ratios
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Read MoreBulls, Bears, and Long-Term Benefits of Stock Investing
The stock market’s ups and downs are unpredictable, but history supports an expectation of positive returns over the long term. For the best shot at the benefits the market can offer, stay the course.
Read MoreWhat the Lessons of Time Can Teach Us
Financial markets are volatile…it’s the nature of the beast when so many dollars, traders, brokers and investors are involved. And if you’ve been out of the market, you’ve missed some huge growth opportunities....
Read MoreEmergency Fund vs. 401(k) – Where Not to Pull From
The number one goal in preparing for retirement is to accumulate wealth over time, and there are many tips and tricks to navigating your saving years that can maximize your money and minimize risk. One of these is to create an...
Read MoreSkip your RMDs in 2020!
Hope you’re well and staying healthy! As you know, we (both as individuals and as a country) have gone through many changes lately due to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus and federal lawmakers’ response to it via the...
Read MoreFinancial Planning for Today's Family
When you have a family, life can be very full. Between a house, a job, a spouse, kids, and the rigors of everyday life, it can be hard to fit in everything that’s important to you.But finding some balance is critical, especially...
Read MoreRoth conversions in 2020 could help your retirement plan
2020 may be a year that none of us ever forgets, for many reasons. But here’s one positive: Roth IRAs can be particularly beneficial for financial planning in the current tax and economic environment. A major incentive for...
Read MoreHow much insurance should you have?
Who needs life insurance? If your job offers group life coverage, should you take it? Do you need more than that? Should it be temporary (term) or permanent? And for how much coverage? How do you know?Life insurance can be complicated...
Read MoreBuild Wealth Over Time
There are many different strategies that can be used to take full advantage of investing opportunities and help you reach your financial goals; one such strategy is called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). Dollar Cost Averaging is...
Read MoreNow open: our new online home!
Now open: our new online home! Exciting news: we have a beautiful new website! We’d love for you to come take a look.We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new website. We created our site to improve the level of...
Read MoreMarket update and other ways we can help
While some of the states that relaxed social distancing measures are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases, decreasing trends are being seen in several east coast states. Additionally, gained knowledge on the spread of the virus has...
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