Blog
This MLK day, keep the dream alive
This month, America honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As we look around today, we see manifestations of that legacy in the form of stronger, more diverse communities, in the continued fight for equality, and in the...
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January Is Financial Wellness Month
January is Financial Wellness Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy. For me, it’s time for me to connect with new clients and discuss their financial situation and aspirations for their...
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Election Update: 2021 May Bring Some Changes
As election season draws to a close, it's a great time to review what type of legislative support would be needed to pass certain policy proposals that may come forward from the Biden Administration. It's important to remember that...
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Client Conversations
The results of last week's runoff elections may shape political policy for the next two years, but how will it influence stock performance?
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Emergency Fund
If 2020 taught us anything it's that we need to prioritize a rainy day fund. How much should you have in it?
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2021 Opens With a Bang!
The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go away, and so far, 2021 has been no exception to this rule. The markets opened on January 4 and...
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Weekly Market Insights: The Year in Review
Stocks moved higher during a holiday-shortened week of trading, capping off a turbulent, but otherwise strong year for equity investors.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased...
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5 Highlights of the New Stimulus Package
After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021 CAA) was signed into law by President Trump as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact employers and employees...
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Disposable vs. Discretionary Income
What's the difference between disposable income and discretionary income?
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Holiday Spending
Holiday spending is expected to drop this year for the first time since 2009...
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What’s the Buzz with Bitcoin?
Hardly a day goes by that the topic of bitcoin or other cryptocurrency assets doesn’t come up in meetings with clients and prospects or from friends and relatives who want to know, “what all the buzz is about?”
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Thinking of You During the Holidays
For many of us, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. For some, it’s brought hardships that have tested the hardiest of souls. For others, it has brought unspeakable loss. Yet, we press on, and as we do, we may be surprised to...
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Markets & Marriage
Your investment strategy is a lot like a marriage. One day you may feel like everything’s going swimmingly. The next day, there might be an argument over who forgot to load the dishwasher. And even the best marriages and...
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Resolved: Financial Fitness for the New Year
We are all excited to leave 2020 behind...
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Window Closing on Medicare Changes
The annual fall enrollment period for Medicare is coming to an end...
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Will the Grinch Steal Christmas?
The start of the holiday shopping season can provide important clues about the economy's state and, more importantly, overall consumer confidence. So far, the results have been a “mixed bag” with empty malls and busy...
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Does Main Street Need a Wall Street Strategy?
As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the hope of keeping its retirement dreams alive...
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Wishing you a happy and safe Thanksgiving
Perhaps this year, more than ever, Thanksgiving gives us a chance to appreciate what we have – friendships, relationships, and a sense of connection.
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Coronavirus Vaccines and the Economy
As the United States sees a rise in cases of COVID-19 across the nation, news of two promising vaccines out of hundreds being tested has offered a ray of hope for a fatigued world. A positive reaction to these vaccines affects every...
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Speed Bumps & Headlines
As an investor, it can be tempting to get caught up in daily news headlines. Consider how news about the election and COVID-19 vaccines have moved the markets over the past several weeks. But having a financial strategy can help you...
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Election 2020: Biden’s Policy Initiatives
Now that several major news groups have projected Joe Biden the winner of the presidential election—and Congress appears divided with Democrats in control of the House and Republicans the Senate—it’s a good time to...
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Long-Term Rates Are Creeping Higher
With all the election chatter and stock market volatility, it may have been easy to miss the ongoing uptrend in long-term interest rates...
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Election 2020: Managing Your Emotions
45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their investments due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election. Second-guessing your investment strategy is natural,...
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Why we vote!
Election 2020 is finally here! In case you needed more reasons to vote here are a few...
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The Social Security Administration Announces 2021 COLA
On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security recipients will receive a 1.3 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2021. This adjustment will begin with benefits payable...
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Election 2020: Be Confident. Be Bold. Be Patient
It should come as no surprise that the economy is the most crucial issue in the upcoming election.
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Decoding SCOTUS the 3rd Branch of Government
Here's what you need to know about the often misunderstood 3rd Branch of Government #SCOTUS
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Election 2020: A Dose of Patience
The upcoming election is prompting some people to reconsider their investment strategy.
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October Is Financial Planning Month
When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to...
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Election 2020: Economic Issues in the Crosshairs
It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. Nearly 8 in ten voters say that the economy will be very important to them when they cast their votes...
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Election 2020: Preparing for Any Outcome
As the U.S. presidential election draws near, expect to see more and more headlines that propose, "What will happen next if this person is elected?" or, "What policy changes to prepare for in the next four years?" In reality, however,...
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Home Improvements Trending Higher
Due to COVID-19, Americans are spending more time at home than ever before, leading to a record amount of spending on home improvement.
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Home Builders Confident In Economic Rebound
To some, this may hardly feel like an economy headed for a bright future. But don’t tell that to home builders.Builder confidence in August jumped to an eye-popping 78 in August, according to the Housing Market Index courtesy of...
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The Cost of School
School is in full swing and it looks very different this year.
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Race for a Vaccine
A U.S. drug company recently said that it’s in late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine and reported that it could be given to Americans as early as the end of the year.1Great news. But it seems like every few days...
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Football Is Back
Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and sweaters will soon be in play.
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Has the Stock Market Rally Left You Behind?
Some people in recent weeks may have been feeling that “the stock market seems to be doing so well but I’m not participating.”A look behind the headlines helps tell the story.A CNBC study found that between the stock...
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Will Political Changes Affect the Economy?
With all of the storm and stress of the year 2020, you’d be forgiven if you momentarily forgot that we’re due for another national election in November. Many states will be selecting governors, representatives, and...
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Federal Student Loan payments paused due to COVID-19
This month, many universities and colleges are welcoming students back to campus, even if most campuses are largely online this year.But that's not all that's different. The current administration has issued an executive memorandum...
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CFP vs. CFA key differences.
If you know someone just starting to look for a financial advisor they are going to be hit with a lot of information all at once when they open google. Here’s one example “what’s the difference between a CFP and CFA designation?”
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U.S. Banks Flush with 2 Trillion Dollars in Cash
An “eye-popping” $2 trillion in cash has been stashed in deposit accounts at U.S. banks since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the country in January.
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Celebrating a Success Story
In times like this it is a breath of fresh air to get good news, and with that being said, I’d like to express our gratitude to the (VA) Veterans Administration.
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Market Behavior and the Economy
As states cautiously begin the process of relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions, some are wondering, “Why is the stock market doing so well when the economy is doing so poorly?”It’s a great question, and fortunately,...
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Our firm is committed to empowering people to change their financial lives for the better. At times like this, we are reminded that part of that work is nurturing a stronger connection to our entire community, in whatever ways we can.
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What's next for the Economy
In a Q&A, the Nobel-winning economist says the pandemic recovery probably won’t be like the one from the last recession.
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Working Remote After the Crisis
The corona crisis has led to many employers offering remote work indefinitely.
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Don’t Let Headlines Get You Down
Even in “normal” times, the news can be depressing. But these days, it can seem like there’s an awful lot to worry about. Here’s a sampling of the types of headlines I’ve seen recently:Why US hospitals...
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Medicare: When to Apply
If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. Trust me, I understand. Anticipating your future medical costs can...
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States begin to remove stay-at-home orders
States across the country are beginning to remove-stay-at home orders.
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What you need to know about Remdesivir
The FDA has approved Remdesivir for use with chronic Covid-19 patients.
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The CDC Releases New Symptoms
As the conversation begins to shift to reopening the economy it is imperative that we stay up to date with the latest on the virus itself. The CDC has added 6 new symptoms to the list of known symptoms caused by coronavirus.
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Unpacking the Paycheck Protection Program
American lawmakers have passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, a program that will offer small business loans to employers in need of aid as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Coronavirus Concerns? Consider Past Health Crises
During the last week of February 2020, the S&P 500 lost 11.49% — the worst week for stocks since the 2008 financial crisis — only to jump by 4.6% on the first Monday in March.1 By all accounts, the drop was largely driven...
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The Corona Virus and the Global Economy
As of February 26, 2020, the death toll from COVID-19 — the official name of the coronavirus first reported in Wuhan, China — passed 2,700, while the number of confirmed cases exceeded 80,000. Almost all were in China,...
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Tips for Handling Market Volatility
The stock market was a solid one for investors in 2019, with several major indexes reaching record highs. But fear of an economic decline topped the list of CEO concerns heading into 2020, and an economic slowdown could mean increased...
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4 changes that could affect Social Security in 2020
If you’re one of almost 69 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits, you’ll notice a small change in your monthly check this year. More than 63 million beneficiaries will...
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Two Trade Agreements Offer Optimism, But Uncertainty Remains
On December 13, 2019, the United States and China announced a "phase one" trade agreement just before new tariffs were scheduled to go into effect.1 Six days later, the House of Representatives passed the United States-Mexico-Canada...
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Average Start for 529 College Savings (Age 7) Is Costly, Study Finds
Many families wait too long to open 529 college savings accounts, which means they miss out on the maximum benefits from the accounts, a new analysis finds. On average, 529 accounts are opened for children who are just over 7 years old...
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IRS Issues Annual List of Tax Scams
The IRS recently issued its annual list of tax scams. The list highlights various scams that taxpayers may encounter, many of which occur during tax filing season. Here are some of the scams that are highlighted on the list. Phishing...
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New Client Alert Profiles SECURE Act Provisions
The $1.4 trillion spending package enacted on December 20, 2019, included the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act, which had overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives in the spring of 2019, but...
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What Will You Pay for Medicare in 2020?
Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts change annually. Here's a look at some of the costs that will apply in 2020 if you're enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part B premiums According to the...
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Manufacturing Slowdown: What Does It Mean for the Economy?
In September 2019, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), which measures a wide variety of manufacturing data, fell to 47.8%, the lowest level since June 2009.1 A reading below 50% generally means...
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The premium differential between Smoker vs. non-smoker rates are tremendous
The premium differential between Smoker vs. non-smoker rates are tremendous making this opportunity huge to those who use E-cigs. Take advantage of this while it lasts, because on October 21st the last company to have liberal...
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How Will The Medicare Part D Benefit Change Under Current Law and Leading Propos
Since 2006, Medicare beneficiaries have had access to prescription drug coverage through Part D, where private plan sponsors contract with Medicare to provide the drug benefit. In recent years, policymakers have expressed concerns...
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Many Americans Will Need Long-Term Care. Most Won't Be Able to Afford It
Gretchen Harris likes the small brick house she bought in Norman, Okla., 36 years ago. She’s fond of her neighbors and the magnolia tree she planted in the front yard. And having a single-story residence proved helpful after knee...
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