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Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Are your financial goals well-defined? While "I want to have lots of money" may sound like a great goal, it's just too vague. How much is "lots?" If you don’t know … how will you know when you have it? And will the...

Monday, April 5, 2021

Among the many changes arising from the pandemic, one of the most noticeable was a change in American spending habits. A survey released in March 2021 by Pew Research shows that Americans have increasingly chosen to put away what extra...

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the I.R.S. has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new deadline is May 17, 2021.1,2,3The delay follows continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic and a late...

Monday, March 1, 2021

This year we’re celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8. In 1920, women fought for the right to vote. In 1974, single and divorced women were finally able to secure a credit card without needing a male...

Monday, March 1, 2021

It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes stories every day about an army of amateur traders, short-selling mania, and initial public offerings (IPOs) that double in...

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Friday, February 26, 2021

At this time last year, it was still unknown that a deadly global pandemic was on the rise, eventually stalling economic growth and sending crude oil prices into negative territory. But recently, oil prices have surged, with crude...

Friday, February 12, 2021

Recently, Jeff Bezos, one of the wealthiest people in the world, announced he would take a different role at his company. Corporate moves make the news all the time, but for the largest companies, the story can jump from the business...

Friday, February 12, 2021

While many in the United States are beginning to receive vaccinations and people are starting to foresee a life after COVID-19, it remains clear that things aren’t yet back to normal. As a result, there has been a great deal of...

Friday, February 12, 2021

Recently, the world has watched with great interest as a few companies have seen surprising rallies in their stock prices. You may have read stories of individual investors gaining massive returns on their investments, thanks to this...

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Every February, Americans celebrate Black History Month. This year, we invite you to join us in remembering the accomplishments of black citizens, past and present, which are an integral part of American history. Whether it’s...

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

You may have heard the news about stocks for certain companies suddenly ballooning, quickly going from lunch money prices to several hundred dollars a share. In one case, the shares rose over 1700% since December 2020.1 So, what...

Monday, February 1, 2021

Every few months, you may hear the phrase “earnings season” as you listen to financial news. But what exactly is “earnings season,” and why is it important to Wall Street? Earnings season is the time when a...

Monday, January 25, 2021

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that tax season will start a little later than usual. This year the IRS will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax returns on Friday, February 12, 2021. In light of the December...

Friday, January 15, 2021

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...

Thursday, January 14, 2021

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...

Thursday, January 14, 2021

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...

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

The results of last week's runoff elections may shape political policy for the next two years, but how will it influence stock performance?

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

If 2020 taught us anything it's that we need to prioritize a rainy day fund. How much should you have in it?

Friday, January 8, 2021

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...

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

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...

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

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...

Tuesday, January 5, 2021

What's the difference between disposable income and discretionary income?

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Holiday spending is expected to drop this year for the first time since 2009...

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

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?”

Friday, December 18, 2020

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...

Thursday, December 17, 2020

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...

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

We are all excited to leave 2020 behind...

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

The annual fall enrollment period for Medicare is coming to an end...

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

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...

Thursday, December 3, 2020

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...

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

Perhaps this year, more than ever, Thanksgiving gives us a chance to appreciate what we have – friendships, relationships, and a sense of connection.

Friday, November 20, 2020

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...

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

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...

Monday, November 16, 2020

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...

Thursday, November 12, 2020

With all the election chatter and stock market volatility, it may have been easy to miss the ongoing uptrend in long-term interest rates...

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

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,...

Monday, November 2, 2020

Election 2020 is finally here! In case you needed more reasons to vote here are a few...

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

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...

Tuesday, October 27, 2020

It should come as no surprise that the economy is the most crucial issue in the upcoming election.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Here's what you need to know about the often misunderstood 3rd Branch of Government #SCOTUS

Friday, October 23, 2020

The upcoming election is prompting some people to reconsider their investment strategy.

Thursday, October 15, 2020

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...

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

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...

Thursday, September 24, 2020

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,...

Friday, September 18, 2020

Due to COVID-19, Americans are spending more time at home than ever before, leading to a record amount of spending on home improvement.

Thursday, September 17, 2020

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...

Thursday, September 17, 2020

School is in full swing and it looks very different this year.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

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...

Monday, September 14, 2020

Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and sweaters will soon be in play.

Friday, August 28, 2020

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...

Thursday, August 20, 2020

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...

Thursday, August 20, 2020

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...

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

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?”

Friday, June 26, 2020

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.

Friday, June 5, 2020

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.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

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,...

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

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.

Monday, June 1, 2020

In a Q&A, the Nobel-winning economist says the pandemic recovery probably won’t be like the one from the last recession.

Friday, May 29, 2020

The corona crisis has led to many employers offering remote work indefinitely.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

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...

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

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...

Monday, May 4, 2020

States across the country are beginning to remove-stay-at home orders.

Monday, May 4, 2020

The FDA has approved Remdesivir for use with chronic Covid-19 patients.

Monday, April 27, 2020

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.

Friday, April 24, 2020

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.

Thursday, March 12, 2020

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...

Friday, February 28, 2020

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,...

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Friday, January 24, 2020

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...

Thursday, January 23, 2020

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...