Blog
Up-to-date articles on matters that offer an informed perspective to your own financial journey. We invite you to explore more on our blog.
A Tower of Strength
While many business owners often spend their days meeting clients’ needs, they may have a difficult time assessing their own vulnerabilities. To cover all your bases, you may want to consider insurance Against the Unthinkable.
Read MoreRelief at the Pump and for Portfolios?
It may be early, but we see some potential signs that energy trends could be changing, which would not only have positive implications for consumers’ wallets, but also potentially investors’ investment portfolios.
Read MoreAnnuities: What Every Retiree Should Be Aware Of
Planning for retirement is essential as a step toward financial security. Most investors are familiar with 401(k)s, Traditional IRAs, or Roth IRAs but often may not know about an annuity's benefits in retirement.
Read MoreBear Market Q and A
To help investors manage through this difficult period, we answer some of the top questions we’re getting about bear markets and list some things to watch to assess progress toward an eventual durable low.
Read MoreCharitable Gifting
What constitutes a gift to charity? How do you decide which one to give to? What options do you have to donate? Here's what you need to know.
Read MoreShow All
Is 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.
Read MoreWhat Homeowners Should Know About Estate Planning
If you have always thought estate planning was just for those nearing retirement or already retired, think again. If you own a home, it is important to have a plan in place.
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.
Read More529 College Savings Plans: A Cheat Sheet for Common Questions
Whether your child was just born or is heading toward high school graduation, a 529 savings plan may help you put aside funds to pay for college expenses without paying taxes.
Read MoreLooking through the Clouds
We fully acknowledge how tough it is to see the bull case for stocks right now, and a retest of recent lows is certainly possible, but this week we lay out the bull case for the second half of the year. It starts with inflation.
Read MoreMultiple Uses of Annuities
Annuities can be powerful financial planning tools. Most often used as an insurance product, an annuity can also be used as an investment vehicle, as a way to turn lump-sum income into a stream of payments.
Read MorePros and Cons of Having a Credit Card as a College Student
Credit cards make it easy to cover a variety of expenses. But are credit cards suitable for college students? The answer is “it depends.” While a credit card may make sense for one student, it might be a mistake for another.
Read MoreFive Common Financial Questions
At every stage of life, you may have financial questions that you don’t know the answers to. But not every question has a definite right or wrong answer because it largely depends on your unique situation. What is the most suitable answer?
Read More5 Ways a Financial Professional Could Be a Small-Business Owner's Best Friends
As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten employees, or some other tangible measure.
Read MoreUsing Trusts to Manage Wealth: What Investors Should Know
A well-managed trust can help preserve wealth for generations, while a poorly-managed trust may provide only a quick path to insolvency. How can you ensure that your trust falls into the first category?
Read MoreEstate Planning Key Numbers
Here are some key numbers associated with estate planning, as well as the federal gift tax and estate tax rate schedules for 2021 and 2022.
Read More3 Reasons to Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security Benefits
In a rush to file for Social Security benefits at age 62? Many people are - but slow down and do the math first. Here are three reasons why delaying taking your Social Security benefit to age 70 is a decision you may want to consider.
Read MoreThree Ways to Celebrate Financial Literacy Month
April is not just about tax season and springtime. Since 2004, April has also been Financial Literacy Month throughout the U.S. Here are some ways you may celebrate Financial Literacy Month this April.
Read More3 Moments in Life Where You Should Consider Consulting a Financial Professional
Even if your finances are far more modest than a lottery winners', there are some lessons to be learned from their mistakes. Here are three common situations in life when it's a good idea to consult a financial professional.
Read MoreFive Tips for managing your own business
Here are some "been–there–done–that advice" that might be helpful if you are running your own venture. Because actually running a business is something that no one ever teaches in school.
Read MoreCrossing the Bridge to a Satisfying Retirement
If you have reached a point where retirement is the next big step, you need to develop a strategy that will help you cross the bridge from the world of work to the world of leisure.
Read MoreBlog: Five Common Misconceptions About Retirement
Retirement is not what you retire from, but what you retire to. When you plan for retirement, an exciting new phase of life, double-check your expectations. They may not match the reality.
Read MoreCredit Traps for the Unwary
It's hard to imagine functioning in today's society without access to credit. However, you need to be careful not to fall victim to some of the pitfalls associated with it
Read MoreWhat’s a Suitable Age to Receive Social Security?
One of the most vexing questions for anyone planning for retirement is: “What’s a suitable age to start receiving Social Security benefits?”
Read More4 Things Every College Student Should Know About Credit
The average college student graduates with around $30,000 in student loan debt.
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation and Caregiving: Financial Impacts to Retirement Savings
These individuals are part of the sandwich generation, those sandwiched between the obligation to care for their aging parents and their children at the same time.
Read MoreRetirement Seen Through Your Eyes
Some see retirement as a time to start a new career. Others see it as a time to travel. Still, others plan to spend more time with family and friends. With that in mind, here are some things to consider.
Read More