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Blog

Many financial blogs and articles contain a lot of jargon that is incomprehensible to folks that don't have their head in the industry all day long.

If you are looking for something along those lines, THIS IS NOT IT.

This blog will be published every week or so with

  1. Practical tips on improving your financial life
  2. Stories where a simple change has made a significant difference in someone's life
  3. Things you might have been completely unaware of that may make your life better or more enjoyable.

They will not be too long and they will be understandable.

Monday, May 29, 2023

529 College Savings plans are essential for saving for higher education expenses, and if used for education, accumulate tax-free. Since 529 plans came into existence in 1996, their popularity has continued to increase, with 529 plan...

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Many people know that life insurance is important to have, and yet not enough actually get it. Some decide they’ll get it later in life while others feel it’s a waste of money because they don’t have any health issues...

Friday, May 19, 2023

When it comes to medical or legal advice, the value of getting a second opinion is fairly well established and defined. What about financial decisions? At what point does it make sense to get a second (or a third) opinion on money...

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

The History of Mom-and-Pop Shops and How To Support Them Today Mom-and-pop businesses have held a special place in the hearts of American consumers since the beginning of retail commerce in the USA. These family-owned, small...

Sunday, March 19, 2023

Making the Most of Your Relationship with a Financial Professional  Heading to your first meeting with a new financial professional may be a lot like going on a blind date. Can you have anything in common? Can you click?...

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Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Understanding Your Credit Mix to Avoid a Credit Mix-Up Paying your bills on time and only using a portion of your available credit may help your credit score. However, these good habits are not the only factors shaping your credit...

Monday, March 13, 2023

The FDIC-seizure of Silicon Valley Bank is the second-largest US bank failure in history as it held $209 billion in assets at the time of its collapse. Even after adjusting for inflation, by assets it trails only Washington Mutual,...

Thursday, March 9, 2023

5 Last Minute Considerations Before Tax Day With April’s federal tax filing and payment deadline on the horizon, Americans are dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s as they prepare for the countdown to Tax Day. But...

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Women’s Financial Empowerment: The Challenge of Financial Wellness and Why We Need Women’s History Month March is Women’s History Month, a month-long celebration of female empowerment1. This effort includes...

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Don't Let Your Retirement Savings Goal Get You Down As a retirement savings plan participant, you know that setting an accumulation goal is an important part of your overall strategy. In fact, over decades of conducting its annual...

Monday, February 27, 2023

Show Loved Ones You Care This Valentine's Day With An Updated Estate Plan  Hopefully, you’re planning to give all of your loved ones plenty of affection this Valentine's Day. But what if you weren’t around? To make...

Monday, February 20, 2023

3 U.S. Presidents Who Still Influence Your Retirement Planning Today  Each year, Presidents' Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February, paying tribute to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and the other U.S. presidents...

Tuesday, February 14, 2023

3 Reasons to Review Your Beneficiaries Now  Most types of financial accounts allow you to designate a beneficiary, from checking and savings accounts to life insurance policies, 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and trusts. But when was...

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Plan a Date for a Heart-to-Heart Couple’s Talk About Retirement Planning Retirement planning may not be your idea of an exciting date night. However, retirement strategies and goals are so varied that couples in committed...

Saturday, January 28, 2023

As more and more consumers search for financial information on the Internet, they may inadvertently leave themselves open to being “tracked” by certain companies and individuals.

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

A planner can be a game-changing tool—one that really causes you to not only plan for change, but to stick to it. It’s something you can go back to when you need a reminder of your daily tasks, long-term goals, or any weekly plans you have.

Thursday, January 12, 2023

What if you focused on your system instead of just your goals? Setting goals for a new year can feel overwhelming.  We all know that resolutions don’t last, but we also feel the energy that comes with a new year of possibilities.

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Change may be difficult, especially when you try to change your financial habits. The process might be easier if you take an incremental approach. Do you want to get on top of your finances this year?

Monday, December 19, 2022

Philanthropy today is different than it was in the past. It was once common for donors to distribute their wealth through smaller grants to numerous organizations. Over time, best practices for charitable giving have evolved, and...

Monday, December 12, 2022

Making it Easy to Make A DifferenceAmericans donate billions to charity annually. If you give to charity, you need to know about one of the best tools to facilitate generosity: Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs).DAFs date from the 1930s but...

Thursday, December 8, 2022

 At the end of the year, it is necessary to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. With all that is involved, it can seem overwhelming. Consider breaking up the responsibilities over...

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

The fourth quarter holidays are often seen as one of the prime times to take out your checkbook — not only do many charities put in extra efforts helping others this time of year, but donating is also a smart financial move....

Monday, November 28, 2022

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday center on consumer deals, Giving Tuesday—the Tuesday after Thanksgiving—has a different focus. Each year, individuals and corporations are encouraged to use the day to support charities...

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

High Net-Worth executives and those that have been self-employed, can experience common problems in their financial planning journey. Often, they have missed opportunities in their financial planning because they haven’t planned...

Thursday, November 17, 2022

For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for fresh starts and discovering the best versions of ourselves, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines—don't change much, if at all. And with that shiny...

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

An encore entrepreneur is a person who starts a new business or venture after age 55. They represent more than half of all business owners in the U.S., and for a good reason.1 These entrepreneurs have decades of work and life...

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Who are entrepreneurs? Sometimes they are the people who leave the corporate world to pursue their own dreams. In many cases, they may be individuals who have found themselves dislocated or “downsized” from a previous job....

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

 If you've never engaged in financial planning and are unsure how to get started, this article is for you. A financial plan starts by evaluating your current financial situation and future expectations and can be created...

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Heading into your retirement years brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll, what to enroll in and what coverage will be best for you can be daunting. To...

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

For many, autumn is the best time of year. The return of cool breezes, comforting foods, and pumpkins can be invigorating. It’s also a bookmark of sorts, especially for your finances—a perfect time to take stock of your...

Saturday, October 1, 2022

As you get older and closer to retirement, your financial practices need to shift slightly as you transition from working and saving to relying on your nest egg. As you approach this stage of your life, you need to take steps to...

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Basic estate planning is something that everyone should do, regardless of your age, marital status, the value of your assets, and if you’re a parent or not.  According to a 2021 poll by Gallup, less than half of U.S. adults...

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

The more money that you can save when you are working, the easier it should be for you to retire and enjoy your golden years. Unfortunately, Social Security may no longer provide a sufficient income to live on during retirement. To...

Thursday, September 15, 2022

As you near age 65, you may start to think about Medicare. How do you sort through your coverage options? When (and how) do you enroll? And what if you have other health insurance? Here is some information to help you when it's time to...

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Do you wish that there was more time in a day? Do you want to have time to drink a cup of coffee in the morning, or get to the gym before or after work? Well, we can’t change how much time there is each day, but we can help you...

Thursday, September 1, 2022

One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to federal income tax in the year of conversion, which might be a...

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Financial literacy refers to the skills and knowledge that allow an individual to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finances. Financial literacy starts by building a basic understanding of 'money...

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

In golf, as in finances, there are a few rules of thumb that may improve your game: keep a level head, avoid traps, practice before trying something new and stay the course. Applying lessons from the golf course to your financial life...

Monday, July 25, 2022

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...

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Americans' financial lives are increasingly complex. It's not unusual to have checking and savings accounts, a 401(k), IRAs, and other personal investments. Keeping track of all your savings and investments has prompted many...

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Adults caring for aging parents and children simultaneously have now become known as the "sandwich generation."  While each generation comes with its own array of financial challenges, the sandwich generation often feels...

Monday, July 4, 2022

America’s Founding Fathers created the foundation of a nation like no other. Each had goals and dreams, many with high expectations of what the United States of America could become. For today’s citizens, it may be possible...

Monday, May 23, 2022

Monday, May 16, 2022

Sunday, May 8, 2022

Monday, May 2, 2022

Monday, April 25, 2022

Monday, April 18, 2022

Monday, April 11, 2022

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Monday, March 21, 2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Monday, March 7, 2022

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Monday, February 14, 2022

Monday, February 7, 2022

Monday, January 31, 2022

Monday, January 24, 2022

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Monday, January 10, 2022

Monday, December 20, 2021

Analyzing your past financial decisions is essential to changing behaviors As Charles Dickens tells us in his celebrated Christmas fable, the self-defeating ways we behave financially are rooted in the past. Digging them out is the one...

Monday, December 13, 2021

For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the...

Monday, December 6, 2021

Is that investment an innovation or an improvement on an existing product? As Christmas sales loom, we face an endless array of sparkly, shiny and occasionally innovative items. As an investor, you run into a similar phenomenon that...

Monday, November 29, 2021

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....

Monday, November 22, 2021

difference in their families' personal finances. Here are ten of the top financial benefits available to service members and how to make the most of them to manage your family's financial future. My husband was an Army doctor for 21...

Monday, November 15, 2021

Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now...

Thursday, November 11, 2021

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...

Thursday, November 4, 2021

November 4, 2021 Dear Valued Investor: 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...

Monday, November 1, 2021

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...

Monday, October 25, 2021

Millions of people get help from Medicare every year, and this coverage can be a lifesaver. But in spite of widespread usage, there are many misconceptions about Medicare. To learn more about this government insurance program as you...

Monday, October 18, 2021

Does your retirement seem years and years away? While it may appear this way, you owe it to yourself to look ahead and begin giving thought to a time in your life that may account for 20 or more "golden" years. Granted, time may be on...

Friday, October 15, 2021

Dear Valued Investor: One constant in life is change. During the past year and a half, we have experienced more change than any of us bargained for. Change is disruptive—but also brings opportunities. For investors right now,...

Monday, October 11, 2021

Medicare part C, or better known as Medicare Advantage is a policy offered through private insurance companies that provides medical and hospital coverage. Those who are already enrolled in Medicare parts A and B, are automatically...

Monday, October 4, 2021

Medicare is available to virtually all U.S. citizens and legal residents 65 years of age and over who have previously worked and paid U.S. taxes or who are/were married to someone who did. There are four key parts to Medicare —...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Now that you have decided that Medicare Advantage is an option worth exploring, you may be wondering what the next steps are to signing up. While the steps for signing up are simple, there are a few key points to remember during the...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

At its core, Medicare is a federal health insurance program for Americans who are ages 65 and older and younger people with disabilities. Here are key points to know about Medicare: What Does Medicare Cover? Medicare Part A pays for...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Natural disasters like wildfires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and long-term power outages don't discriminate—they may impact anyone at any time. However, you don't need to live your life under the constant stress of expecting...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

For many people, turning 65 provides one of the keys to retirement: access to affordable healthcare. Whether you're enrolling in the Medicare program for the first time or have been a Medicare enrollee for years, it's important to stay...

Monday, August 2, 2021

There’s a simple word that has profound implications for savings and investing: compounding. Like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a hill, compounding provides the potential for your money to grow, reinvesting your...

Monday, August 2, 2021

The first half of 2021 is behind us. As life emerges from the pandemic to a "new normal," a mid-year financial checkup may be more important than ever this year. Here are some ways to make sure that your financial situation is...

Monday, August 2, 2021

Though U.S. taxpayers received an extra month to file and pay their federal income taxes in 2021, some are still smarting from having to write a check to the IRS.[1] For many, it can be tough to make the connection between those...

Monday, August 2, 2021

To accumulate wealth, people may choose to invest their money into various types of investments. Investing creates opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to manage due to the consistency of contributing to the investment....

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

A whopping 70 percent of adults in their 20s through 50s fear that the Social Security program might be reduced or eliminated by the time they retire, and don’t know what to expect.1 It's important for all adults to be informed...

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

It is human nature to seek advice when things aren't going well or when an unforeseen event occurs. Often, people seek financial advice from a professional only when the stock market and their investments are experiencing turbulent...

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Remember, it is never too early to start planning for your future The time to begin planning for your financial future is now. So, when it comes to preparing for retirement, the earlier you start, the better. Here are some steps to...

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond. While the speed can be exhilarating as economic growth accelerates, it can also be...

Thursday, July 8, 2021

If you already contribute to a 401(k) or another retirement account through work, you may not have spent much time thinking about opening an individual retirement account (IRA). However, an IRA might provide you with a way to boost...