Gear Up For Year-End Tax Planning
Article by: Jeff Chase Sr. VP, Financial Planning & Sr. Wealth Manager linkedin It’s about that time of year! As summer fades and autumn approaches, our team will begin focusing on year-end tax planning. We firmly believe this type of planning is crucial as part of a well-rounded approach to financial planning and one […]
Four Retirement Planning Questions To Consider
Be honest. Have you ever thought, “Am I doing what I should be doing planning for my retirement?” If so, you’re definitely not alone. It’s common to ask big-picture questions these days, especially when it comes to important issues like retirement planning and your financial future. We’ve made it through many of the […]
What’s Behind the Recent Market Sell-Off?
Article by: Brad Eaton Vice President, Investment Services linkedin As an investor, you may be concerned with the recent market sell-off and wondering what, if anything, you should do. This article will provide context for how we are interpreting what is going on with the market. Current Status As the first half […]
Fee-Based or Fee-Only Financial Planner?
The decision you make regarding whom you get financial and/or investment-related advice from is important. Read this article to learn the key difference between fee-only and fee-based advisors. Linkedin Seeking Financial Guidance When you need critical health, legal, or tax advice, you probably seek the services of an expert whom you assume will provide […]
Social Security and Powers of Attorney
In this article, we share a pain point for clients we have worked with, which deals with Powers of Attorney not being recognized by the Social Security Administration. Social Security and Powers of Attorney One key document in estate planning is a Power of Attorney (POA). A POA is a legal document that authorizes […]
Maximizing Social Security and Pension Benefits
Your Social Security and pension (if you have one) are two financial assets that provide income in retirement, and the key to maximizing these benefits is to understand how to use them to your advantage. Retirement is one of the biggest milestones in life, and it’s no different when you choose to retire early. […]
The S&P 500 Returns May Not Be What You Think
Article by: Brad Eaton Vice President, Investment Services linkedin We’re at the mid-point of 2024, and the stock market (as measured by the S&P 500) is up almost 13% year-to-date. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, on the other hand, tells a different story. While still positive on the year, the DJIA is up only a […]
Clarify your Retirement Plan
Do you want to move from confused to confident when building your retirement plan? We think it’s time for financial planning that leaves the status quo behind. Confidence is easy to recognize. It usually arrives with a sense of peace and calm that’s far removed from the disorder of ambiguity. All the right questions […]
Inflation, Interest Rates, and the Fed
Article by: Brad Eaton Vice President, Investment Services linkedin One of the most frequently asked questions recently has been, “When will interest rates start to fall?” Higher interest rates can have vastly different implications depending on whether you are a borrower or a saver. On the one hand, rising interest rates can be desirable […]
High-Yield Savings Accounts
In this article, we will discuss high-yield savings accounts and why you might want to consider using them. High-Interest Rate Environment The current interest rate environment can be good or bad, depending on what you are looking to accomplish. On the one hand, if you have accumulated cash and you are looking to increase the […]
Interest Rates…Higher for How Long?
Certain economic indicators have recently pointed toward an economy that is actually quite robust. What does this tell us about inflation? And why is this bad for anyone hoping for lower interest rates? The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the U.S. labor market added more than 303,000 new jobs (non-farm payroll) during the […]
Is It Time to Set Up a Budget?
Yes, we all hate the word “budget,” but many people don’t realize that the word budget can mean many different things. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you must set strict limits for yourself on all your favorite things (dining out, shopping, coffee, etc.) and then track them closely each month, writing down every penny […]