Blog
Continuing Care Retirement Communities: What They Cost, How They Work, and When to Start Preparing
Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...
Read MoreWhen Should I Start Taking Social Security: 5 Factors to Consider
Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...
Read MoreTeaching Teens and Young Adults Financial Literacy Through Real-Life Decision Making
If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...
Read MoreHelping Adult Children Buy a Home: How to Gift a Down Payment The Smart Way
Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...
Read MoreThree Numbers Every Woman Should Know
Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...
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Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think
Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...
Read MoreUnderstanding the Emotions Behind Financial Decisions
Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...
Read More10 Facts You May Not Know About Social Security
Social Security is often misunderstood or underestimated in retirement strategy. However, as financial professionals, we've seen how it can play a crucial role in our clients' overall financial strategy, regardless of their income...
Read MoreInnovative New Year's Resolutions: Financial and Personal Growth Strategies for 2025
Looks like New Year's resolutions are still going strong in 2025! A recent Pew survey found that about a third of Americans kicked off the year with at least one resolution, and many people actually went for multiple goals. It's...
Read MoreKey Financial Insights from 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025
As we approach the end of 2024, it's an opportune time to reflect on the year's financial developments and consider what 2025 may bring. We believe in understanding both the past and potential future of our economic landscape, which...
Read MoreNavigating Healthcare Costs in Retirement: Life After Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
As you approach retirement, a critical aspect of your retirement strategy can catch even the most financially savvy individuals off guard: healthcare costs. For decades, you may have enjoyed employer-sponsored health insurance. As...
Read MoreA Different Kind of Year-End Review: 10 Steps to Reflect and Recharge
Financial professionals typically have a year-round focus on monetary goals and wealth management strategies. However, we also believe that true financial well-being is intrinsically linked to your overall life satisfaction and...
Read MoreYear-End Giving Strategies: Maximizing Your Impact
America is a generous country. People with diverse backgrounds can unite for a good cause, whether to benefit their local communities or the broader world. As we enter the holiday season, now is a great time to think about your giving...
Read MoreExploring the Financial Impact of Electric Vehicles
As financial professionals, we’ve noticed a trend among our clients: an increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs). To help address some of your questions, we’ve compiled this high-level guide to provide insights into the...
Read MoreSafeguarding Your Identity: Essential Tips for Financial Security
Statistics show that nearly 33% of Americans have faced some identity theft attempts in their lives, and experts estimate there is a new case of identity theft every 22 seconds. As financial professionals, one of our primary goals is...
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Implications of the Recent Federal Reserve Rate Cut
The Federal Reserve's recent decision to cut interest rates by 50 basis points has sent ripples through financial markets. While this move is intended to stimulate economic growth, it may also have implications for various aspects of...
Read MoreThe Impact of Elections on the Markets and Tax Policy
The Impact of Elections on the Markets and Tax Policy With Labor Day behind us, we're in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election race. As we follow the news and parse the most recent polls, some may ask, "How might what...
Read MoreDon’t Be A Victim Of The Retirement Crisis
Don’t Be A Victim Of The Retirement Crisis If you think the United States has a retirement crisis, you are not alone. A recent survey found that 79% of working-age Americans believe the same thing. That percentage is up from 67% in...
Read MoreArtificial Intelligence’s Influence on the Investing Landscape
In 1999, Bill Gates wrote, “How you gather, manage, and use information will determine whether you win or lose.” Companies looking to be successful in the future should heed these words when making decisions about implementing...
Read MorePreparing to Send a Child Off to College? Don't Forget These Important Topics
Sending a child off to college is a major milestone for any family, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or close friend. It’s an exciting time, filled with anticipation and perhaps a bit of trepidation. There’s so much to do, and...
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Important Update: New Beneficial Ownership Reporting Requirements for Businesses
We work with many business owners, including some of you, and each of you may have friends who own a business, so we thought it would be helpful to share information about a recent regulatory change that may be relevant: the Corporate...
Read MoreScheduling a Family Meeting
Summer is a time when many families get together, making it an ideal opportunity to discuss important matters, including your financial future. With that in mind, we wanted to make you aware of something we've found to be valuable to...
Read MoreHow Much Do I Need to Retire?
A few years ago, ads from financial services companies asked, "What's your number?" The "number" represented the amount of money you needed to retire comfortably. There are, of course, various approaches to estimating your retirement...
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Enhancing Your Identity Protection in Today's Digital World
There isn't a week that goes by when you don't read about some data breach. Safeguarding your personal information starts with understanding cybersecurity risks, knowing what to look for, and doing everything you can to help protect...
Read MorePotential changes to federal estate tax exemption amounts
At the end of 2025, portions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire. Many changes will come with the sunsetting of many rules, including the possibility that federal estate and gift tax exemption levels will revert to...
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The best gift we can give our children
April is Financial Literacy Month, and one of the most impactful gifts you can give is a strong foundation in financial literacy. As influential figures in our community, we play a role in helping the next generation develop the basic...
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SECURE Act 2.0 Includes New Provision on Special Needs Trusts
The SECURE Act was hailed as the most substantial retirement legislation passed in over a decade. It contained important changes to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and other qualified accounts intended to help investors save...
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The Psychology of Love and Money
Money can be a touchy subject, especially in our closest relationships. It’s also inescapable—like it or not, finances are integral to our partnerships, families, and even friendships. So, how can we foster healthy...
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SECURE Act 2.0 Changes that Could Impact Your Finances in 2024
The SECURE Act 2.0, enacted in late 2022, has dozens of provisions intended to encourage more people to save through workplace and other plans, help boost retirement savings, and urge small employers to offer retirement plans. Some of...
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What does the Big Game 🏈 have to do with the stock market?
It's a fun time of year for football fans. The National Football League (NFL) playoffs are starting, and the Big Game is approaching. While most fans will tune in for the matchups, commercials, and Usher’s halftime show, a...
Read MoreMajor Tax Changes Looming: Are You Ready?
With the start of the new year, we want to discuss a topic that will likely garner attention throughout 2024 – the potential sunsetting of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) in 2025. Although some of the provisions within the Act...
Read MoreWhat to Know When Your Child Turns 18
Your Child is Turning 18: Handling Healthcare, Academics, and Finances Together As your child blows out the candles on their 18th birthday, you may still see your baby girl or boy. But in the eyes of the law your child is considered a...
Read More2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook: Key Events and What May Be in Store
As we get ready to turn the page on 2023 and welcome the new year with all its possibilities, we’d like to take some time to reflect on the year that was—the notable events, trends, and developments that defined our...
Read MoreTechnology Guide for Caregivers of Patients with Dementia
As financial professionals assisting clients through retirement, we know that Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory loss are ever-growing concerns of many families. If a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or...
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5 Financial Missteps to Avoid During a Divorce
Divorce is one of the most stressful life events. Even the most amicable splits can be complicated and emotionally draining. It is also a time when financial decisions impact spouses and children for years to come. With everything a...
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Preparing for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Sunset at the End of 2025
We strive to be proactive and inform our clients about potential changes that could impact their tax situations. As you know, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) lowered marginal tax rates and the cost of capital. Although some...
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5 Ideas for a Virtual Holiday Party
Many of us have adapted to a world with remote team members and back-to-back Zoom calls with customers spread across the country, which certainly has benefits. Still, one drawback is the difficulty of getting together in person....
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The Impact of SECURE 2.0 in 2024 and Beyond
Passed in 2019, the SECURE Act was the most substantial retirement legislation in over a decade. It contained important changes designed to help investors save more and be better prepared for the future. Late last year, Congress...
Read MoreTechnology Guide for Caregivers of Patients with Dementia
As financial professionals assisting clients through retirement, we know that Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory loss are ever-growing concerns of many families. If a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or...
Read MoreTime to Think About Year-End Financial Strategies
As we roll into fall and the fourth quarter, it’s a good time to pause and reflect on proactive ways to set up your finances for 2024. Economically speaking, we are in a much different position than last year. Economic growth...
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AI's Role in Shaping Our Tomorrow
Recently, the buzzword artificial intelligence (AI) is on everyone’s minds, not just in the tech world but across multiple industries, including financial services. Given the growing interest and concerns surrounding AI, it...
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Social Security - Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Social Security, the program you may have spent a lifetime paying into, is designed to offer stability, supplemental income, and other valuable benefits that can play a role in your overall financial strategy after you retire. However...
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Understanding the "September Effect"
If you ask the average investor which month is the most volatile for the stock market, they will probably say October. It’s a reasonable answer, but it’s incorrect. Despite October’s reputation for market-defining...
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Your Quarterly Medicare Newsletter
Are you already planning for the end of the year? Where did the time go? In this edition, we’ll be looking into navigating Medicare for the first time, particularly if you are under the age of 65. Don’t forget Medicare...
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Powell's Jackson Hole Speech Unsettles Markets
If it feels like the financial markets are lurching from news event to news event in recent weeks, you’re right. They are. The markets were on pins and needles waiting for Fed Chair Powell to deliver his talk at the Jackson Hole...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Retreat; Powell Talk Goes Hawk
Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.45%, while the...
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