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Best Cities in the US for Active Seniors

Becoming an older adult doesn’t always mean slowing down your lifestyle. You might have less work to do, but you can stay active in more pleasant. Seniors who would like to keep their life more eventful but also keep the good...

How to Stay Active After Retirement

While at work, many people dream about the day they finally retire. Too many activities can be tiring, and, understandably, you want to have some rest. But, once the hectic work schedule is no longer a part of your life, it's easy to...

Last Year of Residency Financial Checklist

 As a doctor in the last year of residency or fellowship, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel!   Now is the time to get your financial house teed up for success as you will soon morph into a new attending...

Best Cities in Nebraska to Retire In

Nothing is better than a well-deserved rest. Don’t you agree? If you have worked hard, got up early, dealt with everyday problems, and had a stressful job, you will appreciate your retirement even more. But even if you...

5 Signs It’s Time to Move into Senior Living

Unfortunately, one of life’s most unpleasant truths is that our ability to care for ourselves drops as we get older. Now, we’re not saying one should get all pessimistic about it. Some folks help those who need such help....

A Seniors Guide to Downsizing For Retirement

So, you've retired. One significant chapter in your life is over, and a new one is on the horizon. If you're unsure how it will all wind up, we've prepared an expert guide to help you...

3 Clever Ways To Overcome the Anxiety of Starting a New Business

Your decision to start your own business is likely driven by an innate drive for fulfillment in your professional life. However, even a natural-born entrepreneur is sure to feel some anxiety when launching their venture...

Pros and Cons of Early Retirement

Why Communicating Your Estate Plan to Your Family is Crucial

Worried your family may not honor your last wishes? Continue reading to find out why communicating your estate plan to your family is crucial.

3 Reasons Why You Should Review Your Retirement Plan from Time to Time

Retirement planning is not the easiest thing in the world. What makes it so are the many variables one has to consider. To begin with, you can't be entirely sure when you will retire. Moreover, you never know what your financial...

How (and Why) to Start a Business After Retirement Without Using Your Savings

We all know that starting a business takes money, but it doesn’t have to eat away at your entire retirement. There are plenty of small businesses that you can start with $5000 or less. Further, there are also many steps that you...

Nearing Retirement? Here’s Why You Should Start Using a Personal Finance App Today

No matter how frugal you may be, you need a budget to stay financially healthy in your golden years. There are simply too many things that can happen, and it's easy to overspend without a structure in place that tells your dollars...

When is the Best Time to Start Planning for Your Retirement?

When one is young, it often seems that retirement is a long time away. Spending money on eating out as often as possible, traveling, and other exciting but also expensive pleasures is very tempting. And once you start a family,...

Pros and Cons of Moving to the Countryside as a Senior

Escaping the hustle and bustle of city life is a long-awaited dream of many seniors. One they can finally turn into reality following retirement. And while some manage just fine living away from the city, others come to realize...

Gridlock in the Supply Chain

While the world has begun to recover from the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the delayed reaction has been felt in the supply chain. Industrial shutdowns around the world slowed production to a relative crawl, leaving...

How to Boost Your Post-Retirement Confidence

Throughout life, we strive to build a steady career and be successful in what we do. We've grown to depend on our jobs to determine who we are and increase our self-esteem. Unfortunately, we don't become aware of this until we retire....

5 Facts to Remember During Market Volatility

Wouldn’t it be nice if the stock market didn’t have such violent swings in either direction? Especially the dramatic downward plunges - we’d ALL like to avoid those! But the reality is, the markets include a certain...

7 Best Vacation Ideas and Destinations for Seniors

If you are longing for the perfect holiday, fall is a great time to travel. There is also the benefit of being retired - you can mostly go on holiday whenever you want. During this season, the temperatures are not as intense, and the...

How to Use Your Home Equity During Retirement

Whether you are just now starting to think about retirement or are comfortably living off your pension, it is never too early to think about what to do with your home. Thankfully, you have plenty of options to capitalize on the equity...

Dealing With Depression After Retirement

If you thought you were the only one feeling the post-retirement blues, you are definitely in the wrong. You'd be surprised by the number of people dealing with depression after retirement. As to why one would find themselves feeling...

Four Universal Tips On Buying Life Insurance

No one relishes thinking about death—especially his or her own. We prefer to think of death as being thousands of miles in the distance—so far away that we can’t even fully picture it. But picture it we must,...

Great Tips On Forgotten Finances for Newlyweds

While it's exciting and joyous to get married, there's a lot of adjustment for newlyweds to contend with. In addition to getting used to living with one another and combining your belongings, combining your finances can be a bit...

Should You Care About Britney’s Conservatorship Battle?

You may have noticed that Britney Spears’ name has been back in the news over the last few months. While early-aughts culture is certainly experiencing a resurgence in popularity, Britney Spears is making news due to a legal...

6 Essential Retirement Planning Steps

One of the most significant benefits of the advances in modern medicine is that we now live longer. Once our working lives are over, we get to enjoy the free time we have deserved. And we will get the most of our long retirement if we...

Will vs. Trust: What Should You Choose?

If your retirement days are just around the corner, you are probably actively daydreaming about the hobbies you will take up once your retirement plan is set into motion. Of course, you have deserved every minute of it as a...

Money Management Pointers for Young People

Financial literacy is seriously lacking among young adults, according to a survey by Charles Schwab. This spills over into money management skills, and many young adults still have to borrow money in emergencies, rely on their parents...

What to Consider When Looking for a Homestead in Retirement

Starting a homestead is a dream many retirees have. However, finding the perfect property can be challenging. After all, not all homesteads are created equal. When buying a property with homesteading in mind, one of the most critical...

4 Places to Enjoy Your Golden Years

Leaving your home to move into an independent or assisted living facility can be difficult. It may feel stressful and tense, while at other times exciting and novel. Emotions often run high, which means decision-making may be more...

The American Jobs Act – 3 Potential Changes We’re Watching

Recently, there’s been a lot of noise about the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, commonly referred to as the ‘infrastructure bill.’ We’ve heard a lot about infrastructure over the few years, and...

A Note About Inflation

As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic over the past year, you may have noticed the term ‘inflation’ coming up in the news. But don’t let it scare you! The fact is, some inflation is...

Should you keep working after retirement?

Enjoying your golden years can take many forms. Some people look forward to their last day at work, while others realize they need something to fill the time. You might find yourself thinking about going back to work after retirement,...

6 Hobbies That Will Help You Live Longer

Hobbies make our lives better and ourselves happier. Some of them are relaxing, some are fun and adventurous, and some come with a nice bonus - they might be your key to a healthier and longer life. Certain activities have such a...

The Most Tax-Friendly States for Retirees

It is never too early to start preparing for retirement. Taxes play a significant role in our lives and an even greater one when retirement comes into play. However, before you set your retirement plan in motion, you should determine...

A Short Guide for Seniors Reentering the Workforce

Photo Credit: Pixabay.com Not everyone finds success within the traditional career path of finding a job right out of college and holding it until turning 65. Some seniors decide to rejoin the workforce in retirement for a number of...

Successfully Plan for Retirement When Splitting Your Time Between the U.S. and Abroad

(Photo via Pexels) Many individuals who are approaching retirement make the decision to split their time between living in the United States and in another country. Whether they were born in the U.S. or moved to the country later on in...

Tired of Wasting Money on Payroll? Hire Freelancers

Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels Business owners often wonder how to optimize their bottom line while, at the same time, saving money on operational costs like payroll. As the economy continues to recover from the impact of the...

COVID-19 Stimulus Package - What's Included?

Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides greater unemployment benefits and additional stimulus payments to individuals and families, as well as more...

Weekly Market Insights: Optimism Stimulates Markets

Anticipation of a new fiscal stimulus and improved vaccine distribution powered stocks to fresh record highs last week with technology stocks leading the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%, while the Standard &...

Cyber Security at the Forefront of Our Business

The damage related to cybercrime is expected to reach $6 trillion by the end of 2021 as reported by CyberSecurity Ventures*. They also reported that companies will spend nearly $133.7 billion to defend against ongoing cyberattacks...

Smart Things to Do with a Year-End Bonus

If you are anticipating an annual bonus this year, it’s wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash before it comes so you can get the most benefit from it. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit...

Protecting an Aging Parent From Fraud

When you were young, your parent most likely warned you not to trust strangers. As your parent grows older, it’s time to return the favor. Seniors are frequent targets for financial scams, many have considerable assets and...

Income Tax Checklist to Stay on Track

Tax time is upon us and that means gathering all of your documents needed and getting them in one place to make filing your taxes as easy as possible. We thought it would be helpful to send along this handy checklist to help with that...

Financial Resolutions for 2021

We wish you a happy new year! Despite a crazy year or perhaps because of it, many Americans will be making financial resolutions for 2021. If you’d like to put some of this year’s focus on financial goals but haven’t...

COVID-19 Stimulus Package - What's Included?

Recently, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill that provides greater unemployment benefits and additional stimulus payments to individuals and families, as well as more...

Why You Should Set Up Your Online Social Security Account

For many of us, Social Security plays an important part in our financial plans for retirement or later stage of life. Even if you’re years away from applying for benefits, there are good reasons to set up your online Social...

Protect What You've Built with a Business Succession Plan

Entrepreneurs face challenges daily. The demands of managing day-to-day operations, overseeing administrative details and positioning your business to take advantage of industry trends often don’t leave time for you to consider...

When was the last time you updated your beneficiaries?

Insurance: we all hope to not need it, but wouldn’t want to be without it when we do. Car insurance, health insurance, life insurance, home insurance… you and your spouse probably  have most – if not all –...

Newly Announced IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2021

Each fall the Treasury Department announces inflation adjustments to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and income limits for the following tax year. They recently announced contribution limits and changes for the 2021 tax year.For...

When the beneficiary of an IRA needs access to cash

Inherited retirement accounts offer great financial opportunities to beneficiaries, but can be stressful due to the complicated risks associated with certain options. Knowing the basic differences of each option is just the tip of the...

The Best Moments of Life – How to Afford Them

As you enter each new phase of your life, milestones such as marriage, buying a home and having kids will impact you financially and inevitably affect how much money you can put toward retirement. While these new expenses can be...

Active or passive or both?

There’s a great debate raging about what style of investment management is better, active or passive. And if you ask 10 different financial professionals, you could get 10 different answers. So first, let’s understand the...

Newly Announced IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2021

Each fall the Treasury Department announces inflation adjustments to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and income limits for the following tax year. They recently announced contribution limits and changes for the 2021 tax year.For...

Medicare 101: Understanding the Basics

One of the biggest decisions to make in retirement is ensuring you have the health care coverage you need, when you need it. Medicare can be a complicated program to navigate and as you approach the time in which you can begin...

Medicare Parts Explained

Medicare can be complicated to sort through, there are many options and choices available to suit different needs. To make it simpler, the program has been broken down into four basic parts. As you think about how Medicare will cover...

Medicare Enrollment Dates to Know!

As you plan to incorporate Medicare into your long-term healthcare plan, it’s essential to be aware of the different dates for enrollment. Missing these deadlines can cost you, sometimes permanently, and you could suffer a lapse...

Medigap: What Does it Cover?

As you determine what the right Medicare plan options are for you, it’s important to be sure you have the coverage essential for your health care and retirement needs. On average, Original Medicare only covers about 80% of...

How to Sign Up – A Guide to Enrolling in Medicare

Turning 65 is the trigger point for the vast majority of Americans to enroll in Medicare. The milestone birthday sets the stage for your initial enrollment period (IEP) during which you can enroll, it’s important to be aware of...

Medicare and Long Term Care Insurance – How They Work Together

While it may be hard to think of now, it’s likely that you’ll need some type of healthcare or daily living assistance as you age. People often think that Medicare covers long-term care, either at home or in a nursing...

Medicare and Travel – What to be Aware of

Retirement evokes different dreams for everyone, but for many, travel is part of the image. If travel is part of your retirement vision, before you leave town, it’s important to be aware of whether Medicare coverage will protect...

Retirement Challenges in Current Times

Preparing for retirement is complex for many reasons. With improved medical care, a person retiring today at typical retirement age may need their savings to last 30 years or more, making it necessary for retirement funds to sustain a...

Will you be enjoying your retirement?

Have you started planning out your retirement dreams? Most of us develop a vision that includes spending time relaxing, traveling, taking up new hobbies, meeting new friends, and reconnecting with old ones.Dreaming about the future...

Protect Yourself From Cyber Crime

The pandemic has showcased how much we rely on the internet, which makes it possible to virtually work from home, shop, attend religious service and stay connected with family and friends. Unfortunately, those conveniences come with...

Reminder: Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15!

As we roll into Fall, we wanted to send along a reminder that the Medicare annual open enrollment period begins October 15th and ends December 7th. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can change their Advantage plan or Part D...

The Top 5 Ways to Maximize Your Social Security Benefits

The general calculation for 2020 is you can get the maximum social security benefit of $3,011 per month after starting to receive benefits at full retirement age. The full retirement age means those who are born in 1960 or after 1960....

What the Lessons of Time Can Teach Us

Financial markets are volatile…it’s the nature of the beast when so many dollars, traders, brokers and investors are involved. And if you’ve been out of the market, you’ve missed some huge growth opportunities....

Safe Ways to Safely Celebrate Halloween 2020!

The countdown to Halloween is officially on! Bags of candy fill the store shelves and scary costumes are flooding aisles. Due to the ongoing pandemic, Halloween may need to look a little different this year to keep your family and...

Your Vote is Your Voice! Here are Some Voting Resources...

Election Day is right around the corner and as Americans, our right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. Election Day is truly a national day of celebration for our liberties and our country’s unwavering dedication to our...

Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace

As a reminder, the 2021 Open Enrollment Period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1 through December 15, 2020. Anyone looking to enroll, re-enroll or opt of out of private health, vision and...

Top Retirement Challenges for Women

One of the biggest financial challenges women often face is preparing for and having enough saved for retirement years. There are numerous reasons why these challenges exist, but through continued awareness and planning those...

Weekly Market and Coronavirus Update with Phil Blancato

We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news.Please listen to the most recent market update from Phil Blancato, President and CEO of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, a well-known name in the...

Things to Know About Life Insurance

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month, making it a good time to review things you may not know about life insurance, such as:Policies differ widely. Term life insurance pays out a death benefit if you die within the specified...

Keeping your eyes on the goal

As the struggle to control COVID-19 drags on, many of us experience periodic fatigue from distancing, negative headlines and future uncertainties. Staying disciplined when weary is difficult but crucial to short-term financial...

Is Your Retirement Account as Large as it Could Be?

When you change jobs, it’s critical to remember to create a plan for past employee sponsored retirement accounts. While you have the choice to simply leave it, you also have the option to consolidate past plans which brings all...

IRA vs. 401(k): How to Choose

We know, at times, that retirement decisions can be confusing and there is substantial information surrounding the investment vehicles that can be utilized to reach your retirement goals. We thought we’d send along some...

Inherited IRAs: Learn About The Options

Navigating the death of a close family member can be difficult to endure. When a loved one is lost, the first thoughts likely won’t be about what to do with their IRA. But for beneficiaries, it is important to make wise...

The Great Turnaround: Late-Stage Retirement Planning

What the 1980 U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team can teach us about late-stage retirement planning. It was February of 1980, at Madison Square Gardens during the height of the Cold War. It was there that the U.S. men’s Olympic...

Delay Receiving Social Security to Increase Benefits

On Aug. 14, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law to help combat unemployment and guarantee income for retirees. Roosevelt acknowledged the limitations of the act, stating, "We can never insure...

401(k) Distribution Dilemmas

How you will take your 401(k) distributions when you retire can be an important consideration in executing your post-retirement plan. We all look forward to the day when we can finally kick back, relax and collect our carefully-planned...

Football Is Back

Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and sweaters will soon be in play.This year, there was no pre-season, so professional football started in September, which coincidentally, is a...

When the Fed Talks Inflation, Bond Investors Listen

Most recently, you may have read that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a change in how the Fed views inflation. In the past, the Fed said it would consider adjusting short-term rates when inflation approached 2 percent....

Dow 30 Changes Its Starting Lineup

The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its starting lineup.Salesforce.com, Amgen Inc.and Honeywell International Inc. have replaced Exxon Mobil Corp....

Home Builders Confident In Economic Rebound

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...

Has the Stock Market Rally Left You Behind?

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...

Is Inflation On The Rise?

Right now, many Americans are worried about their financial health due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the country. Adding to these concerns were July's consumer prices— excluding food and energy—which rose at the...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Power Higher

Stocks advanced relentlessly last week on positive COVID-19 developments, encouraging economic data, and a supportive policy shift in the Fed’s approach to its target inflation rate.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by...

Important Financial Moves for Young Families

When you become a parent, your finances get a lot more complicated. You suddenly have to face a whole host of new financial responsibilities! Young parents must be prepared to cover additional household expenses, save for their...

What Are Stock Splits?

Two high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss what’s involved when a company announces a stock split.Remember, any companies...

The Fed’s Year-Long Review Expected in September

As many of you know, the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee has eight scheduled meetings each year when the seven board members review the nation's economic activity and set the federal funds rate's target rate.In this...

Federal Student Loan payments paused due to COVID-19

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...

How Much Money Will You Need for Retirement?

"Will I outlive my retirement money?" That's one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare for their retirement years.So I have to chuckle a bit when I see headlines that say, "Here's how much money Americans think they...

2020 RMD Income Tax Relief is possible

Are you one of the many retirement account holders who took a mandatory distribution this year? If so, you may be able to manage the taxes associated with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. There...

Retirement Option Overload

Establishing a retirement plan for yourself and your employees can help you attract and retain workers and give you personal and business tax deductions. Yet you haven’t taken the final step to create a plan because every time...

Don’t Overreact in August

One of my favorite Wall Street quotes is from Mark Twain, who said:“October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June,...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks and Consumer Prices Rise

Stock prices drifted higher in an otherwise quiet news week, as a slowdown in new COVID-19 cases outweighed a Congressional impasse on a new fiscal-spending measure.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard...

Keep an Eye on Buying & Selling by Corporate Executives

To some, the buying and selling of a company’s stock by corporate officers and directors can be an indicator of Wall Street sentiment.In July 2020, the ratio of companies with executive buying compared with executive selling...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks React to Jobs Report

Stocks slipped in the final days of trading last week on higher jobless claims and rising tensions in the U.S.-China relationship.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.76%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dipped 0.28%. The...

Will Political Changes Affect the Economy?

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...

Keep an Eye on Buying & Selling by Corporate Executives

To some, the buying and selling of a company’s stock by corporate officers and directors can be an indicator of Wall Street sentiment.In July 2020, the ratio of companies with executive buying compared with executive selling...

30-year Home Loans Fall to Historic Lows

Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020, there may be some potential good news on the horizon. On July 16, 2020, the interest rate for a 30-year...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks See a Mixed Week

Stocks were mixed last week as investors reacted to positive economic data, progress on a COVID-19 vaccine, and the continued nationwide increase in COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.29%, while the Standard...

What Is Earnings Season?

Every few months, you may hear the phrase “we’re entering earnings season” as you read financial news.But what exactly is “earnings season” and why is it important to Wall Street?Earnings season is the...

What is Reg BI?

Recently, you may have heard that financial industry regulators established a new set of rules designed to guide investors who work with an investment professional. This new set of rules is called “Regulation Best...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Gain After Volatile Week

Stock prices notched solid gains last week, looking past an increase in COVID-19 cases and any potential economic concerns raised by the trend.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Reminder: Tax Day is Tomorrow

This year has had no shortage of changes to the normal course of business.In March, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that they extended the federal income tax filing and payment deadline until July 15...

What's driving current market behavior?

In the era of COVID-19, and the financial woes it has created, I often get asked, “Why is the stock market holding up so well when the economy appears to be struggling?” To understand why the markets react — or...

CARES Act: Will There Be a Phase 4?

With the economy and financial markets flashing mixed signals, it’s no wonder that lawmakers are deadlocked on whether to pass a Phase 4 of the CARES Act.More than $3 trillion in stimulus has been pushed into the economy since...

Have you been thinking about life insurance?

In our uncertain climate, it’s unsurprising that when American investors are thinking about their financial strategy, that the topic of life insurance comes up.For some, it’s always been front of mind. For younger...

CARES Act Modification Allows More Retirement Savings Access

Americans who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic may now be able to access retirement accounts to help cover daily expenses, penalty-free.Now, in addition to those who have lost their jobs during the COVID-19...

U.S. Banks Flush with 2 Trillion Dollars in Cash

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.1This surge of money into banks has no precedent in history.Several...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets React to Fed Report

Investor sentiment turned negative last week, amid an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in states where reopening has been underway as well as a subdued economic forecast from the Federal Reserve.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

U.S. Entered Recession. Now What?

The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reported in recent weeks that the U.S. economy officially entered a recession in February 2020. This transition brought a 128-month expansion to an end, the longest in post World War II...

The Mainstreet Lending Program

As businesses begin the process of reopening their doors after the COVID-19 shutdown, many have considered turning to the Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program for aid. Announced on March 23, the Program’s goal is...

The Rise of Real-Time Data

In economics, one might classify statistics that measure overall business activity as either leading indicators, lagging indicators, or coincident indicators.Leading indicators attempt to point toward a future activity while lagging...

An Unprecedented Rush to Cash

As Americans adjust their spending habits in a rapidly changing economy, they are building cash reserves at an unprecedented rate.The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on May 29th that the personal savings rate hit a historic 33%...

Market behavior and the economy

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,...

A stock market lesson to remember

Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors.An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic indicators went haywire. Household confidence was shaken. The Standard & Poor’s 500, the benchmark for the broad stock...

Weekly Market Insights: Optimism for Re-Opening

The shortened week, which began with a powerful two-day rally of trading, was enough to drive the markets into another week of solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 3.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced...

How the CARES Act Impacts RMDs

Tucked into the gigantic “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act were two key changes you should know about, regarding required minimum distributions (RMDs). Both were designed to give...

Federal Student Loan payments paused due to COVID-19

Are you or someone you know currently making federal student loan payments? In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, some welcome relief may be on the way.Thanks to the recent passage of the CARES Act, the U.S. Department of Education will...

Investors Cringe As Oil Prices Drift Lower

Thanks to COVID-19, flying is down, driving is down, and the price of fuel is way, way down.On April 20, U.S. crude oil dropped to its lowest level in more than 30 years, due to a slump in demand. That day, West Texas Intermediate...

Know your 401(k) options between jobs

Few life events are more stressful than a job loss.If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions about job hunting, unemployment insurance, and health care. You may also be...

Unpacking the Paycheck Protection Program

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.1,2The bill is a $484...

Details on the Tax Deadline Extension

The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset the federal tax deadline. You now have until July 15 to file your 1040 form. July 15 is also the deadline to pay any federal taxes...

What if you missed the five best days?

Hindsight is 20/20. It’s only human to imagine what it might have been like to turn left instead of right on some fateful day. However, that sort of daydreaming is unhelpful when investing, especially when it leads you to try...

Pro tip: apply for Medicare early.

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...

Don’t Let Headlines Get You Down

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...

Roth Conversion in 2020 - Is It Right For You?

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every aspect of American life. To say it’s been a difficult time would be an understatement. However, difficult times may open doors to new possibilities. Businesses are changing...

Practical Planning Tips for Seniors to Guide You Through the Downsizing Experience

There are many upsides to downsizing as a senior. You can pay less for utilities, have less space to keep clean, be closer to family members and friends, and have better access to certain activities you enjoy, just to name a few....

How to Pre-Plan Your Funeral for Instant Peace of Mind

Some of us may be better planners than others, but we can all identify with the ease and peace of mind that a well-thought-out plan brings. Pre-planning your funeral can bring that same sense of relief. It might not be the most...

Options and Advice for Covering the Costs Associated with Alzheimer’s Care

When a loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, you face many challenges. Handling the events of daily life is enough without worrying about how to cover the costs associated with the disease. Here is practical advice so you can...

Financial Tips for Seniors Who Want to Make the Most of Their Budget

Living on a fixed income can be a challenge for many seniors, especially those who are living with health issues or disabilities. The cost of medical care or medications can be overwhelming, and often seniors are faced with living...

Your Retirement Plan: Cash it, roll it, move it or leave it?

When it comes to your employer sponsored 401(k) plan, knowing your options goes a long way in helping make better decisions. If you are exploring your career options or perhaps planning ahead towards retirement, here are some options...

Choosing Between Term And Universal Life Insurance

Surely anyone who has been in the market to purchase a life insurance policy has run into the confusing array of plans available. The following will give you a brief summary on two of the most popular life insurance coverage choices:...

SOCIAL SECURITY: MAXIMIZING BENEFITS

Most understand that waiting to claim Social Security benefits can result in higher monthly payments. However, many don’t know that there are other ways to maximize their benefits, some of which depend on their marital status....