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Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Proper financial planning includes forecasting future Social Security benefits In a welcome development for millions of Americans relying on Social Security, the Social Security Administration has recently announced a substantial...

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

The Christmas season is an excellent time of the year to review your financial planning strategy. Our finances are top of mind as most of us are monitoring our spending as the holiday and new year approaches. We can look back over the...

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

 The holiday season is a time of joy and headaches, celebration, fatigue, and togetherness mixed with a few knock-down drag-out fights. On top of the emotional rollercoaster ride can come a big wallop of financial stress. From...

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

For many, retirement is the phase of life to kick back, relax, and enjoy the fruits of years of working and saving. However, financial decisions before and during retirement can significantly influence our quality of life and tax...

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Signs are encouraging and the possibility seems more tangible than ever In the intricate world of economics, maneuvering the vast U.S. economy without causing disruptions is likened to steering a colossal ship through a tempestuous...

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Saturday, October 21, 2023

Having a desire to give and a philanthropic mindset are both important qualities to possess in modern society. With so many economic and social challenges in society, contributions to charities and philanthropy efforts are needed now...

Saturday, October 21, 2023

More than 16.5 million veterans live in America, as reported by the U.S. Census. Along with the veterans’ need for long-term care, the aging general population has increased demand for long-term care, creating pressure on...

Saturday, October 21, 2023

As we approach the last quarter of each year, it is a good time to plan for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for existing retirees and those hoping to retire in the next few years. There are tax and income...

Saturday, October 21, 2023

Retiring from the military is a profound accomplishment. For many, this retirement will provide you with positive things, including the time and geographic stability you need to start a new career or simply enjoy leisure activities...

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Key principles for a confident journey when investing at market peaks. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is an index of 30 very-large, blue-chip U.S. companies. The most recent all-time-high...

Sunday, October 1, 2023

If you're paying attention to the news, you've probably come across story after story on the health of Social Security. And depending on the actuarial assumptions used and the political slant, Social Security has been described as...

Sunday, October 1, 2023

Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached. That's where financial planning...

Sunday, October 1, 2023

What does "coordination with government benefits" mean? In the context of long-term nursing home care, a number of governmental (and governmentally regulated) programs and tools exist to help you pay for this care. Medicare, Medicaid,...

Friday, September 29, 2023

Like anyone else, you want a life insurance policy that meets your needs and budget. But how do you find the right policy when there are so many to choose from and many of them seem so similar? The key is knowing how to compare...

Friday, September 22, 2023

Have you ever made a purchase that has thrown your monthly budget off-kilter? Or maybe you’ve put financial restrictions on yourself that push you away from spending on things that bring you joy.

Friday, September 8, 2023

Every year, around 3 million Americans are required to evacuate their homes due to a natural disaster.1 What's more, this figure does not include the millions of other individuals who are temporarily displaced as a result of fire...

Friday, September 1, 2023

What is it? A gift is a voluntary transfer of money or property from one person to another person or entity (such as a trust) where the person making the gift receives either nothing or a lesser amount of money or property in return....

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Like anyone else, you want a life insurance policy that meets your needs and budget. But how do you find the right policy when there are so many to choose from and many of them seem so similar? The key is knowing how to compare policies...

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Placing money in your budget for splurges is important, but setting aside too little or too much can set you off the path of your financial goals. Here’s your guide to budgeting for the occasional splurge.

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

Every year, around 3 million Americans are required to evacuate their homes due to a natural disaster.1 What's more, this figure does not include the millions of other individuals who are temporarily displaced as a result of fire, flood

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

A gift is a voluntary transfer of money or property from one person to another person or entity (such as a trust) where the person making the gift receives either nothing or a lesser amount of money or property in return...

Monday, July 10, 2023

Navigating elder care and elder care finances in the U.S. can be a challenge even for the most well-prepared households. So what, exactly, is involved in senior financial planning? What steps can you take now to help you be prepared...

Monday, July 10, 2023

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 independently...

Monday, July 10, 2023

Tax credit vs. tax deductionA tax credit is more valuable than a tax deduction of the same amount. Why? A tax credit reduces any taxes owed on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a tax deduction simply reduces the total income on which...

Monday, July 10, 2023

TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR EMOTIONS IN CHECK, THE ONE QUESTION YOUR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL SHOULD ASK & WISE WORDS FROM THE ORACLE OF OMAHAMoney is always an emotional subject and when our emotions get involved with our investments we often...

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

A life insurance policy is part of financial planning. Life insurance is there to help ease the financial trauma that comes with the loss of a spouse, parent, or partner. As you encounter different events in your life, you may need to...

Friday, June 23, 2023

Only about 25% of Americans aged 60 and over have access to a defined-benefit plan, also known as a pension.1 Firefighters are in the small group of Americans who have the option of an employer-sponsored pension plan, but this may not...

Thursday, June 22, 2023

While each generation comes with its own array of financial challenges, the sandwich generation often feels a tight financial squeeze. Follow these six tips to get your retirement on track while still prioritizing your family. 

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Generation Z, the youngest working generation, is thought of as being uninterested in the future. However, recent research has shown that this stereotype may not be accurate, as many Gen Z individuals are excelling at saving for retirement

Thursday, June 22, 2023

After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it may be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. Here are three tips that may help you preserve wealth after retirement...

Thursday, June 22, 2023

Before you spend that newfound inheritance, or give away any money or assets, or leave your job, you should do a cash flow analysis and determine your net worth as a first step toward planning your financial strategy.

Monday, June 12, 2023

Annuities often get a bad rap as insurance products – and often rightly so Life insurance buys financial protection against your premature death. Here’s the how-to on another insurance that can protect you from living too...

Thursday, June 8, 2023

The press – not Wall Street – is most concerned about the June 1st deadline The debt ceiling refers to a legislative limit imposed by the U.S. government on the amount of debt that can be issued to fund its activities. It...

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Government employees, such as teachers, firefighters, police, and others, often consider working after their eligible retirement age when presented with a DROPs offer. A DROP program is a tax-advantaged retirement plan that provides...

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Getting old is hard. Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age. Helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you need to approach carefully.When you hit a certain age of your life, you may...

Thursday, June 8, 2023

Financial freedom is a state of being in control of one's finances, covering expenses easily, and saving for future goals. Financial freedom enables you to choose how you spend or interact with your money and have the choice to decide...

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

It wasn’t long ago when an individual went to college, got an education, and embarked on one career that usually lasted a lifetime. Many companies provided on-the-job training, and little emphasis was put on the idea of going...

Friday, April 14, 2023

Medicaid planning serves to accomplish a number of goals: (1) qualifying for Medicaid, (2) exchanging "countable" assets for exempt assets, (3) preserving assets (including the family home) for loved ones, and (4) protecting the healthy...

Friday, April 14, 2023

For some officers, relying on the police pension may not be enough to retire comfortably and confidently. Here are four financial planning tips for police officers that take into account their special retirement benefits.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Often, financial problems or worries may impact your mental wellbeing, especially if you’re anxious or depressed about your situation. Below, we take a look at some examples and how to get treat them.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

The ability to enjoy a secure retirement is an objective that many teachers and their colleagues pursue years before they leave their jobs. Eventually, each must consider life beyond their career and the benefits they may receive...

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed income to your survivors, provide for your children's education, pay off your mortgage, and simplify the transfer of assets....

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Optimizing your Social Security retirement benefits means getting the best return possible on each dollar you've contributed to the system. However, if you make wise decisions regarding when you retire and how much you earn, you can...

Monday, March 13, 2023

Financial literacy isn't often taught in schools—which means that many people may enter adulthood without having all the tools they need to make informed and effective financial decisions...

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

Section 529 plans are popular education savings vehicles. To choose the type of 529 plan that's right for you, it's important to understand how 529 savings plans and 529 prepaid tuition plans work and the differences between them...