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A Holiday Survival Guide for Your Finances
The average family spends an extra $1,000 or more during the holiday season. From gifts and travel to dinners, shows, and decorations, each purchase adds up.1 How might you take full advantage of holiday cheer while avoiding...
Read MoreThe 12 Days of Year-End Planning: Things to Consider Going into the New Year
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 12...
Read MoreYour Traditional 401(k) Year-End Review Checklist
A 401(k) plan is one of the most popular and effective techniques for saving for your retirement. A company will automatically withdraw and contribute money from each paycheck to your 401(k) plan. Some employers will even match a...
Read MoreTis the Season for Tax-Friendly Giving Strategies
You may donate money to charitable organizations throughout the year, for no other reason than your heart-felt desire to support causes that you care about. But if philanthropy is important to you, keep in mind that the associated tax...
Read MoreCountdown To Investing in the New Year: 10 Questions To Ask Yourself
If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans....
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Charitable Giving: Making a Positive Difference
There are countless benefits of charitable giving. Through generous donations, you can make a difference in your community and society. You may also feel happier and even save on your taxes. Here are some key things to need to know...
Read MoreHelpful Tax Tips before Year End
Tax planning can be more advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities may exist for you to minimize tax liability, which could leave more income for you and/or your family. ...
Read More401(k) Options for Small Business Owners
Regardless of the business's size, small business owners have 401(k) retirement savings plan options that may be suitable for their situation. Business owners must plan for retirement by utilizing retirement savings vehicles that may...
Read More4 Charitable Giving Strategies to Consider
Through charitable giving, you can support causes or organizations you believe in and lock in tax benefits simultaneously. Whether you’re new to charitable giving or a veteran, there are several strategies you should keep in mind...
Read More5 Expensive Long-Term Care Planning Mistakes to Avoid
The vast majority of Americans need long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of people over age 65 may need some long-term care during their lives.1 Unfortunately, planning for long-term care...
Read MoreA Fall Financial Checklist
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...
Read MoreTax Planning and Financial Planning Go Hand in Hand
With tax season coming to an end, it’s the ideal time to use this year's tax return to help update your financial plan. If you’re in the group of one in four Americans who do not already have a financial plan, it may be...
Read MoreYear-End Investment Decisions
What are year-end investment decisions? Year-end investment decisions may sometimes result in substantial tax savings. Tax planning may allow you to control the timing and method by which you report your income and claim your...
Read MoreOctober Recipe: Pizza Dippers
Everyone loves pizza, and there’s no better way to feed a crowd. Now you can enjoy the beauty of pizza in a whole new way. Pizza dippers are seasoned focaccia straws dipped into a creamy, cheesy sauce. Bring your guests on...
Read More5 Milestones That Mean It's Time for a Life Insurance Review
Obtaining a life insurance policy is part of being an adult. But it’s also something that you can easily neglect, especially if you obtained it earlier in adulthood. While you may have been diligent in securing your life...
Read MoreNavigating the 4 Phases of Retirement
Retirement seems like a long way off, but it arrives faster than you think. The big question is, are you ready? What exactly does retirement entail? Analysts suggest there are four designated phases of retirement that a person often...
Read MoreA Business Owner’s Guide to Long-Term Care Planning
Businesses generally are illiquid, which can create problems if a business owner requires care in a long-term care facility. LTC is ongoing care in a care facility, nursing home, or at home for those unable to perform a certain number...
Read MoreThe Role of Insurance in Your Financial Plan
A critical part of financial planning that is often overlooked is insurance. Having various insurance policies will provide different benefits to your financial plan, ranging from protection to tax breaks. In fact, insurance is a...
Read MoreIt's Never Too Late to Improve Your Financial Awareness
Financial education is constantly evolving. As investments, financial priorities, and the economy change, so do financial strategies and plans.
Read MoreFour Retirement Plan Trends to Watch in 2023
Amidst a backdrop of a volatile market and potential inflationary pressures, these shifts can shape the future of employee retirement planning significantly. Here are four critical trends that deserve attention.
Read MoreHow Compound Interest Makes You Money
Interest is one of the simplest and most appealing ways to gain profits from an investment. Like clockwork, you receive an interest payment on your principal, or the amount of money you deposit when you open an account.
Read MoreHigh-Net-Worth Retirement Planning: 6 Ideas to Help You Get Your Finances in Order
Do you consider yourself a high-net-worth individual (HNWI)? Most people tend not to categorize themselves or see themselves as anything more than a spouse, parent, sibling, neighbor, boss, or business owner. However, society does classify
Read MoreMidyear Outlook: The Path Towards Stability
The insights in LPL Research’s Midyear Outlook 2023: The Path Toward Stability will help position investors, along with guidance from their financial professional, to achieve their goals by providing guidance and actionable insights
Read MoreIt's Never Too Late to Improve Your Financial Awareness
Financial education is constantly evolving. As investments, financial priorities, and the economy change, so do financial strategies and plans.
Read MoreIntegrating Social Security with Other Retirement Plans
Social Security retirement or survivor's benefits payable to the spouse (or divorced spouse) of a worker covered by Social Security may be reduced (offset) if that spouse receives a federal, local, or state governmental pension based on his
Read MoreInsuring Life’s Milestones
As you navigate through life, it’s important to continually reassess and adjust or add insurance coverage to fit your changing needs.
Read MoreA Financial Checklist for Life-Changing Events
When it comes to financial planning, people often think of financial professionals as people who assist with strategies for retirement planning.
Read More7 Ways to Save Money Quickly
We all have dreams in life, and oftentimes those dreams cost money. If you have a financial goal or responsibility coming up soon or simply want to build up an emergency fund, follow these tips to help you spend less and save money fast.
Read More401(k) Rollovers Can Make or Break Retirement
According to a recent study by the UBC Sauder School of Business, a concerning 41.4% of U.S. workers choose to withdraw money from their 401(k)s upon leaving their jobs. Even more alarmingly, 85% of these individuals cash out their balance
Read MoreThe Ultimate Downsizing Checklist Before Retiring
As retirement approaches, many older adults consider downsizing their home as a way to simplify their lives, reduce expenses, and focus on what truly matters.While the process can be emotionally and physically challenging, it can also...
Read MoreGetting Started: Establishing a Financial Safety Net
Most financial professionals suggest that you have three to six months' worth of living expenses in your cash reserve.
Read More5 Ways a Financial Professional Could Be a Small-Business Owner's Best Friend
Having a financial professional to help you plan the economic future of your business might allow you to concentrate on more immediate needs.
Read MoreRetirement Planning for Teacher and Public School Workers
The ability to enjoy a secure retirement is an objective that many teachers and their colleagues pursue years before they leave their jobs.
Read MoreUnderstanding the Retirement Bucket Strategy
An investment approach that can help you work towards a confident retirement
Read More529 College Savings Plans: A Cheat Sheet for Common Questions
529 funds are tax-free when spent on qualified expenses, such as tuition, books, fees, and room and board.
Read More3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Claim Social Security
Planning for retirement is exciting, but it may come with a bit of stress. If you worked hard all your life, now might be the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. One of the things that you may need to consider is when it...
Read More7 Retirement Considerations
Thoughts from a financial professionalWhen helping people get ready for retirement, financial professionals find the same issues come up over and over. Thinking ahead can spell the difference between a retirement with enough money and...
Read More7 Things You Can Do to Trim Your 2023 Tax Bill
Managing your tax liability can literally save you thousands of dollarsTax season can be a stressful time for many people, especially if you're not fully prepared. However, with some advance planning and preparation, you can take steps...
Read More5 Handy Tools and Resources for Building Financial Literacy
Increasing your financial literacy may allow you to make better decisions about your money and your financial future. Many great resources are available to get you started on the path to financial literacy and to expand your current...
Read MoreWaiting for New Highs
We started the year hopeful that stocks would benefit from a better economic and monetary policy environment by the spring, but recent developments suggest that may be further out than we initially thought.
Read MoreAmerica's Changing Vision of Retirement
Retirement planning is a primary reason for long-term saving, and when people think about retirement, finances are often the focus. However, it is important to also look at the nonfinancial aspects of transitioning from the world of work to
Read More5 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.
Read More6 Tips for Reducing Social Security Taxes
Determining how your income impacts Social Security (SS) taxes is important for tax planning
Read MoreUnderstanding Social Security Strategies
As you age, the question of when to collect Social Security (SS) retirement benefits will likely come to mind. Your unique circumstances and goals will dictate the appropriate time for you to take Social Security retirement benefits.
Read MoreOpportunities in 2023
Whether you’re one to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions or simply use the beginning of the year to reset on a few habits, there’s almost always some value in reflecting on the past year before looking ahead. The...
Read More3 Ways to Show Your Money Love on Valentine's Day
Each dollar you're putting toward debt is a dollar you cannot use to build wealth. The higher your interest rate, the longer it typically takes to repay your debt
Read MoreFive Attributes of Successful Entrepreneurs
Embrace a millionaire's mindset. Starting a business is a huge risk, but you have to believe in yourself.
Read More7 Tips for Time Management
When you’re busy juggling career, family, social life, and multiple other obligations, you may end up feeling as if you don’t have enough time to do it all.
Read MoreTen Ways to Stretch Your Money
Create a monthly spending plan for your fixed and discretionary expenses. When you plan your spending, you may find you spend more wisely
Read MoreCelebrating Black History Month
This year's theme for Black History Month is “Black Health and Wellness,” as outlined by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History
Read MoreA Retirement Countdown Checklist: 5 Steps to Consider Before Retirement
Whether you're hoping to retire soon or are just beginning to explore the idea of stepping back from your job, you're probably wondering how to make it happen. Will you have enough money? How will you spend your time? What will you do...
Read MoreA Look at Tax Planning for Retirement
After years of saving and planning for their golden years, many people nearing retirement fail to consider the tax burden they may face on income they receive after they stop working. While you will likely see a reduction in the amount...
Read MoreHow Our Financial Wellness Impacts Us
Financial wellness studies over the past few years indicate that investors desire financial wellness. The recent pandemic, economic and inflationary conditions, changes in work-life balance, and more responsibility for financial...
Read MoreA Path to Setting and Reaching Your 2023 Goals
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...
Read MoreBeware Scams at Tax Time
Identity theft runs rampant during tax seasonHere’s what to know and how you can help protect yourself.Identity thieves often swipe your bank or credit card account numbers, birth date information or Social Security Number (SSN)...
Read MoreThe 12 Days of Year-End Planning: Year-End Planning Checklist
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...
Read MoreSubscription Boxes for Holiday Gifting
Finding the perfect gift for those on your list can be difficult, but you can make your holiday shopping easier by gifting subscription boxes. These packages of hand-selected goodies can be arranged and mailed for you, and if you...
Read MoreDon't Miss Out on These 5 Commonly Overlooked Tax Deductions
When you own a business, you get to deduct business expenses from your business income. This general rule applies, subject to certain limitations, whether you are a sole proprietor with employees or a self-employed freelancer...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Outlook 2023: Finding Balance
Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...
Read More2022 Year-End Tax Tips
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Defer income to next year. Consider opportunities to defer income to 2023, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax...
Read MorePecan Caramel Roll Ups
Don’t settle for an ordinary cake roll this holiday season. This pecan roll is made with a delicious spice cake and is full of sweet caramel cream, for a festive dessert you can bring to any celebration! Ingredients: For the...
Read MoreToo Good To Be True? 4 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Scams and How To Spot Them
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the greatest days to score deals for holiday shopping. Unfortunately, with amazing deals plentiful, some scammers use these days to take advantage of shoppers looking for the greatest bargains...
Read MoreTips To Help Your Local Animal Shelter
Are you an animal lover looking for ways to help dogs, cats, and other rescued animals at your local shelter? From spending time with pets in need to helping with administrative tasks, there are a variety of ways you can help improve...
Read More10 Best Financial Benefits for Military Families
Members of the military have a lot of special financial challenges that most people don't encounter. However, they have access to many benefits, tax breaks and legal protections that can make a huge difference in their families'...
Read MoreFocus on Your Wellness This Holiday Season
The holidays are prime time for eating delicious food, celebrating with loved ones, and creating long-lasting memories. However, all this cheer can be both physically and mentally draining.That’s why it is essential to focus on...
Read MoreYear-End Donations and #GivingTuesday
With its family traditions and festive celebrations, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to GivingTuesday.org, the giving in the U.S. alone totaled $2.7 billion to nonprofits and community...
Read MoreKnow What You Are Worth Today to Map Out Your Financial Future
It does not matter how much money you have today; you still must know the details of what you are worth. Understanding your financial situation can help you develop a retirement plan, pay down debt, draft a comprehensive estate plan...
Read MoreFinancial Planning For Your Pets Really is a Thing
Are you a good pet owner? Owning an animal means more than feeding it and loving it. Pets aren’t cheap, so doing right by Fido or Tabby involves financial planning. No question, we Americans love our pets. Many of us view our...
Read MoreLooking Ahead
October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month. The downside pressure on...
Read MoreHow Estate Planning Can Help Prepare for Long Term Care
The cost of long-term care can vary widely based on location (both city and state) and level of care needed. However, one thing is for certain: with 7 in every 10 people requiring long-term care at some point, preparing for this...
Read MoreHow secure is your data when it’s stored in the cloud?
As cloud storage becomes more common, data security is an increasing concern. Companies and schools have been increasing their use of services like Google Drive for some time, and lots of individual users also store files on Dropbox...
Read MoreCould The Worst Be Behind Us?
This has clearly been a challenging year for households. Stocks and bonds are both down significantly. Elevated food and gas prices continue to stretch budgets, and higher interest rates have increased borrowing costs. But we continue...
Read MoreMake Your Home Cozy for Fall
The annual approach of winter makes autumn an ideal time to bring in fun décor elements like fluffy throws and pillows, candles, and warm autumnal colors. Follow these tips to make your home the coziest it can be.
Read MorePlanning Lessons for Educators - Addressing Your Financial Issues
Being an educator requires expertise and that you stay current on developments in your field. However, that level of ongoing attention can make it difficult to find the time to stay on top of issues that affect your finances, or to put...
Read MoreA Fall Financial Checklist
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...
Read MoreResources for Women-Owned Small Businesses
Small businesses face many problems related to their size, capital, and capability, and for women-owned small businesses, the challenge is sometimes even greater. The good news is there are many professional organizations out there...
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About Medicare Savings Programs
The terms Medicare and Medicaid are similar sounding names; however, these programs serve very different needs. Medicare is a health insurance benefit program for those aged 65 and older and others with certain disabilities. Medicare...
Read More4 Ways to Save for Retirement Without a 401(k)
You are not alone if you do not have access to a 401(k) retirement plan. Pew Research data reveals that 35% of private-sector employees do not work for an employer that offers a plan.1 Fortunately, other retirement savings options are...
Read MoreThriving Through Market Volatility
Market volatility is an inevitable part of investing. If we never had market sell-offs, we wouldn’t have as much opportunity to see returns.
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About FAFSA
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education distributes more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study awards to millions of college students. With these financial aid programs, tuition, room and board, books, and other...
Read MoreCollege Savings Options: Life Insurance or 529 Plan?
College costs continue to rise: in 2021, the average student attending an in-state school could expect to pay more than $27,000 in college costs per year, while those attending private schools paid a whopping $54,800. Parents of...
Read MoreBetter Times Ahead
In the last several weeks, we have continued to face elevated uncertainty in financial markets due to high inflation and rising interest rates, and we thought it was an important time to take stock with the final quarter...
Read MoreSpiced Baked Apples Recipe
What dessert could be more perfect for fall than baked apples? This treat is spiced with cinnamon and delicious served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Read MoreHow to Minimize Taxes During Market Downturns
Understanding long-term capital gains taxes when you sell investmentsMarket downturns could be a good time to adjust your fund portfolio to minimize the tax bite. Here’s how to calculate the best ways to do that – now and...
Read MorePrepare Now for Future Emergencies
September is National Preparedness Month, part of an effort by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to raise public awareness and inspire disaster readiness. Most communities could be impacted by some type of natural disaster...
Read MoreWhat To Do When Faced with Bear Market Rallies
Look beyond the emotional headlines and study the hard facts about bearsThe real value of a bear market may be that it gives investors, who are temporarily frozen within its grip, the opportunity to learn or relearn important lessons...
Read More5 Tips to Maintain Your 529 Plan During Periods of Uncertainty
The uncertainty of today's economy, rising interest rates, and market volatility may have you concerned about your 529 plan's performance over the past months. If your child or grandchild has an upcoming tuition bill soon, now may be...
Read MoreCelebrating National Life Insurance Awareness Month
It’s also a good time to talk about the insurance crisis facing baby boomersBaby boomers’ huge numbers and surprisingly shaky health threaten government old-age benefits. That’s why you need to bolster your own...
Read MoreAn Essential Guide to Estate Planning Preparedness
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...
Read MoreLife Insurance: How Much Is Enough?
You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your...
Read MoreCollege Savings Options: Life Insurance or 529 Plan?
College costs continue to rise: in 2021, the average student attending an in-state school could expect to pay more than $27,000 in college costs per year, while those attending private schools paid a whopping $54,800. Parents of...
Read MoreThe Gift of a Lifetime: How to Donate Life Insurance to Charity
The primary purpose of life insurance is to provide financial resources for those that depend on you when you die. However, you can lessen the complexity of charitable giving through wealth transfer by using life insurance as a gifting...
Read MoreBig Week for Market Watchers
Last week was epic for market-watchers. A Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike, a much-anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) report, and the busiest week of earnings season got most of the headlines. There was even a surprise out of...
Read MoreValue Investing and Today’s Affluent Portfolio
Every consumer likes a good bargain, particularly value investors, who seek out stocks trading for less than their intrinsic value. By choosing companies the market has undervalued, or investing in mutual funds with similar objectives...
Read MoreReasons You Should Plan to Live Until You’re 95
How long do you think you will live? How long does your money need to last? If you’re like most people, you get this age wrong. The consequence? Faulty retirement planning, overspending now and running out of money before you...
Read More3 Investing Lessons For Beginners You Won't Learn In School
Twenty-one U.S. states, including Kentucky, Texas, and Virginia, require public schools to provide high school students with financial literacy courses.1 But even among the school systems that provide general financial...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...
Read MoreJuly 2022 Client Letter
As the calendar has turned to July, investors would certainly like to forget the first six months of 2022. However, the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday does bring with it reason for celebration. Not only is it the...
Read MoreA Survival Guide for a Bear Market
A bear market is a prolonged period of price declines in securities, an index such as the S&P 500, or the overall stock market of usually 20% or more from a recent high. Bear markets can also signal economic downturns such as a...
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