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Monday, May 29, 2023

After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it may be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. You may wonder whether there is any way to maintain your lifestyle and preserve your wealth to pass do

Monday, May 22, 2023

If you are worried about being able to afford college costs for your children or teens, a 529 education plan might be one way to boost your savings. These plans allow you to save and invest for college while perhaps enjoying tax...

Monday, May 15, 2023

Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals.Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be difficult, especially when times may be financially tough. But by staying on...

Monday, May 8, 2023

Whether you are an employee in corporate America or a small business owner, retirement is a part of life. For many, the thought of retiring and whether or not you are ready to take those first steps might be overwhelming or...

Monday, May 1, 2023

 With all of the attention the life insurance industry has been receiving lately, it's easy for policyholders to overlook two important factors: 1) few investments, if any, meet the safety of life insurance and, 2) few investments...

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Monday, April 24, 2023

A 2022 Gallup Poll found that 58% of all adult Americans own stock. The top 1% owns more than half the total amount invested among those who own stock. 1 Making investing possible for your children, nieces, nephews and other loved ones...

Monday, April 17, 2023

With the cost of providing health care and other employee benefits rising, small businesses may find it difficult to compete with larger companies in attracting and retaining the most talented workers. Compared with other types of...

Monday, April 10, 2023

April brings more than possible rain showers. It also marks Financial Literacy Month in the U.S. Whether you’re interested in a quick refresher or seeking to learn something new, it may be worth the effort to brush up on some...

Monday, April 3, 2023

Are you worried about the current state of the Social Security system and how its future may affect your retirement income? It’s important to take a long, hard look at your current savings strategy to ensure you’ll be able...

Monday, March 27, 2023

Mom-and-pop businesses have held a special place in the hearts of American consumers since the beginning of retail commerce in the USA. These family-owned, small businesses were America’s backbone before larger corporations began...

Monday, March 20, 2023

The Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 has stood the test of time, and the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act has provided additional protection to the American consumer. If you take the time to understand the credit reporting system...

Monday, March 13, 2023

Every woman needs to balance her financial past with her financial future Traditionally, women have been the caretakers of both the older and younger generations of their families. But providing care for family members is becoming...

Friday, March 3, 2023

You're ready to buy an insurance policy, but you feel a bit uneasy embarking into the insurance world. After all, the language can be technical, and you're wary of insurance agents throwing sales pitches at you. Whether you're buying...

Monday, February 27, 2023

Where does all your money go? The truth is usually not that mysterious. You can discover it with a little discipline on your part—along with the help of a budget. Many people spend their money in small increments without...

Monday, February 20, 2023

February is Wise Health Care Consumer Month, designed to help consumers understand more about their health care costs and options. But with about one in four emergency room (ER) visits deemed unnecessary, the improper use of health...

Monday, February 13, 2023

Being an entrepreneur is a dream for many. The idea of being the boss and watching your ideas take shape into a company or endeavor can be appealing. While there are many steps on the road to becoming an entrepreneur, one of the most...

Monday, February 6, 2023

As the call continues to come for following through on support of minority-owned businesses,[1] many are wondering how they may lend their support to black businesses. Whether through direct investment or community support, there are...

Monday, January 30, 2023

Identity theft hits your finances, but also can affect your taxes too Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, with as many as 10% of Americans over age 16 becoming victims last year, according to a...

Monday, January 23, 2023

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

Monday, January 16, 2023

The first step to improving your finances is to get organized.These top Amazon finds can help you create a monthly budget, plan your spending, and safely store your important insurance or personal documents for easy access when...

Monday, January 9, 2023

Financial wellness, like physical wellness, isn’t something you should ignore. Instead, it's a critical concept for anyone who wants to be knowledgeable and confident about their finances, and in fact, financial wellness is so...

Monday, January 2, 2023

Use comparison-shopping skills when choosing a financial professional Many financially successful people are comparison shoppers. If you’re one, you may pore over ratings in consumer magazines, read websites for reviews and...

Monday, December 26, 2022

A business plan can help raise money and rally your leadership team around common objectives.Whether you're a current business owner or a budding entrepreneur burning with the next great idea, one of the most important steps you can...

Monday, December 19, 2022

Take an organized approach to holiday shopping and actually enjoy it If advertisements and commercials are beginning to feature scenes of happy families, clad in brightly colored sweaters, gathered by a fire, surrounded by an...

Monday, December 12, 2022

The end of the year can be a chaotic time for business owners. It is a time to compile data, review the numbers, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and determine growth opportunities for the future. A business owner would be keen to...

Monday, December 5, 2022

In unpredictable economic times, many donors may be wary of making large donations of cash, even to charities they would otherwise like to support. Nonprofits are therefore increasingly encouraging donors to make gifts of non-liquid...

Sunday, November 27, 2022

A list of things to consider as you think about year-end charitable donations With its family traditions and festive celebrations, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to GivingTuesday.org, the...

Monday, November 21, 2022

Ensure Your Legacy Is your growing business still a one-person operation? As your company continues to grow and the workload increases, it is easy to find yourself wearing too many hats and not having enough hours in the day to...

Monday, November 14, 2022

Whether you’re planning to start a new business, trying to grow a fledgling business, or working to keep an already established enterprise competitive, your business plan is your “roadmap” toward entrepreneurial...

Monday, November 7, 2022

Common sense tips to help children, teens and other vulnerable groups The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is helping families, teens and senior citizens learn about the continued importance of protecting personal information in helping...

Friday, October 28, 2022

As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:...

Friday, October 21, 2022

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...

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Even if you never thought of yourself as especially wealthy, there may be a fair chance that you fall into the category of "high net worth individuals"—those who have liquid assets of $1 million or more.1 For many individuals who...

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

We’ve all heard this advice before: if you want to save money, you need to cut back on spending. However, it’s not always so easy. Identifying senseless spending in the following areas can help you save more each month...

Thursday, September 29, 2022

In 2021, women-led companies only received 2% of all venture capital funding, a figure considered the lowest percentage in more than five years.1  Data shows this figure does not necessarily reflect the potential success of...

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

What is it?By definition, a crisis is a turning point, a time when you have to make crucial decisions (often suddenly) that will affect your future. Although smart planning is the key to effectively dealing with periods of crisis, you...

Thursday, September 15, 2022

September 22nd is American Business Women's Day, and it may be the perfect day to celebrate women who have surpassed the glass ceiling and gone on to be leaders and inspirations for businesswomen everywhere. In honor of American...

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Thank goodness National Life Insurance Awareness Month is hereSome insurance sales folks peddle a concept called Be Your Own Banker (BYOB). Don’t fall for it.This idea has floated around the Internet and late-night television for...

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

A 401(k) retirement savings plan is one of the most desirable fringe benefits a small business can offer. For a business owner, it can help strengthen a company’s position when competing for top talent. It can also be structured...

Friday, August 26, 2022

As a woman, you have financial needs that are unique to your situation in life. Perhaps you would like to buy your first home. Maybe you need to start saving for your child's college education. Or you might be concerned about planning...

Friday, August 19, 2022

Many nonprofit organizations set out to help others. They provide services, guidance, support, or other resources to a specific group or cause. Yet, to do the work they do, they often need financial strength. Nonprofit organizations...

Friday, July 22, 2022

A Philosophical QuestionEvery 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...

Friday, July 22, 2022

In the college savings game, all strategies aren't created equal. The best savings vehicles offer special tax advantages if the funds are used to pay for college. Tax-advantaged strategies are important because over time, you can...

Friday, July 22, 2022

Few U.S. high schools have comprehensive personal finance programs, which means that some teens enter adulthood without a deep base of knowledge on topics like investing, budgeting, and consumer debt. Even those who feel they're fairly...

Monday, July 18, 2022

About 61 million adults in the U.S. live with a disability. Many of these disabilities are serious enough to impact a person’s daily life.1 There may be financial benefits available to those whose disabilities leave them unable...

Friday, July 15, 2022

Both are skyrocketing – but they impact your investing views very differently. A roof over your head and gas in your tank cost more than ever. But prices for these essentials color your view of investing. What do your nest egg,...

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

For members of the "Sandwich Generation"—those currently in their 40s and 50s who are caring for children and their parents who are over 65-years old—estate planning may seem like a low priority. After all, when you're...

Monday, July 4, 2022

The golden rule of financial planning: if you can plan it, you can pursue itOver the past July 4th, we celebrated our country’s history of declaring independence and guaranteeing basic human freedoms. But true freedom includes...

Monday, June 27, 2022

A solid financial plan for small businesses is vital, and part of that financial plan should be insurance. Insurance is essential to preserve small businesses, cover their assets, and safeguard their employees. Here are some types of...

Monday, June 20, 2022

A fixed annuity is a contract between you and an annuity issuer, usually an insurance company. In its simplest form, you pay money to the annuity issuer; the issuer invests the funds and pays the principal and its earnings back to you...

Monday, June 13, 2022

Inflation swindles almost everybody – stock investors, bond investors…We’ve all heard about Warren Buffett, the 91-year-old multibillionaire known for his friendly demeanor, modest style of living in Omaha, and...

Monday, June 6, 2022

If you’re like most homeowners, the importance of homeowners insurance is obvious. If your home is damaged as a result of fire, theft, lightning, heavy snow, or high winds, your homeowners policy would likely cover the cost of...

Monday, May 30, 2022

Whether your child was just born or is heading toward high school graduation, a 529 savings plan may help you put aside funds to pay for college expenses without paying taxes (federal and some states) on any dividends and gains.1...

Monday, May 23, 2022

What is an inverting yield curve and does it mean we’re heading for a recession? One key predictor of downturns in the economy is what is known as the yield curve. This typically refers to the market for what the US government...

Monday, May 16, 2022

Defined benefit pension plans may still be an attractive retirement benefit option for small employers. This is especially true for small business owners who have been too busy growing their businesses to plan for their retirement....

Monday, May 9, 2022

Life in today’s America commonly finds families strewn across states and even scattered from one end of the continent to the other. With so many families now separated by hundreds and often thousands of miles, it may be extremely...

Sunday, May 1, 2022

If you are an educator, you know how important budgeting is. Whether you take a summer job to have a year-round income or rely on your school year to pay for bills, budgeting your money properly may help you to stay on track with your...

Monday, April 25, 2022

April brings more than possible rain showers. It also marks Financial Literacy Month in the U.S. Whether you’re interested in a quick refresher or seeking to learn something new, it may be worth the effort to brush up on some...

Monday, April 18, 2022

What to look for and what’s not important If you are shopping for a financial professional, you need a good checklist of questions to ask. What you are looking for is someone who handles clients like you – and who is...

Monday, April 11, 2022

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...

Monday, April 4, 2022

Although women make up nearly half the labor force, on average, women still tend to earn less than their male counterparts even in like positions and with like skills. In the past five years, women have earned on average 80 cents for...

Monday, March 28, 2022

At the foundation of your financial well-being lies your behavior Here is a statement that is bound to cause you to raise your eyebrows: Your long-term financial success may depend less on the structure of your portfolio than on your...

Monday, March 21, 2022

The Federal Reserve plans to unwind its bond borrowing since inflation has hit the highest level since 1980. While interest rates will stay near zero, for now, the Fed will start raising interest rates as early as March 2022. With a...

Monday, March 14, 2022

  March is National Credit Education Month in the U.S., which makes it the perfect opportunity to brush up on your credit basics.1 Whether you're a credit novice or well-versed in the art of the FICO score, below are four...

Monday, March 7, 2022

This year's National Consumer Protection Week is March 6th through March 12th. It's a time to educate people about their rights as consumers and how to make informed decisions about their money. Whether it's taking a hard look at your...

Monday, February 28, 2022

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...

Monday, February 21, 2022

Developing effective strategies for pursuing your goals within the limits of your particular financial circumstances can be difficult. Each stage of your life may create new financial challenges. Sending your child to college,...

Monday, February 14, 2022

February is Black History Month, which is a time to celebrate achievements by those of Black or African American heritage and recognize their central role in United States history. While it is important to celebrate Black History in...

Monday, February 7, 2022

Regardless of age, we all value our independence. We like to come and go as we please, running errands, going grocery shopping, and driving to appointments. But what happens when an aging parent, spouse, or relative is no longer...

Monday, January 31, 2022

Looking for longer-term market trends that might shape the next few years Let’s be honest for a second: the DJIA, the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and the Russell 2000 all delivered one of the most surprising years in recent history. And...

Monday, January 24, 2022

When you hear the term identity theft, the first thought that comes to mind may involve a data breach or opening a credit card in someone else's name. But another common type of identity theft involves the use of someone's Social...

Monday, January 17, 2022

While most people find the notion of creating a budget about as appealing as cleaning out closets, most would agree that the result—a well-crafted and useful budget—is worth the work   Two financial...

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

Monday, January 3, 2022

At the beginning of each year, and regularly after that, it may be a wise idea to take stock of finances and make some changes to help improve your financial life. Here are five resolutions you may make to increase financial...

Monday, December 27, 2021

The pain of losing money is worse than the pain of missing out on gains Right now, stock markets are up smartly for the year, but this might not be the time to start buying. Remember that it can be dangerous to start investing at the...

Monday, December 20, 2021

LPL Research Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond. While the economy continues to move forward, we’re still feeling some aftershocks of...

Monday, December 20, 2021

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.

Monday, December 13, 2021

For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the...

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Regardless of size, companies can benefit when the community in which they do business thrives. For entrepreneurs, giving back to the community may be more than just a charitable act; it can also make good business sense. If you have...

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

It may be easy to forget we're nearing the end of the year. Even during the busy end of year rush, it's a good time to reevaluate your 2021 finances and turn an eye toward 2022. What can you do now to potentially improve and streamline...

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

If you manage retirement plans for employees and companies, you already know how important it is for your plan communications to be accurate and precise. Unfortunately, the level of precision needed in these communications makes it...

Thursday, November 11, 2021

Who are entrepreneurs? Sometimes they are the people who leave the corporate world to pursue their own dreams. In many cases, they may be individuals who have found themselves dislocated or “downsized” from a previous job....

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

Many of us grew up in a world where it was customary to be friendly, courteous, and trusting. Unfortunately, assumptions concerning these standards of conduct can sometimes get us into trouble. Con artists offering a variety of...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

As a business owner, you know the importance of planning for your company’s future. To this end, you may have taken steps to learn about buy–sell agreements and the role that life insurance and disability income insurance...

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet,...

Tuesday, October 19, 2021

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...

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Do you ever dream of the day when you can retire and pursue your interests, travel, or simply relax from the pressure of the daily grind? In the past, retirement planning was a simpler process. Many retirees could count on...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Five tips to finding a financial professional that fits you and your family The financial professional you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions may affect your retirement and other major financial goals...