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Annuities 101: What are Annuities & How Do They Work?
We all have different goals and wishes when it comes to retirement. But almost everyone shares one retirement fear—running out of money during their golden years. It’s easy to take risks in the market when we’re young...
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Bonds 101: How & Why to Invest in Bonds
When companies need to raise cash, they have a few choices to consider. Borrowing money from a bank in a traditional loan is always an option, but the bank gets to set the terms of the loan. The company could hold a stock offering and...
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Investing in Stocks for Beginners
If you spend enough time watching financial news media, you may begin to feel like the stock market is one of the major pro sports in America. Stock prices flash on the screen like football scores, analysts discuss their favorite...
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Five Estate Planning Mistakes to Avoid
Estate planning can be a complicated process, made all the more difficult by the fact that once we’re gone, we can no longer amend the instructions we leave to our loved ones. Bad investments can be sold and bad loans can be...
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Four Common Estate Planning Documents
Estate planning is an important aspect of your financial plan, but there are often many questions surrounding it—how do I get my affairs in order? Who will disperse my assets once I’ve passed? How do I ensure my wishes are...
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How to Set SMART Financial Goals & What to Do If You Fall Behind
No financial plan will be successful without actionable goals. When managing your personal finances, it’s important to have a goal-oriented mindset—what are your financial objectives? How will you achieve them? And how long...
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Value vs Growth Stocks: What’s Right for You?
One of the oldest debates in the history of investing is the value vs growth argument. Each has had their period in the sun—value stocks outperformed in the time leading up to the Great Recession, but growth stocks (especially in...
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Why Work with a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional?
A financial advisor can help clients navigate a number of different monetary situations, but choosing the best suited advisor for you can be tedious and nerve-wracking. How do you know which type of advisor is ideal for your financial...
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How to Choose a Financial Advisor
Choosing the proper financial advisor is an important consideration for anyone who seeks to maximize their wealth. As is often the case with important matters, paralysis by analysis can rear its ugly head. While there are a wide array...
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Diversification, Correlation, & Investment Risk Reduction
We’ve all heard the old adage, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” which is a great way to think about diversification. But what does diversification actually mean, and is it right for you? What about the...
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Managing the Impact of Emotions on Financial Decisions
Few topics make the average American more uncomfortable than discussing money and finances. Despite the fact that everyone deals with the stress of financial decision making, talking about money remains taboo amongst most friends and...
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How are Volatility and Risk Related in an Investment?
The stock market has seen an incredible run of volatile trading since the coronavirus pandemic began to take hold in the United States. In the month of March alone, the S&P 500 fell more than 30% and featured several trading sessions...
Read MoreMay 18, 2020 - Powell Somber on Recovery
The Week on Wall StreetStocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%,...
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The Ugly Side of Investing: Understanding Investment Risk
Risk is a part of life. When you cross the street, you risk getting hit by a car. When you enter into a romantic relationship, you risk having your heart broken. And when you invest your money, you risk losing some or even all of that...
Read MoreApril 6, 2020 - Special Update: Quarterly Report
The Week on Wall StreetModest declines in stock prices this week masked the volatile inter- and intraday price swings as investors digested poor economic data and a warning from the president that the worst days of the COVID-19...
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Essential Social Security Planning Strategies
Part of what makes Social Security planning so difficult is that what’s right for one person often isn’t right for another. Plus, finding reliable advice isn’t always easy. Social Security Administration (SSA)...
Read MoreMarch 23, 2020 - More Coronavirus Volatility
The Week on Wall StreetThe stock market suffered through another volatile week as it wrestled with the health and economic fallout of the domestic spread of the coronavirus. Swift and decisive actions by the Federal Reserve and policy...
Read MoreMarch 16, 2020 - Volatility Continues
The Week on Wall StreetMarkets remained exceptionally volatile, buffeted by the spreading impact of coronavirus, uncertain responses from federal policymakers, and the sudden drop in oil prices.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 10...
Read MoreMarch 9, 2020 - Rallies and Retreats
The Week on Wall StreetHeightened coronavirus fears, falling yields, and Super Tuesday primary results sent stocks on a rollercoaster ride of sharp price swings, leaving stocks marginally higher for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Why Insurance is an Important Part of Your Financial Plan
When people think of financial planning, they usually think investing. While investing is certainly a part of a financial plan, it is hardly the only component. One area that is often overlooked is protection, or risk management, or to...
Read MoreMarch 2, 2020 - The Virus Becomes the Focus
The Week on Wall StreetStocks fell sharply last week as Wall Street considered how the coronavirus outbreak might influence global business activity and household spending.The selloff became a correction for the U.S. markets. The S&P...
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Grappling with the Coronavirus
In your investing lifetime, you may only see a situation like the recent novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a few times. This is a circumstance where complete candor is necessary. The truth is that we can’t yet gauge the full economic...
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2020 - Virus Anxieties Affect Stocks
The Week on Wall StreetTraders paid close attention to coronavirus developments and earnings last week, while wondering how the former might eventually impact the latter. Concern over updated infection numbers moderated risk appetite.A...
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Pros & Cons of Traditional vs Roth 401(k)
The first step toward retirement is to start saving, and the second step is figuring out which accounts are right for you. This is where things can become complicated. There are many different types of retirement savings accounts, and...
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5 Retirement Savings Tips for People in Their 50’s
Your fifties are an age where you could be in many different stages of life—you could be an empty nester, still have young children, or have recently started a new career. No matter what else is going on, one thing everyone in...
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Common Myths about Long-Term Care (LTC)
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of those turning 65 will need long-term care at some point. However, funding long-term care can be incredibly expensive and complex. In recent years, strategies have...
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Top Financial Planning Tips for Young Adults
Most young adults in the United States have received little to no financial education. This fact alongside their struggle with massive amounts of student debt is a recipe for disaster. Plenty of young adults want to improve their...
Read MoreFebruary 18, 2020 - Weekly Gains for Big Benchmarks
The Week on Wall StreetDaily headlines about the coronavirus had little impact on stock market averages last week. Earnings and mergers had more influence. All three Wall Street benchmarks improved. The Nasdaq Composite rose 2.21%,...
Read MoreFebruary 10, 2020 - Stocks Bounce Back
The Week on Wall StreetStocks advanced four days out of five during the past market week, erasing the losses of the week before. The Nasdaq Composite surged 4.04%, the S&P 500 3.17%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average 3.00%. Foreign...
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What to Do with an Inheritance
No matter the size of your inheritance, if you use the money wisely, it can make a major difference in your financial future. But, if you’re not careful, you can end up in the same financial position you started in, or an even...
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No 401(k)? – Know Your Retirement Options
When it comes to retirement savings, a 401(k) is often the first account that comes to mind. And though an employee-sponsored 401(k) does come with many fantastic benefits, it is also far from the only option for those looking to save...
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Six Tips to Build a Successful Investment Portfolio
With so much information out there about finance and investing, it can feel like it requires years of formal education to even understand the basics. Though there is something to be said for working with a professional to handle the...
Read MoreFebruary 3, 2020 - Equities Slip on Virus Concerns
The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks declined for a second straight week as coronavirus news tempered risk appetite.The S&P 500 fell 2.14% on the week. The Nasdaq Composite dipped 1.76%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 2.55%....
Read MoreJanuary 27, 2020 - Stocks End the Week Lower
The Week on Wall StreetStock prices fell last week as investors considered the potential health and economic risks of the flu-like coronavirus.Foreign stock markets, as tracked by the broad MSCI EAFE index, fell 1.03% for the week....
Read MoreJanuary 21, 2020 - Fresh Record Highs
The Week on Wall StreetTraders were in an upbeat mood last week, reacting to news out of Washington: the signing of the phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China as well as the Senate passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement...
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Should You Really Live A Debt-Free Lifestyle?
Between student loans, medical bills, car payments, mortgages, and credit cards, most people in the United States are living with at least some amount of debt. There’s no question that large amounts of debt can increase stress,...
Read MoreJanuary 13, 2020 - Further Gains for Stocks
The Week on Wall StreetThe market had a choppy five days, with traders reacting to geopolitical developments and weaker-than-expected jobs data. Even so, the three major U.S. equity indices posted weekly gains and continued their...
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High Net Worth Financial Planning Strategies
Just like everyone else, high net worth individuals must deal with taxes, estate planning, and managing investments. The difference is that high net worth individuals usually handle more complexity within each of these areas. Plus,...
Read MoreJanuary 6, 2020 - Concerns About Oil
The Week on Wall Street Stocks descended from record highs Friday, as traders reacted to a U.S. drone strike that killed Iran's top military officer. Oil prices rose more than 3% following the breaking news.[1] Wall Street benchmarks...
Read MoreDecember 30, 2019 - The Year in Review
What Drove the Markets? Four factors influenced investment performance in 2019: a shift in U.S. monetary policy, the ongoing trade dispute between the U.S. and China, earnings, and the economy. Stocks reached record highs in 2019. The...
Read MoreDecember 16, 2019 - Phase-One Trade Deal Reached
The Week on Wall Street The U.S. and China announced a limited trade agreement last week. That news lifted U.S. and foreign stocks, leading to weekly gains. Advancing 0.91% on the week, the Nasdaq Composite outperformed the S&P 500...
Read MoreDecember 9, 2019 - Stocks Ride Out a Choppy Week
The Week on Wall Street Key Wall Street benchmarks were up and down last week – or rather down and then up. A Tuesday retreat was offset by a Friday rally spurred by the Department of Labor’s November jobs report. While the S&P 500...
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How to Pay Off Your Home Mortgage Early
Buying a home is likely the largest financial decision you’ll ever make, which means figuring out how to pay for it is incredibly important. The majority of people have to take out a loan (a mortgage) in order to buy a home. But...
Read MoreDecember 2, 2019 - November Concludes With Gains
The Week on Wall Street As November wrapped up, U.S. equity benchmarks advanced. Stocks were again aided by a sense of optimism that a preliminary U.S.-China trade deal could be near. For the week, the Nasdaq Composite added 1.87%;...
Read MoreNovember 25, 2019 - Major Indices Move Lower
The Week on Wall Street Stocks declined last week as mixed signals emerged about the progress of U.S.-China trade negotiations. The three major Wall Street benchmarks all took weekly losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0...
Read MoreNovember 18, 2019 - A New Dow Milestone
The Week on Wall StreetStock benchmarks were little changed for much of last week, but a rally occurred Friday after news broke that the U.S. and China could be closing in on the first phase of a new trade pact. At Friday's close, the...
Read MoreNovember 11, 2019 - Dow, S&P 500 Extend Win Streaks
The Week on Wall Street Domestic and international stocks rose last week. Risk appetite outweighed concerns about the state of U.S.-China trade discussions. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nasdaq Composite, S&P 500, and MSCI EAFE...
Read MoreNovember 4, 2019 - More Historic Highs
The Week on Wall Street A better-than-forecast jobs report prompted a stock market rally Friday, two days after traders witnessed another interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ended the week...
Read MoreOctober 28, 2019 - S&P 500 Nearly Makes History
The Week on Wall Street The S&P 500 came within 0.1% of a record close Friday. Stocks were lifted last week by positive news on U.S.-China trade negotiations, plus earnings announcements. The Nasdaq Composite posted the largest weekly...
Read MorePros & Cons of Traditional vs Roth 401(k)
The first step toward retirement is to start saving, and the second step is figuring out which accounts are right for you. This is where things can become complicated. There are many different types of retirement savings accounts, and...
Read MoreThe Most Common Personality Traits Found in Successful Business Owners
As an individual, what personality trait would you say defines you? Is it your charisma, or maybe your sense of humor? While each person has a lengthy list of traits that make up their entire personality, there are just a few traits...
Read More3 Ways to Prepare Your Children for Life as an Entrepreneur
If you are a successful entrepreneur, it’s natural to want the same kind of success for your children. It’s important to start early when teaching your kids the value of a dollar, and that’s just the beginning when...
Read MoreHow to Maintain a Healthy Work/Life Balance
As a business owner, you have a lot of free time on your hands. Said no one ever! The truth is, running a business sucks up your time like a Dyson vacuum sucks up dust. Except we’d say a business can steal your time even faster....
Read MoreHow to Travel Well on a Retirement Budget
As a business owner, you understand the importance of budgets. If you’re nearing your retirement years, you likely already have a budget or savings account set up for your travel expenses while in retirement. If that’s true...
Read MoreFund Raising 101: 3 Ideas for Your New Business
Preparing to start a new business can be one of the most exciting times of your life. While coming up with the business plan and clarifying your awesome new idea is often exhilarating, raising the funds for your new venture can...
Read MorePredict the Future: Creating Your Business Budget in 6 Simple Steps
As a business owner, you probably wish you could predict the future. Running a business can be risky at times when you can merely anticipate what’s going to happen in the future of your business. If you could know what’s...
Read MoreHorse Racing and Your Business: How to Know When You Have a Winner
Whether you’re a horse racing fan and follow the top contenders throughout the year, or you just join in on the fun on Derby Day, all of us can agree that the Kentucky Derby is one of the most exciting weekends of the horse...
Read MoreBring on the Barbecues: 3 Tips for Entertaining on a Budget
Apart from the holiday season at the end of the year, summertime is the ultimate entertaining season. With high school and college graduation, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, and the occasional barbeque just because, you will have...
Read More4 Benefits of Hosting a Yard Sale
It’s yard sale season! As homeowners dust off forgotten shelves and sift through attics in their attempts to spring clean the house, they may be realizing they have some unnecessary items. Instead of tossing everything in a box...
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