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What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...

Monday, May 11, 2026

Stocks rose last week as peace talks picked up while investors cheered better-than-expected economic news and Q1 corporate results. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.33 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 4.51...

Monday, May 4, 2026

Stocks advanced last week as investors moved past stalled progress in Middle East peace talks and refocused on corporate earnings. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.91 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 1.12...

Monday, April 27, 2026

Stocks were mixed last week as investors gauged potential outcomes of the Middle East conflict amid an ongoing ceasefire.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.55 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 1.50 percent. By...

Monday, April 20, 2026

Stocks rallied last week as investor enthusiasm built for an end to the war in the Middle East and hopes of a resumption of normal global trade. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 4.54 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked...

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Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?” That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall...

Monday, April 13, 2026

Hope won out over fear last week as investors set their sights on a Middle East ceasefire holding and optimistic prospects for the Strait of Hormuz reopening.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.56 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite...

Monday, April 6, 2026

Stocks rose over the short trading week on fresh hopes for a quick end to the Middle East conflict, while March job growth was unexpectedly strong.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 3.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...

Thursday, April 2, 2026

If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high? Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...

Monday, March 30, 2026

Stocks ended a challenging week lower as investors' attention shifted from updates on ceasefire talks to concerns about the economic impact of a protracted conflict.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 2.12 percent, while the Nasdaq...

Monday, March 23, 2026

Another volatile week unfolded as rapid developments in the Middle East and public comments from leaders on the conflict see-sawed markets, leaving investors struggling to keep up with updates.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 1.89...

Monday, March 23, 2026

Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...

Monday, March 16, 2026

Stocks logged a third-straight down week as investors digested the latest news out of the Middle East, navigated more volatility, and mulled the latest economic data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.60 percent, while the...

Monday, March 9, 2026

Stocks fell last week as investors assessed the implications of a fresh Middle East conflict while digesting mixed reports on the jobs market.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.02 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 1.24...

Monday, March 2, 2026

Stocks fell last week amid concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) and a warmer-than-expected reading of wholesale inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.44 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 0.95 percent...

Monday, March 2, 2026

Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...

Monday, February 23, 2026

Stocks ended a choppy four-session run in the green, with tech-led momentum earlier in the week prevailing over news of a slowing economy, sticky inflation, and geopolitical tensions.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.07...

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to mixed economic data and concerns over signs of broadening AI disruption of business models.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.39 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.10...

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing...

Monday, February 9, 2026

Stocks were mixed last week, with broad gains on Monday and Friday bookending midweek selling pressure as investors digested earnings results from more than 100 S&P 500 companies.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ended the week roughly...

Monday, February 2, 2026

Stocks were mixed last week as investors navigated Q4 corporate results, a widely expected Fed decision, and a handful of economic reports.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.34 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged down 0...

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...

Monday, January 26, 2026

Markets ended a short but eventful week slightly lower amid geopolitical tensions and fresh tariff threats. However, constructive economic news appeared to buoy spirits as the week progressed.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.35...

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Stocks ended last week with modest losses after a volatile five days of market-moving economic data, geopolitics, and Fed drama.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 0.38 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index skidded 0.66 percent....

Monday, January 12, 2026

Stocks posted solid gains in an action-packed week of market-moving economic data, geopolitical news, and bullish new year sentiment.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.57 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.88...

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals. 2025 was a year marked by...

Monday, January 5, 2026

Stocks trended lower last week amid signs of year-end profit-taking and some sour investor sentiment over the Fed meeting minutes.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.03 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 1.52 percent....

Monday, December 22, 2025

Stocks posted a slight gain last week as mixed jobs data triggered some selling pressure before a cooling inflation report helped stocks recover.The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index inched ahead 0.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite...

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...

Monday, December 15, 2025

Stocks ended last week mixed. A widely anticipated Federal Reserve decision on interest rates and a rotation into non-tech areas helped push the Dow Industrials higher, while the broader market and technology stocks lagged behind. The...

Monday, December 8, 2025

Stock prices pushed higher last week, notching multiple records along the way as employment and inflation data took center stage in anticipation of the Fed’s upcoming meeting. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.31 percent, while...

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Key Takeaways A third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December. Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...

Monday, December 1, 2025

Stocks pushed higher over the holiday week as investors' hopes for a Fed rate adjustment drove bullish sentiment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.73 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rallied 4.91 percent. The Dow Jones...

Monday, November 24, 2025

Heightened volatility was on Wall Street’s mind last week, as investors continued to focus on valuations of artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.95 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...

Monday, November 17, 2025

Stocks ended mixed after a nail-biting week for investors, who grew anxious over megacap tech valuations and interest rates as the government shutdown came to an end. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged up 0.08 percent, while the...

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Key Takeaways Caring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a...

Monday, November 10, 2025

Stocks hit a rough patch last week as fresh labor market data, low consumer sentiment, and the ongoing government shutdown unnerved investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.63 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Key Takeaways Year-end holidays may be a good time to initiate a discussion about financial matters that may impact your family. If you have adult children, you may want to discuss your financial situation, estate strategy, and legal...

Monday, November 3, 2025

Stocks rose last week as trade developments, positive Q3 corporate results, and momentum in megacap tech drove another rally, despite some cautious comments from the Fed. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.71 percent, while the...

Monday, October 27, 2025

Stocks rose last week thanks to a full slate of upbeat third-quarter corporate results and mild inflation data, which helped soften concerns over trade tensions with China. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.92 percent, while...

Monday, October 20, 2025

Stocks pushed higher last week, buoyed by strong third-quarter results posted by several money center banks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.70 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 2.14 percent. The Dow Jones...

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Receiving a bonus, inheritance, or an increase in income often prompts a key financial question: Should I use this money to pay off my mortgage, or invest it? At first glance, the answer might seem simple. But in reality, it requires...

Monday, October 13, 2025

Stocks fell last week amid concerns about trade with China, following an unsteady rally to record highs over the first half of the week. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.53...

Monday, October 6, 2025

Stocks rose last week, looking past the government shutdown and apparently discounting any impact it may have on the economy. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index moved up 1.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.32 percent....

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re...

Monday, September 29, 2025

Stocks fell last week, buffeted by concerns about stock price valuations and a possible government shutdown. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 0.31 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 0.65 percent. The Dow Jones...

Monday, September 22, 2025

Stocks posted solid gains last week, propelled by the Fed’s decision to cut short-term interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.22 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index climbed 2.21 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Thursday, September 18, 2025

The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...

Monday, September 15, 2025

Stocks posted a solid gain last week, riding a rally in megacap tech stocks while overcoming interest rate anxiety, a downward revision to jobs data, and mixed inflation reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.59 percent,...

Monday, September 8, 2025

Stocks made gains last week, even as megacap tech gains outweighed economic concerns. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.33 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 1.14 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Stocks ended the week slightly lower as mixed economic data led to some profit-taking by investors ahead of the holiday weekend. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index edged down 0.10 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.19...

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime....

Monday, August 25, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week despite a powerful Friday rally sparked by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who opened the door to adjusting short-term interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index picked up 0.27 percent while the...

Monday, August 18, 2025

Stocks rose last week despite mixed signals on inflation as investors kept one eye on the Fed’s September meeting. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.81 percent. The Dow...

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the last five years, and failing to comply with the new requirements may result in IRS penalties. These changes affect people inheriting IRAs and those looking to leave retirement...

Monday, August 11, 2025

Stocks rebounded last week as investor optimism for a September rate adjustment and strong Q2 corporate results overcame the rollout of fresh tariffs. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.43 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index...

Monday, August 4, 2025

How Reliable is Government Data? Creating a Balanced Economic Picture For investors trying to understand the economy, recent reports have provided mixed signals, even leading President Trump to fire the Bureau of Labor Statistics...

Monday, August 4, 2025

Stocks fell last week as investors assessed progress on trade negotiations, new U.S. tariffs, and fresh data on the U.S. economy. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 2.17...

Monday, July 28, 2025

Expectation-beating Q2 results from several companies, trade updates, and investor optimism for more trade agreements pushed market averages to solid gains. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 1.46 percent, while the Nasdaq...

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Compensation is more than just a number on a paycheck. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, preparing for a promotion, or evaluating your current benefits, it’s important to understand the full value of your total...

Monday, July 21, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week, battling through tariff talk while responding to upbeat quarterly corporate reports and a trove of updates on the economy. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 0.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite...

Monday, July 14, 2025

Stocks were slightly lower last week, while looking past news of fresh U.S. tariffs on nearly two dozen countries. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.31 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index edged lower by 0.08 percent. The...

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

While you may follow the various stock indexes on the nightly business news, how much do you know about their histories, how they work, and why they're important? We pulled together some information and interesting facts about some of...

Monday, July 7, 2025

Trade developments and continued momentum pushed all three major averages to modest gains again for a shortened holiday trading week. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.72 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 1.62...

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

President Dwight Eisenhower is often quoted as saying “what is important is seldom urgent and what is urgent is seldom important.” This perfectly captures the challenges many investors face, since it often feels as if every breaking...

Monday, June 30, 2025

Stocks staged a broad-based rally last week on investors’ hopes for a lasting Middle East ceasefire, hitting fresh record highs along the way. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.44 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 4...

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

You’ve likely spent years building your retirement nest egg—saving diligently, investing wisely, and contributing to retirement accounts along the way. But transitioning from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings can feel...

Monday, June 23, 2025

Stocks were mixed during the holiday-shortened trading week as uncertainty over conflict in the Middle East weighed on investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped by 0.15 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose by 0.21...

Monday, June 16, 2025

Stocks fell last week as an up-and-down mix of trade progress and anxiety, economic news, and geopolitical tensions netted out. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 0.39 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slipped 0.63 percent....

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Despite those who say the conventional wisdom that has guided investor actions over the years is no longer valid in 2025, remember the famous quote from legendary investor Sir John Templeton: "The four most dangerous words in investing...

Monday, June 2, 2025

Stocks advanced over the short trading week, bolstered by a possible trade deal with the European Union (EU) and an upbeat corporate report from a mega-cap tech company that creates semiconductors used in the creation of artificial...

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Stocks moved lower last week as fiscal fears and fresh tariff threats loomed over market sentiment. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.61 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.47 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

It’s graduation season—a time of celebration and new beginnings. For families with college seniors, this time can bring both excitement and uncertainty. While some graduates have jobs lined up, many others still are navigating job...

Monday, May 19, 2025

Stocks roared higher last week, powered by upbeat trade news and tame inflation reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index spiked 7.15 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 3...

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

As summer approaches, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting on a pristine beach, fishing in a mountain lake, or playing the back nine between pickleball matches,...

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

The newly announced trade arrangement between the United States and China substantially reduces the tariffs that have created market volatility since early April. This 90-day agreement decreases U.S. tariff rates on Chinese imports...

Monday, May 12, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week as volatility dropped despite ongoing trade concerns and the Federal Reserve's update on short-term rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.16 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0...

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

A key principle of investing is that patience, discipline, and maintaining a long-term perspective are what drive financial success. Perhaps no investor has captured this wisdom as eloquently as Warren Buffett over his five-decade...

Monday, May 5, 2025

Stocks pushed higher last week as investors cheered the White House’s constructive comments on trade, upbeat Q1 corporate reports, and an encouraging jobs report. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 2.92 percent, while the Nasdaq...

Monday, April 28, 2025

Stocks pushed higher last week, spurred by the White House's reassuring comments that progress was being made with trade talks. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 4.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 6.73...

Monday, April 28, 2025

Just like in the stock market, greater uncertainty has led to swings in the bond market. These moves, driven by tariffs and a dispute between the White House and the Fed, have pushed interest rates and bond yields higher. While...

Monday, April 21, 2025

U.S. stocks slipped over the shortened trading week as Q1 corporate reports started to roll in. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 1.50 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 2.62 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

4/16 From College Acceptances to Affordability: Considerations for Families in the Final Stretch April is a pivotal time in the college admissions process. After years of preparation, saving, and investing—not to mention the countless...

Monday, April 14, 2025

Stocks ended the week with a strong gain as traders continued to focus on tariff talks while appearing to overlook upbeat news on inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 5.70 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 7...

Monday, April 7, 2025

Stocks fell broadly last week as domestic and foreign markets reacted to the White House’s tariffs. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 9.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index fell 10.02 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

4/1 Spring Into Financial Wellness: Actionable Steps for Financial Literacy Month April isn’t just about filing taxes—it’s also Financial Literacy Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on your financial habits, expand your knowledge,...

Monday, March 31, 2025

Stocks moved lower last week as investors swung from exuberance to disappointment on news over tariffs and inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.53 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index retreated 2.59 percent. The Dow...

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a thoughtful estate strategy that outlines your wishes after you are gone. Discussing estate details with your team of professionals is another way to help manage your legacy...

Monday, March 17, 2025

Investors endured another volatile, whipsaw week as ongoing trade talks and White House comments about the economy unsettled investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 2.27 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2...

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

March is Women’s History Month, and according to a recent survey, 49% of women consider themselves to be the chief financial officer of their households, up from 41% in 2021.1 Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider...

Monday, March 10, 2025

Stocks continued their slide through a volatile week. U.S. trade policy drove much of the market’s movement, broadening investors' concerns about economic growth and inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 3.10 percent,...

Monday, March 3, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week as investor concerns over inflation and trade policy combined to produce another volatile trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.95 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.98...

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

You've worked hard throughout your life to build assets to support your retirement. As financial professionals, one of the most critical functions we provide is helping clients determine their retirement income needs and structuring a...

Monday, February 24, 2025

Stocks fell last week as concerns about sticky inflation and the pace of economic growth rattled investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.66 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.51 percent. The Dow Jones...

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Tax season brings a new wave of identity theft risks, with criminals ready to exploit your personal data to file fraudulent tax returns in your name. Imagine the shock of discovering that a criminal beat you to filing your...

Monday, February 10, 2025

Stocks posted modest losses last week as tariff deals, January jobs data, and Q4 corporate reports injected volatility into markets. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.24 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index lost 0.53...

Monday, February 3, 2025

Stocks were mixed last week as investors parsed market-moving news nearly every trading day—from an unsettling AI update to White House news to Q4 corporate reports. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.00 percent while the Nasdaq...

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

DeepSeek and the AI selloff on January 27th: Can DeepSeek AI unseat the high cost of the fastest Nvidia chips and the Capex spending by Hyperscalers such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta?

Monday, January 27, 2025

Stocks rallied last week as investors reacted positively to a handful of better-than-expected corporate earnings reports and developments out of Washington, D.C. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.74 percent, while the Nasdaq...

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

Stocks roared back last week, fueled by upbeat Q4 corporate reports and economic news that stalled inflationary fears. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 2.91 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index advanced 2.45 percent. The Dow...

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Social Security is often misunderstood or underestimated in retirement strategy. However, as financial professionals, we've seen how it can play a crucial role in our clients' overall financial strategy, regardless of their income...

Monday, January 13, 2025

Stocks fell for the second consecutive week as a round of fresh economic data stoked inflationary fears among investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index declined 1.94 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index dropped 2.34 percent. The...

Monday, January 6, 2025

Stocks edged lower last week despite a powerful end-of-week rally. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.48 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index slid 0.51 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.60 percent. The MSCI...

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Looks like New Year's resolutions are still going strong in 2025! A recent Pew survey found that about a third of Americans kicked off the year with at least one resolution, and many people actually went for multiple goals. It's...

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

As we approach the end of 2024, it's an opportune time to reflect on the year's financial developments and consider what 2025 may bring. We believe in understanding both the past and potential future of our economic landscape, which...

Monday, December 16, 2024

Stocks finished the week mixed, bookending losses around midweek gains as investors digested fresh inflation data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.64 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index ticked up 0.34 percent. The Dow...

Friday, December 13, 2024

As you build your legacy, considering how to leverage your charitable contributions can be a fulfilling endeavor. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your...

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

The 2024 market year has given investors numerous reasons to celebrate this holiday season. Markets have shown remarkable resilience despite challenges including Fed policy uncertainty, election-year dynamics, and global tensions. The...

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

As you approach retirement, a critical aspect of your retirement strategy can catch even the most financially savvy individuals off guard: healthcare costs. For decades, you may have enjoyed employer-sponsored health insurance. As...

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

"Our worst misfortunes never happen, and most miseries lie in anticipation," wrote 19th century author Balzac - a sentiment that perfectly describes the investment climate of 2024. Despite widespread fears of recession, market...

Monday, December 9, 2024

Stocks were mixed during the first trading week of December. Technology stocks led, while the widely followed Dow Jones Industrial Average struggled. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index picked up 3.34 percent while the Dow...

Saturday, December 7, 2024

As you build your legacy, considering how to leverage your charitable contributions can be a fulfilling endeavor. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your...

Friday, December 6, 2024

Who is Scott Bessent? While he is the nominee to replace Janet Yellen as the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, unlike a few of the other cabinet nominees, he wasn’t exactly someone with a household name. A former hedge fund manager,...

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

2025 tax brackets

Monday, December 2, 2024

Stocks posted solid gains over a short and busy holiday week as investors parsed fresh economic data, comments on potential future trade policy, and a few Q3 reports from technology companies. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1...

Monday, November 25, 2024

Stocks advanced last week, powering ahead with pre-holiday optimism despite geopolitical tensions and two disappointing Q3 corporate updates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.68 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gained 1...

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Financial professionals typically have a year-round focus on monetary goals and wealth management strategies. However, we also believe that true financial well-being is intrinsically linked to your overall life satisfaction and...

Monday, November 18, 2024

Stocks fell last week as the postelection rally lost momentum amid an inflation uptick and cautious comments from Fed officials. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 2.08 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 3.15 percent...

Monday, November 11, 2024

Stocks surged higher last week, fueled by the Fed’s rate cut decision and post-election enthusiasm as investors looked to future policy impacts of a Republican-controlled Senate and executive branch. (The House of Representatives...

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

America is a generous country. People with diverse backgrounds can unite for a good cause, whether to benefit their local communities or the broader world. As we enter the holiday season, now is a great time to think about your giving...

Monday, November 4, 2024

Stocks slid last week as mixed economic data and strong-but-not-spectacular Q3 corporate reports failed to inspire investors. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.36 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index declined 1.50 percent....

Monday, October 28, 2024

Stocks were mixed last week as fresh economic data points and election-related uncertainty slowed market momentum. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 0.96 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.16 percent. The Dow Jones...

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

As financial professionals, we’ve noticed a trend among our clients: an increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs). To help address some of your questions, we’ve compiled this high-level guide to provide insights into the...

Monday, October 21, 2024

Stocks posted modest gains last week, with quarterly earnings season in full swing and the election on the horizon. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.85 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index rose 0.80 percent. The Dow...

Monday, October 14, 2024

Stocks advanced last week despite mixed inflation data, lurching oil prices, and lingering anxiety about the Middle East. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.13 percent. The Dow Jones...

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Statistics show that nearly 33% of Americans have faced some identity theft attempts in their lives, and experts estimate there is a new case of identity theft every 22 seconds. As financial professionals, one of our primary goals is...

Monday, October 7, 2024

Stocks were essentially unchanged last week as geopolitical tensions added some volatility to an otherwise quiet trading week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (+0.09 percent), while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index ticked up...

Monday, September 30, 2024

Stocks moved higher last week, continuing to build on the momentum generated after the Federal Reserve decided to cut short-term rates by 0.50 percent. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.59 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite...

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

The Federal Reserve's recent decision to cut interest rates by 50 basis points has sent ripples through financial markets. While this move is intended to stimulate economic growth, it may also have implications for various aspects of...

Monday, September 23, 2024

Stocks moved higher last week after the Federal Reserve’s half-point rate cut, bolstered by multiple data points supporting a cooling but still strong economy and decelerating inflation. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 1.36...

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The Impact of Elections on the Markets and Tax Policy With Labor Day behind us, we're in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election race. As we follow the news and parse the most recent polls, some may ask, "How might what...

Monday, September 16, 2024

Stocks rallied last week as investors received better-than-expected consumer and producer inflation data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.60 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 4.02 percent. The Nasdaq...

Monday, September 9, 2024

Stocks fell last week as soft economic data rattled investors focused on the Fed’s next move with interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.93 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index dropped 4.25 percent. The...

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Don’t Be A Victim Of The Retirement Crisis If you think the United States has a retirement crisis, you are not alone. A recent survey found that 79% of working-age Americans believe the same thing. That percentage is up from 67% in...

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

There were mixed results for stocks last week as upbeat economic data and a critical Q2 corporate report shaped the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.24 percent...

Monday, August 26, 2024

Stocks notched a solid gain as dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials boosted the market’s recovery from early August lows. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.45 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite added 1.40 percent. The...

Monday, August 19, 2024

Stocks posted solid gains last week, buoyed by robust economic data and constructive comments from Fed officials. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.93 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 5.29 percent. The Dow Jones...

Thursday, August 15, 2024

In 1999, Bill Gates wrote, “How you gather, manage, and use information will determine whether you win or lose.” Companies looking to be successful in the future should heed these words when making decisions about implementing...

Monday, August 12, 2024

Stocks ended last week with modest losses, masking a volatile five-day trading period that saw investors embrace recession concerns and then dismiss the slow-down talk as speculation as the week progressed. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Monday, August 5, 2024

Stocks fell broadly last week as investors looked past upbeat Fed comments and focused on disappointing corporate reports and weaker-than-expected economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.20 percent, while the Standard &...

Thursday, August 1, 2024

We get regular updates on the Social Security trust fund. In early May, the Social Security Board of Trustees announced that the trust funds had revenue to pay full benefits until 2035. Generally speaking, the headline’s tone is very...

Thursday, August 1, 2024

Sending a child off to college is a major milestone for any family, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or close friend. It’s an exciting time, filled with anticipation and perhaps a bit of trepidation. There’s so much to do, and...

Monday, July 29, 2024

Stocks had a mixed, see-saw week as disappointing corporate reports unsettled investors who appeared to rotate away from some leading groups in favor of other names. The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 0.75 percent. Meanwhile,...

Monday, July 22, 2024

Stocks were under pressure last week as investors appeared to rotate out of mega-cap tech stocks and into areas that may benefit from lower interest rates. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index fell 1.97 percent, while Nasdaq Composite...

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

7/17 Do You Know About the New Filing Requirements for Small Business Owners? If you are a small business owner—or plan to be one—you should be aware of a new reporting requirement. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), passed in 2021,...

Monday, July 15, 2024

Stocks advanced last week as market leadership shifted amid fresh inflation data and quarterly corporate reports starting to roll in. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 0.87 percent, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average picked...

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

7/10 Ten Common Estate Strategy Mistakes You Should Avoid Legacy preparation can play a key role in any financial strategy. Legacy management lets you consider what happens to everything you’ve accumulated—and may continue to...

Monday, July 8, 2024

Stocks steadily advanced over the holiday week thanks to strength in mega-cap tech issues and encouraging jobs data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.95 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 3.50 percent. The Dow Jones...

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Stocks finished the last week of June and Q2 mixed as investors digested a fresh round of economic data. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slipped 0.08%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average also dipped 0.08 percent. The tech-heavy...

Monday, June 24, 2024

Stocks edged higher over the four trading days last week, with the three major averages taking turns leading based on various economic and artificial intelligence (AI) news. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.45 percent–its best...

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Livingston Financial in Mooresville NC reviewing markets in June.

Friday, June 14, 2024

6/14 Financial Wedding Tips for a Memorable “I Do” As we enter the traditional wedding month of June, we wanted to explore the range of expenses that can be related to this special event. The average US wedding costs $35,0001 According...

Monday, June 10, 2024

June 10th Weekly Market Report from Peter Livingston of Livingston Financial in Mooresville NC

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

Stocks edged lower in the final week of May as fresh news on economic growth and inflation failed to inspire investors. Stocks Slide Markets shrugged off news that the Q1 Gross Domestic Product was revised lower to 1.3 percent from...

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

6/4 The Evolving Relationship Between Stocks and Bonds Sir John Templeton once said, “The four most expensive words in investing are: ‘This time it’s different.'” And normally, we would agree. But the phrase “This time it’s different”...

Monday, May 20, 2024

Stocks notched a solid gain last week in a mega-cap, tech-led rally bolstered by positive inflation news. Dow 40,000 The week began quietly as market averages traded in a tight range, awaiting fresh inflation news. On Tuesday, markets...

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Earnings as a Leading Indicator Earnings as a Leading Indicator Forward Earnings Guidance: Companies in the S&P 500 often provide earnings guidance, which analysts and investors use to form expectations about future profitability....

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

As we inch closer to the second half of 2024, I’ll give you three reasons to be optimistic about the outlook for the financial markets. We have an election on the horizon, so you’ll likely hear mixed messages about the economy’s...

Monday, May 13, 2024

Stocks notched a solid gain last week as rate-cut expectations paced the rally as the Q1 earnings season wound down. Stocks Climb Steadily Monday opened with stocks picking up where they left off the prior Friday. Stocks were still...

Monday, May 13, 2024

Adjusting to retirement: Moving to a new area such as Mooresville, NC or Lake Norman, Give Yourself Time to Adjust, Reignite Old Hobbies, Discover New Ones, Get Physical (And Mental) Build Your Social Network, Embrace a Positive Mindset.

Monday, May 13, 2024

Warren Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha,” held court at the annual Berkshire Hathaway meeting in early May. Few events on the American business calendar are so hotly anticipated, and there is no hotter ticket in Nebraska- perhaps the...

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

Stocks notched a solid gain last week, rallying behind upbeat earnings, a dovish Fed, and mixed economic data. Stocks Pop, Drop, Then Rally Markets began the week with an upward bump as positive news from some mega-cap tech companies...

Wednesday, May 1, 2024

I don’t know about you, but every time I see headlines that say, “Top 10 Reasons” or “How Much Do You Need,” I click on it. So when I saw the CNBC article, “You’ll need at least $1 million to retire comfortably in these 10 U.S. States...

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

Your 50th birthday is a big one! Please consider a move that other savvy investors like you are making at this time: Retirement Account Catch-Up Contributions. What are Catch-Up Contributions? When U.S. taxpayers reach the age of 50,...

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

I don’t know about you, but every time I see headlines that say, “Top 10 Reasons” or “How Much Do You Need,” I click on it. So when I saw the CNBC article, “You’ll need at least $1 million to retire comfortably in these 10 U.S. States...

Monday, April 29, 2024

Stocks staged a choppy comeback last week as investors cheered positive earnings, led by mega-cap tech stocks. The rally came to pass despite fresh data showing a slowing economy and increasing inflationary pressures. Stocks Bounce...

Monday, April 22, 2024

Stocks fell for a third straight week, as Fed Chair Jerome Powell's mixed but upbeat message could not offset the anxiety caused by the Middle East conflict. Stocks Retreat Markets began the week rattled by further escalation in the...

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Let's start this email with the conclusion: Stick with your investment strategy, and don’t let outside influences like the Fed get in your way. Following the Fed these days is like watching an endless point in a tennis match. The...

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Stocks fell last week as investors sorted through conflicting inflation reports and assessed geopolitical tensions. Inflation Spooks Markets On Wednesday, the March Consumer Price Index (CPI) report rattled markets, revealing that...

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Stocks were narrowly higher for the week as investors digested mixed economic news about consumer confidence. All three of the major averages posted gains for Q1 2024. Stocks Finish Strong Markets slipped for the first half of the...

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

I recently read that 47 percent of parents provide their adult children with financial support. Termed "parental patronage" by many, some parents even contribute more to their adult children than they do to their retirement accounts....

Monday, March 25, 2024

Stocks posted their best week of the year, sparked by news that the dovish Fed decided to keep rates steady and signaled three rate cuts were still possible this year. Stocks Bounce Back As widely expected, the Fed left rates...

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Tax season is upon us when we reconcile our dues with Uncle Sam. However, it's also a period when some unscrupulous individuals exploit this necessity, conducting scams to defraud unsuspecting taxpayers. In this digital age, tax scams...

Monday, March 18, 2024

Stocks fell for the second straight week on inflation concerns despite a report on consumer prices that was initially well received by investors. Stocks Slide Tuesday was the only bright spot during the week as stock prices rose after...

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Treasuries : Who’s Buying and Why it Matters | Weekly Market Commentary | February 20, 2024 LPL Research examines the Treasury market to discover who is buying Treasury securities in the absence of the Fed and why it’s...

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Stocks fell last week as investors reacted to disappointing inflation updates and other economic reports that fell short of estimates. Stocks Snap Winning Streak Markets were quiet Monday but opened lower Tuesday in response to the...

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Sir John Templeton once said, "The four most expensive words in investing are: ‘This time it’s different."1 And normally, I would agree. But it seems like the phrase, "This time it’s different," may actually apply to...

Wednesday, February 14, 2024

The time following Valentine's Day has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel and...

Monday, February 12, 2024

The stock market experienced solid gains last week, concluding the trading week on a positive note, thanks to robust corporate reports and favorable inflation news; this propelled the S&P 500 Index to achieve a new record high at the...

Saturday, February 10, 2024

As the much-anticipated Super Bowl LVIII draws nearer, I thought sharing some fascinating details about the big event that will have us all on the edge of our seats would be interesting. Let's huddle up and review the stats that make...

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Stocks pushed higher last week as investors cheered mega-cap tech corporate reports and a better-than-expected employment report. Stocks at New Highs At the beginning of the week, stocks surged, anticipating fourth-quarter corporate...

Monday, January 29, 2024

Monday, January 29, 2024

Is Too Much Optimism Priced In? | Weekly Market Commentary | January 29, 2024 LPL Research discuss several different stock valuation approaches and even make the case that they aren’t as pricey as they look. READ MORE Tracking...

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Time's Person of the Year, Taylor Swift, is shaking off economic downturns and hitting high notes not just on stage but in the U.S. economy, too. The pop sensation's impressive impact extends beyond her record-breaking music, reaching...

Monday, January 15, 2024

Social Security plays an important role in your retirement strategy. But, don’t forget,  the amount you’ll receive depends on the age at which you file. You can start claiming benefits as early as 62, but for each...

Monday, January 1, 2024

Outlook 2024 | A Turning Point | December 12, 2023 The LPL Research team provides insight and analysis into 2024's opportunities, challenges, and potential surprises. READ MORE Tracking #495270 (Exp. 12/24)

Monday, January 1, 2024

The Internal Revenue Service recently released updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2024 tax year. While these taxes are not due for some time, it may benefit you to start...

Monday, October 16, 2023

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment beginning soon, there are a few questions you may want to ask before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you changed or added...

Saturday, October 14, 2023

The Fed’s ongoing pledge of “higher interest rates for longer” has rattled financial markets and raised the cost of everything from mortgages to credit cards. Now adding to tensions are the recent events in the...

Saturday, October 14, 2023

The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024. This adjustment means the average Social Security retiree beneficiary will see their monthly check increase by about $57 to $1,849,...

Thursday, October 5, 2023

If you're a fan of Warren Buffett, you'll recognize this quote: "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." In recent weeks, the investing outlook has become a bit murky, which has led some people to let...

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Rising bond yields and government shutdown fears left stocks in mostly negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.34%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.74%. The Nasdaq Composite index was...

Monday, September 18, 2023

Have you ever heard the expression, “It’s a headline risk for the markets?” Headline risk is the chance that an unsettling news event–anticipated or a surprise–can add volatility to the financial markets....

Monday, September 18, 2023

Stocks ended the week roughly where they began as investors digested a mixed set of new economic data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.12%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell...

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

Falling bond yields–spurred by weak economic data–helped lift stocks to weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 1.43%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 2.50%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

The stock market rebound has significantly increased the number of workers with $1 million or more in their workplace retirement accounts. According to Fidelity Investments, employees with 401(k) balances exceeding $1 million rose 26...

Monday, August 28, 2023

Stocks fluctuated last week, jostled by fitful bond yields and headline news, before ending strongly following Fed Chair Powell’s comments on the monetary outlook. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.45%, while the...

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Nobody ever said you have to like a pullback in stock prices. But it's critical to understand 1) why they happen and 2) why they are challenging. A pullback is considered a moderate drop in prices from recent peaks that occur within a...

Monday, August 21, 2023

As we approach the back-to-school season, I wanted to discuss an important topic that might be on your mind: the cost of education. Whether you have children or grandchildren preparing for college or considering furthering your...

Monday, August 21, 2023

Stocks extended their August declines last week as higher yields and weak economic data out of China soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 2.21%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.11%. The...

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Wall Street is slowly starting to talk about an “expansion economy” and forgetting about any recession fears. July’s consumer inflation report was soft, so attention will soon shift to gross domestic product in the...

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Positive inflation data failed to lift stocks from their August doldrums last week as economic data and a ratings downgrade soured investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Sunday, August 13, 2023

August is Make a Will Month, a time dedicated to strategizing for the future. You may have seen in the news that Aretha Franklin's loved ones are still caught in a legal battle due to the existence of multiple wills. The lesson from...

Friday, August 11, 2023

Why is August a volatile month? One simple reason: many people are on vacation. And when people are out of the office, the financial markets often see less trading, which can cause big price swings following news events. The Fitch...

Friday, August 11, 2023

Stocks retreated last week as bond yields increased following the Treasury's announcement indicating “a larger-than-expected funding need” and a downgrade in the federal government’s debt rating. The Dow Jones...

Monday, July 31, 2023

You may have heard of the cultural craze that's caused a recent box office boom. Dubbed "Barbenheimer," the odd cinematic pairing of Gretta Gerwig's "Barbie" and Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" is proving to be exactly what tinsel...

Monday, July 31, 2023

A Friday surge pushed stocks solidly into positive territory last week, ignited by cooling in an inflation gauge closely tracked by the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.66%, while the Standard &...

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Is Fed Chair Powell preparing to change his mind? In late June, he said, “A strong majority of (Fed) committee participants expect that it will be appropriate to raise interest rates two or more times by the end of the year....

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Stocks moved to the rhythm of earnings season last week, initially rising on positive earnings surprises and faltering later in the week on key earnings disappointments.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.08%, while the...

Saturday, July 22, 2023

a single will that has been witnessed, notarized, and shared with your loved ones in advance can play a key role in protecting your legacy. Other documents and tools can help, too, depending on your situation.

Friday, July 21, 2023

Also, inflation is tricky, and people can have different experiences with rising prices depending on their spending habits. So please, contact me if you are concerned about inflation. Reports showing inflation is trending lower are great.

Monday, July 17, 2023

Better-than-expected updates last week on consumer and wholesale price inflation buoyed investor sentiment, driving stocks higher and lower bond yields. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.29%, while the Standard &...

Friday, July 14, 2023

Have you ever wished you could just send me a text instead of having to talk on the phone or email? Your wish has been granted: I now have the capability to text with you!There are a few key points to keep in mind:You can text me at...

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

In advance of 2023, the recession drum beats were so loud it was deafening. Market pundits warned that as the Fed raised interest rates, it was just a matter of time before the economy entered a recession.But it’s July now, and...

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Rising concerns about further rate hikes sent stocks lower to kick off the second half of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 1.16%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Friday, July 7, 2023

As the Fed continues its fight against inflation, one of the more challenging parts of the economy is gauging what's happening in the jobs market.One July report showed the private sector added nearly 500,000 jobs, double the...

Thursday, July 6, 2023

Stocks posted gains for the week to close out a stellar month, aided by positive economic data and reports that all major banks had passed the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.02%,...

Thursday, June 29, 2023

I wanted to take a moment to update you on the potential changes to Social Security benefits for 2024. As I'm sure you know, the Social Security Administration calculates annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) based on the Consumer...

Thursday, June 29, 2023

The U.S. Department of Education has officially announced that student loan payments will resume in October, ending the three-year-long pause that was implemented due to the pandemic.Starting September 1, interest will begin accruing...

Monday, June 26, 2023

Stocks took a breather last week as investors digested the previous week’s surge and the month-to-date solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.67%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 1.39%. The Nasdaq...

Monday, June 26, 2023

Spring is about new beginnings, and that applies to Medicare as well. Whether you are a first-time recipient or looking to update your plan for the year, you can read about some of your coverage here.What screenings does Medicare...

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Estimating Your Retirement Income NeedsYou know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as...

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Monday, January 9, 2023

IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes – but we should also associate December with important Individual...

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Should We Reconsider What “Retirement” Means?The notion that we separate from work in our sixties may have to go. Provided by Peter Livingston An executive transitions into a consulting role at age 62 and stops...

Friday, October 21, 2022

End-of-the-Year Money Moves Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2022. Provided by Peter Livingston What has changed for you in 2022? This year has been as complicated as learning a new dance for...

Monday, October 17, 2022

Managing Probate When Setting Up Your EstateWhat can you do to help your heirs? Provided by Peter Livingston The probate process can be expensive for some estates. Settling an estate through probate can cost you both time and...

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time...

Thursday, September 8, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Should You Prepare to Retire on 80% of Your Income?Examining a long-held retirement assumption. Provided by Peter Livingston A classic retirement preparation rule states that you should retire on 80% of the income you earned...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

5 Retirement Concerns Too Often OverlookedBaby boomers entering their “second acts” should think about these matters. Provided by Peter Livingston  Retirement is undeniably a major life and financial...

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...

Monday, August 1, 2022

What Happens When There Are No Beneficiaries Where do those accounts and policies end up? Provided by Peter Livingston Some accounts have no designated beneficiary. Rarely, the same thing occurs with insurance policies. This...

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Getting Disability Income The facts about applying for SSDI and SSDI benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston If you cannot work due to a disability, you might be eligible for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). These...

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Knowing when it’s the right time to retire can be difficult, especially if you love your job. Even professional athletes have a hard time knowing when to walk away!These athletes thought they were ready for retirement but...

Friday, July 22, 2022

9 Facts About RetirementRetirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of...

Wednesday, July 20, 2022

Whether through inertia or trepidation, investors who put off important investment decisions might consider the admonition offered by motivational speaker Brian Tracy, "Almost any decision is better than no decision at all."This...

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

Creating a Retirement StrategyMost people just invest for the future. You have a chance to do more. Provided by Peter Livingston  Across the country, people are saving for that “someday” called retirement. Someday...

Friday, June 17, 2022

 Rehearsing for Retirement Try living as a “retiree” for a month or two before you commit to leaving your career.  Provided by Peter Livingston Imagine if you could preview your retirement in advance. In...

Wednesday, June 15, 2022

The Behavior Gap and Your Financial Health How might it affect you? Provided by Peter Livingston “It turns out my job was not to find great investments but to help create great investors,” writes Carl Richards,...

Thursday, June 2, 2022

What is an Annuity? What you should know about them. Provided by Peter Livingston Individuals hold about $2.5 trillion in annuity contracts; a tidy sum considering an estimated $12.2 trillion is held in all types of IRAs...

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

How to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury A short guide. Provided by Peter Livingston With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I...

Friday, May 27, 2022

Couples Retiring on the Same PageAgreeing about what you want from retirement is crucial. Provided by Peter Livingston    What does a good retirement look like to you? Does it resemble the retirement that your...

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Roth IRA Conversions What are your choices? What are the benefits?   Provided by Peter Livingston   If you own an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), perhaps you have heard about Roth IRA conversions. Converting your...

Friday, May 13, 2022

Should You Downsize for Retirement? Some retirees save a great deal of money by doing so; others do not.   Provided by Peter Livingston   You want to retire, and you own a large home that is nearly or fully paid off. The kids...

Thursday, May 12, 2022

THE RETIREMENT REALITY CHECK   Little things to keep in mind for life after work.   Presented by Peter Livingston      Decades ago, there was a book entitled What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business...

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Market Update Perhaps nothing summarizes the investor experience better than the old quote that "nothing worth doing is easy." The current market environment, as uncomfortable as it may be, serves as a reminder that staying...

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Are You Retiring Within the Next 5 Years? What to focus on as the transition approaches   Provided by Peter Livingston   You can prepare for the transition years in advance. In doing so, you may be better equipped to manage...

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Why Don’t All Affluent People Become Wealthy? Perception, hesitation, & poor decisions are factors.    Provided by Peter Livingston...

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Major Risks to Family Wealth Protect your family assets for future generations.   Provided by Peter Livingston   All too often, family wealth fails to last. One generation builds a business—or even a fortune— lost...

Friday, March 18, 2022

Getting (Mentally) Ready to Retire Even those who have saved millions must prepare for a lifestyle adjustment.   Provided by Peter Livingston    A successful retirement is not merely measured in financial terms. Even...

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Everything You Need To Know About Rate Hikes Posted by lplresearch   Wednesday, March 16, 2022 Today the Federal Reserve is widely expected to hike rates for the first time since December 2018 and we expect them to kick...

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Essential Financial Figures 2022

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

Roth IRA Conversions What are your choices? What are the benefits?   Provided by Peter Livingston   If you own an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), perhaps you have heard about Roth IRA conversions. Converting your...

Monday, February 28, 2022

Taking Charge of Your Financial Life Delegating responsibilities to others may lead to problems down the road.   Provided by Peter Livingston   When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate...

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

States Are Requiring Retirement Plans Will new mandates solve an old financial problem?   Provided by Peter Livingston   Too many Americans save too little for retirement. This problem has been discussed for decades in all...

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Latest Market Volatility   If you talk to just about any investor lately, they'll tell you that it has been a difficult year in the market.  Putting the recent moves into perspective, it could have been a lot worse...

Friday, February 4, 2022

RMDs Get a Small Reprieve 2022 brings new life expectancy tables.   Provided by Peter Livingston   For the first time in nearly 20 years, the IRS has released updated actuarial or life expectancy tables. Those who take...

Thursday, February 3, 2022

What the Fastest GDP Growth in Decades Means to Investors The economy is growing at a healthy pace as we approach the second anniversary of the pandemic-driven recession. Despite the many challenges facing markets, from inflation...

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Updated Premiums and Deductibles for Medicare Higher than normal.   Provided by Peter Livingston   Medicare’s premiums and deductibles have seen a larger-than-expected rise this year. For example, Medicare Part B...

Monday, January 31, 2022

Retirement Preparation Mistakes Why are they made again and again?   Provided by Peter Livingston Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside...

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

How Investors Can Navigate Market Corrections At the moment, headlines are focused on the stock market correction, especially among technology stocks, that has been building for weeks. The NASDAQ has declined about 15% this year, the...

Friday, January 21, 2022

In this 2021 recap: new coronavirus variants prolong the pandemic, but the economy adapts and maintains its strength; inflation pressure mounts and the Federal Reserve decides to adjust monetary policy; the major U.S. stock indexes hit...

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Peter Livingston - January 2022 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “We contain all the ages we have ever been.” ANNIE LAMOTT HOW MUCH WILL SAVING AN EXTRA $1K EACH...

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Key Financial Data 2022

Monday, January 17, 2022

Outlook for 2022 It’s a new year, full of new possibilities for what may lie ahead.   Provided by Peter Livingston   By any measure, 2021 was a strong year for investors. But what’s in store for 2022? From my...

Friday, January 14, 2022

Much has been written about inflation this year – and no doubt, you have also read an article or two about inflation’s silver lining, the potential for better returns on certain fixed-income investments given the chance of...

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know.   Provided by Peter Livingston   Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes – but we should also associate December with important IRA deadlines....

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Monthly News and Information for Current and Future Retirees Presented by Peter Livingston - DECEMBER 2021 QUOTE OF THE MONTH “Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else.”...

Monday, December 20, 2021

2022 Contribution Limits Is it time to contribute more?   Provided by Peter Livingston   Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new...

Friday, December 17, 2021

Biden Signs Infrastructure Bill The bill will create jobs in many parts of the country.   Provided by Peter Livingston   At the White House on Monday, President Biden signed a $1T bipartisan infrastructure set to enable...

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Is Inflation Peaking? One lesser-known indicator is called the Baltic Dry Index.   Provided by Peter Livingston   You see it in prices at the grocery store and the gas station. You feel it in your monthly budget. So why...

Monday, December 13, 2021

The Power of the Consumer In recent months, consumer confidence has been falling.   Provided by Peter Livingston   A confident consumer can be a powerful ally in an economy. But when the consumer starts to have questions, we...

Friday, December 10, 2021

Powell News Kicks Off Volatile Season? These numbers don’t always represent the full picture.   Provided by Peter Livingston   The holiday season is often a quiet, positive time for the financial markets. The phrase...

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

When Bad News Is Good News A surprising reaction to tapered bond purchases.   Provided by Peter Livingston   Financial markets can be challenging to understand. But when markets enter a “bad news is good news”...

Monday, November 29, 2021

Cash Alternatives for Charitable Giving Thinking about donating? Think of these choices. Provided by Peter Livingston The year is winding down, and you may be thinking of giving. In fact, you may want to explore the different ways in...

Friday, November 26, 2021

Are Capital Gains Taxes Changing? Reach out if you have any concerns about capital gains taxes. Provided by Peter Livingston There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law...

Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Proposed Tax Changes in Congress If passed, the $3.5 trillion Build Back Better Act would alter some federal tax rates. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors are watching the Build Back Better Act. This $3.5 trillion bill, refined...

Monday, November 22, 2021

Gridlock in the Supply Chain The port crisis continues. Provided by Peter Livingston 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....

Friday, November 19, 2021

Estate Taxes May Be Amended Soon What to know about the budget reconciliation bill. Provided by Peter Livingston To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax...

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Tax Changes: What’s In, What’s Out? While some initiatives are left behind, others are seeing renewed interest. Provided by Peter Livingston While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, Congress is...

Monday, November 15, 2021

FANNG is now MAMAA Wise investors take the “big picture” view. Provided by Peter Livingston CNBC’s Mad Money host Jim Cramer created the popular FAANG acronym to denote some of the largest, most powerful companies in...

Friday, November 12, 2021

A look back at 2021 thus far Presented by Peter Livingston The year in brief. 2021 has been a year of economic and business recovery – a recovery tempered by the delta variant of the coronavirus, but a rebound nonetheless....

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Wise Decisions with Retirement in Mind Certain financial & lifestyle choices may lead you toward a better future. Provided by Peter Livingston Some retirees succeed at realizing the life they want; others don’t. Fate aside, it...

Tuesday, November 9, 2021

The Social Security Administration Announces 2022 COLA 5.9% is the biggest COLA increase in decades. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 13, 2021, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially announced that Social Security...

Monday, November 8, 2021

Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment? Enrollment period begins October 15. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare...

Friday, November 5, 2021

Why Today's Inflation Is Unusual and Challenging for Investors Inflation continues to be a hot topic for investors as markets adapt to worsening supply chain disruptions. However, not all inflation is the same and today's environment...

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Why Slower GDP Shouldn't Worry Long-Term Investors The business cycle is advancing despite a number of investor concerns, one quarter after the economy returned to pre-pandemic levels. And while the pace has decelerated, this is normal...

Wednesday, October 27, 2021

Could Custodial IRAs Help Young Adults Buy Homes? Some parents and grandparents have that possibility in mind. Provided by Peter Livingston Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) are for retirement saving, right? Absolutely. Is that...

Monday, October 25, 2021

Making Sense of Seemingly Inconsistent Numbers Wise investors take the “big picture” view. Provided by Peter Livingston It can be incredibly difficult to make sense of data. A report coming from one body may tell you one...

Friday, October 22, 2021

Week of October 18, 2021 How Record Profits Are Fueling the Bull Market The corporate earnings season for the third quarter is already off to a strong start. Investors are watching these reports closely as concerns over supply chain...

Friday, October 22, 2021

The Best, the Brightest, and Inflation The Fed may be ready to alter course. Provided by Peter Livingston If you are feeling a bit confused about the direction of inflation, you’re in good company. Some of the best and brightest...

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

The Underutilized Benefits of a Health Savings Account Tax benefits and new contribution limits. Provided by Peter Livingston Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to...

Monday, October 18, 2021

Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think...

Friday, October 15, 2021

Are Your Taxes Going to Change? Wise investors take the “big picture” view. Provided by Peter Livingston Most likely, you’ve heard what’s brewing in Washington, D.C., called by one of these names. The Build Back...

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Roller-Coaster Week in Washington Investors may find themselves with an uneasy feeling. Provided by Peter Livingston Debates over government debt, taxes, and infrastructure have captured the attention of the nation this week. All eyes...

Monday, October 11, 2021

Fallout from the Chinese Property Market This tumult is not the only area of concern in the Chinese economy. Provided by Peter Livingston There’s a famous saying about a hurricane starting from a butterfly flapping its wings on...

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Fed Rescues September Bond purchases may end entirely by the middle of 2022. Provided by Peter Livingston A funny thing happened in the investment markets the other day. September was living up to its reputation as a volatile month,...

Monday, September 20, 2021

401(k) Millionaires What does this mean for your overall retirement strategy? Provided by Peter Livingston Your workplace retirement account can play a critical role in your overall retirement strategy. However, some have gone further...

Friday, September 17, 2021

The Need for Power of Attorney POAs and other advanced directives are becoming more important. Provided by Peter Livingston The point of the POA. A power of attorney (POA) is a legal instrument that delegates an individual’s...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

The September Effect Investors ending their fiscal year can lead to some market weakness. Provided by Peter Livingston The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53...

Monday, September 13, 2021

FAFSA Simplification Act Learn how legislative changes can help you finance your loved one’s education. Provided by Peter Livingston As a parent or grandparent, you know firsthand the challenges of funding a child’s...

Friday, September 3, 2021

How U.S. Savings Bonds Work How to keep track of your savings bonds’ maturity dates. Provided by Peter Livingston Did you buy U.S. Savings Bonds decades ago? Or did your parents or grandparents purchase them for you? If...

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

The Wall of Worry You've got plenty of choices these days. Provided by Peter Livingston Have you ever heard the Wall Street expression, "markets climb a wall of worry?" It's the idea that financial markets are constantly on edge....

Monday, August 30, 2021

Will Air Travel Problems Persist? How might it affect you? Provided by Peter Livingston The airline industry plotted a course for recovery in 2021, but recent difficulties may have put that plan into a holding pattern. While major...

Friday, August 27, 2021

Mixed Signals on Inflation What to know as markets look forward. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you having a tough time keeping track of inflation's mixed signals? You’re not alone. Consumer prices in July climbed at their...

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Distracted America Consumer habits are changing as we spend more time at home. Provided by Peter Livingston Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and...

Friday, August 20, 2021

Teenage Wage-Land Staffing challenges mean opportunities for teens. Provided by Peter Livingston Summer jobs are a perennial aspect of the American workforce. It’s a time when teenagers are filling out applications and, in many...

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Chinese Markets Under Pressure Regulators impact the Chinese stock market. Provided by Peter Livingston With overseas investments, we remind people that, “international markets carry additional risks, which include differences in...

Monday, August 16, 2021

Direct Indexing An old way to manage a portfolio is getting some new attention. Provided by Peter Livingston “Indexing” is a familiar phrase in investment jargon, and a familiar concept. Money managers structure certain...

Friday, August 13, 2021

The Cost Of A Gold Medal The actual value of the medal. Provided by Peter Livingston The 2020 Tokyo Olympics wrap up with closing ceremonies on August 8, and it’s been an Olympic games like no other. We’ve watched the...

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

The Expanded Child Tax Credit Provided by Peter Livingston The federal government has upgraded its Child Tax Credit. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, there are four notable differences in effect for the 2021 tax year only.1...

Monday, August 2, 2021

A Roaring Start to Earnings Season Favorable forecasts lead analysts to raise their projections for the year ahead. Provided by Peter Livingston Corporate earnings season has begun, and the results are turning heads on Wall Street. Of...

Monday, July 26, 2021

A 6.1% Bump in Social Security? COLA and Social Security. Provided by Peter Livingston The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients. It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast...

Friday, July 23, 2021

Billionaires in Space The business world heads to space. Provided by Peter Livingston It’s long been an aspirational target for entrepreneurs. It literally goes beyond “blue sky,” in terms of location, to a place no...

Wednesday, July 21, 2021

The Quiet Fall in Bond Yields What’s behind the quiet fall in bond yields? Provided by Peter Livingston With all the attention given to inflation, stock prices, and job reports, it’s been easy to overlook the remarkable...

Friday, July 16, 2021

Oil Prices Hit Six-Year High As demand outpaces supply, inflation concerns rise. Provided by Peter Livingston On July 6, oil prices reached a six-year high of $76.98 a barrel. This benchmark came as the Organization of the Petroleum...

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Conducting Your Mid-Year Financial Checkup The midpoint of the year is a great time to review your financial position. Provided by Peter Livingston With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed...

Monday, July 12, 2021

Insurance When You Marry After 40 With people marrying later in life these days, coverage has become even more important. Provided by Peter Livingston When you marry, you buy life insurance. Right? You buy it out of consideration for...

Friday, July 9, 2021

Thinking About Summer Travel Plans This summer presents travel challenges. Provided by Peter Livingston Summertime rouses our desire to hit the road (or the airport) and travel. Here are a few things you’ll want to consider...

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

Economic Lessons from Used-Car Inflation Various factors drive used car prices. Provided by Peter Livingston Inflation is defined as the general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy. The key word is “general...

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

The Fed Acknowledges Inflation As inflation climbs, the Fed reacts. Provided by Peter Livingston At its June meeting, the Federal Reserve confirmed what many of us have suspected for some time: prices are rising. In fact, prices are...

Friday, June 25, 2021

Inflation & the Real Rate of Return Is your money gaining or losing purchasing power? Provided by Peter Livingston The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. It’s the rate of return on your...

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Summer Travel is Back! Summer travel stats show an industry in recovery. Provided by Peter Livingston One of the most anticipated comebacks of 2021 isn’t an athlete, rock star, or movie franchise. It’s summer travel, and it...

Monday, June 21, 2021

FAFSA Simplification Act Learn about how legislative changes can help you finance your loved one’s education. Provided by Peter Livingston As a parent or grandparent, you know firsthand the challenges of funding a child’s...

Friday, June 18, 2021

Are You Ready for the Second Act of the Secure Act? Some potential benefits of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act,...

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

A COLA with Your Social Security? Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase.1 Provided by Peter Livingston If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are...

Monday, June 14, 2021

A Seven-Year High for Gas Prices Things in America are returning to something like a pre-COVID normal. Provided by Peter Livingston Over Memorial Day weekend, gasoline prices hit the highest for this holiday weekend since 2014.1 With...

Friday, June 11, 2021

Tax & Estate Strategies for Married LGBTQ+ Couples In this age of marriage equality, there are new possibilities. Provided by Peter Livingston The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate strategizing...

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Inflation Outlook for 2021 Is the Fed ahead or behind in its monetary policy regarding inflation? Provided by Peter Livingston As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news...

Monday, June 7, 2021

Recovering from COVID Some promising trends emerge. Provided by Peter Livingston With COVID, there were some who believed that progress on this health issue was a necessary precondition to economic recovery. In recent weeks, we have...

Friday, June 4, 2021

The Fed’s Taper Rehearsal The talk is of tapering, and it’s making investors nervous. Provided by Peter Livingston The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) released the minutes of its April meeting last week. The report...

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Inflation Can Be a Scary Word There are compelling reasons to adopt a wait-and-see approach. Provided by Peter Livingston Inflation can be a scary word for people who are retired. It’s code for “prices are going up, but my...

Friday, May 28, 2021

Baseball’s $300 Million Players Even ballplayers prepare for the future. Provided by Peter Livingston The San Diego Padres signed infielder Fernando Tatis, Jr., to a 14-year, $340 million contract roughly one year after the Los...

Wednesday, May 26, 2021

How COVID-19 Caused a “She-Cession” Several women-dominated industries were hit hardest by the pandemic. Provided by Peter Livingston Since the 1980s, unemployment rates have trended higher amongst men than women during a...

Monday, May 24, 2021

Cyberattack, CPI Hit In the Wallet Long lines and closed gas stations in many regions. Provided by Peter Livingston A cyberattack shut down a major gas and energy pipeline supplying the East Coast of the United States for several days....

Friday, May 21, 2021

College Funding Choices Explore the different ways you can help finance the costs of higher education. Provided by Peter Livingston How can you help cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be key for...

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

2021 Retirement Confidence Survey A deep dive into workers' expectations in retirement versus actual income sources. Provided by Peter Livingston Will your retirement dreams match your reality? That's perhaps the most critical question...

Monday, May 17, 2021

Buffett and Powell Talk Inflation The Oracle of Omaha and the Fed Chair seem to be at odds. Provided by Peter Livingston What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different...

Friday, May 14, 2021

Investor Sentiment Is Shifting This year, markets have experienced an odd phenomenon. Provided by Peter Livingston A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for...

Wednesday, May 12, 2021

“Green Shoots” in the Economy Some examples to consider. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors looking for "green shoots" to confirm that the economy is on the mend have seen plenty of examples in recent weeks. Retail...

Monday, May 10, 2021

Debate Starts on Capital Gains Tax What to expect and why. Provided by Peter Livingston Now and again, the price action on Wall Street can surprise even the most seasoned investors. Look no further than when President Biden in late...

Friday, May 7, 2021

What Forces Are Driving the Housing Market? Many hopeful homebuyers are having issues securing a home. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, you may have seen reports that a record-low number of homes are available for...

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

The Call for a Minimum Global Corporate Tax Yellen wants to help the U.S. raise sufficient revenue. Provided by Peter Livingston In a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has called for...

Monday, May 3, 2021

The Whims of Wall Street What to know about shifting market attention, and investor burnout. Provided by Peter Livingston It can be exhausting trying to keep up with the whims of Wall Street. Lately, the financial markets have been...

Friday, April 30, 2021

Are Americans Saving Too Much? American spending habits have taken a clear direction. Provided by Peter Livingston Among the many changes arising from the pandemic, one of the most noticeable was a change in American spending habits. A...

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes – but we should also associate December with important IRA deadlines. This year,...

Monday, April 26, 2021

Life Insurance with Extended-Care Riders As conventional extended-care policies grow costlier, alternatives have emerged. Provided by Peter Livingston The COVID-19 pandemic has changed extended-care policies. While the specific policy...

Friday, April 23, 2021

Inflation Boogeyman What to keep in mind as inflation fears rise. Provided by Peter Livingston Inflation has emerged as one of the top financial concerns for investors as they size up the economy for the rest of the year. According to...

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Paying for the Infrastructure Bill The proposal does not yet include any new taxes on individuals. Provided by Peter Livingston President Joe Biden introduced the much-anticipated American Jobs Plan, which outlines an approach to spend...

Monday, April 19, 2021

Investing During Periods of Inflation What does inflation mean for your investments? Provided by Peter Livingston In August of 2020, the Fed announced that it is willing to allow inflation to run higher than normal in order to support...

Friday, April 16, 2021

Guarding Against Identity Theft Take steps so criminals won’t take vital information from you. Provided by Peter Livingston America is enduring a data breach problem. As many workers traded in the office for remote work, data...

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

It’s All About Bonds Long bond yields may increase for several reasons. Provided by Peter Livingston There’s an old Wall Street maxim that says, “markets climb a wall of worry.” And these days, there’s...

Monday, April 12, 2021

The Economics of MLB Spring Training Play ball! Provided by Peter Livingston Major League Baseball scheduled Opening Day for April 1, but two states have already scored with spring training underway. Every year, spring training divides...

Friday, April 9, 2021

The Shred Party What should you get rid of and hold on to? When and why? Provided by Peter Livingston If a shred party happens to spring up in your area, you may want to mark your calendar. For many years, shred parties, where a...

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Qualified Charitable Distributions A choice for I.R.A. owners who want to reduce taxes linked to I.R.A. distributions. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you have an I.R.A.? As you enter your 70s, you may start to look at that I.R.A. not...

Monday, April 5, 2021

I.R.S. Delays Tax Filing, Payment Deadlines The new deadline is May 17, 2021. Provided by Peter Livingston Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the I.R.S. has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new...

Friday, April 2, 2021

Financial Strategies for Athletes Step One: Find a trusted financial coach; Step Two: Listen to your coach. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you are a professional athlete, a college amateur, or an aspiring Olympian, you probably...

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Makes FSAs a Little More Flexible The act boosts the amount that companies can allow workers to deposit. Provided by Peter Livingston For those with a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), there may...

Monday, March 29, 2021

The Emergence of ESG Investing How generational and societal change is influencing companies and the markets. Provided by Peter Livingston ESG: what does that acronym stand for? Those three letters stand for "Environmental, Social, and...

Friday, March 26, 2021

Volatility Tests Your Mettle Some changes may be unsettling. Provided by Peter Livingston Most people understand that stock prices don't go straight up. But when market volatility increases, the price action can test the mettle of even...

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

The Many Forms of Fixed Income Looking for yield? Treasuries aren’t your only choice. Provided by Peter Livingston You want to draw some income while preserving some of your capital. So, you decide to take a look at fixed-income...

Monday, March 22, 2021

Understanding Extended Care The important question: are you prepared? Provided by Peter Livingston Addressing the potential threat of extended care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are...

Friday, March 19, 2021

PRESENTED BY Peter Livingston This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and the information given has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. This is not intended as a guide for the preparation of tax returns, nor...

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

The New Inherited I.R.A. Rules Do you know what has changed for I.R.A. beneficiaries? Provided by Peter Livingston New inherited I.R.A. rules took effect on January 1, 2020. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement...

Monday, March 15, 2021

Spotlight Shifts to Bonds What to know about interest rates and yields. Provided by Peter Livingston One time-tested principle of investing is, "when bond yields move higher, bond prices tend to move lower." Investors are doing a...

Friday, March 12, 2021

Tax Efficiency in Retirement What role should taxes play in your investment decisions? Provided by Peter Livingston Will you pay higher taxes in retirement? Do you have a 401(k) or a traditional IRA? If so, you will receive income from...

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Changes to Paycheck Protection Information for small business owners to consider. Provided by Peter Livingston On Monday, Feb. 22, the White House announced several changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that went into effect...

Monday, March 8, 2021

Countdown to College Things to consider as a parent of a future college student. Provided by Peter Livingston As a parent, of course you want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the...

Friday, March 5, 2021

Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes After you leave work, what will your life look like? Provided by Peter Livingston How do you picture your future? If you are like many contemplating retirement, your view is likely pragmatic compared...

Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Economic Predictions: What Lies Ahead? Here’s what the financial forecast may have in store. Provided by Peter Livingston It can be easy to overlook the nation’s solid economic fundamentals when the financial media splashes...

Monday, March 1, 2021

Oil Prices on the Move What to know about the recent rally. Provided by Peter Livingston At this time last year, it was still unknown that a deadly global pandemic was on the rise, eventually stalling economic growth and sending crude...

Friday, February 26, 2021

How Soon Might the Stimulus Arrive? A shot in the arm of a different kind. Provided by Peter Livingston While many in the United States are beginning to receive vaccinations and people are starting to foresee a life after COVID-19, it...

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Should You Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage? What to consider. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you considering refinancing your mortgage? Perhaps you want to shorten the term of your home loan. Maybe you have an adjustable-rate...

Monday, February 22, 2021

Retirement Questions That Have Nothing to Do With Money Think about these factors before you leave work for the last time. Provided by Peter Livingston Retirement planning is not entirely financial. Your degree of happiness in your...

Friday, February 19, 2021

2020 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate December with important IRA deadlines. December 31,...

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Will Updated I.R.S. Tables Create an Opportunity for Retirees? Life expectancy table updated for the first time since 2002. Provided by Peter Livingston If you are retired and have reached your seventies, you may have the opportunity...

Monday, February 15, 2021

Earnings Season Gets Underway Quarterly financial reports are here. Provided by Peter Livingston Every few months, you may hear the phrase “earnings season” as you listen to financial news. But what exactly is...

Friday, February 12, 2021

Tax Filing Season Is a Little Later This Year What to know and dates to remember Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) announced that tax season will start a little later than usual. This year the...

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

2021 Off to a Fast Start Market volatility continues into the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues...

Monday, February 8, 2021

Outlook 2021: Bond Prices Information you should know. Provided by Peter Livingston The 10-year Treasury yield has climbed higher since the New Year, which means that some bond prices are dropping. You may have seen the headlines that...

Friday, February 5, 2021

Distributions from Mutual Funds Watch Your December Statements. Provided by Peter Livingston This time of year, you might glance at an account statement and see there has been an adjustment. But there may not be any cause for concern....

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Navigating Your Required Minimum Distribution Understand the IRS’s calculations and tables. Provided by Peter Livingston As much as you would like to, you can’t keep your money in your retirement account forever. These...

Monday, February 1, 2021

Markets & Marriage How your investment strategy is like a long-term partnership. Provided by Peter Livingston Your investment strategy is a lot like a marriage. One day you may feel like everything’s going swimmingly. The next...

Friday, January 29, 2021

529 Plan Contributions In most states, December 31 is an important deadline for parents and grandparents contributing to 529 plans. To qualify for a state tax credit or deduction this year related to your contribution, you may have to...

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Social Security Are you getting your options, right? Can you really get more? Social Security has so many rules and can be super confusing, even for the good folks at a local Social Security office. Consider this interesting situation:...

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

2020 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 15, 2021...

Monday, January 25, 2021

5 Highlights of the New Stimulus Package What the latest round of funding may mean for you. Provided by Peter Livingston After a bit of political posturing in December, the $900 billion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (2021...

Friday, January 22, 2021

It’s Not too Late to Fund Your IRA If you’re like many investors, you’re probably looking for a way to manage your tax bill. One approach to consider is contributing the full amount to your retirement accounts....

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Solo 401(k) plan That’s right, you can have your own 401(k) plan – even if your business consists of just you, or you and your spouse. An Individual 401(k) plan, sometimes referred to SBO 401(k), offers you opportunities...

Monday, January 18, 2021

Financial Wellness Month Time to tune up your financial strategy. Provided by Peter Livingston January is Financial Wellness Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.1 For a financial...

Friday, January 15, 2021

International Wealth Mentality Month Gear your thinking toward wealth. Provided by Peter Livingston January is International Wealth Mentality Month, a time to remind people to make arrangements for their financial strategy.1 For a...

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

2021 Opens With a Bang Market volatility continues into the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston The first week of 2021 has already had many ups and downs. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean that the 2020 issues go...

Monday, January 11, 2021

Retirement Blindspots Some life and financial factors that can sometimes be overlooked. Provided by Peter Livingston We all have our “blue sky” visions of the way retirement should be, yet our futures may unfold in ways we...

Friday, January 8, 2021

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices? Even the most seasoned investors are prone to their influence. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However,...

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Cash Balance Plans Should professional practices look into them? Provided by Peter Livingston In corporate America, pension plans may be fading away. Only 14% of Fortune 500 companies offered them to full-time employees in 2019. In...

Monday, January 4, 2021

Does Main Street Need a Wall Street Strategy? How will the self-employed strategize for retirement? Provided by Peter Livingston As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the...

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Building a Healthy Financial Foundation How many pieces do you have in place? Provided by Peter Livingston When you read about money matters, you will sometimes see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What...

Monday, December 28, 2020

Group Life for a Growing Business? Companies adding employee benefits may want to consider it. Provided by Peter Livingston As companies grow and add employees, they also add employee benefits. Retirement and medical plans can be...

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Coronavirus Vaccines and the Economy Hopeful markets react. Provided by Peter Livingston As the United States sees a rise in cases of COVID-19 across the nation, news of two promising vaccines out of hundreds being tested has offered a...

Monday, December 21, 2020

What Do I Do With All of This Money? Just because it’s a nice problem, doesn’t mean it’s not still a problem. Provided by Peter Livingston Here’s a scenario for you: You pick up what appears to be a lottery...

Friday, December 18, 2020

A look back at 2020 thus far Presented by Peter Livingston The year in brief. The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the global economy, global financial markets, and daily life in 2020. For investors, it was certainly an eventful year....

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Speed Bumps & Headlines Focus on your overall approach during times of short-term volatility. Provided by Peter Livingston As an investor, it can be tempting to get caught up in daily news headlines. Consider how news about the...

Monday, December 14, 2020

Interest Rates and Your Mortgage What you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston With the Federal Reserve keeping interest rates at or near zero, you may wonder about your mortgage. Is it a good time to refinance or even pay off...

Friday, December 11, 2020

Mergers, Acquisitions, & the Markets There’s been a drop in activity. What’s next? Provided by Peter Livingston There hasn’t been much merger and acquisition activity through 2020. This diminished activity comes...

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Managing Drug Costs How can households meet the challenge? Provided by Peter Livingston Are prescription drug costs burdening your finances? Some people find it a challenge to manage the cost of prescription drugs. Americans pay an...

Monday, December 7, 2020

Managing Money as a Couple What are the keys to prepare to grow wealthy together? Provided by Peter Livingston When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your financial life changes—and your approach to managing...

Friday, December 4, 2020

How and When to Sign Up for Medicare Breaking down the enrollment periods and eligibility. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare enrollment is automatic for some. For those receiving Social Security benefits, the coverage starts on the...

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More Numbers to know for the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments...

Monday, November 30, 2020

Long-Term Rates Are Creeping Higher What's fueling the rally? Provided by Peter Livingston With all the election chatter and stock market volatility, it may have been easy to miss the ongoing uptrend in long-term interest rates. The...

Friday, November 27, 2020

Your Year-End Financial Checklist Aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close. Provided by Peter Livingston The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and the goals we want...

Wednesday, November 25, 2020

2021 Limits for IRAs, 401(k)s and More Numbers to know for the new year. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 26, the Treasury Department released the 2021 adjusted figures for retirement account savings. Although these adjustments...

Monday, November 23, 2020

Robo-Advisors vs. Human Financial Professionals If an investor chooses a non-human financial advisor, what price could they end up paying? Provided by Peter Livingston Investors have a choice today that they did not have a decade ago....

Friday, November 20, 2020

Year-End Estate Strategies What you need to know to get ready for the end of the year. Provided by Peter Livingston With one year ending and a new one on the cusp of starting, many people will consider their resolutions—not their...

Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is an excellent time to think...

Monday, November 16, 2020

Election 2020: Biden’s Policy Initiatives Potential proposals and their legislative requirements. Provided by Peter Livingston Now that several major news groups have projected Joe Biden the winner of the presidential...

Friday, November 13, 2020

Is Masters Golf A Bogey Or Hole-In-One Market Predictor? Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog This year’s Masters Golf Tournament teed off Thursday at the Augusta National Course in Georgia. While there will be some familiar...

Friday, November 13, 2020

Election 2020 Wall Street reacts to a potentially divided government. Provided by Peter Livingston After many weeks of telegraphing a long and careful ballot count, this week’s election lived up to that prediction in races for...

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

How Medigap Choices Have Changed What you need to know about Plan F and Plan G. Provided by Peter Livingston As many may recall, seniors who previously enrolled in Medicare are facing some changes. Medigap Plan F might not be sold...

Monday, November 9, 2020

The Social Security Administration Announces 2021 COLA What you should know about the most recent cost-of-living adjustment. Provided by Peter Livingston On October 13, 2020, the Social Security Administration (SSA) officially...

Friday, November 6, 2020

TIPS for Inflation A look at these securities, in light of the Federal Reserve’s new outlook. Provided by Peter Livingston This summer, the Federal Reserve made a key policy shift. It announced that it would focus on promoting...

Wednesday, November 4, 2020

Home Improvements Trending Higher More time at home, more home improvements Provided by Peter Livingston Due to COVID-19, Americans are spending more time at home than ever before, leading to a record amount of spending on home...

Monday, November 2, 2020

Facts About Medicare Open Enrollment How much do you know about the different coverage options? Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s open enrollment period runs from October 15 to December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare...

Friday, October 30, 2020

Election 2020 A Dose of Patience. Provided by Peter Livingston The upcoming election is prompting some people to reconsider their investment strategy. In fact, 45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make...

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Election 2020 Preparing for Any Outcome. Provided by Peter Livingston As the U.S. presidential election draws near, expect to see more and more headlines that propose, "What will happen next if this person is elected?" or, "What policy...

Monday, October 26, 2020

Election 2020 Managing Your Emotions. Provided by Peter Livingston 45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their investments due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election.1 No matter how you...

Friday, October 23, 2020

October Is Financial Planning Month Six areas of personal finance to review. Provided by Peter Livingston When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a...

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

FAFSA Applications Are Now Open Federal Student Aid opportunities are often first-come, first-served. Provided by Peter Livingston Applications for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are now open for the academic year...

Monday, October 19, 2020

Budgeting for Beginners Getting started with you household budget. Provided by Peter Livingston Budgeting towards needs and goals. One of the objectives of creating a household budget is that, as time moves on and the various household...

Friday, October 16, 2020

Election 2020: Economic Issues in the Crosshairs Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston It should come as no surprise to hear the economy is the top issue for voters in the 2020 election. Nearly 8 in ten...

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Ouch: September’s Market Correction Hurt Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston In theory, investors understand that stock market corrections are part of the investing process. But experiencing a...

Monday, October 12, 2020

End-of-the-Year Money Moves Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2020. Provided by Peter Livingston What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did...

Friday, October 9, 2020

Extraordinary Times Mean Extra Federal Debt Federal borrowing has increased due to the coronavirus pandemic. Provided by Peter Livingston America’s debt is now nearly as large as its economy. On September 2, the Congressional...

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Football Is Back America is “ready for football,” while financial professionals are ready for volatility. Provided by Peter Livingston Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and...

Monday, October 5, 2020

Race for a Vaccine Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston A U.S. drug company recently said that it’s in late-stage trials for its coronavirus vaccine and reported that it could be given to Americans as...

Friday, October 2, 2020

Dow 30 Changes Its Starting Lineup What you should know about the change. Provided by Peter Livingston The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), one of the most widely followed stock market indices, has made some key changes to its...

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

When the Fed Talks Inflation, Bond Investors Listen What the Fed’s new policy may mean for you. Provided by Peter Livingston Most recently, you may have read that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced a change in how the...

Monday, September 28, 2020

Home Builders Confident In Economic Rebound Here’s what you need to know about the housing market. Provided by Peter Livingston To some, this may hardly feel like an economy headed for a bright future. But don’t tell that...

Friday, September 25, 2020

Has the Stock Market Rally Left You Behind? Here’s what the recent rally could mean for you. Provided by Peter Livingston Some people in recent weeks may have been feeling that “the stock market seems to be doing so well...

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Why Roth IRA Conversions May Now Be Advantageous Thanks to a couple of factors, some investors are thinking about this move before 2020 ends. Provided by Jamie Hansman Roth IRAs have attracted retirement savers since their introduction...

Monday, September 21, 2020

Conquering Retirement Challenges for Women Looking ahead can help you conquer these unique obstacles. Provided by Peter Livingston When it comes to retirement, some women face obstacles that can make saving for retirement a challenge....

Friday, September 18, 2020

What Are Stock Splits? Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Two high-profile companies—Apple and Tesla—have announced stock splits in the past few weeks, which makes it a great time to discuss...

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Why Regular Rebalancing Makes Sense Your investment portfolio may be off-kilter, and you may not even know it. Provided by Peter Livingston Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick...

Monday, September 14, 2020

Superior Customer Service Why is it so rare? How can we make it the norm? Provided by Peter Livingston The customer experience is one of the keys to business success. In some industries, it can mean the difference between success and...

Friday, September 11, 2020

Taxable Events in Retirement Accounts What triggers a tax liability for an individual or a trust? Provided by Peter Livingston When you distribute, sell, or receive assets from a retirement account, taxes usually follow. It is true for...

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Get Your FAFSA Ready The application window for federal student loans opens on October 1. Provided by Peter Livingston Mark this date on your calendar: October 1. That is the day when current and future traditional college students can...

Monday, September 7, 2020

Is Inflation On The Rise? What to keep in mind regarding the recent CPI numbers.. Provided by Peter Livingston Right now, many Americans are worried about their financial health due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the country. Adding...

Friday, September 4, 2020

Why Medicare Should Be Part of Your Retirement Strategy The premiums and coverages vary, and you must realize the differences. Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare takes a little time to understand. As you approach age 65, familiarize...

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Tax & Estate Strategies Update for Married LGBTQ+ Couples In this age of marriage equality, there are new possibilities. Provided by Peter Livingston The 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision streamlined tax and estate...

Monday, August 31, 2020

A Checklist for When a Spouse or Parent Passes An overview of some of the fundamental steps to take. Provided by Peter Livingston When you lose a spouse, partner, or parent, the grief can be overwhelming. In the midst of that grief,...

Friday, August 28, 2020

How Much Money Will You Need for Retirement? It depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Provided by Jamie Hansman "Will I outlive my retirement money?" That's one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare...

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The Fed’s Year-Long Review Expected in September Changes may be on the way. Provided by Peter Livingston As many of you know, the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee has eight scheduled meetings each year when the seven board...

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

The A, B, C, & D of Medicare Breaking down the basics. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether your 65th birthday is on the horizon or decades away, understanding the different parts of Medicare is critical, as this government-sponsored...

Monday, August 24, 2020

Before You Claim Social Security A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston Determining when to take Social Security benefits is a complicated financial decision. Here are a few...

Thursday, August 20, 2020

A Corporate Trustee Could Be a Smart Choice Trust administration is more difficult than many families presume. Provided by Peter Livingston In an ideal world, managing a family trust would be simple. There would be no stress, no big...

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

The Cost of Medical Care The expense of insuring yourself may be minor compared to the price of surgeries and procedures. Provided by Peter Livingston When uninsured people end up in the hospital, “sticker shock” can follow...

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Will Political Changes Affect the Economy? Election years cause some anxiety. Provided by Peter Livingston With all of the storm and stress of the year 2020, you’d be forgiven if you momentarily forgot that we’re due for...

Monday, August 17, 2020

Financial Strategies for Young Families It’s never too late to start. Provided by Peter Livingston The hardest part is getting started. Even though more than half of U.S. households have some form of investment in the stock...

Thursday, August 13, 2020

The Taxation of Restricted Stock Units What employees need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Is your employer giving you restricted stock units (RSUs)? Here are some details about RSUs, which differ from stock options in both their...

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Keep an Eye on Buying & Selling by Corporate Executives A look at “insider” trading. Provided by Peter Livingston To some, the buying and selling of a company’s stock by corporate officers and directors can be an...

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

The 2020 RMD Income Tax Relief Deadline Is Almost Here Important facts and a date to remember. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you one of the many retirement account holders who took a mandatory distribution this year? If so, you may...

Monday, August 10, 2020

Don’t Overreact In August Understanding summer volatility. Provided by Peter Livingston One of my favorite Wall Street quotes is from Mark Twain, who said: “October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to...

Monday, August 10, 2020

Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen This early financial decision could prove helpful over time. Provided by Peter Livingston Want to give your child or grandchild a great financial start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. There are...

Thursday, August 6, 2020

The I.R.S. Has Enhanced the 2020 RMD Waivers Investors may be eligible to “undo” certain retirement account withdrawals before September. Provided by Peter Livingston In March, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic...

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Should You Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage? Market sees historic lows in mortgage rates. Provided by Peter Livingston On July 16, mortgage giant Freddie Mac announced that the average interest rate for a 30-year home loan had fallen...

Monday, August 3, 2020

Little-Known Homeowners Insurance Facts You may be surprised to learn what is and is not covered. Provided by If you have a homeowners insurance policy, you should be aware of what this insurance does and does not cover. These policies...

Thursday, July 30, 2020

What Is Earnings Season? Financial results are reported each quarter. Provided by Peter Livingston Every few months, you may hear the phrase “we’re entering earnings season” as you read financial news. But what...

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

30-year Home Loans Fall to Historic Lows Investors and homebuyers take note. Provided by Peter Livingston Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020,...

Monday, July 27, 2020

Keep Your Life Insurance When You Retire Some good reasons to retain it. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you need a life insurance policy in retirement? One school of thought says no. The kids are grown, and the need to financially...

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

What is Reg BI? A look at Regulation Best Interest. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, you may have heard that financial industry regulators established a new set of rules designed to guide investors who work with an investment...

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Real-Time Data Recovery Stalled Amid COVID-19 Resurgence Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog We check in again today on some of the real-time economic data that LPL Research is monitoring to provide insight into how the latest...

Monday, July 6, 2020

Labor Market Continues Its Momentum Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Following the massive beat in May nonfarm payrolls, many wondered if last month’s job gains pulled forward hiring ahead of the expiration of the Paycheck...

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

What Determines Car Insurance Rates? Driver history is just one factor; there are many others. Provided by Peter Livingston Your auto insurance premium is based on more than your driving history. The amount you pay for auto insurance...

Monday, June 29, 2020

Why Stocks Can Predict The Next President Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Although the fight against COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines and our thoughts are with those affected, this is an election year and as we get...

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Coupon Clipping for Investment Income Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog What can we learn about investment income opportunities from coupon-clipping environments? From 1977 to 2019, the price of the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate...

Monday, June 22, 2020

Saving Early & Letting Time Work for You The earlier you start pursuing financial goals, the better your outcome may be. Provided by Peter Livingston As a young investor, you have a powerful ally on your side: time. When you start...

Monday, June 15, 2020

Before You Claim Social Security A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you want to leave work at 62, 67, or 72, claiming the retirement benefits you are entitled to by...

Monday, June 15, 2020

Retirement Plan Options for Small Businesses The SECURE Act and CARES Act may complicate the decision. Provided by Peter Livingston As a small-business owner, figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating. How do you...

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Market Update: Thurs, Jun 11, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS Stocks opened lower. A down day today would deliver the S&P 500 Index’s first three-day losing streak since March. A potential...

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

It’s Official, We’re In A Recession Posted by lplresearch Market Blog In probably one of the least surprising economic calls of all time, the Nation Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declared an end to the...

Monday, June 8, 2020

College Funding Options You can plan to meet the costs through a variety of methods. Provided by Peter Livingston How can you cover your child’s future college costs? Saving early (and often) may be key for most families. Here...

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

2020 In Charts Posted by lplresearch Market Blog 2020 is only five months old, but in many ways it is one of the most historic years we’ve ever seen. “2020 went from moving along nicely, to seeing the worst recession in a...

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Eldercare Choices in the COVID-19 Era Exploring your extended care options may be wise at this time. Provided by Peter Livingston Given the threat of COVID-19, seniors today may be considering their extended care alternatives with...

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Making a Charitable Contribution There are benefits and limitations when you decide to donate stock. Provided by Peter Livingston Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want...

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Corporate Bond Spreads Decline as Fed Increases ETF Purchases Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog The Federal Reserve (Fed) increased its bond exchange-traded funds (ETF) purchases in the week ending May 20 (the most recent data...

Thursday, May 21, 2020

“Backdoor” Roth IRAs If you make too much money to open a Roth IRA, you could create one this way. Provided by Peter Livingston You can sum up the appeal of a Roth IRA in three words: federal tax benefit. Potential earnings...

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

What Happens When The Bear Ends? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The incredible rally off the March 23 lows continues for equities, with the S&P 500 Index now up more than 32% in 40 trading days. As impressive as the rally has been,...

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

A Look at Recent Weakness Posted by lplresearch Market Blog As we discussed in earlier this week in Markets Due for a Pause, there were multiple technical reasons to believe that US equities were due for some sort a pullback following...

Thursday, May 14, 2020

How Expensive Are Stocks Right Now? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog As stocks rallied 30% off the March 23 lows and earnings expectations were cut dramatically, valuations have become increasingly concerning for many investors...

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Mortgage-Backed Securities Attractive for High Quality Income Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Like most major segments of the bond market outside Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities (MBS) experienced increased market stress as...

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

May Is Disability Insurance Awareness Month What it is, and why it's important. Provided by Peter Livingston Did you know that May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month? First started in 2007, the month of May was the first time that...

Monday, May 11, 2020

Record COVID-19 Testing Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The number of COVID-19 tests in the US has ramped up significantly, which is a major step to defeating this terrible pandemic. “We know we need more testing to help...

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Details on the Tax Deadline Extension The I.R.S. is giving you three additional months to file and pay. Provided by Peter Livingston The Internal Revenue Service knows that many taxpayers have had a stressful spring. So, it has reset...

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Tax-Loss Harvesting A useful year-end move to counteract capital gains. Provided by Peter Livingston Even though this may end up being a subpar year for stocks, you may realize capital gains, which is a taxable event. What can you do...

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

FAQs About the 2020 Stimulus Checks Answers to some frequently asked questions. Provided by Peter Livingston The federal government is providing a little economic relief to many taxpayers. The Internal Revenue Service is sending...

Monday, May 4, 2020

A Stock Market Lesson to Remember Confidence can quickly erode, but it can also quickly emerge. Provided by Peter Livingston Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic...

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Market Update: Thur, Apr 30, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS Earnings standouts helping the Nasdaq. The broad S&P 500 Index opened lower this morning amid some skepticism about whether the rally off...

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Silver Lining in Consumer Confidence Data Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for April came in 86.9, falling more than 30 points from the prior month. The monthly drop was...

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Market Update: Tues, Apr 28, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS US markets continue to push higher. After closing at a multi-week high Monday, the S&P 500 is looking at a strong start this morning....

Monday, April 27, 2020

Street View: Gas Guzzling Contracts Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Oil had a wild week last week, even turning negative on Monday, April 20, as worries about lower demand in a sharp recession and where to store the actual barrels...

Thursday, April 23, 2020

The Federal Reserve’s Unprecedented Moves What they are. How they help. Provided by Peter Livingston In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every state in America is under some sort of stay-at-home order. This unprecedented...

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Negative Oil Futures Price Creates Confusion Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Headlines had oil selling at -$37.63 per barrel at close on Monday, April 20. The negative sign in front? Sellers had to pay buyers $37.63 to take the oil...

Thursday, April 16, 2020

What Might Future Bond Returns Look Like? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Stock returns get all the headlines, and with US equities entering their first bear market since 2008, there is good reason for that. However, fixed income...

Thursday, April 16, 2020

Roth IRA Conversion in the Era of COVID-19 Is it right for you? Provided by Peter Livingston 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....

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Gaining Confidence in a COVID-19 Peak Posted by lplresearch Markets Blog We continue to follow our Road to Recovery Playbook for help determining where the market is in its bottoming process. Today we are making two changes. The first...

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

A Recession Is Here The economy has halted for the past several weeks, and with it the longest economic expansion ever has ended, meaning we are now in a recession. What makes this recession unique is the government intentionally...

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Big Annual Declines Are Rare Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Stocks have rallied nicely off the March 23 lows on the back of a bold policy response from the Federal Reserve (Fed) and lawmakers in Washington, DC, which was followed...

Monday, April 6, 2020

Business Continuity Plans Prepare now to better protect your business in the future. Provided by Peter Livingston As a business owner, you’ve worked hard for your success. The long hours, the difficult decisions, and the...

Monday, April 6, 2020

Key Provisions of the CARES Act Distributions can be waived in 2020 for Inherited Accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs. Provided by Peter Livingston Recently, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security”...

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Road to Recovery Playbook Factor #1: COVID-19 Case Update Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Factor #1 in our Road to Recovery Playbook is finding confidence in the peak of COVID-19 cases in the United States. At LPL Research we are...

Monday, March 30, 2020

Market Update: Mon, Mar 30, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch DAILY INSIGHTS Another big week. Stocks opened higher on the heels of huge gains last week. President Trump extended the CDC’s social distancing...

Monday, March 30, 2020

Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets What’s the difference? What do these terms mean for you? Provided by Peter Livingston The COVID-19 outbreak has put tremendous pressure on stock prices, prompting some investors to blindly...

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Road to Recovery Playbook Factor #1: Peak COVID-19 Cases Posted by lplresearch Market Blog As COVID-19-related fear continues grip global financial markets, we wanted to take a closer look at factor #1 in our Road to Recovery...

Monday, March 23, 2020

Bear Markets Come and Go The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus fears and the realities of a seriously disrupted U.S. economy brought it to an end. If you are losing sleep over volatility driven by...

Monday, March 23, 2020

Traditional Vs. Roth IRA Do you know the difference? Provided by Peter Livingston Traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), which were created in 1974, are owned by roughly 33.2 million U.S. households. Roth IRAs, however, were...

Thursday, March 19, 2020

How Quickly Can Stocks Recover From COVID-19? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The market volatility continues, as the S&P 500 Index has closed either up or down 4% or more for a record 7 consecutive days. With the S&P 500 Index down...

Monday, March 16, 2020

The Fastest Bear Market Ever Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The historic volatility continues, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average officially setting its fastest move from a new all-time high to a bear market (down 20% from the...

Friday, March 13, 2020

Signs Of A Washout? Posted by lplresearch Market Blog The S&P 500 Index’s historic slide continued yesterday, culminating in nearly a 10% loss for the day, and leaving the benchmark index officially in bear market territory,...

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Positive Signs From China on COVID-19 Posted by lplresearch Market Blog COVID-19 related fear has gripped markets, driving the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 Index into bear territory. As difficult as these markets are...

Monday, March 9, 2020

PRESENTED BY Peter Livingston This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and the information given has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. This is not intended as a guide for the preparation of tax returns, nor...

Monday, March 9, 2020

Coronavirus Concerns? Consider Past Health Crises During the last week of February 2020, the S&P 500 lost 11.49% — the worst week for stocks since the 2008 financial crisis — only to jump by 4.6% on the first Monday in...

Thursday, March 5, 2020

10-Year Treasury Yield Breaks Below 1% Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Despite strong market gains on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the on-the-run 10-year Treasury yield ended the day below 1% for the first time ever and has posted...

Thursday, March 5, 2020

U.S. Manufacturing Sector Holds Up Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog Amid all of the attention on the coronavirus outbreak and related market volatility, and rightly so, we did get one of the most impactful U.S. economic data points...

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Coronavirus & More The 24-Hour News Cycle moves from Impeachment to COVID-19 to the Primaries – What’s next? Provided by Peter Livingston In recent weeks, we’ve seen several major stories in the news. On the political...

Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Approaches to Business Valuation Here’s what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston In the third quarter of 2019, more than 2,400 small businesses were sold. The median sale price was roughly $278,000, up 3.3% from 2018.1...

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Gauging Potential Economic Impact of Covid-19 Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog The coronavirus outbreak—or Covid-19 —has caused significant market volatility over the past week. Our approach as always is to focus on...

Monday, February 24, 2020

The Coronavirus Outbreak Is Spreading Posted by lplresearch Market Blog News that the coronavirus—known as COVID-19—has spread to South Korea, Italy, Japan, and Iran, has led to massive selling around the globe, with many...

Monday, February 24, 2020

A Roth IRA’s Many Benefits Why do so many people choose them over traditional IRAs? Provided by Peter Livingston The IRA that changed the whole retirement savings perspective. Since the Roth IRA was introduced in 1998, its...

Monday, February 24, 2020

Tax Considerations for Retirees Are you aware of these potential tax breaks and tax-saving opportunities? Provided by Peter Livingston The federal government offers some major tax breaks for older Americans. Some of these perks deserve...

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

That First Distribution from Your IRA What you need to know. Provided by Jamie Hansman When you are in your seventies, Internal Revenue Service rules say that you must start making withdrawals from your traditional IRA(s). In I.R.S....

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

How to Prepare for Tax Season Presented by Jamie Hansman In this guide, we’ll explore ways to help you prepare for the upcoming tax season. Keep in mind, this guide is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for...

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Closer Look At February Posted by lplresearch A late month selloff in January saw the S&P 500 Index close marginally lower for the month. But stocks have taken off in February, with the S&P 500 up nearly 4% this month, as US economic...

Tuesday, February 11, 2020

ABLE Accounts for Loved Ones with Disabilities More families should know about these tax-advantaged savings vehicles. Provided by Peter Livingston Families with special needs children have a new tax-deferred savings option. The ABLE...

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Market Update: Tues, Feb 4, 2020 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch LPL Research on CNBC. LPL Financial Senior Market Strategist Ryan Detrick was on CNBC’s Squawk Box yesterday with Becky Quick. You can watch the...

Monday, February 3, 2020

Investing for Impact Socially responsible investment strategies and you. Provided by Peter Livingston SRI (Socially Responsible Investing), Impact Investing, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Investing belong to a growing...

Monday, February 3, 2020

Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about...

Thursday, January 30, 2020

An Average Year for GDP Growth Posted by lplresearch ECONOMIC BLOG The U.S. economy notched an average year of growth in 2019. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 2.1% in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to Bureau of Economic...

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Viral Outbreak Ends Period of Market Calm Posted by lplresearch Market Blog Fears that the deadly coronavirus would spread further around the globe intensified Monday and led to the biggest one-day drop in the S&P 500 Index since...

Monday, January 27, 2020

Ways to Fund Special Needs Trusts A look at the different options & strategies. Provided by Peter Livingston If you have a child with special needs, a trust may be a financial priority. There are many crucial goods and services that...

Monday, January 27, 2020

2019 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 1, 2020 is...

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Small Caps Struggle in Record-High Drought Posted by lplresearch MARKET BLOG Stock markets around the world have hit new record highs this year, but U.S. small cap stocks have yet to join the party. As shown in the LPL Chart of the...

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Tremendous Gains Since 2009 A look at where stocks were in 2009 and how they have performed since. Provided by Peter Livingston Where were you on March 9, 2009? Do you remember the headwinds hitting Wall Street then? When the closing...

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

New I.R.S. Contribution Limits A look at the maximum amounts you can put into retirement accounts this year. Provided by Peter Livingston The I.R.S. just announced the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used...

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Main Street’s Sentiment Perks Up Posted by lplresearch A milestone in the U.S.-China trade dispute has boosted corporate sentiment, according to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) latest Beige Book. In the Beige Book, the Fed...

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Q4 Earnings Season is All About 2020 Posted by lplresearch MARKET BLOG Fourth quarter earnings season kicked off this week with 24 S&P 500 Index companies slated to report results. Our expectations are for a marginal increase in S&P...

Monday, January 13, 2020

Health Care Costs Are Cutting into Retirement Preparations This is happening in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. Provided by Peter Livingston You may have seen this statistic before or one resembling it: the average 65-year-old retiring...

Monday, January 13, 2020

The SECURE Act Long-established retirement account rules change. Provided by Peter Livingston The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act is now law. With it, comes some of the biggest changes to retirement...

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

How Stocks Do During Geopolitical Events Posted by lplresearch Market Blog It was a volatile night for the U.S.-Iran conflict. S&P 500 Index futures dipped 1.5% and global markets swung after Iran shot several ballistic missiles at U...

Monday, January 6, 2020

What Mideast Escalation Means for Markets Posted by lplresearch The U.S. airstrike that killed the top Iranian military commander last week was a major escalation in Mideast tensions. In fact, it would be difficult to overstate the...

Monday, January 6, 2020

2019 IRA Deadlines Are Approaching Here is what you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially, many of us associate April with taxes – but we should also associate April with important IRA deadlines. April 1, 2020 is...

Monday, January 6, 2020

Buy-Sell Agreements for Businesses Planning for your future and beyond. Provided by Peter Livingston For most, creating an estate strategy is important to make sure your loved ones are taken care of after you’re gone. But it may...

Thursday, January 2, 2020

Market Update: Thurs, Jan 2, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A new year. It’s a new year for U.S. stocks, which are higher amid headlines on new monetary stimulus measures in China. The...

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Dec 31, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Last day of the year. U.S. stocks are relatively unchanged on the last trading day of 2019. Stocks may meander into the New Year in the...

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Don't Let Your Retirement Savings Goal Get You Down As a retirement savings plan participant, you know that setting an accumulation goal is an important part of your overall strategy. In fact, over decades of conducting its annual...

Monday, December 30, 2019

The Major Retirement Planning Mistakes Why are they made again and again? Provided by Peter Livingston Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside...

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Dec 19, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Markets largely quiet overnight. Asian and European markets saw marginal declines overnight, while U.S. futures sat near flat. Whatever...

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Don’t Fear the Repo Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogDecember 18, 2019 The fourth quarter is winding down, and investors are getting nervous that volatility in the short-term lending market could flare up once again. Rates on...

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Is It Time For Santa? Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogDecember 17, 2019 December has been widely viewed as a strong month for stocks, with this year following suit so far. What many probably don’t realize, however, is the...

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

As soon as your children begin to handle money, start teaching them how to handle it wisely. Teach Your Children Well: Basic Financial Education Even before your children can count, they already know something about money: it's what...

Monday, December 16, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Dec 16, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks higher. Stocks are higher this morning, adding to gains after the S&P 500 Index capped its ninth weekly increase in 10 weeks. The U...

Monday, December 16, 2019

A Retirement Fact Sheet Some specifics about the “second act.” Provided by «representativename» Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about...

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Dec 12, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Central bank watch. Stocks are unchanged this morning as investors digest two pivotal central bank decisions. On Wednesday, the Federal...

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Four Fed Hikes, One Year Later Posted by lplresearch The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) final policy meeting of 2019 starts today and will conclude tomorrow with the release of the Fed’s policy statement, updated economic...

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

2020 Key Numbers Individual Income Tax Planning Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), child tax credit, earned income tax credit, itemized deductions, kiddie tax, personal exemptions, and more. More Details 2020 Federal Income Tax Rate...

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

New I.R.S. Contribution Limits Changes for 2020. Provided by Peter Livingston The I.R.S. just increased the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used retirement plan accounts for 2020. Here’s a quick look...

Monday, December 9, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Dec 9, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade continues to lead headlines. The S&P 500 Index is set to open modestly lower amid concerns of impending December tariffs as investors...

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Dec 5, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks rebound. Stocks are up this morning, adding to the S&P 500 Index’s 0.6% gain on Wednesday. Trade sentiment has shifted once...

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Reasons We Still Believe In December Posted by lplresearch Market BlogDecember 4, 2019 It has been a rough start to the most wonderful month of them all, with the S&P 500 Index down each of the first two days of December. Don’t...

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Dec 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks bounce back. Stocks are bouncing back this morning after they kicked off December with a two-day slide. The S&P 500 Index has dropped...

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Bringing Markets Into Focus in Outlook 2020 Posted by lplresearch Outlook 2020 BlogDecember 3, 2019 Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. As we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some...

Monday, December 2, 2019

Monday, December 2, 2019

Debunking Common Retirement Assumptions Don’t fall for these misconceptions. Provided by Peter Livingston Financial generalizations are as old as time. Some have been around for decades, while others have only recently joined...

Monday, December 2, 2019

Creating a Retirement Strategy Most people just invest for the future. You have a chance to do more. Provided by Peter Livingston Across the country, people are saving for that “someday” called retirement. Someday, their...

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Nov 26, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks little changed. U.S. stocks are little changed this morning after the S&P 500 Index notched its 11th record high since the end of...

Monday, November 25, 2019

Cash Flow Management An underappreciated fundamental in financial planning. Provided by Peter Livingston You’ve probably heard the saying that “cash is king,” and that truth applies whether you own a business or not....

Monday, November 25, 2019

Ways to Repair Your Credit Score Steps to get your credit rating back toward 720. Provided by Peter Livingston We all know the value of a good credit score. We all try to maintain one. Sometimes, though, life throws us a financial...

Monday, November 25, 2019

Coping with College Loans Paying them down and managing their financial impact. Provided by Peter Livingston Total student loan debt in America is now around $1.6 trillion. Since 2008, it has more than doubled. Federal Reserve data...

Monday, November 25, 2019

Measuring the Value of a Financial Advisor One study asserts that these relationships can make a difference for investors. Provided by Brooke Graham What is a relationship with a financial advisor worth to an investor? A 2019 study by...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Fed Feeling Upbeat Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogNovember 21, 2019 An upbeat economic outlook may be edging out elevated downside risks in the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) decision-making. Minutes from the Fed’s October...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Nov 21, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Conflicting signals. U.S. stocks are little changed this morning as conflicting trade headlines pour in. The S&P 500 Index declined on...

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Nov 20, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights On the Recession Watch. With the S&P 500 Index at record highs, our outlook remains optimistic, but we don’t want to be complacent....

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

A look back at 2019, thus far… Presented by Peter Livingston The year in brief. 2019 brought three quarters of disagreement over trade issues between the U.S. and China… followed by fourth-quarter hints that a partial...

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Your Year-End Financial Checklist Six aspects of your financial life to review as the year draws to a close. Provided by Peter Livingston The end of the year can help remind us of last-minute things we need to address and long-term...

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

What if You Get Audited? What the I.R.S. looks for and why. Provided by Peter Livingston “Audit” is a word that can strike fear into the hearts of taxpayers. However, the chances of an Internal Revenue Service audit...

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Facts About Medicare Open Enrollment How much do you know about the different coverage options? Provided by Peter Livingston Medicare’s open enrollment period runs through December 7. If you are enrolling in Medicare for the...

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Nov 19, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights On the Recession Watch. With the S&P 500 Index at record highs, our outlook remains optimistic, but we don’t want to be complacent....

Monday, November 18, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Nov 18, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Big week for retailers. Third quarter S&P 500 Index earnings growth is tracking to a 2.3% year-over-year decline, nearly 2 percentage...

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Global Growth Stabilizing Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogNovember 14, 2019 The long wait may be over. No, we aren’t talking about a U.S.-China trade agreement, though that may come before the end of this year. The two sides...

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Nov 14, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Another record high. U.S. stocks are lower this morning, taking a step back after the S&P 500 Index’s seventh record high in three...

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Nov 13, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights More negative headlines. U.S. stocks are lower this morning after President Donald Trump said on November 12 that the United States would...

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Trust Deed Investments Though sometimes profitable, they also carry heavy risk. Provided by Peter Livingston Trust deeds may seem to be a fairly straightforward form of financial investment. You may have heard of them in passing...

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Nov 12, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Two Sides of One Economy. The S&P 500 Index gained for the fifth consecutive week, making many new all-time highs in the process. Positive...

Monday, November 11, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Nov 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Better than feared. With over 450 S&P 500 Index companies having reported, third quarter 2019 earnings growth is tracking to a 2.4%...

Monday, November 11, 2019

Reducing the Risk of Outliving Your Money What steps might help you sustain and grow your retirement savings? Provided by Peter Livingston “What is your greatest retirement fear?” If you ask any group of retirees and...

Friday, November 8, 2019

Three tips on year-end giving 1. You may be able to sidestep capital gains taxes and get a deduction by making a charitable donation of securities that have risen in value but no longer fit your strategy. 2. If you make a charitable...

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Productivity Growth Fades Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogNovember 7, 2019 Stalled business spending is having ripple effects on U.S. company efficiency. Nonfarm productivity (output per worker) unexpectedly slid 0.3% in the third...

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Bulls Stay in Motion Posted by lplresearch Market BlogNovember 5, 2019 “An object in motion tends to remain in motion along a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.” Sir Isaac Newton What a year it has been...

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Three and Done Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 31, 2019 The Federal Reserve (Fed) could be three and done with interest rate cuts. On October 30, the Fed reduced interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25%) in its third rate...

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Oct 31, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A Fed-fueled record high. Stocks are lower this morning after the S&P 500 Index closed at a record high yesterday. Pessimistic trade...

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Spotting Credit Trouble How to check for problems. Provided by Peter Livingston Americans aged 45 to 54, who have credit card balances, carry an average debt of $9,096 per individual.1 The wise use of credit is a critical skill in...

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Making Sense of a Home Warranty Are you covered for that? Provided by Peter Livingston As a consumer, when you purchase an expensive item, like a car or refrigerator, you expect to receive a warranty that the manufacturer will repair...

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Cybersecurity Protecting yourself from potential calamity. Provided by Peter Livingston Cybercrime affects both large corporations and private individuals. You’ve likely read about the large data breaches in the business world....

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The U.S. Economy Chugs Along Posted by lplresearch Gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowed for a third quarter, but the U.S. economy is still chugging along at an average pace. GDP grew 1.9% in the third quarter, its slowest pace...

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Oct 30, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Busy day. Stocks are little changed this morning as investors digest third quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data before a Federal...

Monday, October 28, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Oct 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings season producing modest–but many–upside surprises. With 200 S&P 500 Index companies having reported so far, third...

Monday, October 28, 2019

1When considering a rollover, to either an IRA or to another employer's retirement plan, you should consider carefully the investment options, fees and expenses, services, ability to make penalty-free withdrawals, degree of creditor...

Monday, October 28, 2019

Six Steps to Consider Before Tapping Your Retirement Savings Plan You've worked long and hard for years, saving diligently through your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan. Now, with retirement on the horizon, it's time to...

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Oct 24, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks cheer positive headlines. Stocks are higher this morning amid an optimistic turn in global headlines. The European Central Bank...

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

2019 May Be One of the Best Years Ever Posted by lplresearch Market BlogOctober 23, 2019 “Everything is awesome, when you’re living out a dream.” The Lego Movie As the S&P 500 Index continues to flirt with new record...

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Oct 23, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks opened little changed. Global stocks are little changed this morning after a busy day for Brexit headlines, or talks around the...

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Millennials face financial challenges that are unique to their generation. One of the first steps in overcoming them is to understand some basic financial concepts. Millennials are the largest living adult generation. Source:...

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Buying a Home Buying a HomeThere's no doubt about it--owning a home is an exciting prospect. After all, you've always dreamed of having a place that you could truly call your own. But buying a home can be stressful, especially when...

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Another Brexit Delay Likely Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 22, 2019 The United Kingdom’s (U.K.) withdrawal from the European Union (E.U.), or Brexit, is stumbling along, and another delay looks increasingly likely....

Monday, October 21, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Oct 21, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings update. So far, U.S. earnings season has been generally in line with expectations. With 75 S&P 500 Index companies having reported...

Monday, October 21, 2019

End-of-the-Year Money Moves Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2019. Provided by Peter Livingston What has changed for you in 2019? Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? Did you retire? Did you...

Friday, October 18, 2019

Uncertainty Persists on Main Street Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 17, 2019 Elevated uncertainty has persisted on Main Street, according to the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) latest Beige Book. In the Beige Book, the Fed...

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Retirement Planning Key Numbers Retirement plan compensation limits 2018 2019 Maximum compensation per participant that can be used to calculate tax-deductible employer contribution (qualified plans/SEPs) $275,000 $280,000...

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

According to the Employee Benefit Research Institute, just four in 10 workers say that they have tried to calculate how much they will need to retire comfortably. (Source: EBRI, 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey) Workers who are...

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Oct 15, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings season kicks off. U.S. stocks are higher this morning as third quarter earnings season kicks off with a slew of big bank reports....

Monday, October 14, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Oct 14, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A verbal agreement. Friday, October 11, the U.S. announced that it had reached a verbal agreement with China, concluding two days of...

Friday, October 11, 2019

Market Update: Fri, Oct 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Global optimism. Stocks are up this morning as investors watch for any developments in U.S. and China officials’ face-to-face trade...

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Overlooked Tax Deductions for Small-Business Owners Helpful tips for tax time. Provided by Peter Livingston Being a small-business owner isn’t easy. After all, balancing payroll, managing employees, drawing up marketing plans,...

Thursday, October 10, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Oct 10, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Talks set to begin. Stocks are down this morning, taking a breather after a volatile start to the week. Investors have focused primarily...

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

China’s Growth Shows Signs of Stability Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 09, 2019 The United States and China have faced growing economic pressure to reach a trade deal. However, the stress may be fading for one party....

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Oct 9, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights A partial trade deal. Trade is dominating headlines once again, just a day before U.S. and China officials are slated to kick off...

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Oct 8, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights One step back. U.S. stocks are sliding on renewed reports that the Trump administration is planning to restrict U.S. investors’...

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Can The Economy Predict The Next President? Posted by lplresearch Economic BlogOctober 08, 2019 “The economy, stupid” — Phrase campaign strategist James Carville used to help Bill Clinton get elected in 1992. As...

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Raising Healthy Children Good habits can be formed early. Provided by Peter Livingston One of the greatest legacies any parent can give a child is a framework for living an enduring, healthy lifestyle. It is hard to underestimate the...

Monday, October 7, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Oct 7, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade pessimism. U.S. stocks are lower this morning on speculation that China may be increasingly reluctant to strike a trade deal....

Monday, October 7, 2019

Annual Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about...

Friday, October 4, 2019

Labor Market Chugs Along Posted by lplresearch Market BlogOctober 04, 2019 The U.S. labor market keeps chugging along, despite signs of weakness in other pockets of the U.S. economy. Nonfarm payrolls rose 136,000 in September, and...

Friday, October 4, 2019

Welcome To The Fourth Quarter Posted by lplresearch Market BlogOctober 03, 2019 Well, that wasn’t the start to the fourth quarter that the bulls wanted. The S&P 500 Index has dropped at least 1% on consecutive days to start the...

Monday, September 30, 2019

That First RMD from Your IRA What you need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston When you reach age 70½, the Internal Revenue Service instructs you to start making withdrawals from your traditional IRA(s). These withdrawals are...

Monday, September 30, 2019

Systematic Withdrawal Strategies Should you arrange automatic distributions from your retirement or investment accounts? Provided by Peter Livingston Some retirees wish they could simplify money management. Estimating investment income...

Monday, September 30, 2019

The Solo 401(k) A retirement savings vehicle designed for the smallest businesses. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you work for yourself? Then take a look at the solo 401(k), which marries a traditional employee retirement savings...

Monday, September 16, 2019

The chart (below, right) shows a tale of two curves. The yield curve at the beginning of 2017 reflected strong optimism about future growth, while the curve on August 14, 2019, suggested a much more pessimistic outlook. Upside Down:...

Monday, September 16, 2019

Roughly half of consumers plan their back-to-school shopping around major sales events. Source: 2019 NRF Back-to-School/College Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics Survey Details Back-to-School Spending for 2019...

Monday, September 16, 2019

A data breach is an incident in which private, personal information is exposed, viewed without authorization, or stolen. Data Breaches: Tips for Protecting Your Identity and Your Money Large-scale data breaches are in the news again,...

Monday, September 9, 2019

Do your homework · Before investing in a mutual fund, carefully consider its investment objectives, risks, fees, and expenses, which are contained in the prospectus available from the fund. Review the prospectus carefully...

Monday, September 9, 2019

Coming to a general agreement on what your priorities are and roughly when you hope to achieve each one can greatly simplify the process of deciding how to invest. Making sure both spouses know how and (equally important) why their...

Monday, September 9, 2019

Words to ponder "Investors should remember that excitement and expenses are their enemies. And if they insist on trying to time their participation in equities, they should try to be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when...

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Insurance Needs when Married with Children Considering coverage for your household. Provided by Peter Livingston A growing family, by definition, means growing financial obligations – both in the present and in the future....

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Your Extended Care Strategy Are you prepared for the possibility – and expense – of eldercare? Provided by Peter Livingston Do you have an extra $33,000 to $100,000 to spare this year? How about next year, and the year...

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Cash Balance Plans More professional practices (and practice groups) should look into them. Provided by Peter Livingston In corporate America, pension plans are fading away. Only 16% of Fortune 500 companies offered them to full-time...

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Leading Indicators Signal Growth Ahead Posted by lplresearch Economic Blog U.S. leading indicators rebounded in July, a good sign for the durability of the expansion. The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) rose 0.5%...

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

When Powell Speaks, Markets Listen Posted by lplresearch Market BlogAugust 26, 2019 When Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell speaks, markets listen. Friday, August 23, the markets had a new opportunity to gauge the Fed’s...

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Global vs. International: What’s the Difference? Global mutual funds vs. international mutual funds. Provided by Peter Livingston For investors who are looking to diversify their portfolio with exposure to companies located...

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List A way to help you prepare. Provided by Peter Livingston The baby boomers redefined everything they touched, from music to marriage to parenting and even what “old” means – 60...

Monday, August 12, 2019

Technicals Support the Market Posted by lplresearch U.S.-China trade tensions have ratcheted up again following President Trump’s decision to level tariffs on the remaining $300 billion of U.S. imports from China. Combine that...

Monday, August 12, 2019

Your Diversified Portfolio vs. the S&P 500 How global returns and proper diversification are affecting overall returns. Provided by Peter Livingston “Why is my portfolio underperforming the market?” This question may be on...

Monday, August 12, 2019

A Retirement Fact Sheet Some specifics about the “second act.” Provided by Peter Livingston Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50...

Monday, August 5, 2019

Investing Basics Saving and Investing Wisely The first step in investing is to secure a strong financial foundation. More Details Building on Your Foundation Before you invest money, you should spend time setting your personal goals...

Monday, August 5, 2019

What is the Congressional Budget Office? The Congressional Budget Office is a nonpartisan agency that produces independent analyses of budgetary and economic issues to support the congressional budget process. Each year, the agency's...

Monday, August 5, 2019

Thoughts on the Fed Rate Cut Posted by lplresearch U.S. monetary policy has taken another U-turn. The Federal Reserve (Fed) announced a 25-basis point (0.25%) rate reduction July 31. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, The Federal...

Monday, July 29, 2019

Financials Appear Poised For a Strong Second Half Posted by lplresearch After a disappointing start to the year, financials were the top performing sector in the second quarter. And technical analysis suggests they may have more room...

Monday, July 29, 2019

How Medigap Choices Are Changing Plan F is fading away, and Plan G may gain more popularity. Provided by Peter Livingston Soon, two types of Medigap policies will no longer be sold. Seniors who enroll in Medicare in 2020 or later will...

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

S&P 500 Hit Our Target—Time to Sell? Posted by lplresearch The S&P 500 Index is within 1% of our year-end fair value S&P 500 target of 3,000 after rallying 20% this year and broaching that target several times in July. We set...

Monday, July 22, 2019

401(k) Loan Repayment A longer repayment time can be an advantage. Provided by Peter Livingston The conventional wisdom about taking a loan from your 401(k) plan is often boiled down to: not unless absolutely necessary. That said, it...

Monday, July 22, 2019

Put it in a Letter Express your wishes. Provided by Peter Livingston Actor Lee Marvin once said, “As soon as people see my face on a movie screen, they [know] two things: first, I’m not going to get the girl, and second,...

Monday, July 15, 2019

Eight Mistakes That Can Upend Your Retirement Avoid these situations, if you can. Provided by Peter Livingston Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are...

Monday, July 15, 2019

Will You Avoid These Estate Planning Mistakes? Too many wealthy households commit these common blunders. Provided by Peter Livingston Many people plan their estates diligently, with input from legal, tax, and financial professionals....

Monday, July 8, 2019

Tax Moves to Consider in Summer Now is a good time to think about a few financial matters. Provided by Peter Livingston Consider making tax moves earlier rather than later. If you own a business, earn significant investment income, are...

Monday, July 8, 2019

Investment Policy Statements What are they? Why are they important? Provided by Peter Livingston A self-fulfilling policy. An investment policy statement (IPS) is a document which helps the client and advisor stay “on the same...

Monday, July 1, 2019

Diversification, Patience, and Consistency Three important factors when it comes to your financial life. Provided by Peter Livingston Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment...

Monday, July 1, 2019

Tax Efficiency What it means; why it counts. Provided by Peter Livingston The after-tax return vs. the pretax return. Everyone wants their investments to perform well. But for many investors it’s their after-tax return that may...

Thursday, June 27, 2019

LPL Midyear Outlook: Emerging Markets Pacing Global Growth Posted by lplresearch We believe fundamentals are supportive of moderate gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year, as we discussed in our just-released Midyear Outlook...

Monday, June 24, 2019

Keep Calm, Stay On Plan Expect volatility, but avoid letting the headlines alter your plans. Provided by Peter Livingston Recent headlines have added volatility to the markets. There will always be new headlines, and any of them could...

Monday, June 24, 2019

The Financial Realities of Longevity Your financial future is up to you and no one else. Provided by Peter Livingston What will be your future? You know that solid retirement strategy takes your time horizon, an often unpredictable...

Friday, June 21, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Dovish Central Banks Propel Stocks to New Highs US: S&P 500 Index +2.2%, Dow +2.4%, Nasdaq +3.0%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +1.6%, German DAX +2.0% France CAC 40 +3.0%,...

Thursday, June 20, 2019

Can Stocks Really Gain 20% This Year? Posted by lplresearch U.S. stocks could have a big year if LPL Research’s forecasts prove correct. All year, we’ve maintained our fair value target on the S&P 500 Index of 3,000,...

Monday, June 17, 2019

Cash Could Soon Be Kaput The rise of mobile pay and what it might mean for your personal finances. The growth of mobile payments has far outpaced that of credit cards, making a cashless society much more likely in the near future....

Monday, June 17, 2019

The FIRE Movement A radical new approach to working, saving, and retiring. Provided by Peter Livingston Retire before 50 and live your best life. That is the message of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, which is...

Monday, June 17, 2019

Helping Your Parents Manage Financial Tasks How can you make things easier on them later in life? Provided by Peter Livingston Worldwide, the number of people aged 60 and older is growing. By 2050, this demographic will be more than...

Monday, June 10, 2019

The Gift Tax Not all gifts are taxable. Provided by Peter Livingston I’d like for you to meet my friend, Hugh. He’s a retired film stuntman who, after a long career, is enjoying his retirement. Some of what he’s...

Monday, June 10, 2019

Retiring Single If you are retiring single, income replacement and staying socially engaged should be considerations. Provided by Peter Livingston About 6% of Americans 65 and older have never married. That statistic comes from a 2018...

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Main Street’s Sentiment Improves Posted by lplresearch In the Beige Book, the Fed presents qualitative observations made by community bankers and business owners—or “Main Street”—about economic (housing,...

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Market Update: Thur, June 6, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade negotiations with Mexico continue. Progress has been made but “not nearly enough” according to President Trump, setting...

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Smart Financial Moves in Your 20s, 30s, 40s, & 50s Beneficial moves for every age. Provided by Peter Livingston Have you ever mapped out your financial timeline? If you’re like many Americans, it may have been more difficult than...

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Is Your Company’s 401(k) Plan as Good as It Could Be? A recent court ruling may make you want to double-check. Provided by Peter Livingston How often do retirement plan sponsors check up on 401(k)s? Some small businesses may not...

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Financial Strategy for Athletes Step One: Find a trusted financial coach; Step Two: Listen to your coach. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you are a professional athlete, a college amateur, or an aspiring Olympian, you probably...

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, May 30, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights GDP’s first revision. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.1% in the first quarter, according to the first revision, lower than the...

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Time For A June Swoon? Posted by lplresearch Well, it finally happened. The S&P 500 Index pulled back more than 5% from its all-time high, marking the first 5% pullback of 2019. As we have discussed many times over the past two months...

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Market Update: Wed, May 29, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China may weaponize rare earths. Reports from Chinese media suggest China may be considering weaponizing rare earths as a retaliatory...

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Market Update: Tue, May 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Stocks continue their slide. U.S. stocks continued their slide last week, as the S&P 500 Index fell for the third straight week. Global...

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Checking In On The Five Forecasters Posted by lplresearch With the bull market 10 years old and the economic cycle about to reach 10 years, the big question is how much longer can it go? To answer this question we will take a closer...

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

The Problem of Money Paralysis Not making a move may not always be the best move to make. Provided by Peter Livingston A decision not made may have financial consequences. Sometimes, we fall prey to a kind of money paralysis, in which...

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Red Flags for Tax Auditors Here are six flags that could make your tax return prime for an I.R.S. audit. Provided by Peter Livingston No one wants to see an Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) auditor show up at their door. But in 2018,...

Monday, May 20, 2019

Do Millennial's Play a Role in America’s Future? Ronald Reagan once stated “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for,...

Monday, May 20, 2019

Retirement and Adult Children Supporting family can put a crimp in your strategy. Provided by Peter Livingston Families are one of the great joys in life, and part of the love you show to your family is making sure that their basic...

Monday, May 20, 2019

An Estate Strategy for Your Digital Assets What should you know? What should your executor know? Provided by Peter Livingston When you think about your estate, you may think about your personal property, real estate, or investments....

Friday, May 17, 2019

Stocks Stand Tall Against Headwinds Posted by lplresearch Renewed trade tensions have led to this latest bout of volatility. The recent drop in the S&P 500 Index felt worse because of how quickly it happened—from new highs to...

Monday, May 13, 2019

Compounding Interest: The 8th Wonder Of The World Posted by lplresearch “Compounding interest is the eighth wonder of the world.” Albert Einstein When should you start investing? Yesterday is one of the best answers we can...

Monday, May 13, 2019

TOD or Living Trust? A look at two basic methods for shielding assets from probate. Provided by Peter Livingston How do you keep assets out of probate? If that estate planning question is on your mind, you should know that there are...

Monday, May 13, 2019

The Shred Party What should you get rid of and hold on to? When and why? Provided by Peter Livingston If a shred party happens to spring up in your area, you may want to mark your calendar. For many years, shred parties, where a...

Monday, May 6, 2019

The Chapters of Retirement The five phases of life after 50 & the considerations that accompany them. Provided by Peter Livingston The journey to and through retirement occurs gradually, like successive chapters in a book. Each chapter...

Monday, May 6, 2019

Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security When to start? Should I continue to work? How can I maximize my benefit? Provided by Peter Livingston Social Security will be a critical component of your financial strategy...

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Time to Sell in May? Part Deux Posted by lplresearch As we noted earlier this week, these next six months historically have been the worst for stocks. That is why there’s a well-known investment axiom to “Sell in May and...

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Market Update: Wed, May 1, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights More new highs. The S&P 500 Index closed at a new all-time high for the third consecutive day, capping its best April since 2009. This is...

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Rate Cut Bets on the Rise Posted by lplresearch Markets have frequently underestimated Federal Reserve (Fed) actions over the last few years, but lately the skepticism has been striking. Fed fund futures traders are increasingly...

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Apr 30, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Inflation dips ahead of Fed meeting. March core personal consumption expenditures, the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) preferred inflation...

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Monday, April 29, 2019

Time to Sell in May? Posted by lplresearch One of the most popular investment axioms is about to take over the airwaves: “Sell in May and Go Away.” That’s because the upcoming six months(from May until the end of...

Monday, April 29, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Apr 29, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights New high (lights). The S&P 500 Index completed a V-shaped recovery last week to register its first record high since September 20,...

Monday, April 29, 2019

The Cost of Procrastination Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial goals. Provided by Peter Livingston Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you...

Monday, April 29, 2019

Taking Charge of Your Financial Life Delegating responsibilities to others may lead to problems down the road. Provided by Peter Livingston When you are putting together a household, it isn’t unusual to delegate responsibilities....

Friday, April 26, 2019

A Surprising End to a Perplexing Quarter Posted by lplresearch We’ve finally closed the book on a perplexing first quarter. Gross domestic product (GDP) rose 3.2% last quarter, as shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the best...

Thursday, April 25, 2019

10 Observations on New Highs Posted by lplresearch We wrote about the new record high for the S&P 500 Index Wednesday . This is such a big market event we wanted to share some additional thoughts—10 of them in fact—on this...

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

The Waiting Game for Record Highs Posted by lplresearch The wait is over. After more than seven months, the S&P 500 Index notched a fresh all-time closing high of 2,933.68 on April 23. To get here, investors have weathered...

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Apr 24, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch The wait is over. Yesterday, the S&P 500 Index notched a fresh all-time closing high of 2,933.68, while the Nasdaq Composite reached its own record high...

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Signs of Steepening Posted by lplresearch In March, we wrote that the Treasury yield curve was sound asleep. Since then, a quick inversion has jolted it awake. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the spread between the 2-year and...

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Market Update: Tues, Apr 23, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Hovering near new highs. U.S. stocks have stalled near record highs as investors sort through first-quarter earnings and a slowly improving global...

Monday, April 22, 2019

Digging Out of a Soft Patch Posted by lplresearch Leading data released recently have confirmed the U.S. economy could be digging out of its soft patch. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the Conference Board’s Leading...

Monday, April 22, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Apr 22, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Less than 1% from all-time highs, now what? U.S. equity markets have staged a remarkable comeback over the course of 2019, and the S&P 500...

Monday, April 22, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Meander Through Holiday-Shortened Week. US: S&P 500 Index -0.1%, Dow +0.6%, Nasdaq +0.2%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +0.8%, German DAX +1.9% France CAC 40 +1.4%,...

Monday, April 22, 2019

Ten Years, Tremendous Gains A look at where stocks were in 2009 and how they have performed since. Provided by Peter Livingston Where were you on March 9, 2009? Do you remember the headwinds hitting Wall Street then? When the closing...

Monday, April 22, 2019

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices? Even the most seasoned investors are prone to their influence. Provided by Peter Livingston Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. They are...

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Green Shoots on Main Street Posted by lplresearch We’ve talked a lot about green shoots in the U.S. economy recently. A slew of recent data is pointing to a rebound in growth from a disappointing first quarter hampered by global...

Thursday, April 18, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Apr 18, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Healthcare continues to exhibit weakness. While the S&P 500 Index remains less than 2% from all-time highs, the second largest sector...

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

What’s Priced In? Posted by lplresearch After such a strong rally this year, you may be wondering what could drive stocks higher from here. With the S&P 500 Index near its all-time high, a lot of good news could be priced in to...

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Apr 17, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Another round of upbeat China data. Targeted stimulus appears to be working following a series of better-than-expected data that included...

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Too High or Too Low? Posted by lplresearch The U.S. inflation narrative has flipped, which has caused some bond-market angst recently. Deteriorating global conditions have shifted the economic landscape and fueled concerns that...

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Apr 16, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Global rate rally. Long-term rates have rallied around the world recently, likely in response to a Brexit delay, progress in trade talks,...

Monday, April 15, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Apr 15, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Weekly Market Drivers: Last week’s market drivers included solid U.S. labor market data, the unofficial start of first quarter...

Monday, April 15, 2019

Teaching Your Heirs to Value Your Wealth Values can help determine goals & a clear purpose. Provided by Peter Livingston Some millionaires are reluctant to talk to their kids about family wealth. Perhaps they are afraid of what their...

Monday, April 15, 2019

Could Social Security Really Go Away? That may be unlikely, but the program does face financial challenges. Provided by Peter Livingston Will Social Security run out of money in the 2030s? You may have heard warnings about this dire...

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Sectors to Watch This Earnings Season Posted by lplresearch First quarter earnings season begins this week with some big banks reporting on Friday. While we think profit growth will finish around flat overall, an improving macro...

Thursday, April 11, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Apr 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Brexit decision delayed-again. Last night EU leaders approved a six-month delay for a Brexit decision, through October 31, though an...

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

The December Low Indicator Has Bulls Smiling Posted by lplresearch After the best first quarter for the S&P 500 Index since 1998, the big question is: What happens next? We’ve already discussed why a good start to a year could...

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Apr 10, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights ECB left interest rates unchanged. In a surprise to no one, the European Central Bank (ECB) left rates unchanged and reiterated its plans...

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

The Yield Curve’s “False Positive” Posted by lplresearch March’s yield curve commotion now looks like the first “false positive” of this expansion. While a prolonged yield curve inversion, or...

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Apr 9, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Long-term rates sprouting. Last week, the 10-year Treasuryyield posted its biggest gain since the beginning of March, rising nine basis...

Monday, April 8, 2019

Lucky Number Seven Posted by lplresearch Seven has been a lucky number for U.S. stocks. The S&P 500 Index just notched its first seven-day winning streak since October 2017. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, this feat has occurred...

Monday, April 8, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Apr 8, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights First quarter earnings season kicks off this week and the bar seems low. Consensus estimates for first quarter earnings season are calling...

Monday, April 8, 2019

The Retirement We Imagine, the Retirement We Live Examining the potential differences between assumption and reality. Provided by Peter Livingston Financially speaking, retirement might differ from your expectations. Just as few...

Monday, April 8, 2019

Why Does the Wage Gap Between Men & Women Persist? While it has narrowed, a notable inequality remains. Provided by Peter Livingston First, what wage gap are we talking about? There is a commonly cited statistic that American women...

Friday, April 5, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Second Quarter Kicks Off With Flowers, Not Showers. US: S&P 500 Index +2.1%, Dow +1.9%, Nasdaq +2.7%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +2.4%, German DAX +4.2% France CAC 40 +2...

Friday, April 5, 2019

Market Update: Fri, Apr 5, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights S&P looks to continue winning streak. Yesterday’s modest gain for the S&P 500 Index gave the index its sixth consecutive higher close,...

Friday, April 5, 2019

Jobs Rebound in March Posted by lplresearch Job growth rebounded strongly in March, allaying concerns that a February slowdown was signaling the possibility of extended economic weakness. Nonfarm payrolls rose 196,000 in March,...

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Fed Patience Tops Our Economic Final Four Posted by lplresearch Wall Street is watching a litany of telling economic and market signals, but the rest of the country is watching the NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball...

Thursday, April 4, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Apr 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights March global manufacturing surveys point to stable overseas growth. Markit’s global manufacturing PMI was unchanged at 50.6 in March...

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

What Happens When January, February, and March Are All Higher? Posted by lplresearch What a start to 2019! The S&P 500 Index had its best first quarter since 1998—gaining 13.1%. Taking a deeper look at the data reveals another...

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Apr 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China, Eurozone PMIs ease global growth fears. Services data out of China and the Eurozone allayed some jitters after March PMIs for both...

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Cooking at Home vs. Eating Out Who doesn’t like to eat out here in Mooresville, North Carolina? From great options such as Carusos, Epic Chophouse, Kindred in Davidson, and Hello Sailor on Lake Norman. Even if it is once in...

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

The U.S. Debt Binge Posted by lplresearch U.S. bond bulls are winning in the global search for yield. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, negative-yielding debt around the world has grown to $10.4 trillion, its highest point since...

Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Apr 2, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights The U.S. debt binge. U.S. bond bulls are winning in the global search for yield. Negative-yielding debt has climbed to $10.4 trillion, its...

Monday, April 1, 2019

April’s Bullish History Posted by lplresearch Seasonality could be on the bull’s side, especially after U.S. stocks’ best first quarter in 20 years. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, April has consistently been...

Monday, April 1, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Apr 1, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Chinese manufacturing unexpectedly rebounds. Two separate reports showed that manufacturing activity in China expanded month over month and...

Monday, April 1, 2019

What we’re reading this week. Here’s a list of articles we came across from numerous news publications this week, maybe one or two may have some interest to you. The Motley Fool identifies 3 reasons not to rely too heavily...

Monday, April 1, 2019

Earnings for All Seasons What is it and why is it important? Provided by Peter Livingston While nature offers four seasons, Wall Street offers only one – four times a year. It’s called “earnings season,” and it...

Monday, April 1, 2019

Behind on Your Retirement Savings? What steps could you take to try and catch up? Provided by Peter Livingston If life has not allowed you to build substantial retirement savings, what possible steps could you take in an effort to...

Sunday, March 31, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Rebound Despite Continued Downward Pressure on Rates US: S&P 500 Index +1.2%, Dow +1.7%, Nasdaq +1.1%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +0.8%, German DAX +1.4% France...

Friday, March 29, 2019

What Does A Big First Quarter Mean? Posted by lplresearch With a day to go, this is one of the best first quarters for the S&P 500 Index ever. Of course, it comes on the heels of the worst fourth quarter since the financial crisis and...

Friday, March 29, 2019

Market Update: Fri, Mar 29, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Big Q1. The S&P 500 Index is on pace for one of its best first-quarter returns ever, and history suggests more gains could follow. Going...

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Mar 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Global valuation check-in. Developed international equities have gotten relatively cheaper following recent underperformance compared...

Thursday, March 28, 2019

11 Things You Need To Know About The Yield Curve Posted by lplresearch Well, it finally happened—the yield curve inverted. Now note that it was the shorter end of the curve that inverted, as the 3-month Treasury bill (and 1-year...

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Good News Indicators Posted by lplresearch The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index (LEI) is one of our favorite economic indicators. It is designed to predict future movements in the economy based on a composite of 10...

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Mar 27, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Trade deficit shrinks as U.S.-China talks set to resume. Monthly U.S. figures showed the trade deficit narrowed in January to $51.1B, while...

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

March Madness for Yields Posted by lplresearch Bonds are sending a potentially ominous signal about the U.S. economy. The 10-year Treasury yield fell below the 3-month Treasury yield on March 22 for the first time since August 2007....

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Mar 26, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Fed presidents comment on yield curve inversion, balance sheet plans. Chicago Federal Reserve (Fed) president Evans acknowledged...

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Here we provide you with a curated list of public resources which are educational in nature and meant to help you find the information you are looking for regarding Social Security Benefits. General information on Social Security...

Monday, March 25, 2019

Bringing Domestic Equities Recommendation Back to Market Weight Posted by lplresearch Stocks have had quite a run since the December 24 lows, with the S&P 500 Index up 19% to within 5% of last year’s record highs. Given this...

Monday, March 25, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Mar 25, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights We are bringing our recommended domestic equity allocation back to market weight. Stocks have had quite a run this year, with the S&P 500...

Monday, March 25, 2019

Are You Committing These Financial Illegalities? Some people make money moves that may get them in trouble. Provided by Peter Livingston Americans do many things with their money and invested assets, most of them on the up and up....

Monday, March 25, 2019

Yes, Young Growing Families Can Save & Invest It may seem like a tall order, but it can be accomplished. Provided by Peter Livingston Put yourself steps ahead of your peers. If you have a young, growing family, no doubt your to-do list...

Monday, March 25, 2019

Are You Retiring Within the Next 5 Years? What should you focus on as the transition approaches? Provided by Peter Livingston You can prepare for your retirement transition years before it occurs. In doing so, you can do your best to...

Monday, March 25, 2019

What we’re reading this week. Here’s a list of articles we came across from numerous news publications this week, maybe one or two may have some interest to you. The Motley Fool identifies 3 major money risks that tend to...

Monday, March 25, 2019

Working a Little After You Retire What should you remember as you look for a job?Finding work at age 60 or 65 is decidedly harder than finding work at 30 or 35. It can be done, but there are key things tokeep in mind. You should be...

Friday, March 22, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Drop, Yield Curve Inverts on Renewed Global Growth Concerns. US: S&P 500 Index -0.8%%, Dow -1.3%, Nasdaq -0.6%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 -1.3%, German DAX -2.8%...

Friday, March 22, 2019

Market Update: Fri, Mar 22, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Markets rally Thursday, look to end week on high note. One day after the Federal Reserve (Fed) doubled down on its “patient”...

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Mar 21, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights The Fed on Reserve. The Federal Reserve (Fed) doubled down on its patient stance in yesterday’s rate announcement, as policymakers...

Thursday, March 21, 2019

The Fed on Reserve Posted by lplresearch The Federal Reserve (Fed) has doubled down on its patient stance. Policymakers signaled a complete pause in policy at the conclusion of the Fed’s March meeting, with a nod to a slowing...

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Time For New Highs? Posted by lplresearch After dropping nearly 20% late last year, the S&P 500 Index has officially bounced up more than 20% from the December 24 lows. As we noted at the time, most bear markets that take place in a...

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Mar 20, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Awaiting the Fed. The Federal Reserve (Fed) concludes its two-day policy meeting this afternoon. Though no rate hike is expected, investors...

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Retirement: a state of mind Don't underestimate the psychological issues involved in deciding when to retire. Many people welcome the opportunity to reinvent themselves. Others postpone retirement or return to some form of work so...

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

The Fed’s High Hurdle Posted by lplresearch Today, the Federal Reserve (Fed) kicks off its second two-day meeting of 2019, and financial markets have high expectations for the outcome. The Fed will likely hold steady on the...

Tuesday, March 19, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Mar 19, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights The Fed’s high hurdle. Today, the Federal Reserve (Fed) kicks off its second two-day meeting of 2019, and market participants are...

Monday, March 18, 2019

Time For a Small Break? Posted by lplresearch Small cap stocks staged a furious rally to kick off 2019, with the Russell 2000 Index up nearly 18% year to date at the early March peak. Of course, you may remember that small caps were...

Monday, March 18, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Mar 18, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Large caps may be better positioned than small caps given where we are in the business cycle. Small cap stocks have performed well so far...

Monday, March 18, 2019

We all know, more or less, who millennial's are: We’re obsessed with sushi and our dogs, we’ve grown up socializing on the Internet, we also prefer to order food off an app rather calling in a To-Go order. The actual years...

Monday, March 18, 2019

Gradual Retirement Not everyone retires the same way – or at the same pace. Provided by Peter Livingston Are you in a hurry to retire? Not everyone is rushing to that particular finish line. According to the 2018 retirement...

Monday, March 18, 2019

Long-Term Investing Truths Key lessons for retirement savers. Provided by Peter Livingston You learn lessons as you invest in pursuit of long-run goals. Some of these lessons are conveyed and reinforced when you begin saving for...

Friday, March 15, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Stocks Resume Upward Momentum, Dow Lags on Boeing’s Woes. US: S&P 500 Index +2.9%, Dow +1.6%, Nasdaq +3.8%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +2.8%, German DAX +2.0%...

Friday, March 15, 2019

Market Update: Friday, Mar 15, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights S&P 500 gives resistance another try. With the S&P 500 Index’s move higher this morning, it appears to finally be taking out the...

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Will Brexit Go on Forever, Like Pi? Posted by lplresearch The Brexit saga seems like it has no end—sort of like the digits of pi as we celebrate National Pi Day today. On Tuesday, March 12, U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May...

Thursday, March 14, 2019

Market Update: Thursday, Mar 14, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China trade deal coming together. The latest news out of Washington, D.C., continues to point to an agreement fairly soon, one of the...

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

What Type of Pullback Could We See? Posted by lplresearch The S&P 500 Index corrected nearly 20% from the September peak until December 24 before staging a furious rally of 19%. What could happen next? A well-deserved pullback would...

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Market Update: Wednesday, Mar 13, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Durable goods orders up, producer prices dip. Headline durable goods orders rose for a third consecutive month in January, down from...

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Waking Up the Yield Curve Posted by lplresearch The Federal Reserve (Fed) heard the market’s alarm and shifted its stance, but the U.S. yield curve hasn’t woken up yet. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the spread...

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Market Update: Tuesday, Mar 12, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Inflation remains contained. Readings on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February were largely as expected. The 1.5% year-over-year...

Monday, March 11, 2019

The Importance of TOD & JTWROS Designations A convenient move that could ward off probate on your accounts. Provided by Peter Livingston TOD, JTWROS – what do these obscure acronyms signify? They are shorthand for transfer on...

Monday, March 11, 2019

Main Street’s Sentiment Falls to 7-Year Low Posted by lplresearch Pessimism has rapidly infiltrated Main Street’s outlook, according to the latest Federal Reserve (Fed) Beige Book. LPL Research maintains a straightforward...

Monday, March 11, 2019

Market Update: Monday, Mar 11, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China exports surged in early March, according to China. Official data released over the weekend showed that exports surged 39.9% year...

Monday, March 11, 2019

Qualified Charitable Distributions When you reach age 70½, they can be a new way of giving. Provided by Peter Livingston As the owner of a traditional IRA, you are likely aware that you are obligated to make required minimum...

Monday, March 11, 2019

Your Financial Strategy Like a chess grandmaster, it’s worth thinking a few moves ahead. Provided by Peter Livingston Thinking about retirement might seem unpleasant. As you budget your monthly bills, you might feel as if you...

Friday, March 8, 2019

Global growth concerns outweigh positive trade developments, sending stocks deep into the red.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Don’t Fret About the February Jobs Report Posted by lplresearch February’s smaller-than-expected jobs gain may put investors on edge, but underlying details show there isn’t much to fret about. Nonfarm payrolls rose...

Thursday, March 7, 2019

10 Years And Counting Posted by lplresearch This Saturday, March 9, 2019, marks the 10-year anniversary of the end to the worst bear market for U.S. stocks since the Great Depression. Although at that time no one could have imaged...

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Mar 7, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights ECB changes guidance, acknowledges weaker economy. In what we would call a bit of a surprise, the European Central Bank (ECB) this morning...

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

The Nasdaq’s 10 Weeks of Green Posted by lplresearch U.S. stocks’ recent momentum has been historically impressive by many measures, and the Nasdaq Composite Index notched another milestone last week. The Nasdaq has risen...

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Mar 6, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights New business drives growth in U.S. services sector. The ISM non-manufacturing index showed that activity in February came in at a very...

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

A Historic Quiet for Rates Posted by lplresearch Treasury yields have been historically quiet this year. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the 10-year Treasury yield has bounced around in a 23-basis point (bps) (.23%) range year...

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Mar 5, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Credit leads fixed income sectors over past month. With interest rates moving higher over the past month, accompanied by a...

Monday, March 4, 2019

Slow, But Steady Posted by lplresearch Slow but steady growth may win the race again as the economic expansion nears the 10-year mark. While muted growth in the current economic expansion has been frustrating at times, especially...

Monday, March 4, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Mar 4, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Earnings picked up a bit of ground last week. With 484 S&P 500 Index companies having reported, fourth quarter 2018 earnings growth is...

Monday, March 4, 2019

Midlife Money Errors If you are between 40 & 60, beware of these financial blunders & assumptions. Provided by Peter Livingston Mistakes happen, even for people who have some life experience under their belt. That said, your retirement...

Monday, March 4, 2019

Have You Budgeted for Retirement? Creating a strategy for success. Provided by Peter Livingston Run the numbers. There is a rule of thumb for retirees suggesting that retirement income has a target of 70-80% of the household’s...

Friday, March 1, 2019

March Higher? Posted by lplresearch “March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb.” What a start to 2019, with the S&P 500 Index up 11.1% after the first two months of 2019 for its best start to a year since 1991....

Friday, March 1, 2019

Market Update: Fri, Mar 1, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Here comes March. The S&P 500 Index is off to its best start to a year after the first two months since 1991 (and 1987 for the Dow), and...

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Consumer, Business Spending Propel Solid GDP Growth Posted by lplresearch After a month-long delay, investors finally have crucial context on economic growth through the end of 2018. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, fourth...

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Market Update: Thurs, Feb 28, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights China, Japan feeling the effects of U.S.-imposed tariffs. In China, official Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data showed...

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Market Update: Wed, Feb 27, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Powell day-one testimony takeaways. In the first of two-days of testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Jerome Powell...

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Why A Green January and February Have Bulls Smiling Posted by lplresearch After gaining 7.8% in January, the S&P 500 Index has added another 3.3% so far in February for a grand total year-to-date return of 11.4%. With two days to go,...

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Investment-Grade Debt Shines as Fixed Income Sweet Spot Posted by lplresearch Over the past three months, investment-grade (IG) corporate debt has posted its strongest rally in more than two years as investors look for the sweet spot...

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Market Update: Tue, Feb 26, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights Historically quiet rate environment. It’s been a quiet year for interest rates as fixed income traders reconcile a Federal Reserve...

Monday, February 25, 2019

Maintaining Your Financial Records: The Importance of Being Organized An important part of managing your personal finances is keeping your financial records organized. Whether it's a utility bill to show proof of residency or a Social...

Monday, February 25, 2019

About That Dow 9-Week Win Streak Posted by lplresearch The strong move in stocks continues. The S&P 500 Index has risen nearly 19% (as of February 22) from the December 24 lows, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) has posted an...

Monday, February 25, 2019

Market Update: Mon, Feb 25, 2019 | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Daily Insights President delays tariff increase amid “substantial progress.” In a widely-expected move, President Trump indicated that tariff...

Monday, February 25, 2019

Bad Money Habits to Break Behaviors worth changing. Provided by Peter Livingston Do bad money habits constrain your financial progress? Many people fall into the same financial behavior patterns, year after year. If you sometimes...

Monday, February 25, 2019

Is America Prepared to Retire? A look at some ways to get ready. Provided by Peter Livingston Are Americans saving enough? Only 19% of U.S. adults describe themselves as “very confident” when asked about their savings....

Friday, February 22, 2019

Weekly Market Drivers | LPL Financial Research Posted by lplresearch Trade Progress Buoys Markets Amid Lackluster Economic Data US: S&P 500 Index +0.6%, Dow +0.6%, Nasdaq +0.7%Europe: STOXX Europe 600 +0.6%, German DAX +1.4% France...

Friday, February 22, 2019

When Is Overbought Bullish? What more can we say about the amazing rebound of the stock market since December 24? For the first time since 1997, the S&P 500 Index is up more than 10% for the year through this point in February. Of...

Thursday, February 21, 2019

More Good News As this week’s Weekly Market Commentary suggested, over the near term equities appear quite stretched, but overall we continue to think the bull market has plenty of life left. Today, we’ll take a look at...

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Trimming Our 2019 GDP Forecast Economic data have consistently missed expectations recently as investors and Wall Street have struggled to quantify the impact of global trade and political risks. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day,...

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Social Security by the Numbers Facts about the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) program. Provided by Peter Livingston Social Security has been a pillar of retirement life for several decades, but how much do...

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Changing Our 10-Year Yield Forecast Economic growth could be lower than we initially expected this year, which could weigh on long-term rates. We’ve seen enough evidence recently to think 2019 gross domestic product (GDP) growth...

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Should Investors Love A Great Start to 2019? Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! With the S&P 500 Index up 9.8% for the year as of yesterday, this is its best start up to this point since 1991. So should investors love to see this...

Monday, February 11, 2019

Charitable Contribution Limits What are the limits for Donor-Advised Funds and Private Foundations? Provided by Peter Livingston Among the big changes in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) were new limits on standard and itemized...

Monday, February 11, 2019

A Steep Drop in Confidence Four months ago, the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index reached an 18-year high. Since then, consumer sentiment has deteriorated rapidly, leading some investors to wonder if a drop in...

Monday, January 28, 2019

Your Emergency Fund: How Much is Enough? An emergency fund may help alleviate the stress associated with a financial crisis. Provided by Peter Livingston Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the...

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Before You Claim Social Security A few things you may want to think about before filing for benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston Whether you want to leave work at 62, 67, or 70, claiming the retirement benefits you are entitled to by...

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Coping With the Shutdown A look at who is affected, and the potential economic impact. Provided by Peter Livingston Right now, many households across the country are contending with the financial pressures resulting from the partial...

Monday, January 14, 2019

Traditional vs. Roth IRAs Perhaps both traditional and Roth IRAs can play a part in your retirement plans. Provided by Peter Livingston IRAs can be an important tool in your retirement savings belt, and whichever you choose to open...

Monday, January 7, 2019

Understanding Homeowners Insurance What all new and prospective homeowners need to know. Provided by Peter Livingston If you arrange a mortgage, your lender will want you to have homeowners insurance. This coverage is critical for...

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Warren Buffett, widely considered the world’s greatest investor wrote about the manic-depressive Mr. Market in his 1987 letter to shareholders. I think it’s timely to forward this along as volatility has been crazy lately....

Monday, December 31, 2018

Putting a Price Tag on Your Health Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially. Provided by Peter Livingston We constantly hear how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is not always...

Thursday, December 27, 2018

Ways to Ease the Cost of College A look at grants, scholarships, 529 plans, and other methods. Provided by Peter Livingston How much could a college education cost in the 2030s? You may want to take a deep breath and sit down before...

Thursday, December 20, 2018

The Value of Insuring Against Life’s Risks Building wealth requires protection from the forces of wealth destruction. Provided by Peter Livingston When you are planning for your future, what do you think about? You may think...

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

A Retirement Fact Sheet Some specifics about the “second act.” Provided by Peter Livingston Does your vision of retirement align with the facts? Here are some noteworthy financial and lifestyle facts about life after 50...

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Why Do You Need a Will? It may not sound enticing, but creating a will puts power in your hands. Provided by Peter Livingston According to the global analytics firm Gallup, only about 44% of Americans have created a will. This finding...

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Tax Considerations for Retirees Are you aware of them? Provided by Peter Livingston The federal government offers some major tax breaks for older Americans. Some of these perks deserve more publicity than they receive. If you are 65 or...

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Some Changes Are Coming for 401(k)s Take note of them for 2019. Provided by Peter Livingston Some notable developments are about to impact 401(k) plans. They follow a major change that became effective in 2018. Thanks to the Tax Cuts &...

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Social Security Gets Its Biggest Boost in Years Seniors will see their retirement benefits increase by an average of 2.8% in 2019. Provided by Peter Livingston Social Security will soon give seniors their largest “raise”...

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Why You Might Want to Create a Donor-Advised Fund A DAF can be a great way to give, with potentially great tax breaks. Provided by Peter Livingston Do you regularly donate to charities and other non-profit organizations? Then you may...

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Your 2019 Financial To-Do List Things you can do for your future as the year unfolds. Provided by Peter Livingston What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for 2019? Now is a good time to think about the...

Thursday, November 15, 2018

The I.R.S. just increased the annual contribution limits on IRAs, 401(k)s, and other widely used retirement plan accounts for 2019. Here is a quick look at the changes. *Next year, you can put up to $6,000 in any type of IRA. The limit...

Friday, October 12, 2018

Filling Out the FAFSA There is really no reason to wait. Provided by Livingston Financial, Mooresville NC October is here – the ideal time for college students to apply for financial aid. October 1, in fact, marks the first day a...

Monday, September 10, 2018

5 Retirement Concerns Too Often Overlooked Baby boomers entering their “second acts” should think about these matters. Provided by Livingston Financial Mooresville, NC Retirement is undeniably a major life and financial...

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Why the U.S. Might Be Less Affected by a Trade War The nature of our economy could help it withstand the disruption. Provided by Livingston Financial of Mooresville NC A trade war does seem to be getting underway. Investors around the...

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Starting a Roth IRA for a Child or Grandchild This early financial decision could prove profoundly positive over time. Provided by Livingston Financial Mooresville NC Do you have a child or grandchild earning some income? Indirectly,...

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

The Sequence of Returns A look at how variable rates of return do (and do not) impact investors over time. Provided by Livingston Financial, Mooresville NC What exactly is the “sequence of returns”? The phrase simply...

Saturday, July 14, 2018

The Flattening of the Yield Curve Why are investors and economists getting nervous about Treasury yields? Provided by Livingston Financial What is the yield curve, and why is the financial media writing about it? Here is a brief...

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

The premiums and coverages vary, and you must realize the differences. Provided by Livingston Financial Medicare takes a little time to understand. As you approach age 65, familiarize yourself with its coverage options and their costs...

Friday, May 18, 2018

Beware of Lifestyle Creep Sometimes more money can mean more problems. Provided by Livingston Financial, Mooresville NC “Lifestyle creep” is an unusual phrase describing an all-too-common problem: the more money people earn...

Wednesday, April 18, 2018

The Major 2018 Federal Tax Changes Comparing the old rules with the new. Provided by Livingston Financial, Mooresville NC The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made dramatic changes to federal tax law. It is worth reviewing some of these changes...

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

News by the Numbers Five noteworthy figures from the previous week 103,000 March’s net jobs gain. This number was certainly disappointing, especially after payrolls swelled with 326,000 more jobs in February. Even so, Department...

Monday, April 2, 2018

SPRING 2018 Presented by Livingston Financial – Mooresville, NC. Tracking legislation that may impact your business, your estate, your retirement, or your wallet. Recent Developments Tariffs on imported metals, Chinese imports....

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Why are they made again and again? Provided by Peter Livingston Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also...

Thursday, January 25, 2018

What standbys did tax reforms eliminate? Provided by Peter Livingston - Mooresville NC Are the days of itemizing over? Not quite, but now that H.R. 1 (popularly called the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act) is the law, all kinds of itemized federal...

Thursday, June 8, 2017

Ignore the Distractions The steady diet of headlines pouring out of the Trump administration has been unsettling for most Americans, regardless of where they sit on the political spectrum.

Monday, May 8, 2017

Read about a personal experience I had with a neighbor about why hiring a financial advisor could help guide you through life's challenges and possibly help prevent a financial hardship.

Monday, April 24, 2017

When someone dies without a will where do things proceed from that point? Please read why creating a will is necessary and important to your family.

Monday, April 3, 2017

Read more about how financial planning across family generations can provide peace of mind and advice for all stages of life.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Little Things That May Help Your Retirement Saving Over time, these seemingly small factors could make a major difference. Provided by Peter Livingston Saving for retirement takes decades and demands the investment of significant...

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Getting Your Financial Paperwork in Good Order Help make things easier for your loved ones when you leave this world. Provided by Peter Livingston Who wants to leave this world with their financial affairs in good order? We all do,...

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Do Women Face Greater Retirement Challenges Than Men? If so, how can they plan to meet those challenges? Provided by Peter Livingston A new study has raised eyebrows about the retirement prospects of women. It comes from the National...

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Mind Over Money Emotion often drives our financial decisions, even when logic should. Provided by Peter Livingston When we go to the grocery store, we seldom shop on logic alone. We may not even buy on price. We buy one type of yogurt...

Monday, September 19, 2016

Characteristics of the Millionaires Next Door The habits and values of wealthy Americans. Provided by Peter Livingston Just how many millionaires does America have? By the latest estimation of Spectrem Group, a research firm studying...

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

The Trump & Clinton Tax Plans How do they differ? Provided by Peter Livingston Seemingly every presidential candidate offers a plan for tax reform. You can add Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton to that long list. Here is a look at their...

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Money Habits That May Help You Become Wealthier Financially speaking, what do some households do right? Provided by Peter Livingston Why do some households tread water financially while others make progress? Does it come down to...

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Midyear Outlook 2016 | July 2016 The recently released LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2016: A Vote of Confidence publication contains the guidance and investment insights to support you throughout the rest of this year. As we embark on...

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Getting Your Financial Paperwork in Good Order Help make things easier for your loved ones when you leave this world. Provided by Peter Livingston, Old North Wealth Management Group, Mooresville NC Who wants to leave this world with...

Monday, June 27, 2016

The Brexit Shakes Global Markets A worldwide selloff occurs after the United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union. Provided by Peter Livingston, Old North Wealth Management Group, Mooresville NC A wave of anxiety hit Wall Street...

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Investors worldwide are concerned about the possibility of a “Brexit”: the potential exit of “Britain” (to be precise, the United Kingdom) from the European Union. A Brexit would represent a significant crack in...

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

What Are Catch-Up Contributions Really Worth? What degree of difference could they make for you in retirement? Provided by Peter Livingston At a certain age, you are allowed to boost your yearly retirement account contributions. For...

Monday, June 13, 2016

Sometimes the Pundits Get It Wrong In fact, many predictions about Wall Street have misread the market’s direction. Provided by Peter Livingston, Old North Wealth Management Group, Mooresville NC Trying to determine how Wall...

Wednesday, June 8, 2016

The New Gradual Retirement Working a little (or a lot) after 60 may become the norm. Provided by Peter Livingston Do we really want to retire at 65? Not according to the latest annual retirement survey from the Transamerica Center for...

Thursday, June 2, 2016

The Chapters of Retirement The five phases of life after 50 & the considerations that accompany them. Provided by Peter Livingston The journey to and through retirement occurs gradually, like successive chapters in a book. Each chapter...

Friday, May 27, 2016

How Can You Make Your Retirement Money Last? These spending and investing precepts may encourage its longevity. Provided by Peter Livingston All retirees want their money to last a lifetime. There is no guarantee it will, but, in...

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Mid-Life Money Errors If you are between 40 & 60, beware of these financial blunders & assumptions. Provided by Peter Livingston Between the ages of 40 and 60, many people increase their commitment to investing and retirement saving....

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Long-Term Investment Truths Key lessons for retirement savers. You learn lessons as you invest in pursuit of long-run goals. Some of these lessons are conveyed and reinforced when you begin saving for retirement, and others you glean...

Friday, May 20, 2016

Reducing the Risk of Outliving Your Money What steps might help you sustain and grow your retirement savings? Provided by Peter Livingston “What is your greatest retirement fear?” If you ask retirees that question,...

Friday, May 20, 2016

Taking a Loan from Your Retirement Plan = Bad Idea Why you should refrain from making this move. Provided by Peter Livingston Thinking about borrowing money from your 401(k), 403(b), or 457 account? Think twice about that, because...

Friday, May 6, 2016

Tell Your Beneficiaries About Your Accounts and Policies Let them know how they will receive retirement assets and insurance benefits. Provided by Peter Livingston Will your heirs receive a fair share of your wealth? Will your invested...

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Why Roth IRA Conversions Can Make Sense in a Down Market When stocks struggle or tread water, going Roth gains merit. Provided by Peter Livingston Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA is no easy decision. After all, it is a...

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Wisdom from Warren Buffett One of the world’s most heralded investors simply keeps calm and carries on. Provided by Peter Livingston If you ask someone who the “world’s greatest investor” is, the answer more...

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Explaining the Basis of Inherited Real Estate What is cost basis? Stepped-up basis? How does the home sale tax exclusion work? At some point in our lives, we may inherit a home or another form of real property. In such instances, we...

Saturday, April 2, 2016

How much might health care cost you someday? “Financially speaking, what would be the worst thing that could happen to you?” If you ask a hundred people in their forties that question, you may get a dozen different answers. Some may...

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Could Social Security Really Go Away? Just how gloomy does its future look? Will Social Security run out of money in the 2030s? For years, Americans have been warned about that possibility. Those warnings, however, assume that no...

Monday, March 14, 2016

Should You Plan to Retire on 80% of Your Income? Examining a long-held retirement planning assumption. A classic retirement planning rule states that you should retire on 80% of the income you earned in your last year of work. Is this...

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Diversification, Patience and Consistency Three important factors when it comes to your financial life. Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The...

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

When Will Stocks Stabilize? How deep will this correction ultimately be? January may prove to be the worst month for stocks in eight years. The S&P 500 just corrected for the second time in five months, and some investors think the...

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE WEEKLY QUOTE “No one is ready for a thing until he believes he can acquire it.” - Napoleon Hill WEEKLY TIP Before 2016 begins, take a look at your spending patterns. Which expenses are necessary, which less so?...

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE WEEKLY QUOTE “Chance is always powerful. Let your hook be always cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be a fish.” - Ovid WEEKLY TIP Many people stay with the same bank for decades. Online...

Monday, December 14, 2015

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE WEEKLY QUOTE “We can have facts without thinking but we cannot have thinking without facts.” - John Dewey WEEKLY TIP Too many people believe they can create a great lifestyle for themselves by buying goods and...

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE WEEKLY QUOTE “Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or to lose.” - Lyndon B. Johnson WEEKLY TIP Most employers pay their workers 26 times per year. As a consequence, most people receive...

Monday, November 30, 2015

WEEKLY ECONOMIC UPDATE WEEKLY QUOTE “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” - Epictetus WEEKLY TIP Taking money out of your retirement account with the goal of using it to pay for your child’s...

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Retirement Blindspots Some life & financial factors that can be overlooked. We all have a “blue sky” vision of the way retirement should be, yet it helps to plan for retirement with a little pragmatism. Fate may alter the course of...

Friday, September 18, 2015

If you ever have the inkling to manage your investments on your own, that inkling is worth reconsidering. Do-it-yourself investment management can be a bad idea for the retail investor for myriad reasons. Getting caught up in the...

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Riding Out This Volatile Market A major global selloff unfolds. Is a bottom near? When will the stock market stabilize? As the last trading week of August began, worried investors wondered just that. Gains for the major indices were...

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Another Glitch Hits Wall Street The NYSE freezes floor trading for more than three hours. Floor trading was abruptly halted at the New York Stock Exchange Wednesday. At 11:32 am EST, a sudden problem forced the NYSE to interrupt...

Sunday, June 14, 2015

THE MAJOR RETIREMENT PLANNING MISTAKES Why are they made again and again? Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations and charities. Aside from these blunders,...

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Who Needs Estate Planning? Why estate planning is so important, and not just for the rich. You have an estate. It doesn’t matter how limited (or unlimited) your means may be, and it doesn’t matter if you own a mansion or a motor home....

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

The Psychology of Saving How many households have the right outlook to build wealth? Provided by Peter Livingston Why do some households save more than others? Building household savings may depend not only on cash flow, but also on...

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Creating a Budget for Retirement It only makes sense – yet many retirees live without one. Presented by Peter Livingston The importance of budgeting. You won’t be able to withdraw an unlimited amount of money in retirement, so a...