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Like Ugly Christmas Sweaters, Retirement Planning Is Not ‘One Size Fits All’
Just as every snowflake is unique, so is every person's retirement plan. Though there are some general strategies that can be helpful—contribute at least 10% of your salary; have at least one year's salary saved for retirement by...
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5 Festively Fun Party Games
The holidays provide the perfect excuse to throw a shindig. Whether you find yourself in the company of friends and family or co-workers, a party just isn’t a party without food, drinks, and of course, games! These festively fun...
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Cheers to a New Year of Investing
For many investors, this year has been a wild ride—with interest rate increases, a crypto implosion, and whipsawing values in the major market indices. It might be tough to catch one's breath and look ahead to next year. But the...
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End of Year (EOY) Deadlines Checklist
For many of us, a new year is an opportunity for fresh starts and discovering the best versions of ourselves, but some things—like tax contributions and retirement deadlines—don't change much, if at all. And with that shiny...
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Now Might Be a Good Time for a Roth Conversion
One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to federal income tax in the year of conversion, which might be a...
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A Year-End Wealth Planning Guide
As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:...
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Year-End Donations and #GivingTuesday
A list of things to consider as you think about year-end charitable donations With its family traditions and festive celebrations, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to GivingTuesday.org, the...
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Your Fall Maintenance Checklist
As the summer draws to a close and the first chilly winds of autumn blow through, it’s time to think through the way you’ll clean up, fix up, and maintain your home for fall. By keeping up with your home’s maintenance...
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Treat Yourself to These 5 Retirement Savings Tricks
Your retirement is the reward after years of hard work and saving. You might dream of traveling, want to invest in a vacation home, or want to take up a new hobby. For an enjoyable retirement, saving is critical. Take charge of your...
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Fun Budget-Friendly Fall Activities
People often talk about spring fever, but what about fall fever?Autumn has a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy—but they can be costly. Instead of going shopping for expensive decor or purchasing pricey tickets to...
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What is Medicare and What Does it Cover?
For those approaching the age of 65, Medicare can be confusing, and you might also be wondering how it compares to your current health care coverage. This guide addresses your questions about Medicare and how you might deal with...
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Your Long Term Care Action Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide
Those turning 65 this year have a 7 in 10 chance of needing long-term care (LTC) at some point.1 With the cost of a private room in a nursing home now topping $100,000 per year, the thought of paying this — or for a loved...
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5 Tips for Navigating Medicare in Retirement
One of the main concerns about retirement is health care. As healthcare costs continue to rise, medical bills may quickly derail your retirement plan. The good news is when you turn 65, you will be able to apply for Medicare, which...
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Aging Gracefully: 6 Healthy Ways to Enjoy Your Retirement
Retirement is an exciting time. You have worked hard all of your life and now get to take advantage of the fruits of that hard labor. While retirement is the perfect time to tackle to-do lists and all of the things you have always...
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Tax Planning Tips: Life Insurance
Understanding the importance of life insurance is one thing. Understanding the tax rules is quite another. As insurance products have evolved and become more sophisticated, the line separating insurance vehicles from investment...
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6 Great Fall Home Improvement Projects
The days are growing shorter, the leaves are changing colors, and the temperatures are cooling down—fall is here. The season is perfect for creating memories with your loved ones, but it is also an excellent time to take care of...
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Five Keys to Investing for Retirement
Because inflation could reduce your purchasing power over time, you'll probably need to contribute more to your retirement plan than you think. What seems like a healthy amount now is likely to feel smaller and smaller over time.All...
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Women, Wealth, and Legacy Planning
Women play a central role in establishing and preserving family wealth -- whether nurturing the values of children, fulfilling charitable goals, or making investment decisions that affect the financial security of themselves or their...
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3 Tips for Staying Calm While Navigating a Volatile Market
When market volatility takes investors on a wild ride, fear and panic are common responses to this stock market roller coaster. Acknowledging these emotions may be a good first step, but acting upon them could result in impulsive,...
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LPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...
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Retirement Planning Does Not Stop in Retirement
Five easy pointers to help you plan during all of your retirement years If you’re retired, there’s good news in that you’ll probably live longer and perhaps better than your parents and grandparents did. The bad news:...
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Tips for Women to Help Build Financial Independence
Every woman needs to balance her financial past with her financial future Traditionally, women have been the caretakers of both the older and younger generations of their families. But providing care for family members is becoming...
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Wellness in Retirement: The Benefits of Social Wellness for Retirees
Social isolation makes people more susceptible to illness and death.1 While retirement is a time for relaxation and enjoyment from a lifetime of work, it may lead to a lack of purpose if you have depended on work for...
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Acquaint Grown Children with Your Financial Affairs
Many parents may feel it is unnecessary to inform their adult children about their personal, financial affairs. However, as your children grow older, it can work to your advantage—and that of your entire family— to share...
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No-Churn Peach Ice Cream
If you've wanted to try making ice cream but don't have an ice cream maker, this no-churn ice cream recipe is a great place to start. No-churn ice cream is such a wonderful recipe to have in your back pocket for those hot summer...
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Maintaining the Investment You Made in Your Home
For many Americans, the home is the single biggest purchase made during their lifetime.[1] As a result, it's important to do everything possible to keep it in good condition. Even moderate or short-term neglect can be dangerous, as...
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12 Things Investors Need to Know about the SECURE Act 2.0
In late 2019, SECURE Act was passed as a way to help Americans save more for their retirement. In March 2022, the SECURE Act 2.0 has passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and aims to improve the goals of the original SECURE Act....
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What Homeowners Should Know About Estate Planning
If you have always thought estate planning was just for those nearing retirement or already retired, think again. If you own a home, it is important to have a plan in place. Without a will or other arrangements that allow your home to...
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How to Maintain Your Garden This Summer
When we think of gardening, we usually think of springtime. When the days heat up, the soil can become drier and less optimal for plant growth. The good news is, there are many ways to keep your garden thriving during the hottest...
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American Flag Pie
Pie is always a favorite at picnics and cookouts, but the usual apple or berry pie is already bound to be on the table. This festive pie is full of cherry and blueberry fillings—and dons a stars-and-stripe pattern—for the...
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Health Is Wealth: How Improving Your Physical Health May Benefit Your Finances
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3 Common Social Security Scams and How To Avoid Being Fooled by Them
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How to Recognize and Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft
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Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
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A Season of Giving: 5 Different Ways To Give During the Holidays
With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...
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A Holiday Gift-Giving Guide
It’s December, and that means it’s crunch time for the gift-buying season. This year, a little thinking outside the box will go a long way toward putting a smile on loved ones’ faces. Whether you’re buying for...
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Your 2021 Year-End Planning Checklist
It may be easy to forget we're nearing the end of the year. Even during the busy end of year rush, it's a good time to reevaluate your 2021 finances and turn an eye toward 2022. What can you do now to potentially improve and streamline...
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New Year, New Goals: Your Countdown to Financial Health
For many people, a new year provides a new start—and nothing says "new start" like a fresh new set of financial goals. But setting these goals is easier said than done. What steps should you take to get the most bang for your...
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30 Days of Gratitude
Between the excitement of Thanksgiving’s delicious feast and the hustle and bustle of the impending holiday season, the month of November often goes by in the blink of an eye. However, even just one simple act a day will help you...
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A Financial Review Can Pay Off at Year End
Today, many people find themselves bombarded by a constant stream of financial news from television, radio, and the Internet. Yet, does all this “information age” data really help you manage your finances any better now...
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2021 Year-End Planning for Retirees
For some, 2021 has flown by—and as we approach the last quarter of the year, it's a good time to begin planning for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for retirees and those hoping to retire in 2021 or 2022....
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Thanks and Giving: How You Make a Difference on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a day to extend the goodwill that the holiday season may bring to help others. With so many in need, the holiday season is a reminder to help those less fortunate. Whether you want to donate your time or contribute...
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Protecting Your Financial Information Online
More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet,...
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Charitable Giving: Good for Your Heart and Your 1040!
It may be better to give than to receive, but it may be even better to give and see your generosity rewarded. Charitable giving can play a valuable role in your financial and tax strategies. A well-planned gift to charity could provide...
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What You Need to Know About Medicare Advantage Plans
If your 65th birthday is coming up—or if you're receiving Social Security Disability payments and are about to qualify for Medicare before age 65—you may be wondering exactly what comes next.1 Below, we discuss some...
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The Most Common Tax Tips before Year End
Tax planning can be advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities exist for you to mitigate tax liability, which may leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally, people put...
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Life Insurance: Changing Times, Changing Needs
When Judy purchased her life insurance policy 10 years ago, she thought her insurance planning was complete. She assumed that if she paid her premiums on time, she could sit back and not think about life insurance anymore. Judy’s...
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Boomers' Post-Pandemic Retirement Concerns
For many who are decades away from leaving the workforce, retirement may seem like an abstract concept. But once you've entered your late fifties—like the youngest Baby Boomers, turning 57 in 2021—retirement may begin to...
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Grant Peace of Mind with a Financial Inventory
Suppose, during the middle of the workday, you receive an urgent phone call. It is the local hospital informing you that your elderly, widowed father has been the victim of a serious car accident and lies unconscious in the emergency...
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529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Options
529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but they're not the only way. When you're investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options. Mutual funds Mutual funds are an option to...
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6 Keys to More Successful Investing
A successful investor maximizes gain and minimizes loss. Though there can be no guarantee that any investment strategy will be successful and all investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, here are six basic...
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What to Know About IRA Investing
Although it's not hard to find doom-and-gloom articles that bemoan many Americans' lack of preparation for retirement, these don't tell the whole story. One in three adults save for retirement outside their 401(k) in a traditional or...
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Why Invest?
To accumulate wealth, people may choose to invest their money into various types of investments. Investing creates opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to manage due to the consistency of contributing to the investment....
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4 Ways to Celebrate World Nature Conservation Day
World Nature Conservation day is fast approaching. July 28th is a day when we acknowledge the importance of conservation to ensure a stronger future for the next generations. So how do you do your part and mark the occasion? By finding...
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Travel Tips That Save
Americans seem to be traveling more than ever before and are doing so by either flying the friendly skies or sailing the seven seas. While more of us may be flying high or traveling the high seas, most of us would like to avoid the...
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LPL's Mid-Year Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed
Introduction: Picking Up Speed In the first half of 2021, the U.S. economy powered forward faster than nearly anyone had expected. As we were writing our Outlook for 2021 in late 2020, our economic views were significantly more...
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When's the Right Time to Retire?
Retirement is inevitable, but knowing exactly when to do so is often unclear. No matter when you actually begin your retirement, you’ll benefit from planning your post-work life as early as possible. According to Gallup, the...
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The Different Stages of Financial Freedom
If you're living paycheck-to-paycheck or stuck in a job you don't love just to pay the bills, it can be easy to feel as though you're financially trapped. But financial freedom doesn't need to be elusive—with some focused and...
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The Perfect Summer Treats
The Perfect Summer Treats Summer is here and with it comes long, hot days! Here are some of our favorite treats to share in the summer time with friends and family: Buttermilk Peach Pops ¾ cup of whole buttermilk ½ cup of...
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Fourth of July Safety Tips
From firework displays to backyard barbecues, your Fourth of July weekend is jam-packed. However, understanding important safety tips ahead of the time can help you and your family enjoy the holiday. Fireworks Never allow small...
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Dad’s Day Out: Must-Visit Destinations for Father’s Day
When it comes to shopping for Father’s Day, it can be tricky to avoid the old clichés of a new tie or a seventh (unnecessary) screwdriver for his toolbox. Besides, what if your dad isn’t the businessman or handyman...
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Five Factors that Impact Your Retirement
Retirement can be a risky business if you don’t consider all the factors that can impact your retirement during your planning process. Although it’s hard to know what will happen in the future to you or your investments,...
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What Should Grandparents Know About 529 Savings Accounts?
Grandparents can often find themselves in a better financial position to save for their grandchildren's education than their own children are. The parents of prospective students may still be contending with competing priorities like...
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Lifestyle Tips & Tricks for Health & Fitness in Your Later Years
Staying healthy and fit is crucial at every stage of your life. As you get older, the impact of wellness often becomes clearer, but it can also become more difficult to maintain. With age, factors ranging from time conflicts through...
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Plant A Garden. It’ll Grow On You
Ahh, summer. Long hot days, are just perfect for vegetable growing. I don't know about you, but for me, summer begins with the smell of tomato plants, there is just something about the aroma that ushers in the season. Working in the...
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How to Stay Committed to Your Financial Goals
Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals. Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be difficult, especially when times may be financially tough. But by staying...
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Life Insurance at Various Life Stages
Your need for life insurance changes as your life changes. When you're young, you typically have less need for life insurance, but that changes as you take on more responsibility and your family grows. Then, as your responsibilities...
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Retirement Planning: To Roth or Not To Roth?
When saving for retirement, it often makes sense to contribute to employer-sponsored retirement plans to take advantage of any available employer match opportunities. However, not everyone has access to an employer-sponsored plan. Even...
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Key Considerations as You Start Receiving Social Security Benefits
As your retirement draws closer, you will probably start to have lots of questions such as: How much Social Security will I receive? When should I retire? How will I know when to retire? Do I have enough saved? What will I need to do...
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Key Benefits of a Financial Professional
Whether you've been wondering about boosting your investments' rates of return or are concerned that your financial affairs are a bit too complicated for your next of kin to handle, it may be time to seek advice from a financial...
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4 Tips For a Healthier Financial Outlook
With Public Health Week on the way,[1] it is not only time to consider your physical and mental health but also your financial health. When your financial outlook is healthier, you will be less stressed and enjoy what all your hard...
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How to Increase Your Financial Literacy
Unlike verbal literacy, financial literacy isn't often taught in schools—which means that many people may enter adulthood without having all the tools they need to make informed and effective financial decisions.[1] Fortunately,...
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Tips for Women to Help Build Financial Independence
Traditionally, women have been the caretakers of both the older and younger generations of their families. But providing care for family members is becoming increasingly difficult, as doing so may require a leave of absence from work...
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Things to do After You Retire
The moment you have been working for your whole life is about to arrive: retirement. This stage of your life will likely offer more free time than you have ever had before. In fact, if you are like a lot of people, you may be wondering...
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Retirement Income Planning
For investors approaching retirement, it is important to begin thinking about retirement income planning. This involves a mindset shift from accumulating an investment portfolio designed for growth to creating a portfolio of retirement...
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How Financial Asset Management May Help Investors Stay the Course
Most people who decide to purchase stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other investment vehicles do so understanding that there are risks associated with investing, but believing that the potential growth they may realize over time...
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Tips for Tax Preparation
In 2020, the government gave taxpayers an automatic six-month extension due to the coronavirus. Individuals who were affected by the damaging wildfires were also given additional time to meet most tax deadlines. However, in 2021, the...
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Common Retirement Investment Mistakes
Only one-in-four Americans (27%) feel very confident that they will have enough money to live comfortably when they retire, according to the 2020 Retirement Confidence Survey Summary Report.11 While the number is up slightly from the...
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Key Tax Deadlines for 2021
While the 2020 tax year saw some significant changes to filing deadlines due to the effects of the global pandemic, the 2021 tax season seems to be set to be on track with normal filing deadlines. With the pandemic still in sight, it...
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Tax Identity Theft Awareness - Protecting Yourself from Tax Identity Theft
Tax identity theft is when someone steals your Social Security Number, files a tax return with your number, and directs a refund to their own bank account. In other cases, this type of identity theft may involve a scam artist calling...
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Tips for Organizing Your Financial Documents
In an increasingly paper-free society, organizing your financial documents can still be a challenge. No matter how simple or complex your financial picture might be, it takes some thought-out organization to keep your tax documents,...
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The Importance of Financial Wellness
Financial wellness, like physical wellness, isn’t something you should ignore. Instead, it's a critical concept for anyone who wants to be knowledgeable and confident about their finances, and in fact, financial wellness is so...
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2020/2021 Tax Season Guide
To ease some of the burdens of tax season, we’ve created this helpful guide, which contains all the information you may need to easily address tax issues and questions that you might face. It will assist you in becoming familiar...
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New Year's Resolutions to Get Your Finances in Order
New Year's is traditionally the time to review your life and make resolutions for change. In addition to thinking about working out, eating healthy, and meeting personal and professional goals, you should also think about your finances...
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Getting a Jump on January Tax Season
From pandemic-related stimulus payments to job losses and furloughs, for many taxpayers, next spring's tax season may be more complex than usual. With the end of 2020 rapidly approaching, you should take some time to review your tax...
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Our Favorite Holiday Recipes
This holiday season, we wanted to share some of our favorite recipes to enjoy with friends and family. All of these are very simple and perfect for the holidays to share. Follow our recipes below: Coconut Bonbons 1 cup of softened...
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Three Things You'll Wish You'd Known Before Retirement
Retirement is one of the biggest life transitions adults will ever deal with. After 20, 30, or 40 or more years in the workforce, new retirees can find it hard to adjust to the reduced amount of structure in their daily lives. But...
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Outlook 2021: Powering Forward
More than most years, it’s hard to look ahead to the next year, to 2021, without looking back at 2020. A global pandemic, a massive economic collapse, a bear market, a surprisingly sharp reversal, a hotly contested election...
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Tax Benefits of Charitable Planning
When you donate to a charity, you want to know that your donation is going to its highest and best purpose—which means minimizing the tax exposure of the donated assets. One way to accomplish this, whether you're hoping to donate...
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3 Tips to Manage Year-End Tax Liability
With the end of the tax year fast approaching, you may want to find ways to minimize your tax liability. Implementing one or more of the simple strategies discussed below may allow you to hold on to more of your earnings, potentially...
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4 Reasons to Do Your Shopping on Small Business Saturday
When Thanksgiving rolls around, the holiday shopping season comes into full swing. While many people prepare their strategy for Black Friday shopping, a lot of them forget about the second shopping holiday that weekend: Small Business...
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Year-End Tax Planning
As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to consider strategies that could help you reduce your tax bill. But most tax tips, suggestions, and strategies are of little practical help without a good understanding of your...
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Revisit Your Investment Strategy at Each Age Milestone
As the saying goes, "50 is the new 40"—and with Americans living longer than ever before, it's not unusual for those in their 50s, 60s, or even 70s to be in their peak earning years.1 But for those who would prefer the option of...
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Long-Term Care: Better to be Safe than Sorry
As you enter your “golden years”, perhaps you imagine yourself traveling, visiting grandchildren, or pursuing a favorite hobby. Unfortunately, none of us can predict what the future may bring. But, according to the U.S....
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Ready to Retire? How to Know for Sure
Retirement is an exciting time for many, and the reward for years of hard work. While there is no set age for retirement, it is important to be prepared before you make the leap, so that you enjoy your retirement and financial...
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End of Year Planning: Set Goals and Reduce Taxes
By the last third of the calendar year, you're likely to have a pretty good idea of what your annual income will be and whether any major expenses or big life changes await you. This can allow you to engage in more robust tax planning,...
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Identify Your Personal Retirement Goals
Ask yourself, "What will my golden years hold for me?" Is the answer a comfortable home near a golf course? Free time to spend with your grandchildren? Or even a cross-country journey or trip around the world? Whatever your answer may...
Read More9 Facts about Social Security
Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...
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