Blog
Living Trusts: Understanding the Basics and Key Considerations
Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes.One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is...
Read MoreTrying to Time a Recession?
Economies move in cycles – always have, always willThe Federal Reserve has been steadily increasing interest rates in an attempt to slow the rate of inflation. Its efforts are yielding some results, although inflation remains...
Read MoreWhat Factors Have the Greatest Impact on Your Credit Score?
Fun fact: You probably have dozens of credit scores out there, and each one might be a different number.You’re probably familiar with a credit score, why it’s essential, and what it’s used for, but do you know how...
Read MoreSenior Fraud: How to Identify 7 Common Scams Targeting Seniors
When you've worked hard to build your retirement savings, you want to ensure you're taking every preventative measure to protect it. Unfortunately, more and more fraudsters and scammers are weaseling their way into the lives of seniors...
Read MoreImportant Financial Considerations to Make When Remarrying Later in Life
Discussing personal finances is important for any couple preparing for marriage. However, this topic can be more complicated for those who remarry later in life.If you’re remarrying later in life, one of your goals should be to...
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Top Considerations to Help Adult Children Be Better Prepared As You Age
As we get older, it’s important that our adult children are prepared to manage any aging-related situations that may arise. This includes everything from having to make medical and financial decisions to determining assisted...
Read MoreTips for Raising Financially Literate Children
Every parent wants the best for their children and strives to prepare them to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life. But, despite understanding the importance of financial responsibility, only 28 percent of parents speak to their...
Read MoreTransitioning to Medicare from Private Health Insurance Plans
Transitioning from Private Health Insurance Plans to MedicareAs you approach retirement age, you may be anticipating transitioning from your private insurance to Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program that provides...
Read MoreWhere to Put Excess Cash
According to the Investment Company Institute, near the end of 2022, there was more than $4.7 trillion in cash sitting in U.S. money market funds.1,2While cash can play a role in a diversified portfolio, historically, cash has not kept...
Read MoreTechnology Guide for Seniors
By 2040, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that 80 million people in the U.S. will be age 65 or older.1 Most of these senior adults will either want to—or need to—"age in place," living in their homes securely, independently...
Read MoreRate Hikes Are Rarely Good News, but This One Just Might Be
At its most recent meeting, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 0.25 percentage points. It was the Fed’s eighth rate hike in a row, but it’s smallest since last March 2022.At the post-meeting press conference, Fed...
Read MoreWhat Is the Sequence-of-Return Risk and How Can Retirees Mitigate Its Effects?
With the possibility of a recession looming, it's natural for those nearing or in retirement to have concerns over their long-term strategies. After decades of accumulating a portfolio, the last thing retirees want is for a market...
Read MoreLifetime Estate & Gift Tax Exemption Updates for 2023
In October 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax changes for 2023 — changes primarily driven, in part, by the current inflationary environment. For affluent couples or individuals interested in transferring...
Read MoreThe Challenge of Raising Non-Materialistic Kids
In today’s social media-obsessed world full of popular “influencers” targeting teens, pre-teens, and even younger groups, instilling values in your children and grandchildren about what really matters in life is more...
Read MoreContribution Limit Increases for 2023: Just What We Wanted to Hear
In late October, the IRS announced that it is increasing contribution limits to retirement savings accounts in 2023. The changes, like many you are seeing, are a direct result of months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some...
Read MoreYear-End Financial Strategies
The year is almost over, and it has certainly been a bumpy one for the financial markets and our economy. As financial professionals, we work with families to design investment strategies that help them pursue their goals for education...
Read MoreThe Trials and Tribulations of Homebuying in 2022
Key points: Mortgage rates are influenced by the Fed’s rate hikes. A sharp rise in mortgage rates reduces the buying power of homebuyers. Although home prices have trended higher, home sales have trended lower.
Read MoreCharitable Giving Strategies for 2022
Key points:Over the past five years, affluent Americans increased their donations to charity by 48%.1Understand various strategies to help you maximize the impact of your charitable donations and your income tax savings.To qualify for...
Read MoreHow Does the Inflation Reduction Act Impact Healthcare? A Guide During Open Enrollment Season
Key points:One of the biggest components of the Inflation Reduction Act is the changes to healthcare costs and coverage. The Inflation Reduction Act requires all pharmaceutical companies to rebate Medicare participants for the...
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Life Insurance and Estate Planning
Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed...
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Figuring Out a 401(k) Strategy That Works for You
Matching your tolerance for risk with your investment objectives Everyone wants a comfortable retirement, but the road you take there will depend on your specific situation. When you invest, you assume a certain level of risk (but like...
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Saving for Retirement and a Child's Education at the Same Time
You want to retire comfortably when the time comes. You also want to help your child go to college. So how do you juggle the two? The truth is, saving for your retirement and your child's education at the same time can be a challenge....
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5 Ways to Practice Financial Self-Care
Smart self-care does not just mean spa days and movie nights: there are other therapeutic ways to reduce your mental and physical stresses, including how you manage your money. If your goal is to create healthier habits...
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Five Keys to Investing for Retirement
Making decisions about your retirement account can seem overwhelming, especially if you feel unsure about your knowledge of investments. However, the following basic rules can help you make smarter choices regardless of whether you...
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4 Tips and Resources to Help Seniors During Periods of High Inflation and Market Volatility
In 2022, U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high, with prices for food, housing, gasoline, and other key staples increasing by nearly 10% over the previous year.1 During these uncertain times, stocks have continued a roller-coaster ride...
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Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement?
You can use a variety of strategies to pay off debt, many of which can cut not only the amount of time it will take to pay off the debt but also the total interest paid. But like many people, you may be torn between paying off debt and...
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Setting and Targeting Investment Goals
Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire.It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...
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The Importance of Financial Independence for Adults with Disabilities
Disabilities may make it challenging to secure a job or stay financially stable. Luckily, there are now more ways than ever for adults with disabilities to gain their financial independence. Here are some important reasons adults with...
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6 Retirement Tips for Surviving the Sandwich Generation Squeeze
Adults caring for aging parents and children simultaneously have now become known as the "sandwich generation." While each generation comes with its own array of financial challenges, the sandwich generation often feels...
Read MoreLPL 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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Seeking Simplicity: Understanding SIMPLE IRAs and SIMPLE 401(k)s
For those who don't have a 401(k) option through their employer—which includes some small-business owners—how to save for retirement might be challenging. In a competitive employment market, offering retirement options to...
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Four Tips for Gaining Financial Independence
The golden rule of financial planning: if you can plan it, you can pursue it Over the past July 4th, we celebrated our country’s history of declaring independence and guaranteeing basic human freedoms. But true freedom includes...
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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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Financial Freedom vs. Financial Independence: Key Differences and How to Work Towards Both
Working towards financial independence can often be a lifelong process. But for many, financial freedom may come far sooner—and include some fun along the way. What are the differences between financial independence and financial...
Read More6 Tennis Tips To Help Make Your Retirement a Grand Slam
Whether you make tennis one of your leisure activities during retirement or just enjoy watching the sport, you may not realize that the same strategies used in a tennis match may also translate into retirement. Prepare yourself for...
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Are Things So Bad They're Good?
2022 has had a rough start to the year, and however, there may be some good news coming our way. On this week’s Street View video, LPL Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick discusses three statistics that may signal a better...
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Investor Summer School: 3 Investing Moves to Make Before Summer is Over
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6 Ways to Stay Active in Retirement
Retirement is a new stage in life and one that is full of possibilities if you take advantage of it. Too often, those who have spent most of their life working hard may now find the abundance of time hard to fill or may find it difficult to
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Opening a 529 College Savings Plan Is Better Late Than Never
If you wonder whether it’s too late to start saving for your child’s college education—the answer is no. Whether your child is a newborn or already starting college, a 529 account may provide some tax benefits. Here are a few things that pa
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Older Americans Growing Targets of Financial Fraud
America’s older generations grew up in a different world where it was customary to be courteous and trusting. Unfortunately, these exemplary standards of conduct could get some individuals into trouble.
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6 Mental Health Tips for Investors
Investing is stressful. It takes sound mental decisions to weather the ups and downs that come with the markets and investing in general. Whether you are managing your financial portfolio or making investments on the side, staying mentally
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Everything You Need to Know About Adjusting to Retirement
Economists and pundits predicted that the baby boomer generation's retirement would be dramatic, and the COVID pandemic sped things along. According to the St. Louis Fed, the number of retirees in the U.S. increased by 7% between January 20
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Classic Cocktails: The Mint Julep
The Kentucky Derby is perhaps the most famous venue for this refreshing cocktail that combines fresh mint and traditional Kentucky bourbon.
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Assessing the Health of your Business
In today’s business climate, it may be more important than ever for companies to operate at maximum efficiency and with a keen awareness of the potential impact of changes in their industry and the economy. Using a SWOT analysis...
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How Life Insurance Policies Make Money for You
With all of the attention the life insurance industry has been receiving lately, it's easy for policyholders to overlook two important factors: 1) few investments, if any, meet the safety of life insurance and, 2) few investments offer the
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Invest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month
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Health Is Wealth: How Improving Your Physical Health May Benefit Your Finances
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What Should Small Business Owners Know About Data Privacy Obligations?
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Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season
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The science of gift wrapping explains why sloppy is better
They say appearances can be deceiving. In the case of gift giving, they might be right. Consumers in the U.S. spend billions of dollars a year on wrapping gifts, in most cases to make their presents look as good as possible. This...
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Winter Driving
Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold Along with snowmen, skating, and sledding, the winter months also bring the possibility of freezing rain, strong wind, ice, and blizzard conditions. When such weather is imminent, the National...
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4 Ways to Make a Positive Impact on Human Rights Day
December 10th is Human Rights Day and a time to reflect on the progression of human rights in the past, its status today, and its future. The day of observance first occurred in 1948 to mark the day the Universal Declaration of Human...
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Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree: 5 Christmas Tree Facts
One of the most popular icons of the Christmas season is the Christmas tree. It has become a symbol of the holidays and the center point for Christmas displays, party decorations, and events. During the Christmas season, you may find...
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Giving Back to Your Community While Improving Your Bottom Line
Regardless of size, companies can benefit when the community in which they do business thrives. For entrepreneurs, giving back to the community may be more than just a charitable act; it can also make good business sense. If you have...
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Five Things You Need To Know About Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs related to long-term, chronic health concerns. It may cover things that traditional health insurance does not cover, such as personal care services. If you have a...
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Can You Spot the Scam? Common Financial Fraud Warning Signs
Many people are familiar with the scammers who promise to pay millions of dollars in exchange for briefly holding funds in your bank account or those who offer to enhance certain body parts risk-free. Today's scammers are clever at...
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Entrepreneurship and Financial Risk: What You Need to Know
Entrepreneurs tend to be natural risk-takers but this doesn't mean committing to uncompensated risk. A wise entrepreneur considers their potential exposure before leaping into a new business venture, moving forward only on those...
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Understanding the Estate Planning Process
It is common for people to put off planning their estates. After all, no one wants to anticipate his or her own death. In addition, many people may believe that only the wealthy require estate planning or that all that is involved is...
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Carving Out Time to Support Small Business Saturday
American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010 to provide small businesses with a holiday season boost on the heels of Black Friday. The day comes after one of the biggest shopping sales events and serves as a reminder to...
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A Fall Financial Checklist
For many, autumn is the best time of year. The return of cool breezes, comforting foods, and pumpkins can be invigorating. It’s also a bookmark of sorts, especially for your finances—a perfect time to take stock of your...
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Paving Your Road to Retirement
Whatever your age, it’s never too soon to look ahead and begin giving thought to your retirement. With proper planning, you can make the transition to retirement a smooth, comfortable and confident ride. Today, more than ever,...
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Money Saving Tips Everyone Should Know
We’ve all heard this advice before: if you want to save money, you need to cut back on spending. However, it’s not always so easy. Identifying senseless spending in the following areas can help you save more each month. But...
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Fun Facts About Education Week
The public school system is a vital component of the American education system. We celebrate the country's teachers and staff and the education system as a whole during the week of November 16th through the 20th this year. These are...
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