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Insights to Nurture Your Nest Egg for a Golden Tomorrow
Building a Nest Egg for Two
Whether you’re a newlywed or have celebrated many anniversaries, you already know you can accomplish more working together towards the same goal. The same goes with retirement savings. Both spouses can and should be involved in...
Read MoreWays to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
Saving money is a bit like eating healthy; you know you should eat your veggies, but it’s hard to resist indulging in something more fun. Like making healthy choices, a tax refund can present the opportunity to splurge. But, more...
Read MoreTime to Spring Forward! ⌚
We know life gets busy, so we wanted to remind you that it’s soon time to spring ahead! Remember to change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time on March 9th at 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. You're not alone if you think 3 a.m. is a strange time!...
Read MoreStudy: Hobbies Keep You Sharp
Did you know that hobbies can help you live a longer and more fulfilled life? Many scientific studies have found that having a hobby can improve your physical and mental health, keep you sharp on the job, and help your relationships....
Read MoreNot all Debt is Created Equal
When we meet with clients to determine the most efficient ways to maximize retirement savings, it’s not unusual for us to come across debt in their portfolio. This always prompts the million dollar question, “Is it better to use my...
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Medicare Part B Increases for 2025
No Medicare surprises for 2025. As expected, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $185, up $10.30 from 2024. The annual deductible—the amount paid before insurance begins to pay for health services—will...
Read MoreProtect Yourself Against Cyber Crime
The internet makes it possible for many of us to work from home, shop, attend religious services, and stay connected with family and friends. Unfortunately, those conveniences come with risk, and cybercriminals are upping their game....
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Social Security 2025 COLA: Projected 2.5% Increase
More than 71 million Social Security beneficiaries can expect a 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase in 2025, based on the Q3 inflation data so far. In other words, the COLA will raise the average benefit by $48 to $1,968 a...
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5 Types of Insurance Your College Student May Need
If you have teenagers, you’re likely very in touch with the adage, “One day you’re changing diapers, and the next you’re sending them off to college.” One of the results of that compressed passage of time is the bracing reality that...
Read MoreIs Social Security Going to Run Out in Your Lifetime?
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...
Read MoreMedicare and Travel – What to be Aware of
Retirement evokes different dreams for everyone, but for many, travel is part of the image. If travel is part of your retirement vision, before you leave town, it’s important be aware of whether Medicare coverage will protect you...
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Age My Way in May
May is a month to celebrate the older Americans in our country and honor their lives and the accomplishments they still have ahead of them. Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy to bring awareness...
Read MoreWays to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
Saving money is a bit like eating healthy; you know you should eat your veggies, but it’s hard to resist indulging in something more fun. Like making healthy choices, a tax refund can present the opportunity to splurge. But, more...
Read MoreTime – Not Timing – Is the Best Way to Protect Gains
Good days and bad days are a fact of life in the market. Sometimes it’s up and we celebrate. But when it dips, we worry…and if it tanks, forget it: the first instinct for most of us is panic, and we wonder if we should just get out of...
Read MoreDaylight Savings – Tips to Spring Forward
The time is here again! Twice a year, we adjust our clocks and disrupt sleeping patterns, work schedules, and the balance of our day. Even though it’s only an hour, springing forward for Daylight Saving Time each March is always...
Read MoreMake 2024 Your Best Year Ever
The New Year means taking a new look at your finances. The most important thing is to make sure you feel like you have the cashflow you need to do the things you want to do. So, let’s set some goals this year to build on last...
Read MoreDon’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
While looking ahead to a leisurely retirement is natural, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four unforeseen...
Read MoreEstate Planning Myths
Estate planning can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of financial planning; however, it’s vital to ensure your assets and family are protected. Unfortunately, common myths convince many they don’t need to create or...
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10 Tips to Survive a Family Meeting
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to put off important conversations with your family, especially when they concern money. However, family meetings are crucial to managing household finances, setting short- and...
Read More4 Ideas for Back-to-School Savings
As summer comes to an end and the excitement of a new school year begins, most parents dread the price tag associated with back-to-school shopping. And we don’t blame them! The amount of necessary supplies has climbed to new...
Read MoreThoughts on the Debt Ceiling
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news.Please find the Market Analysis from Phil Blancato, Advisor Group’s Chief Market Strategist attached below. This update provides an overview of...
Read MoreAre You Prepared for an Estate Tax Sunset?
Did you know the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is scheduled to sunset in 2026?Here’s what’s at stake if the act is allowed to expire: for wealthy families, the $25.84 million federal estate tax exemption (as of 2023 for a married...
Read MoreA Smaller Social Security Bump May Be On the Way
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...
Read MoreHaving Financial Conversations with Adult Children
A recent survey reported that 68% of parents had made financial sacrifices to support their adult children. It's often a difficult decision that can stress relationships, impact retirement strategies, and harm overall financial...
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Don't Watch The Markets Too Closely
One of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes is, “Remember that the stock market is a manic depressive.”What he’s suggesting is that stock prices can sometimes swing wildly from day to day in response to even minor news....
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0: An Overview
In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement. The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...
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Happy New Year - 2022 into 2023
A new year is on the horizon. Each day that comes presents something new and exciting both for you and the people in your life.Is this the year you open the door to something new and exciting? Embark on some new travel adventure? Or...
Read MoreThe Biggest COLA Increase Since 1981
How well do you remember 1981? Harrison Ford had his first bow as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Frogger and Donkey Kong were all the rage at video arcades. Bob Ross left the Air Force and took up painting. On top of that,...
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1% Moves in S&P 500
If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money. The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...
Read More3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market
It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...
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Companies Winning Despite Sour Economy
Sometimes, it’s a good idea to get a second opinion. And this may be one of those times .Government reports are telling a rather bleak story about the economy. The headlines talk about high inflation, rising interest rates, and a...
Read MoreSummertime Checkup
Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year.
Read MoreHow to Buy I Bonds Direct from the Treasury
With inflation hovering near 40-year highs, some investors are looking for alternative ways to weather the storm. For many, a Series I Savings Bond is just the ticket. I Bonds give investors a rate of return plus inflation protection...
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Beat Inflation with a 9.62% Return!
With inflation at a 40-year high, investing in Series I Bonds could make sense. I Bonds sold from May 2022 through October 2022 earn an interest rate of 9.62%. Read on to find out more about how these bonds work and how to invest in them.
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A Challenging Start to 2022
2022 is off to a challenging start for most investors.Stock prices have been down 6 of the past 9 weeks, and the major averages are either in or teetering on correction territory.Bond prices are lower, and yields are higher, which has...
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Split Decision: Who Joins the Dow 30?
You may have heard that both Amazon and Alphabet recently announced stock splits. But what you may have missed is the subplot to the unfolding story. The decision to split makes it likely that one of them will be added to the Dow...
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Know your 401(k) options between jobs
Few life events are more stressful than a job loss. If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions about job hunting, unemployment insurance, and health care. You may also...
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Fed Chair Changes His Tune
If you weren’t paying close attention, you might have missed it. Fed Chair Jerome Powell dropped the word “transitory” when describing inflation during his recent testimony to Congress. Powell had told the story of...
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The Underutilized Benefits of a Health Savings Account
Healthcare can be one of the priciest yet essential parts of life’s journey. And yet, many struggle to utilize the financial tools that may help. Take Health Saving Accounts (HSAs), for example.In 2019, 55% of those with HSAs...
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Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...
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Catch Up on a Great Retirement
Have you saved enough? Whether you started late, or have regularly saved throughout your career, you might wish you could stash some additional cash in your retirement fund. Fortunately, if you’re 50 or older, you can. The IRS...
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