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Now That the Debt Ceiling is Over, What's Next?
Now that the debt ceiling negotiations are behind us and President Biden has signed the measure, what will Wall Street's wandering eye focus on next?Inflation? Interest rates? Recession? Artificial intelligence?More than likely,...
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 MoreDon't go it alone.
When markets cycle lower like they have been lately, perspective is critical. If you’re not connected to someone with experience, it can be easy to miss the big picture.If you zoom out a bit in history, most investors haven't...
Read MoreAre Interest Rates Heading Lower?
As the financial markets sort through the banking sector's issues, speculators have adjusted their outlook for interest rates for 2023 and beyond.In the first table, you can see that on March 3, speculators were expecting the Federal...
Read MoreWhat March Madness Can Teach Us About Your Financial Plan
Who's the "Cinderella" team you have busting brackets in this year's March Madness?Everyone loves a good underdog story, but the history of the Big Dance tells us that the clock strikes midnight more often than not. There are more than...
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Increase Your Activity to Increase ROL
In a recent poll, 31% of surveyed adults reported that they exercise less in the winter than they do during the rest of the year. Cold temperatures and the winter blues can make it harder to find that spark of motivation when...
Read MoreThe Biggest Bowl Game of the Year
As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET.For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...
Read MoreIdentity Theft Awareness Week
January 30 to February 3, 2023, is Identity Theft Awareness Week. Anytime is a good time to tighten up your identity security, but if you haven’t been as careful as you intended, consider this your annual reminder. Here are a few...
Read MoreJanuary is National Financial Wellness Month
National Financial Wellness Month comes each January. It's a time to remind people to either establish a financial strategy or take some time to sit down and review it with their trusted financial professional.For me, it's time for me...
Read MoreSocial Security 2023 COLA Increase Kicks In
While you probably already found your notice in the mail, you may be curious about the COLA increase happening for Social Security recipients in the New Year. Starting in January, beneficiaries will see an 8.7% increase to help offset...
Read MoreGive Experiences Not Stuff This Holiday Season
“Does this spark joy?” asks Marie Kondo about our possessions. The answer is usually YES! on Christmas morning or at a holiday party when we unwrap our presents and watch others enjoy their gifts as well. But once the New...
Read MoreAchieve More in Life and Feel Good About the Results
We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in the short-term and underestimate what we can accomplish in the long-term. The frustration that results is one big reason why so many New Year’s resolutions die before Spring.But...
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...
Read MoreStubborn Inflation Tests Fed's Resolve
Stubborn doesn’t seem like a strong enough word, but that’s how Fed officials are describing inflation.Inflation's “stubbornness” has been on full display in recent weeks: First, the Producer Price Index (PPI)...
Read MoreHow a Couple Can Get the Best ROL When Retiring at Different Times
Married couples don’t always plot retirement on the same lifeline point. According to a recent study by Fidelity, 43% of couples disagree about what age they plan on retiring. For other folks, circumstances like an...
Read MoreA Decision Not Made Is Still a Decision
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...
Read MoreYour Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?
Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you're driving to work, you see smoke coming...
Read More9 Facts About Retirement
Retirement 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 what approach you intend...
Read More5 Steps to Address Concern About an Aging Parent
As your parents begin to settle into their final phase of life, their health, residence, and finances could become a factor in your retirement planning. This is especially true if you are the person your parents have tasked with...
Read MoreWhere There's A Will
"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.When was the last time you reviewed your will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Markets React to Dim Forecast, 2Q Reports
Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...
Read More3 Ways to Help Maintain Healthspan in Retirement
A recent study published by npj Regenerative Medicine found that increased longevity has widened the gap between a person’s total healthspan (the number of years you are healthy) and lifespan by approximately 9 years. That means...
Read MoreDo You and Your Spouse Have Congruent Spending Habits?
Most married couples take a “divide and conquer” approach to household tasks and chores. One spouse might handle weekly shopping, the other might handle garbage and recycling. One spouse might handle laundry and cleaning,...
Read MoreBuild a Business With Purpose
According to a recent report by Forbes, the pandemic triggered a global boom in entrepreneurship. Quarantines, remote work, and disruption across many industries have inspired millions of workers to commit full time to the business...
Read MoreChoosing the Best College
Many students and parents start their college search by creating a long list of potential schools. Narrowing down that list isn’t always as fun, but getting the most Return on Life from college requires families to balance dreams...
Read MoreHow to Spend More and Get More Return on Life in Retirement
For many folks who spend their entire careers following a financial plan, saving and investing isn’t just a commitment, it’s a mindset. And it can be very challenging for these seniors to switch from a “saving”...
Read MoreWrite a Charitable Bucket List
Creating a bucket list can be a great way to visualize your long-term money goals and — more importantly — start checking them off. But as the science linking giving to happiness grows stronger many people have started...
Read MoreHow Physicians Can Still Use Their Skills in Retirement
Folks who are used to managing several responsibilities in a fast-paced work environment often have the hardest time downshifting into retirement. Doctors obviously fall into that category. But a further complication is that doctors...
Read More3 Ways to Get Beyond a Retirement Rut
Staying active and stimulated can be difficult enough for retirees. But during the pandemic, days, weeks, and months started blending together, creating endless doldrums that are still lingering for many people.As the world starts...
Read MoreChanges to Work That Could Increase Return on Life
In the wake of COVID and the Great Resignation, both employers and employees are exploring ways to battle burnout, retain top talent, and help people find their ideal work-life balance. One of these three strategies could help you or...
Read MoreKeep Your Eyes on The Road
Investing during market volatility can be like driving during a winter storm. Your best plan of action is to focus on what you can control and keep progressing towards your destination.And as the markets have turned a little blustery...
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