Quarterly Market Update April 2023
Market Update— Quarter Ending March 31, 2023 Presented by Chrisy Frey Markets Rebound in March Strong March for Fixed Income Bank Stress Worries Markets Economic Updates Are Positive Risks Are Worth Monitoring Outlook Is Still Promising Markets Rebound in March Markets had a solid March, as a month-end rally helped bring all three […]
A CRASH COURSE IN 529 PLANS AND THEIR IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AID
Are you worried about the rising cost of education? 529 plans can be powerful college savings tools when you understand how to take full advantage of them. Start with the Basics 529 plans are tax-advantaged college savings plans sponsored by a state or state agency, and there are two types: Prepaid tuition plans. With this type of […]
ESTATE PLANNING FOR LGBTQ+ MARRIED COUPLES
On June 26, 2015, in the Obergefell v. Hodges decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that states must allow same-sex couples to marry and must recognize same-sex marriages from other states. As a result, estate planning for LGBTQ+ married couples became equal, under the law, to planning for other married couples. As with any historic legal case, […]
UNSURE WHEN TO CLAIM SOCIAL SECURITY? TIMING HAS ITS BENEFITS
For many Americans, social security benefits make up a significant portion of retirement income. When it comes to how much you will receive, you may be surprised to learn that you have a choice in the matter—and timing is everything. The longer you wait to claim your benefits, the larger your monthly payment will be, […]
DOES YOUR CREDIT NEED REPAIRING?
Many people had their financial plans derailed in 2020. You or a spouse may have lost a job or been hit with unexpected expenses for medical care, assisting family members, or other reasons. Financial stress may have forced you to make tough choices, such as deciding which bills to pay, scaling back on your savings, […]
TO KEEP OR NOT TO KEEP: A GUIDE TO COMMON RECORDS-RETENTION QUESTIONS
Living in an increasingly paperless world has its benefits, but when it comes to records retention, does it make a difference? Sure, digital recordkeeping on the cloud means more storage space, easy access, and less vulnerability to inadvertent destruction. But the questions of what to keep and for how long feel just as confusing as […]
A STARTER GUIDE TO SELLING YOUR HOUSE
From the moment you decide to sell to the day you hand over the keys, selling a home is often unpredictable and time consuming. By being as prepared as possible, you can keep the process moving and achieve the optimal price in the current market. 1) Decide when to sell. You may not have flexibility on […]
TAX SEASON SCAM ALERT
With tax season upon us, many of us are busy gathering the appropriate documents, meeting with CPAs, and ensuring that relevant tax deadlines are met. But in all the hustle and bustle, taxpayers also need to keep an eye on the risks, especially tax season scams. Each year, scammers get more savvy with strategies they […]
YOUR GUIDE TO MEDICARE PLANNING
Did you know that the total projected lifetime health care costs (excluding long-term care) for the average 65-year-old couple retiring this year are expected to be $295,000 in today’s dollars? This figure highlights how important it is for you to start planning to manage your health care expenses in retirement. For many people, Medicare becomes the […]
LAST-MINUTE CHARITABLE GIVING OPPORTUNITIES
December is the “giving season,” when many people consider using their wealth to help others. Because of the urgent need for generosity presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, you may be looking for ways to stretch your charitable donations. As always, the use of tax-efficient giving strategies can help them go further. This year, it’s also […]