Q3 2021 Stock Market Commentary
Market volatility is back in a big way. In our last report, we noted that the market was “climbing a wall of worry” as the market just seemed to go up and up and up despite pockets of bad news here and there. Late in the quarter, however, that unmitigated move higher finally hit a roadblock…
Read MoreMedicare Open Enrollment Begins Oct. 15th. What Does That Mean For Me?
Medicare’s open enrollment period happens once a year between October 15 and December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. This can be a useful option for those who may have recently changed medication, underutilized their current coverage or found they could use additional…
Read MoreFAFSA for 2022-2023 School Year Opens on October 1
October is the kickoff season for financial aid. That’s when incoming and returning college students can start filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, for the next academic year. The FAFSA is a prerequisite for federal student loans, grants, and work-study, and may be required by colleges before they distribute their own…
Read MoreRMDs For 2021: Here’s What’s Changing
The CARES and SECURES Acts offered financial relief during COVID-19. And though some of the benefits of these acts are no longer in effect, some of the rules within them were enacted as permanent changes in 2021. In this article, we will look at how these changes affect RMDs in 2021. Keep in mind that…
Read MoreIs it Time for an Investment Advisor? Ask Yourself These 5 Questions First
If you want to avoid outliving your money, investing can be a great way to continue to grow your nest egg as you approach — and enter — your retirement years. And while there may be many robo-advisors out there that will do the investing for you, the one-on-one, hands-on approach and personal advice and guidance…
Read MoreInvesting 101: a Primer for Beginners
Many of us have heard the term “investments” used in many ways – and it’s a concept most of us are familiar with to some degree. But unless you’ve really taken an interest in the markets or set aside time to study them, you may not have a total understanding of what investing is, everything…
Read MoreIRS Releases 2022 Key Numbers for Health Savings Accounts
The IRS has released the 2022 contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs), as well as the 2022 minimum deductible and maximum out-of-pocket amounts for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs). An HSA is a tax-advantaged account that’s paired with an HDHP. An HSA offers several valuable tax benefits: You may be able to make pre-tax…
Read More5 Ways a Financial Advisor Can Bring Value to Your Post-COVID Life
The events of last year may have taken a toll on your financial situation. For those who had a financial advisor during that time, they were guided through all the ups and downs of the market and their personal financial lives. If you are getting back into the swing of things, a financial advisor could…
Read MoreUnderstanding IRAs
An individual retirement arrangement (IRA) is a personal savings plan that offers specific tax benefits. IRAs are one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available to you. Even if you’re contributing to a 401(k) or other plan at work, you might also consider investing in an IRA. What types of IRAs are available? The…
Read MoreMid-Year Is a Good Time for a Financial Checkup
The first half of 2021 is behind us. As life emerges from the pandemic to a “new normal,” a mid-year financial checkup may be more important than ever this year. Here are some ways to make sure that your financial situation is continuing on the right path. Reassess your financial goals At the beginning of…
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