Blog

What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s financial ideas or ideas we think can help, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a book review, a health tip or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We are grateful to have you reading along.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Why Is This Conversation So Important Right Now? The U.S. is in the middle of a sustained demographic shift. More than 61 million adults are aged 65 and older as of 2025, and that number is projected to reach approximately 82 million...

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Social Security decisions are often framed as a single question: “When should I start drawing benefits?”That question matters, but it can also be limiting. The better question is: how does Social Security fit into my overall retirement...

Thursday, April 2, 2026

If you are a parent of a teen or young adult, how do you teach them to make confident money decisions before the stakes are high?Teaching teens and young adults about money is less about formal instruction and more about repeated...

Monday, March 23, 2026

Key TakeawaysHere are some questions this blog aims to answer:How can parents or grandparents help with a down payment for adult children?What are ways to gift a down payment, and how do the annual gift tax exclusion and lifetime...

Monday, March 2, 2026

Key TakeawaysHow much wealth are women on track to control in the next decade, and why does that matter?What does the life expectancy gap between women and men mean for how long money needs to last?How common is it for women to be...

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Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Key TakeawaysTreat tax strategy as a continuous process, not a once-a-year filing exercise.Coordinate with financial and tax professionals throughout the year to identify opportunities for efficiency.Review contribution limits,...

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Key TakeawaysEmotions and biases might influence financial choices more often than most people realize.Behavioral patterns, such as loss aversion, familiarity bias, and herd mentality, can impact long-term results.Recognizing emotional...

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) may be the most revolutionary technology of our time, with industries scrambling to embrace its possibilities. AI’s early influence seems similar to the positive disruptions brought about by past...

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

As we begin a new year and consider the opportunities ahead, reflecting on the past year helps put today’s financial landscape into perspective and informs the strategies that can move us closer to our goals. 2025 was a year marked by...

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Key Takeaways and Suggestions for Successful Goal Setting Use SMART Goals for Clarity and FocusSet goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This proven method helps break big ambitions into manageable...

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Key Takeaways A third of annual donations: About one-third of all charitable contributions are made in December. Donating before December 31 may offer tax advantages. New rules starting in 2026 (via the OBBB Act) may affect deductions...

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Key Takeaways Caring for aging parents is a growing reality for many Americans. The number of family caregivers in the U.S. has jumped to 63 million, a 45 percent increase over the past decade, making 1 in every 4 Americans a...

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Key Takeaways Year-end holidays may be a good time to initiate a discussion about financial matters that may impact your family. If you have adult children, you may want to discuss your financial situation, estate strategy, and legal...

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Receiving a bonus, inheritance, or an increase in income often prompts a key financial question: Should I use this money to pay off my mortgage, or invest it? At first glance, the answer might seem simple. But in reality, it requires...

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

If you’ve found yourself stepping into a more active role in your parents’ financial lives, you’re not alone. Some of us are helping aging parents navigate everything from healthcare decisions to bill payments—and increasingly, we’re...

Thursday, September 18, 2025

The final months of the year can sneak up quickly, and with them come deadlines, decisions, and distractions. Before the holiday season takes over your calendar, fall can be a valuable window to revisit your financial strategy and...

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would...

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime....

Wednesday, August 13, 2025

The rules regarding inherited IRAs have changed in the last five years, and failing to comply with the new requirements may result in IRS penalties. These changes affect people inheriting IRAs and those looking to leave retirement...

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Compensation is more than just a number on a paycheck. Whether you're exploring new opportunities, preparing for a promotion, or evaluating your current benefits, it’s important to understand the full value of your total...

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

While you may follow the various stock indexes on the nightly business news, how much do you know about their histories, how they work, and why they're important? We pulled together some information and interesting facts about some of...

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

You’ve likely spent years building your retirement nest egg—saving diligently, investing wisely, and contributing to retirement accounts along the way. But transitioning from earning a paycheck to relying on your savings can feel...

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Despite those who say the conventional wisdom that has guided investor actions over the years is no longer valid in 2025, remember the famous quote from legendary investor Sir John Templeton: "The four most dangerous words in...

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

It’s graduation season—a time of celebration and new beginnings. For families with college seniors, this time can bring both excitement and uncertainty. While some graduates have jobs lined up, many others still are navigating job...

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

As summer approaches, your thoughts may drift toward escaping your daily routine. Whether your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting on a pristine beach, fishing in a mountain lake, or playing the back nine between pickleball matches,...

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

April is a pivotal time in the college admissions process. After years of preparation, saving, and investing—not to mention the countless hours spent on exam prep, campus visits, and perfecting applications and essays—the finish line...

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

April isn’t just about filing taxes—it’s also Financial Literacy Month, a perfect opportunity to reflect on your financial habits, expand your knowledge, and take meaningful steps toward improving your financial well-being. Whether...

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

One of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones is a thoughtful estate strategy that outlines your wishes after you are gone. Discussing estate details with your team of professionals is another way to help manage your legacy...

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

March is Women’s History Month, and according to a recent survey, 49% of women consider themselves to be the chief financial officer of their households, up from 41% in 2021.1 Those numbers are even more impressive when you consider...

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

You've worked hard throughout your life to build assets to support your retirement. As financial professionals, one of the most critical functions we provide is helping clients determine their retirement income needs and structuring a...

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Tax season brings a new wave of identity theft risks, with criminals ready to exploit your personal data to file fraudulent tax returns in your name. Imagine the shock of discovering that a criminal beat you to filing your...

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Social Security is often misunderstood or underestimated in retirement strategy. However, as financial professionals, we've seen how it can play a crucial role in our clients' overall financial strategy, regardless of their income...

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Looks like New Year's resolutions are still going strong in 2024! A recent Pew survey found that about a third of Americans kicked off the year with at least one resolution, and many people actually went for multiple goals. It's...

Wednesday, December 18, 2024

As we approach the end of 2024, it's an opportune time to reflect on the year's financial developments and consider what 2025 may bring. We believe in understanding both the past and potential future of our economic landscape, which...

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

As you approach retirement, a critical aspect of your retirement strategy can catch even the most financially savvy individuals off guard: healthcare costs. For decades, you may have enjoyed employer-sponsored health insurance. As...

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Financial professionals typically have a year-round focus on monetary goals and wealth management strategies. However, we also believe that true financial well-being is intrinsically linked to your overall life satisfaction and...

Wednesday, November 6, 2024

America is a generous country. People with diverse backgrounds can unite for a good cause, whether to benefit their local communities or the broader world. As we enter the holiday season, now is a great time to think about your giving...

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

As financial professionals, we’ve noticed a trend among our clients: an increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs). To help address some of your questions, we’ve compiled this high-level guide to provide insights into the...

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Statistics show that nearly 33% of Americans have faced some identity theft attempts in their lives, and experts estimate there is a new case of identity theft every 22 seconds. As financial professionals, one of our primary goals is...

Monday, September 23, 2024

The Federal Reserve's recent decision to cut interest rates by 50 basis points has sent ripples through financial markets. While this move is intended to stimulate economic growth, it may also have implications for various aspects of...

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

The Impact of Elections on the Markets and Tax Policy With Labor Day behind us, we're in the final stretch of the 2024 presidential election race. As we follow the news and parse the most recent polls, some may ask, "How might what...

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

Don’t Be A Victim Of The Retirement Crisis If you think the United States has a retirement crisis, you are not alone. A recent survey found that 79% of working-age Americans believe the same thing. That percentage is up from 67% in...

Friday, January 6, 2023

Information on the SECURE Act 2.0 and the provisions that may impact your retirement savings.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

The Business CycleWhat has upswings and downturns, troughs, peaks, and plateaus? Though such terms could easily describe a roller coaster ride, they are also commonly used to describe the business cycle.The business cycle – also...

Wednesday, October 5, 2022

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...

Monday, September 12, 2022

The Mega Millions jackpot is over a billion dollars. What would you do to manage an unexpected windfall? This article makes a few suggestions.

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

In the financial world, some weeks are more important than others, and we just lived through a big one. Let's unpack each of the four key stats:The Fed. As expected, the Fed bumped up short-term rates again at its July meeting. But the...

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

This article defines and explains the difference between a market pullback, correction, and crash. It helps the reader understand the importance of maintaining their course during these times.

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

This article discusses the importance of estate planning as well as communicating the plan with loved ones. It offers suggestions regarding how to start the conversation.

Friday, June 3, 2022

Retirement planning is never easy, but it's often more difficult for women for many reasons. This article addresses a few of the challenges typically faced by women and the effects each could have on retirement planning.

Friday, June 3, 2022

Overconcentration in a stock is more common than we realize. It can happen for a lot of reasons but should be avoided if at all possible. This article discusses the risks associated with overconcentration as well as ways to avoid it.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

This is a short article instructing individuals on ways they can keep financial information out of the wrong hands.

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

This article references the FIRE movement fundamentals and discusses how they can help individuals think about becoming financially independent.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

This is a short article with tips regarding how to be better prepared for next tax season.

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Market volatility can tempt one to try to profit from the ups and downs. Giving in to the temptation can have catastrophic results. This article provides tips on how to avoid the potentially costly mistake of timing the market.

Monday, March 7, 2022

This article helps job seekers understand that, when seeking a change, they need to consider more than just salary. Some workplace benefits may be negotiable and improve the job seeker's quality of life without costing the employer much.

Monday, March 7, 2022

Rising inflation is a concern among investors. This article suggests five alternatives that could help protect your investments.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Income investing seeks to provide investors with passive income from the assets they hold. This strategy may be attractive to those hoping for financial independence, but it requires specialized knowledge and can be especially risky.

Monday, February 14, 2022

A company may supplement employee salaries with an ESOP. ESOPS are essentially trust funds that offer advantages to both the employee and employer. Setting one up is a multi-step process, but an ESOP can be a powerful, multiuse tool.

Monday, January 10, 2022

Monday, January 10, 2022

Monday, January 10, 2022

Monday, December 13, 2021

Monday, December 13, 2021

Monday, December 13, 2021

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

The Unique Advantages of Health Savings Accounts These tax-advantaged savings accounts can help you cover your health care expenses A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals with...

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

The 2021 Child Tax Credit: An Overview The tax give-back for parents of young children is different in 2021 Every year, the Child Tax Credit reduces the tax liability of American parents. If it lowers their tax burden below zero, it...

Monday, August 9, 2021

5 Tips for Reviewing an Early Retirement Offer You’ve spent years planning and saving for your retirement. And then, out of the blue, your employer hands you an early retirement offer that could change everything. An early...

Monday, August 9, 2021

4 Risks That Can Impact Your Retirement Even with careful planning and diligent saving, some parts of retirement planning are out of your control. Factors like longevity, rising medical costs and the ups and downs of the market can...

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

A Beginner’s Guide to Alternative Investments Alternatives are investment options beyond the typical stocks, bonds and cash found in most portfolios. They can be tangible assets like precious metals, or they could be financial...

Monday, July 5, 2021

What Is Inflation—And Why Is Everyone Talking About It? Climbing commodity prices, ambitious government spending packages due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crash have resurrected a long-dormant fear:...

Friday, June 4, 2021

Automated Investing vs. Human Guidance When you’re looking for help managing your investment portfolio, you have a decision to make: Should you work with a financial advisor or a robo-advisor? A financial advisor is a...

Friday, June 4, 2021

Breaking Down IRAs Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a type of tax-advantaged account that can help you boost your retirement savings. The most common IRAs you’ll choose from are traditional and Roth IRAs. Both are...

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Financial Conversation Tips for Couples Communication about money is often fraught for couples, and bringing the topic up with your partner can be challenging. But discussing financial concerns, goals and habits is key to a strong...

Thursday, April 29, 2021

Breaking Down Socially Responsible Investing Many investors want more out of their investments than just a good return. They want to know that the companies they invest in are ethical and responsible — that they build...

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Tips for Making the Most of Your Inheritance Baby boomers in the U.S. are set to bequeath $68 trillion in wealth by 2043, as part of the Great Wealth Transfer. Much of that will be left to Generation X and millennial heirs. If you...

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Preparing Teens for Financial Adulthood Learning how to properly manage money is a crucial life skill that can take years to develop. For teens who may be earning an income for the first time, there can be a steep learning curve when...

Thursday, March 4, 2021

When it comes to financial planning, women are likely to face different challenges than men. For one, they earn less than men on average, and they’re more likely to work part-time jobs or take time away from their careers to...

Thursday, March 4, 2021

When you’re in a traffic jam on the highway, you may find yourself trying to merge into whichever lane is moving fastest at the moment, only to find yourself falling behind drivers that stayed in one lane the whole time. In the...

Monday, February 8, 2021

How to compare plans based on your specific needs The basic premise behind life insurance is simple: You pay premiums to an insurance company, which then pays your beneficiaries a certain amount after you die. But not all life...

Monday, February 8, 2021

Reducing your tax burden can help you manage your wealth and free up money to meet your financial goals and build your legacy. But tax rules are complicated, and you may need help understanding all the methods you can use to minimize...

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Tax Tips for Charitable Donations Charitable giving is a great way to support the causes you care about while also getting a tax break. In 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which...

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

4 Smart Money Moves for 2021 With the new year in full swing, it’s a great time to take stock of your personal finances. From building a budget and saving for retirement to getting a jump on this year’s taxes, here are some...

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Protect Your Loved Ones. Why Beneficiary Planning is so important. Did you know that beneficiary forms trump your will? Even if you have completed a will, if the beneficiary form takes precedence and is followed even if it counters...

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Pension vs. 401k: 5 Ways they are Different How can you plan for retirement if you don’t understand your retirement plan at work? As pension plans have been shut down over the last few decades 401ks have taken their place as one...

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Understanding Your Retirement Income Plan Manage cash flow in retirement with multiple income streams When you retire, you get to bid farewell to the working world. That’s the good news. The bad news? You’ll no longer have...

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Creating a Successful Business Succession Plan An exit strategy helps business owners ensure the long-term success of their company A good succession plan creates a blueprint for ownership transfer as you exit your business. It helps...

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Do you know that there is a way to contribute to a Roth IRA even if you make too much money? What is a Roth IRA? A Roth IRA is an Individual Retirement Account that allows you to contribute after-tax dollars into a savings or...

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

What do 7 out of the top 10 richest Americans have in common? Their wealth came from ownership of their company’s stock. Great fortunes have been made (and lost) by owning concentrated stock positions your company’s stock....

Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Over 50 years ago, Vince Lombardi coached his last football game. Lombardi is universally recognized as one of the greatest coaches in football history, as well as a pioneering figure who helped break the sport’s color barrier....

Thursday, October 29, 2020

The one word that all pre-retirees should prepare and consider is Inflation. Ronald Reagan said, “Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hit man.” Inflation is a scary term...

Monday, October 26, 2020

The Importance of Long-Term Care Planning Long-term care coverage can fill in the gaps other health care insurance leaves behind. Long-term care insurance helps cover the cost of assistance with daily living tasks, including bathing,...

Monday, October 26, 2020

How to Make a Wealth-Transfer Plan A well-designed plan protects your wishes and helps avoid conflict among your heirs. A wealth transfer plan guides the movement of your assets from your estate to your beneficiaries. Baby boomers are...

Friday, September 25, 2020

What You Need to Know About Investing During an Election Elections can move the market, but that doesn’t mean you should change your approach Like any big news event, U.S. presidential elections can cause ripples and even waves...

Friday, September 25, 2020

Preparing for Healthcare Costs in Retirement For many Americans, navigating the maze of health insurance options—from employer-based plans to individual policies—can be dizzying. Much of that changes at 65. That’s...

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

So, here’s the million dollar question… are you ready to retire? Following are six tasks you’ll need to complete in order to confidently answer this question. With so many variables to consider, ensuring you’re...

Monday, September 14, 2020

The Most Valuable Gifts Cost Next to Nothing I think that I love giving gifts more than getting gifts. Isn’t it great when you see someone open a gift that they really like—the smile that lights up their face and makes your...

Friday, September 4, 2020

What do you miss most from pre-COVID times? For me it is definitely hugs. The way that I was brought up, we didn’t really hug other people. We mostly kept our hands to ourselves, but when I went to college in the Bronx at Fordham...

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

“Self-worth takes you further than net worth.”—Matshona Dhliwayo In the last email we reviewed your ongoing financial health in conjunction with cash flow. Another way to take stock of your finances is to calculate...

Monday, August 3, 2020

Five Rules of Long-Term Investing These best practices can help you stay invested during the market’s ups and down The COVID-19 pandemic helped put an end to the longest bull market in history. The stock market plunged, and many...

Monday, August 3, 2020

How to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft Online banking and electronic payment options offer consumers unprecedented access to their financial accounts. Yet, this convenience comes at a price—a greater risk of identity theft....

Thursday, July 9, 2020

How to Budget and Get a Handle on Your Expenses. “We must consult our means rather than our wishes.”—George Washington. Money is a tool that we use to get things that we want and to live a certain way. It is often...

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Financial Procrastination Takes its TollBy Margaret O’Meara, CFP®, AIFA® William Shakespeare, as everyone knows, is the most famous playwright in history. His plays have been translated into every major living language,...

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

As per the IRS, the employer is responsible for keeping their plan in compliance. This checklist can help you to that end.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” ---Tony Robbins We spend so much time caring for others that it is good to take time to focus on what we want and to build the life that we...

Thursday, June 4, 2020

“We can’t tell where we are going until we understand where we’ve been,” President Franklin Roosevelt reportedly said this to an aide when discussing economic policy during the height of the depression. As our...

Thursday, May 21, 2020

We’ve seen the headlines. We’ve looked at the statistics. We’ve heard the stories. The coronavirus has not only battered the markets, it’s changed the way we live and work. While it may not be as dramatic as,...

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

10 Best Practices for Retirement Plan Sponsors 1. Determine the Business’s Goals for the plan The Companies and Private Schools that we work with have very generous plans for their staff. We find that reviewing the objectives and...

Monday, May 4, 2020

As we face unusual challenges this year, I thought it would be good to focus on someone who achieved his goals despite facing enormous odds. For most people, Stephen Hawking is the only living physicist they can name. He is well-known...

Friday, April 24, 2020

“Every decade or so, dark clouds will fill the economic skies, and they will briefly rain gold. When downpours of that sort occur, reach for a bucket.” —Warren Buffett In the battle with COVID-19 rages on, and the...

Friday, April 17, 2020

What new habits are you developing? During the first week of COVID-19 lockdown, I found myself eating too much, sleeping later than normal and watching too much TV. My...

Friday, April 3, 2020

As our new “normal” has been shaken, at times you may be feeling disoriented, fearful and anxious—I know that I have. The coronavirus has impacted the global economy unlike anything we have seen in the past. The...

Thursday, April 2, 2020

When I re-read The Optimist Creed, it helped me during these uncertain and difficult times, and I hope it does the same for you. The Optimist CreedPromise Yourself—To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.To...

Friday, March 20, 2020

“In the business world, the rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield.” --Warren BuffettOur everyday lives have changed dramatically over the last few weeks as everyone works together to minimize the impact of...

Tuesday, March 3, 2020

“The stock market takes an escalator up, and an elevator down.” Classic Wall Street Saying The last week has sure felt like taking an express elevator down, as the end of February brought a historic stock market sell-off,...

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Cheers to all of my Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® colleagues. We celebrate National Fiduciary Day today and every day by putting our client’s interests ahead of our own. What is a...

Friday, June 8, 2018

The baby boomers have re-defined everything they've touched, from music to marriage to parenting and, more lately, to what "old" means—60 is the new 50! Longer, healthier living, however, can put greater stress on the...