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Stock Markets and Presidential Elections

Stock Markets and Presidential Elections

Blog“Stock Markets and Presidential Elections” While our post this week might not directly assist you in your quest towards financial independence, it’s still interesting to see how finances can play into so many aspects of our world. If 2024 hasn’t already been...

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529’s are no Longer Just for College

529’s are no Longer Just for College

Blog529’s are no Longer Just for College   529 savings plans used to be something you saved in ONLY for future college expenses.  While that still might be the majority of the reason that someone would save money into a 529 plan, it certainly doesn’t tell the...

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Your Goals > Stock Market Movements

Your Goals > Stock Market Movements

Blog“Your Goals > Stock Market Movements” For those who’ve been reading our weekly articles for some time, you might recognize the title. We have re-visited the idea that your personal goals should hold a greater weight in your mind than what is happening in the...

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7 Important Ages for Retirement Planning

7 Important Ages for Retirement Planning

Blog“7 Important Ages for Retirement Planning" The amount of decisions and timeframes that arrive at your doorstep as you head into retirement can be overwhelming. It’s hard to keep track of what age you become eligible for Medicare vs. when you can take social...

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Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?

Do I Need Umbrella Insurance?

Blog “Do I Need Umbrella Insurance" Umbrella insurance is an important risk management tool, particularly for people who have wealth, income, or future income potential.  Additionally, it’s cheap relative to most other types of insurance! I’m always amazed at the...

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Maximize Social Security in 2024

Maximize Social Security in 2024

Blog  Maximize Social Security in 2024   Securing a prosperous retirement involves deciphering the complexities of Social Security benefits. This week’s post aims to unravel the intricacies of the Social Security calculation process and expound on four ways you...

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5 Keys to Investing in 2024

5 Keys to Investing in 2024

Blog"5 Keys to Investing in 2024" I enjoyed reading this recently published piece from American Funds.  Yes, there are concerns as we enter into 2024, but is there ever a perfect time to invest?? What a difference a year makes. At the start of 2023, market pessimism...

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2024 Housing Outlook

2024 Housing Outlook

Blog“2024 Housing Outlook" As we kick off another year, I’m filled with optimism.  Not because I think everything will be smooth sailing, but because even if we have a tough year, the economy has proven resilient over the long-term and this will be another chapter in...

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Retirement for the Next Generation

Retirement for the Next Generation

BlogRetirement for the Next Generation We have written posts in the past about setting your children up for retirement which you can find here.  In this article, we wanted to dive in deeper to this concept of a Custodial IRA (sometimes called a minor IRA).  I also...

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“The realities of Diversification“

“The realities of Diversification“

Blog “The realities of Diversification"   2023 has been an interesting year in the stock market.  As we outlined a couple of weeks ago, the rally in the S&P 500 has really been driven by a handful of companies.  When this happens, diversification can feel...

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“Stocks have a Case of Bad Breadth”

“Stocks have a Case of Bad Breadth”

Blog“Stocks have a Case of Bad Breadth"   ‘Market-breadth’ refers to the number of companies responsible for driving the returns of the overall market. If a small number of companies account for the vast majority of the market’s (or an index’s) return over a...

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“Housing Market Frustrations”

“Housing Market Frustrations”

Blog“Housing Market Frustrations" Last week I spoke about the complacency we feel in the US economy despite some attractive economic metrics.  Yes, unemployment is historically low, yes GDP grew over 4% in the third quarter of 2023, and yes inflation seems more under...

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Complacency in the US Economy

Complacency in the US Economy

Blog                                                      “Complacency in the US Economy” How bad or good is the US economy right now?  Why is it that good news seems to create negative reactions in the stock market?   Are we spoiled from the recent low interest rate...

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Common Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults

Common Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults

Blog“Common Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults” As our world becomes ever more digital, it is easier and easier for scammers to present legitimate appearing situations that end up being financial scams targeted at the elderly.  I’ve personally had friends and...

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Can you Save Too Much in a Health Savings Account?

Can you Save Too Much in a Health Savings Account?

BlogCan you Save Too Much in a Health Savings Account?     Health Savings Accounts are not spoken about nearly as much as they should be.  For individuals and families currently enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan, the HSA is an incredibly tax...

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Year-end Tax Planning

Year-end Tax Planning

Blog “Year-end Tax Planning" As the calendar year winds down, it's the perfect time to think about your finances and make strategic moves to reduce your tax bill. Here are some straightforward year-end tax planning ideas that many should consider well before December...

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“House Rich but Cash Poor”

“House Rich but Cash Poor”

Blog“House Rich but Cash Poor" If you are like many other Americans who have owned a house over the past ten years, you’ve seen very nice appreciation and therefore equity build-up in your home.  While this shows up on a Net Worth statement, it oftentimes doesn’t lead...

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“Avoiding Common Retirement Pitfalls“

“Avoiding Common Retirement Pitfalls“

Blog“Avoiding Common Retirement Pitfalls" There's no such thing as one-size-fits-all retirement planning and planning the perfect retirement may be a pipe dream.  For many folks, their view of what retirement will look like tends to change after the first few months...

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“How Much is Enough?”

“How Much is Enough?”

Blog“How Much is Enough?"   This question is always relative.  How we answered this question in our 20’s might be very different to how we answer in our 40’s, 50’s or beyond.  Additionally, who we hang around and compare ourselves to (dangerous!) also plays a big...

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“America’s Problems are Relative”

“America’s Problems are Relative”

Blog “America’s Problems are Relative”   Not many people would argue with you if you said that America is a great place to live but also has many problems.  Whether it’s our national debt, inflation, interest rates, or political division, it can be easy to assume that...

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“In Good Years the Market Still Goes Down”

“In Good Years the Market Still Goes Down”

Blog“In Good Years the Market Still Goes Down"     It’s a simple thought, but I really enjoyed this article from Ben Carlson over at A Wealth of Common Sense.  I hope you enjoy it too: The S&P 500 is up just shy of 17% so far in 2023. Maybe these gains...

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“Yield Curve Inversion”

“Yield Curve Inversion”

Blog"Yield Curve Inversion"   If you loan (not gift) someone money for 2 years, you would expect to get your money back plus some level of interest since they held your money for 2 years.  If you decided to loan that same money to someone for 10 years you would...

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“Good and Bad News About the Economy”

“Good and Bad News About the Economy”

Blog “Good and Bad News About the Economy"   It is hard to decide which voices you listen and ultimately which voices guide your line of thinking and decision making.  I thought this recent article from Ben Carlson at a Wealth of Common Sense did a great job...

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“The Increase in Americans Retiring Overseas”

“The Increase in Americans Retiring Overseas”

Blog“The Increase in Americans Retiring Overseas”     America can be an expensive place.  Having personally lived overseas, it’s not to say that other areas are always cheaper, but the reality is that more and more Americans are finding retirement locations...

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