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AI and the New Face of Fraud: How to Protect Your Identity and Finances in 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...
Read More2025 in Review and What You Should Know
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...
Read More5 Tips for Setting Goals That Stick in 2026
As the year comes to a close, many of us will reflect on the past 12 months in our personal, professional, and financial lives while considering what to pursue in the year ahead. The optimism of New Year’s resolutions is undeniable,...
Read MoreGoal Setting That Sticks: Simple Ways to Turn January Motivation into Lasting Wins
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...
Read MoreYear-End Giving Strategies: Tax-Smart and Impactful
1 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...
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The True Costs of Caring for Aging Parents
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...
Read MoreMoney Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations
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...
Read MoreShould You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
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...
Read MoreA 2025 Guide to Protecting Seniors from Fraud
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...
Read MoreSmart Moves to Consider Before Year-End
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...
Read MoreBreaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What You Need to Know
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...
Read MoreWhy More Families Are Choosing to Gift Wealth Earlier—and How to Do It
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....
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know About the 2025 Changes to Inherited IRA Rules
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...
Read MoreBeyond Salary: Understanding Your Total Compensation
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...
Read MoreHow Much Do You Really Know About Stock Market Indexes?
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...
Read MoreHow Do You Turn Retirement Savings into a Reliable Income Strategy?
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...
Read More“The Four Most Dangerous Words In Investing Are: ‘This Time It’s Different.’” – Sir John Templeton
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 investing...
Read MoreWhat’s the Job Market Look Like for 2025 Graduates?
5/27 What’s the Job Market Look Like for 2025 Graduates? 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...
Read MoreIs It Smarter to Buy or Rent a Second Home?
5/14 Is It Smarter to Buy or Rent a Second Home? 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...
Read MoreFrom College Acceptances to Affordability: Considerations for Families in the Final Stretch
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...
Read MoreSpring Into Financial Wellness: Actionable Steps for Financial Literacy Month
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...
Read More10 Things You Can Do Now to Help Simplify Your Estate for Your Heirs
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...
Read MoreThe Evolving Role of Women in Family Finances
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...
Read MoreDon’t Leave Money Behind: Finding Your Missing 401(k)s
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...
Read MoreTax Season Brings a New Wave of Identity Theft Risks
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...
Read More10 Facts You May Not Know About Social Security
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...
Read MoreInnovative New Year's Resolutions: Financial and Personal Growth Strategies for 2025
Looks like New Year's resolutions are still going strong in 2025! 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...
Read MoreKey Financial Insights from 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025
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...
Read MoreNavigating Healthcare Costs in Retirement: Life After Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance
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...
Read MoreA Different Kind of Year-End Review: 10 Steps to Reflect and Recharge
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...
Read MoreYear-End Giving Strategies: Maximizing Your Impact
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...
Read MoreWhat to do if you've experienced a layoff (or just quit your job)
If you're experiencing a layoff, I'm sorry to hear it! As always, I'm here to offer a few ideas to help you stay grounded, organized & focused on the next steps. Review your Budget & Spending Plan. Whenever I go through a big...
Read More5 Ways to Recession Proof Your Finances
For me, financial advice should stand the test of time. That said, the advice I give during a down market is markedly similar to what I'd give if the market is doing well. My recommendation to maintain an emergency fund in a bank is...
Read MoreWhat's This Talk About a Recession?
In recent weeks, the word recession has started creeping into business news and financial market coverage. Is that cause for alarm or just another attention-grabbing headline? There’s no simple answer. A recession is defined as...
Read MoreIf you’ve hired a Housekeeper, you should hire a Financial Planner!
As professional women, we outsource a lot of things. We get mani-pedis, we go out to brunch, we don’t plan our own trips, we hire wedding planners and housekeepers. We spend thousands of dollars a year at the salon having other...
Read MoreGetting Married or Divorced? Here where to Change your Name.
So you just got married or divorced. Either way, it's out with the old (name) and in with the new! Changing your name is a daunting task and as someone who was recently re-married in my late 30s, I feel your pain.
Read MoreTop 5 Favorite Financial Comentators!
Back in the day, I was definitely one of those girls who watched Suze Orman, The Profit & Shark Tank on a random weekend night. Hey, I'm a nerd when it comes to personal finance. Want to know my favorite places to nerd out about...
Read MoreGetting Married? Top 7 Things to talk to your Fianće about Money.
Did you or a friend get engaged during the holiday season? CONGRATULATIONS! It's a wonderful time in your life and no one knows better to advise you on how to keep it together than someone who routinely works with Married couples as...
Read More3 Questions to Ask Your Spouse that Handles the Money
There are tons of articles online about what to ask your partner or potential partner about money when you’re dating, but what about if you’re married or in a long-term committed relationship? Money is one of the #1 reasons couples break u
Read MoreTop 3 Tips to gain Control of your Divorce Process
Starting a divorce can feel overwhelming, scary, defeating, liberating, all of the things. The biggest concern for people reaching out to me is simply not knowing where to start. There are so many decisions to be made and so many...
Read MoreContribution Limits for 2021 & 2022 Changes!
Although the end of the year is approaching, you can still make contributions to many of your Retirement accounts until you file your 2021 Income Taxes or until the tax deadline, whichever comes first. I’ve included a chart that...
Read MoreWhat's a Fiduciary?
Investopedia defines a fiduciary as follows: A fiduciary is a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients' interests ahead of their own, with a duty to preserve good faith and trust....
Read MoreWhat’s Mine Is Yours? Understanding Marriage Property vs. Separate Property in Divorce
A divorce inevitably means you and your spouse will need to divide your assets, everything from your vehicles to your 401k. How in the world are you supposed to figure out who owns what or, more importantly, what portion of your shared...
Read MoreWhy Women Quit
In a post #MeToo world where #BlackLivesMatter, companies are clamoring to add Black Women to their Advisory Boards and diversity of all kinds to their Leadership Teams. Our industry has known for a long time that #BlackWomen control...
Read MoreWhy I Developed A Divorce Specialty
By now you likely know that my typical client is female. Usually, she’s the primary income earner in her household or is single. Often she’s the kind of girl who people admire, she’s a Mentor, she’s...
Read MorePIVOT! Your Mid-Year Financial Checkup
We are half of the way through a year we were uncertain would never come! As things are starting to resemble what we remember as normal, you may find it's a good time to get re-focused on pursuing your financial goals. If you're...
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