Blog
With more than 35 years of combined experience as advisors, Leslie and Daryl share their experience, insights, and perspective on topics relevant to you and your family.
3 Practical Time Management Tips for Investors
For many, spending more quality time with loved ones and friends is a New Year’s resolution or work-life balance goal. But for investors who are accustomed to keeping a close eye on their assets' performance, balancing one's "to...
Read More10 Tips to Develop Financial Wellness This Year
Financial wellness is a state of being when one is in control of their finances, can cover expenses, and save for future goals. Consider financial wellness as your relationship with money; it can be either healthy or unhealthy....
Read MoreFour Actions to Take if You’re Retiring Next Year
It's common for people who are retiring to set their retirement date in either the springtime or the early summer. If you happen to be one of those lucky folks who are going to retire this year, then "Congratulations!"But before you...
Read MoreMacro-Trends to Watch As We Enter 2023
As the calendar gets ready to turn to 2023, there are a lot of economic metrics worth paying attention to, especially as each will have an impact one way or another on our investments. But whether or not markets will reverse course and...
Read MoreGetting Your Finances on Track after the Holidays
The holiday season is a wonderful time for relaxing and having fun with family and friends, but it can also add a lot of extra stress to an already tight budget. Perhaps you spent more than you originally planned, or maybe you...
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New Year, New Goals: Your Countdown to Financial Health
For many people, a new year provides a new start—and nothing says "new start" like a fresh new set of financial goals. But setting these goals is easier said than done. What steps should you take to get the most bang for your...
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Investing with an eye toward promoting social, political, or environmental concerns (or at least not supporting activities you feel are harmful) doesn't mean you have to forgo pursuing a return on your money. Socially responsible...
Read MoreDomestic Partner Agreements: A Legal Leg to Stand On
As we journey further into the millennium, there are many forms of personal relationships. Today, unmarried partnerships are a fact of life. If you are in an unmarried partnership, one important consideration is how you share financial...
Read More4 Ways to Make a Positive Impact on Human Rights Day
December 10th is Human Rights Day and a time to reflect on the progression of human rights in the past, its status today, and its future. The day of observance first occurred in 1948 to mark the day the Universal Declaration of Human...
Read MoreFinding Focus with Financial Planning: A Step-By-Step Guide
You have probably heard about financial planning and its potential benefits, but you are unsure how to apply the principles to your life. A financial plan is a collection of steps that help you to evaluate your financial condition and...
Read MoreTrash vs. Recycle: Do You Know When to Trash it?
On average, each American throws out more than four pounds of waste per day. Recycling saves materials from the landfill, which makes products more affordable for shoppers and manufacturers, reduces energy use, and cuts greenhouse gas...
Read MoreThe Power of Naps
When was the last time you had a good nap? If it’s been a while, you may want to make some time to lay back and grab a few moments of shuteye. Whether on a bed, couch, or hammock, a quick nap can be the highlight of your day....
Read MoreNavigating Long-Term Care
As Americans age, many of us are coming face-to-face with friends and family members who need long-term care (LTC). And, as we watch others grapple with the emotional and financial consequences of a long-term care event, we can’t...
Read MoreHow Financial Professionals are Closing the Financial Literacy Gap
The financial literacy gap—or the gaps in financial knowledge among various sectors of the public—may have racial, gender, and socioeconomic components. Those whose parents or mentors are experienced investors who may...
Read MoreFinancial Planning: Who Needs It and How to Get It
No matter how much money you make, completely mastering money early on in life can help you pursue what everyone wants: a financially comfortable today and a financially secure tomorrow. Mastering money in our society can be a...
Read MoreHave You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately
It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven't given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a...
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About FAFSA
Each year, the U.S. Department of Education distributes more than $150 billion in grants, loans, and work-study awards to millions of college students. With these financial aid programs, tuition, room and board, books, and other...
Read MoreAdvantages, Challenges, and Opportunities for Businesswomen Today
Being a woman in business today comes with many obstacles, but it may also bring some unique advantages and opportunities. By navigating challenges and taking advantage of opportunities that come their way, women can go further in...
Read More4 Tax-Efficient Ways to Help Your Kids Pay for College
From 2008 to 2022, the cost of in-state tuition at public universities rose nearly 80%.1 The high price tag now associated with a college education makes it critical for families to carefully plan how to pay for higher education...
Read MoreKick-Starting Your Retirement with a 401(k) Plan
Take control of your retirement planning with a defined contribution plan.The 401(k) pension plan, named after that section of the Internal Revenue Service Code that created it, has become one of the most popular retirement plans in...
Read MoreHow Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
Your life insurance needs change as your life changes. When you are young, you may not have a need for life insurance. However, as you take on more responsibility and your family grows, your life insurance needs increase. Your needs...
Read More5 Ways to Improve Your Financial Awareness
Regardless of what you do or how much you earn, you deal with money on a daily basis. The more you understand about finances, the more effectively you will be able to manage yours.Yet, many people lack financial literacy skills. One...
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Investing with an eye toward promoting social, political, or environmental concerns (or at least not supporting activities you feel are harmful) doesn't mean you have to forgo pursuing a return on your money. Socially responsible...
Read More3 Reasons to Review Your Beneficiaries Now
Most types of financial accounts allow you to designate a beneficiary, from checking and savings accounts to life insurance policies, 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and trusts. But when was the last time you looked at your beneficiary...
Read MoreFive Healthy Habits for Financial Wellness
Financial stress can have a direct negative impact on a person's health and happiness. Unfortunately, this may lead to a downward spiral. The more stress you're feeling, the larger your financial hurdles may seem, and the more you...
Read More5 Ways to Improve Your Financial Awareness
Regardless of what you do or how much you earn, you deal with money on a daily basis. The more you understand about finances, the more effectively you will be able to manage yours.
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investing
Investing with an eye toward promoting social, political, or environmental concerns (or at least not supporting activities you feel are harmful) doesn't mean you have to forgo pursuing a return on your money. Socially responsible investing
Read More3 Reasons to Review Your Beneficiaries Now
Most types of financial accounts allow you to designate a beneficiary, from checking and savings accounts to life insurance policies, 401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and trusts. But when was the last time you looked at your beneficiary designation
Read MoreFive Healthy Habits for Financial Wellness
Financial stress can have a direct negative impact on a person's health and happiness. Unfortunately, this may lead to a downward spiral.
Read MoreA Beginners Guide to The Zero Waste Movement
Cutting down on straws and water bottles are just a few stepping stones that are working towards reducing waste and creating a more sustainable lifestyle you can feel good about. Though vital to working toward what zero waste stands for, st
Read MoreSecuring Your Future with Life Cycle Planning
The need for regular saving and investing spans many life stages. Through the years, your goals will change and your strategies will shift, but don’t be alarmed. You’re just progressing through the normal stages of life, getting closer to a
Read MoreLand of the Debt Free: 3 Steps To Declare Your Financial Independence
Financial independence means different things to different people. For some, it might mean early retirement. For others, the ability to travel the world. It is the freedom to leave a job that is no longer personally or professionally fulfil
Read MoreWhy is ESG Investing So Appealing?
For more than 200 years, long before the advent of modern stock markets and electronic trading, some investors have been committed to socially-responsible (SRI) investing.1 This involves choosing companies and products that specifically esc
Read MoreLong-Term vs. Short-Term Disability Income Insurance
It's hard to imagine becoming disabled, and harder still to imagine a disability lasting longer than a few weeks. But serious disabilities can last years or even a lifetime. That's why you should pay attention to whether a disability...
Read MoreFinancial Planning Challenges and Strategies for the Sandwich Generation
Almost half of all adults are part of the "sandwich generation." These are adults in their 40s and 50s who are helping support or care for a parent while also supporting or caring for a child.1
Read MoreAcquaint Grown Children with Your Financial Affairs
Many parents may feel it is unnecessary to inform their adult children about their personal, financial affairs. However, as your children grow older, it can work to your advantage—and that of your entire family— to share...
Read MoreEstate Planning for Same-Sex Couples
In United States v. Windsor (2013), the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which required that federal statutes, regulations, and rulings be interpreted as defining marriage as a "legal un
Read MoreRevive Your Resolve: How to Recommit to Your Goals and Resolutions
The start of the year has come and gone. You may find that the goals and resolutions you set at the start are no longer getting the attention they deserve. Whether you are feeling your motivation waning or feel like the goal is too far off,
Read MoreProtecting Your Loved Ones with Life Insurance
Your life insurance needs will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your family, the nature of your financial obligations, your career stage, and your goals. For example, when you're young, you may not have a great need for
Read MoreA Beginner’s Guide to Investing After Retirement
You may be retired and considering investing some of your retirement nest egg. Depending on your situation, it is crucial that investing in the stock market, bond market, or other investments does not jeopardize your retirement savings.
Read More529 College Savings Plans: A Cheat Sheet for Common Questions
Whether your child was just born or is heading toward high school graduation, a 529 savings plan may help you put aside funds to pay for college expenses without paying taxes (federal and some states) on any dividends and gains.1
Read More10 Ways to Use Your Tax Refund
As we approach tax day 2022, you may be expecting to receive a tax refund. While you may have a temptation to spend your tax return, other options may be more beneficial to your financial situation.
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