Financial planning and preparing for retirement often raises more questions than answers. We hope our blog will help simplify every step of your path, from budgeting and 529 college plans, to life insurance, investments and long term care. We’re glad to have you reading along, and hope that we can assist you on your path to financial security and success.
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
Rising recession fears and uncertainty in the bond and currency markets sent stocks to new 2022 lows last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Monday, September 26, 2022
Last week, Fed Chair Powell said the U.S. would not tame inflation without economic pain. This week heightened recession fears and sent stocks broadly lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 4.00%, while the Standard &...
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Tuesday, September 20, 2022
A hotter-than-expected inflation report sent stocks sharply lower last week as investors faced the prospect of more aggressive interest rate hikes by the Federal Reserve for perhaps a longer period.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell...
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Wednesday, September 14, 2022
If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money.The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...
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Monday, September 12, 2022
In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...
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Monday, September 12, 2022
In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...
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Wednesday, September 7, 2022
The overhang of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech the previous week carried over into last week as investors recalibrated stock valuations amid a seemingly more assertive monetary policy stance.The Dow Jones Industrial...
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Tuesday, August 30, 2022
A comprehensive sell-off on Friday following comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove stocks to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 4.22%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 4.04%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Thursday, August 25, 2022
Have you heard? The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on Tuesday, August 16. While the $430 billion package includes many provisions, I thought I’d highlight three key areas where you may benefit the most.Tax credits...
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Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Stocks tumbled on Friday, sending stocks to a weekly loss after an otherwise quiet August week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped -0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Thursday, August 18, 2022
Have you ever heard the expression, "What's the smart money doing?""Smart money" is an expression that often refers to experts and suggests that well-informed people have a better perspective on current events and what actions to take....
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Tuesday, August 16, 2022
An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Thursday, August 11, 2022
"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.When was the last time you reviewed your will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent...
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Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Stocks turned in a mixed performance last week as investors struggled with headlines suggesting that the Fed was unlikely to soon ease up on its current monetary tightening policy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while...
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Thursday, August 4, 2022
Ever considered writing your own will? While you can draft a will on your own, there are plenty of reasons why you may not want to go that route. Most people do it to save money, but they may overlook or forget to take care of some...
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Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Undaunted by another Fed rate hike and news of a contracting economy, the stock market rallied last week on better-than-expected corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 2.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Tuesday, July 26, 2022
Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...
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Thursday, July 21, 2022
Stop me if you heard this already—roughly half the population wasn’t alive last time inflation was at this level.It’s true. According to IMDb.com, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the #1 movie at the box office the last...
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Tuesday, July 19, 2022
A record-high inflation report, the prospects of a more aggressive Fed, and growing recession fears sent stocks lower– though losses were pared by a Friday rally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.16%, while the Standard...
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Tuesday, July 12, 2022
If you’re trying to get an inside edge on Wall Street, you’re probably paying attention to an array of stats and measurements. But there’s one indicator you might be overlooking.I’m talking about the...
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Tuesday, July 12, 2022
In a holiday-shortened trading week, stocks rallied despite mixed economic data and vacillating energy prices and bond yields.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.94%. The...
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Thursday, June 30, 2022
It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current...
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Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Perhaps you’ve heard the maxim, “Preparation is the key to success.” But when it comes to life insurance, knowing when to prepare is almost more important than the preparation, itself.Sure, it can be difficult to...
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Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Prospects of cooling inflation powered a rally in stock prices last week despite growing recession concerns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.39%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 6.45%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Wednesday, June 22, 2022
At the risk of slowing economic growth, the Fed has driven short-term rates higher to rein in inflation. But it’s a tricky proposition.Raise rates too much, and you may trigger a recession. Don’t raise rates enough, and you...
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Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Stocks moved lower last week as recession fears deepened following a Fed hike in interest rates and weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.79%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.79%. The Nasdaq...
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Monday, June 20, 2022
What an “interesting” week. In a move unseen since 1994, the Federal Reserve has taken an aggressive stance toward inflation by raising the key interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point.Investors initially...
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Sunday, June 19, 2022
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, marking the day when slavery came to an end in the United States. The observance of this holiday, formally recognized by the state of Texas in 1980, has continued to spread to the rest of the...
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Tuesday, June 14, 2022
During periods of market turbulence, I take comfort in one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes:“Don’t watch the market closely.”The Oracle of Omaha gave this sage advice in 2016, when Brexit, China’s economic...
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Monday, June 13, 2022
A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
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Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Some gloomy headlines are coming out of Wall Street lately. Have you noticed?In recent days, I’ve read things like “Brace yourself for economic hurricanes” and “Wall Street investor survey paints a dire outlook...
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Monday, June 6, 2022
In a holiday-shortened week of volatile trading, stocks surrendered some of the previous week’s strong gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.20%. The Nasdaq Composite...
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Tuesday, May 31, 2022
Stocks posted solid gains for the week, buoyed by the release of Fed meeting minutes and upbeat earnings from mid-size and discount retailers.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 6.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced...
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Friday, May 27, 2022
As we go into the holiday weekend, I wanted to wish you a safe and happy Memorial Day. For me, Memorial Day is more than the unofficial beginning of summer: it’s a chance to honor those who have sacrificed everything for their...
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Monday, April 11, 2022
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Tuesday, February 22, 2022
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Monday, February 14, 2022
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Friday, January 28, 2022
Happy Data Privacy Day The January 28 event promotes best practices for protecting your data.Every January 28, at least 50 countries recognize Data Privacy Day, an event designed to raise awareness and promote bestpractices for...
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Thursday, January 20, 2022
There’s a serious blood shortage in the United States, putting hospitals, patients, and medical personnel in the midst of one of the most critical times for blood donations.
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Wednesday, January 5, 2022
Did you know? The year isn't over yet! When it comes to tax-deductible retirement savings, the year doesn't end on December 31st. You may contribute to your Traditional or Roth IRA until April 15th, and making a deductible...
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Friday, December 3, 2021
'Tis the season for giving! December is a time that many Americans celebrate Holidays such as Christmas or Hanukkah. Some of these Holidays have a special focus on giving. What a great time a year to consider charitable gifts! If you...
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Monday, November 29, 2021
News of a new, highly virulent COVID variant triggered a market sell-off on Friday, sending stocks into negative territory for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2...
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Monday, November 29, 2021
The Tuesday following Thanksgiving is Giving Tuesday. Giving itself is a charitable standalone act meant to benefit others, but below are some things to keep in mind as we approach the end of the year. YEAR-END CHARITABLE GIFTING AND...
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Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Stocks were mixed last week in choppy trading as investors battled the crosscurrents of good economic data and a troubling rise in COVID-19 infections globally.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.38%, while the Standard &...
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Monday, November 22, 2021
You see it in prices at the grocery store and the gas station. You feel it in your monthly budget. So why don’t the financial markets seem too concerned about inflation?Remember, financial markets are considered...
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Wednesday, November 17, 2021
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022. Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts...
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Tuesday, November 16, 2021
At the White House on Monday, President Biden signed a $1T bipartisan infrastructure bill set to enable enhancements for transportation and utilities over the next five years.1For each of those five years, $550 billion will be...
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Monday, November 15, 2021
Stocks posted small declines last week as investors digested recent stock market gains and an unexpectedly high inflation read.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 0.31%. The...
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Friday, November 12, 2021
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022.Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)...
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Tuesday, November 9, 2021
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period began October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...
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Monday, November 8, 2021
A Federal Reserve announcement on tapering, a fresh batch of corporate profits, and encouraging economic data lifted stocks to another weekly gain.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Tuesday, November 2, 2021
While it’s still too early to draw any final conclusions, Congress is getting closer to outlining what tax law changes are under consideration to pay for the proposed $1.75 trillion Build Back Better Plan.1For now, it appears...
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Monday, November 1, 2021
A fresh wave of positive corporate earnings surprises sent markets to new record highs last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.40%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.33%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked...
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Wednesday, October 27, 2021
To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes.One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to...
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Monday, October 25, 2021
Stocks rallied last week on a stream of positive corporate earnings surprises.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.64%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 1.29% for the week....
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Thursday, October 21, 2021
While the world has begun to recover from the economic disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, the delayed reaction has been felt in the supply chain. Industrial shutdowns around the world slowed production to a relative crawl, leaving...
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Monday, October 18, 2021
A strong opening to the third-quarter earnings season sparked a late week, broad-based rally that helped stocks finish the week with solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Friday, October 15, 2021
Remember when a college education was reasonably priced? In the past 20 years, the cost of college tuition for public universities has risen 165%. College students and their families have been taking on more and more debt, and they...
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Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Secure your Wi-Fi Unprotected networks are vulnerable to cyber attacks and data theft. When setting up your network — home or business — make sure that it’s password protected. Most routers are preset with a...
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Monday, October 11, 2021
The overhang of bumping against the federal debt ceiling was lifted last week with an agreement to extend the debt ceiling through early December, helping propel stocks to a weekly gain.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1...
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Friday, October 8, 2021
When training to become a financial professional, much of our course work centers on the six critical areas of creating a financial strategy. Some recognize October as Financial Planning Month, so it's an excellent opportunity to...
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Wednesday, October 6, 2021
How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage.Have you switched...
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Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Debates over government debt, taxes, and infrastructure have captured the attention of the nation this week. All eyes are on Washington and Wall Street as these events play out, with potentially far-reaching consequences that seem to...
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Monday, October 4, 2021
Higher bond yields and a legislative stalemate in Washington, D.C., added up to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 2.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell...
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Friday, October 1, 2021
RETIREMENT READ TIME: 3 MIN RETIREMENT PLAN CHOICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES As a small-business owner, figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating. How do you pick the most appropriate retirement plan for your business as...
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Wednesday, September 29, 2021
A funny thing happened in the investment markets the other day. September was living up to its reputation as a volatile month, but then the Federal Reserve came to the rescue.The Fed concluded its Federal Open Market Committee meeting...
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Monday, September 27, 2021
Stocks prices were whipsawed last week, dragged initially lower by financial contagion worries and later lifted by a supportive Fed policy statement.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.62%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
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Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Most likely, you’ve heard what’s brewing in Washington, D.C., called by one of these names.The Build Back Better Act. Or the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation bill. Or the Jobs and Economic Recovery Plan for Working...
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Monday, September 20, 2021
Stocks weakened ahead of this week’s Federal Reserve meeting and amid persistent concerns about the Delta variant’s impact on the economy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was flat (-0.07%), while the Standard &...
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Friday, September 17, 2021
If you are feeling a bit confused about the direction of inflation, you’re in good company. Some of the best and brightest economists in the country are having a tough time getting their arms around the current inflation trends...
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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
INVESTMENT READ TIME: 4 MIN GETTING A HEAD START ON COLLEGE SAVINGS The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates the cost of raising a child to the age of 17 for a middle-income family will be about $285,000.1 That’s roughly...
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Monday, September 13, 2021
In a quiet week of news, stocks moved lower amid simmering concerns over the Delta variant’s effect on the progress of economic reopening.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Friday, September 10, 2021
The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53 new highs so far in 2021.1During August, stocks rallied as investors looked past the increased number of COVID-19...
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Wednesday, September 8, 2021
INVESTMENT READ TIME: 4 MIN ESTIMATING THE COST OF COLLEGE September is College Savings Month. Do you know where to start? It doesn’t take a degree in finance to see the cost of college continues to rise. In its 2017 report, the...
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Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Stocks were mixed last week amid conflicting economic data and continued spread of Delta variant infections.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.24% during the five trading days. But the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on...
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Friday, September 3, 2021
The economic impact of COVID-19 has been felt from coast to coast. And, unfortunately for many pre-retirees, it could potentially impact Social Security benefits as well.A new report indicates that if Congress doesn’t take...
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
It’s time for your life insurance checkup.September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...
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Monday, August 30, 2021
The stock market powered to record levels last week amid talk of Fed tapering and a deceleration in new Delta variant cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.96%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 increased 1.52%. The...
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Monday, August 30, 2021
INVESTMENT READ TIME: 3 MIN A Look at Diversification Ancient Chinese merchants were said to have developed a unique way to manage their risk. They would divide their shipments among several different vessels. That way, if one ship...
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Wednesday, August 25, 2021
With summer almost behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of summer, we encourage you to slow down and check up on...
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Monday, August 23, 2021
Stocks turned lower last week amid the increasing probability of a Fed tapering, mixed economic data, and growing concerns about the economic impact of the Delta variant.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slumped 1.11%, while the...
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Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and communicate have drastically changed, to say the least.It’s difficult to predict what other aspects of life...
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Wednesday, August 18, 2021
CATCH-UP CONTRIBUTIONS A recent survey found that 23% of people were very confident about having enough money to live comfortably through their retirement years. At the same time, 33% were not confident.1 Congress in 2001 passed a law...
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Monday, August 16, 2021
Looking past inflation figures and Delta variant trends, stocks last week found a way to climb higher and set fresh record highs in the process.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.87%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...
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Saturday, August 14, 2021
Don’t Delay. Start Your Financial Plan Now. Many millennials find planning their financial futures a daunting task. It need not be so. We offer some suggestions to get you on your way. When it comes to saving and investing, time...
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Wednesday, August 11, 2021
"Whether the headline comes from a newspaper or a push notification, there will always be negative news that will make investors wary. The table below shows standout news events over the past half century." Hartford Funds created this...
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Monday, August 9, 2021
Overcoming jitters about the Delta variant and the reintroduction of mask requirements, stocks climbed higher on strong employment data and a fresh batch of strong corporate earnings.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.78% while...
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Wednesday, August 4, 2021
2021 Halftime Report Please join me on Zoom for a mid-year market update, presented by LPL Financial. Live Webinar on Wednesday, August 11th at 6:00p.m. Contact Amanda at amanda@encorewm.com for Zoom Webinar ID and Passcode.
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Tuesday, August 3, 2021
FOUR REALLY GOOD REASONS TO INVEST Forty-eight percent of Americans do not own any stocks or stock-related investments, according to the most recent data available from Pew Research Center.1 Individuals may cite different reasons for...
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Monday, August 2, 2021
The stock market posted small losses last week despite a very strong showing by corporate America.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped...
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Thursday, July 29, 2021
Time to Tune-Up Your Financial Plan There are fundamental steps you can take to get on-track with your financial plan.Planning for your financial future is a critical endeavor, yet one that many overlook or fail to nurture. Some may...
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Monday, July 26, 2021
Overcoming a COVID-related economic growth scare, stocks moved higher amid a week of strong corporate earnings reports.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 1.96%. The Nasdaq...
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Thursday, July 22, 2021
Estate Planning 101 Tips for organizing your estate to preserve your assets for your designated beneficiaries. Estate planning is not an exercise relegated to the wealthy alone. Indeed, anyone who wants to plan for the distribution of...
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Monday, July 19, 2021
Despite a good start to earnings season and some solid economic data, worries of slower second-half economic growth led to a pullback in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.52%, while the Standard &...
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Sunday, July 18, 2021
July 18th is national Insurance Nerd Day, and over here at Encore we definitely geek out about all types of insurance, but today we'll focus on Life Insurance. Perhaps you’ve heard the maxim, “Preparation is the key to...
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Friday, July 16, 2021
The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand.It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power...
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Monday, July 12, 2021
Stocks managed small gains as investors wrestled with concerns over economic growth prospects and a rise in COVID-19 infections.The Dow Jones Industrial Average picked up 0.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 0.40%....
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Friday, July 9, 2021
At its June meeting, the Federal Reserve confirmed what many of us have suspected for some time: prices are rising. In fact, prices are climbingfaster than many expected. In response, the Fed raised its inflation expectation to 3.4%,...
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Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Managing your personal finances can sometimes seem like an overwhelming task. But you can start the process with a few easy steps that will help you take control of your finances and work toward a brighter financial future. You can...
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