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Retirement Planning: The Pros & Cons of Downsizing

Posted by Clara Moses on Aug 24, 2023 6:01:32 PM

There are all kinds of “rules for retirement” out there, but who’s setting them and why should you feel like you must follow them? A common piece of advice given to people on the verge of retirement is to downsize your home. While it’s true that this move can reduce your cost of living in several ways, that’s not the only factor to take into consideration. Here are some of the pros and cons of downsizing for retirement that you can use to inform your decision.

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Bonds in a Rising Interest Rate Environment

Posted by Jay Hutchins on Jun 30, 2023 3:00:00 PM

Bonds are commonly considered poor investments when rates are on the rise. But is that really a fair assessment? This blog will address misconceptions about bonds. 

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Roth IRA vs. Traditional IRA

Posted by Clara Moses on May 31, 2023 5:52:02 PM

One pitfall of most investment accounts is that you must pay taxes any time you sell investments for a gain, or you receive dividend payments. Individual retirement accounts, or IRAs for short, are great options for those looking to defer taxes. They are primarily designed to help people without 401(k)s save for retirement, but they can also help you save on taxes. 

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Should You Buy or Lease Your Next Vehicle?

Posted by Madison Perrin on Apr 17, 2023 11:00:00 AM

A new vehicle can be one of the biggest financial expenses you face, which is why you must explore your options before you make your final decision. When you break it down, there are really only two routes you can take: buy or lease. So the question is, which option better suits your lifestyle?

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Is It Mandatory to Sign Up for Medicare at Age 65?

Posted by Clara Moses on Feb 28, 2023 10:40:08 PM

When it comes to Medicare, one thing that many people agree on is that the enrollment process isn’t completely straightforward. Correct, helpful information is out there, but it’s often buried under jargon, lengthy articles, and conflicting sources. If you feel like your 65th birthday is approaching with gaining speed and you’re still confused about what exactly that entails, read this blog for answers to some of the most frequently asked Medicare questions.  

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How to Save More Money in 2023

Posted by Clara Moses on Jan 6, 2023 11:22:41 AM

Saving money is a daunting task for many people. Whether it seems like you need all your funds just to cover regular expenses or you struggle with resisting the urge to spend your extra cash, you’re not alone. According to Forbes, the U.S. personal savings rate has been falling for most of 2021 and 2022. However, considering the increases in inflation and interest rates, right now is the perfect time to focus on padding your savings for unexpected expenses. The good news is saving really does not need to be painful. If you’re going into 2023 looking for more ways to save, keep reading for 10 practical tips.

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Financial Planning for Single Parents

Posted by Madison Perrin on Nov 29, 2022 4:35:00 PM

It’s one of the hardest jobs you will ever do, and you may never actually get any true credit for it: single parenting. Since the 1960s, there has been a clear jump in the number of children living in a single-parent home. According to the United States Census Bureau, between 1960 and 2016, the amount of children living in with two parents decreased from 88% to 69%. It is reported that this was caused by an increase of births to unmarried women and an increase in divorces among couples. In 2010 alone, 40.7% of all births in the U.S. were to unmarried women. The latest Census data shows that approximately 26% of children live in single-parent households today.

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Why Diversified Portfolios Should Be Invested Abroad

Posted by Jay Hutchins on Oct 10, 2022 9:00:00 AM

If you want to see global economic history in a single colorful graph, keep reading. The following was produced by The Atlantic magazine and it shows the share of global GDP for various countries from the year 1 AD to 2008 AD.

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What is a Financial Planner and Do I Need One?

Posted by Clara Moses on Jun 28, 2022 10:33:12 AM

There are many types of financial professionals. All the titles and accreditations can be very confusing; and the last thing you want to feel when putting your finances into someone else’s hands is confusion. To put your mind at ease, we’ve created an eBook that thoroughly explains what the title “financial planner” means and why you might benefit from working with one yourself. Simply put, a financial planner is a professional who helps you assess your current situation so they can then strategize actionable ways to achieve your long-term goals.

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In The Moment

Posted by Jay Hutchins on Mar 11, 2022 1:43:33 PM

It’s natural to react to market, economic, and geo-political turmoil in the moment. This is a common mistake to make.

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Top 5 Personal Finance Websites

Posted by Clara Moses on Jan 25, 2022 11:42:12 AM

With the internet at your fingertips, you can become an expert at anything, right? That’s not exactly true. A little knowledge can lead to a lot of harm if research and implementation are not done responsibly. First, you want to be sure to consult resources that you can trust.

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QCDs Explained

Posted by Jay Hutchins on Dec 23, 2021 11:33:38 AM

When the 2917 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act raised the standard deduction for taxpayers to $24,000 for couples ($12,000 for singles), and lowered individual tax rates, an unintended consequence was to reduce the tax benefits of making charitable donations. Fewer taxpayers were itemizing, which means their donations didn’t count as deductions. Itemizing taxpayers – including people who intentionally raised their level of giving in order to cross the standard deduction threshold – found that the lower brackets reduced their tax benefits.

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