Blog

4 Reasons Working with a Financial Professional Is Not as Scary as You Think

John Miller

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

For some people, the thought of using financial services is a scary experience. It involves planning for a future where you may not know how the economy may be, how your health may be, or what your financial needs might be.

How to Create Meaningful Family Moments Around the Holidays

John Miller

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Holiday shopping. Gift wrapping. Baking. Traveling. Moving the Elf on the Shelf. The holidays can be stressful for families and the meaning of the season can easily be lost. Young children may think it is all about getting gifts and...

U.S. Job Growth Slows to a Sustainable Pace: An Analysis for Investors

John Miller

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The latest job report reveals a notable slowing in the U.S. job growth as employers added 187,000 jobs in July, which is below economists' forecast of 200,000 positions.

Why Did Retirement Confidence Falter in 2023?

John Miller

Wednesday, October 4, 2023

In its annual Retirement Confidence Survey of current workers and retirees, the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that workers' confidence in their ability to fund retirement fell.

An Essential Guide to Estate Planning Preparedness

John Miller

Thursday, September 28, 2023

A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1 - an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...

How to Help Aging Parents

John Miller

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Financial capacity – the ability to manage your finances in your own best interest – involves everything from paying bills to reading a brokerage statement and weighing an investment's potential risks and rewards. And...

5 Key Things to Know About Medigap

John Miller

Thursday, September 14, 2023

If you qualify for Medicare, you have likely already heard of Medigap. Medigap insurance is a supplemental policy that private insurance companies sell in conjunction with Medicare Parts A and B to fill in the gaps where Medicare...

The Roth 401(k)

John Miller

Thursday, September 7, 2023

Some employers offer 401(k) plan participants the opportunity to make Roth 401(k) contributions. If you have access to this option, Roth contributions could play an important role in helping enhance your retirement income.

How Chess Can Help You Become a Grandmaster of Investing

John Miller

Monday, August 28, 2023

In a single game of chess, there are approximately 400 possible moves after each move played. When investing, there is also a seemingly endless selection of choices and critical decisions.

Lump Sum vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging: Which Is Better?

Thomas Miller, CFP®

Monday, August 21, 2023

Some people go swimming by diving into the pool; others prefer to edge into the water gradually, especially if the water is cold. A decision about putting money into an investment can be somewhat similar.

529 Plans vs. Coverdell Education Savings Accounts

John Miller

Monday, August 14, 2023

How do 529 plans and Coverdell education savings accounts compare when saving for education costs?

Revive Your Family Game Night

John Miller

Monday, August 7, 2023

Board and card games remain household staples for a reason; they spark a childlike joy. Regardless of how busy life is, your stress will melt away while playing these games.

5 Compelling Reasons to Rethink Social Security

John Miller

Monday, July 31, 2023

Relying extensively on social security may not meet your retirement needsWhen it comes to planning for retirement, Social Security benefits have traditionally been viewed as a safety net for many individuals. However, in recent years,...

Many investors still adhere to the old adage—"sell in May and go away"—while others remain fully invested even as the summer heat waves begin. What goes unsaid is that if your asset allocation accurately reflects your risk tolerance...

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 with them key finan

If recent market volatility has you questioning your opportunities for financial freedom, you are not alone. Due to rising inflation, higher interest rates, a volatile stock market, and recession fears, many investors find themselves...

After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it may be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. You may wonder whether there is any way to maintain your lifestyle and preserve your wealth...

Getting old is hard. Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age. Helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you need to approach carefully.When you hit a certain age of your life, you may...

When discussing multigenerational wealth it is common to come across proverbs that acknowledge the fact that generational wealth typically won’t make it past the third generation. In the United States the saying goes, “from...

Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire.It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...

Once you are in your 60s, you are likely to focus less on growing your retirement funds than answering, "When do I retire?" And once you crack open your nest egg, how should you allocate its contents? The answer often lies in a...

Sometimes, 529 plans have unused funds after the beneficiary graduates or decides to discontinue their education. Whatever the reason for having unused 529 plan funds, here are five spending options to consider

For many, a retirement savings goal that could reach as high as $1 million or more may seem like a daunting, even impossible mountain to climb. What if you're contributing as much as you can to your retirement savings plan, and investing as

There is no one size fits all age; your unique circumstances and goals will dictate the appropriate time for you to take Social Security retirement benefits.

Finding someone you trust enough to manage your money and your future may feel like a nerve-wracking choice. Fortunately, by doing some preliminary research and asking tough questions, you can build a relationship built on mutual trust

Here is a 6-question checklist for small business owners to ask themselves to determine if they are ready for retirement.

Navigating parenthood isn't always easy. But when it comes to helping adult children through their debt, there are steps you can take to be productive while avoiding potential pitfalls.

There are many myths out there about money, and these myths tend to restrict people’s thinking regarding their money, which can potentially limit their wealth opportunities.

The SECURE Act 2.0 legislation has changed the landscape when it comes to RMDs (required minimum distributions) - but what does this actually mean for those planning for retirement? Find out on our blog.

Changing jobs can have many benefits, but it also has a potential downside — retirement accounts that are spread across different companies.

It's not uncommon for behavioral and emotional barriers to impact an investor's decision-making (or lack of decision-making). These barriers are part of what makes each investor and their situation unique.

Generally speaking, cash is one of the worst asset classes to hold during rising inflationary periods. And in theory, there are some sectors that generally perform better than others if inflation rises. Check out blog to learn more.

Planning on working during retirement? If so, you're not alone. An increasing number of employees nearing retirement plan to work at least some period of time during their retirement years.Why work during retirement?Obviously, if you...

On this week's blog we share a few tips to help women account for today's expenses while still setting aside funds for retirement.

When was the last time you gave yourself a financial checkup? Setting aside time to understand your financial condition and conduct an honest assessment of where you stand is a great way to get started. Learn more on our blog

Entrepreneurs tend to be natural risk-takers but this doesn't mean committing to uncompensated risk. On our blog, we discuss some financial risks an entrepreneur may face and how they may be mitigated.

It’s never too early to get started on tax preparation, so why not start today? Check out our article on everything you’ll need to be ready for tax season.

When you hear 'identity theft', you probably think about a data breach or opening a credit card in someone else's name. But another common type of identity theft involves using someone's Social Security number to unlawfully intercept their

Get ready for Super Bowl Sunday by checking out these Super Bowl-inspired investment strategies in our latest blog.

You probably have a few financial goals for 2023, but attempting to implement everything at once can be overwhelming. Here is a month-by-month to-do list to help you pursue your financial goals and keep you on track throughout the year.

The Secure Act 2.0 was signed into law by President Biden at the end of 2022, and this new legislation has the potential to help you save even more money for retirement.

Cleaning up personal finances remains one of the top resolutions every New Year, so here’s a month-by-month to-do list to help cultivate better financial health.

If one of your New Year's resolutions involves enhancing and expanding your investment portfolio, look no further. In a true New Year's Eve countdown tradition, ask yourself these 10 questions to help review your investment plans.

There are several ways to pass wealth between generations that may provide tax advantages to help preserve it for the younger generations, as opposed to watching it disappear due to a tax consequence.

LPL Research’s Outlook 2023: Finding Balance is our guide to how the readjustments in the economy and markets may impact you in the coming year.

Year-end investment decisions may result in substantial tax savings. Tax planning may allow you to control the timing and method by which you report your income and claim your deductions and credits. Check out our blog to learn more.

If you own a traditional IRA or participate in a retirement plan like a 401(k), you generally must start taking RMDs for the year you reach age 72. Failing to take an RMD can be costly.

Nothing is more true to the holiday spirit than helping those in need. Volunteering with your family can be a great bonding experience, and teach valuable lessons in giving back.

A list of things to consider as you think about year-end charitable donations With its family traditions and festive celebrations, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to GivingTuesday.org, the...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the greatest days to score deals for holiday shopping. Unfortunately, with amazing deals plentiful, some scammers use these days to take advantage of shoppers looking for the greatest bargains...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the greatest days to score deals for holiday shopping. Unfortunately, with amazing deals plentiful, some scammers use these days to take advantage of shoppers looking for the greatest bargains...

If you hope to retire soon and are concerned about what the future may hold for your investments, you are not alone. Inflation has many retirees and soon-to-be retirees worried about outliving their savings and investments.1 What...

The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...

With the cost of long-term care (LTC) increasing year over year, considering how the costs of long-term LTC will impact your financial plan is essential. Here are three tips that may help make the cost of LTC more affordable.

Investing for your retirement isn't about getting rich quick, it's about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. Investing for your retirement over the long term takes some practice and a little discipline.

For many individuals who hope to leave a legacy for their loved ones, estate planning may take on new importance. Here are two estate planning tips every high-net-worth individual should consider.

Today’s families have a variety of concerns when it comes to finances: retirement; education; protecting assets; and coping with unexpected life changes. Whether your goal is to build or protect assets, it may be better to start sooner rath

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law on August 16, 2022, includes health-care and energy-related provisions, a new corporate alternative minimum tax, and an excise tax on certain corporate stock buybacks.

One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA.

When planning for your retirement, make sure to consider how your retirement income could be impacted by investment risk, inflation, taxes, and health-related expenses.