The Signature Blog
Practical tips and resources on building your ideal life.
Choose a topic you need help with or scroll through the posts below and explore our approach to money and life.
May 2022 Market Update
I’m not one to wish time away, but I’m glad that April is over, from a stock market standpoint (and also because tax season is over!). The S&P 500 lost 8.8% in April to finish off one of the worst…
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April 2022 Market Update
Greetings! I hope that you had a nice March and that you are ready for Spring. In Florence, we’re digging out from our pollen storm, and it’s been a beautiful time to be outside, if your allergies can stand it!…
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March 2022 Market Update
March Madness is in full swing, and unfortunately, I’m not referring to the basketball tournament. I save a number of beginning of the year market forecasts from various analysts, and will occasionally look back on them to grade the analysts’…
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Trim Your Future Tax Bill by Thinking Ahead
Don’t procrastinate when it comes to prepping for tax season. The tax code can be a labyrinth to navigate. Nevertheless, taking action now – while you, your financial advisor and accountant have time to think through the possibilities and maximize…
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February 2022 Market Update
January was a rough month for stocks, as the S&P 500 index of large, U.S. stocks was down more than 5%. That was the worst start for the index since 2009. That’s an ominous start–historically there is some correlation between…
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Helping You Plan Today For The Tomorrow You Envision
Longevity is here to stay. But it’s quality – not just quantity – of life that truly matters. Fortunately, we’re here to help you with both. According to the World Health Organization, global average life expectancy has risen by more…
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January 2022 Market Update
Happy New Year! I hope 2022 is off to a good start for you. I am optimistic that it will be a great year! My indicators are still positive for the stock market and the economy. We are enjoying loose…
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December 2021 Market Update
At the end of November and in early December volatility has bounded back into financial markets. A couple of reasons have been cited for this, namely the introduction of the new COVID variant, Omicron, and recent comments by Federal Reserve…
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October 2021 Market Update
October has gotten off to a rocky start, as concerns of government shutdowns, COVID, debt ceilings, inflation, supply chains, and infrastructure bills have dominated the news. While all of these certainly can create volatility, I believe that stocks will continue…
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September 2021 Market Update
Summer is officially winding down, but you’d never know it from all the heat and storms we’ve had. The very low volumes on the New York Stock Exchange recently are a reminder of all of the investment professionals that are…
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“Retirement Rules”: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Start Living the Life You Deserve
If you could retire from work today, what would you do with your time? Would you travel, spend more time with your families, volunteer or pursue a favorite hobby? Well, what if I told you that you could do all of…
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July 2021 Market Update
Amazingly, the year is already halfway over. It’s been full of events so far: a new President, battling COVID, vaccinating for COVID, Tom Brady winning another Super Bowl, meme “stonks,” genetically modified mosquitos (yikes!), and the gas pipeline hack and…
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Home, Sweet Home(s): Investing in Real Estate
In his celebrated 1822 song, Home, Sweet Home, playwright John Howard Payne profoundly and firmly holds his own home as a more revered spot than a royal palace (even if the said home is a “lowly thatched cottage”). While you…
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May 2021 Market Update
There has been an impressive rotation out of technology stocks and into industrial, basic materials, and financial stocks in 2021, and the first couple of weeks of May have seen that rotation continue. Basically, the stocks that outperformed in 2020…
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Inspiring Confidence: Persevering Financially After the Loss of a Loved One
Many of us don’t want to think about our own mortality, much less that of those we hold dear. But death is something we all will face eventually — and sadly, it can happen at any moment. While the topic…
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April 2021 Market Update
The first quarter has wrapped up, with the S&P 500 finishing higher by nearly 6%, making it the fourth consecutive quarter of positive returns for the index. The underlying stocks remain very strong with almost all of S&P 500 stocks…
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The Essential Checklist for Selling Your Business
Congratulations! The due diligence is done, and you and the buyer are satisfied with the deal. You’re getting ready to schedule a closing date where you and the buyer, along with your advisors and other professionals, will dot the i’s…
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March 2021 Market Update
February saw stock markets regain their footing, as optimism over vaccinations, stimulus, and loose monetary policy propelled markets higher. The S&P 500, a broad measure of the stock market, was up nearly 3%, and small-company stocks rose even more. Volatility…
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