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.
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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When It Comes Time To Claim Social Security, Do You Know All of Your Options?
You know Social Security and retirement go hand in hand, but do you realize just how important it is to make the right claiming decisions? One Social Security misstep could leave you missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars…
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Signature Wealth Strategies Celebrates 5 Years of Expansion across the Southeast
Florence, South Carolina, February 5, 2021 — Signature Wealth Strategies (SWS) is marking its fifth anniversary this week by recognizing the dedicated service of its employees and branch offices and by taking time to reflect on the massive growth that…
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February 2021 Market Update
After a pretty lethargic January (the S&P 500 was down about 1%), stock indices have rocketed upward so far in February. The big news over the past few weeks has been the wild ride of some heavily-shorted stocks, although a…
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Tax Planning: Laying the Groundwork for Tax Season
Smart moves at the beginning of tax season can help get your financial house in order. Contrary to popular belief, tax planning isn’t limited to the months between year-end and April 15. In fact, smart tax planning goes beyond deductions…
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January 2021 Market Update
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2021! I hope that this year brings to all of us less upheaval than the last. We were busy at the end of 2020, trying to reduce capital gains tax exposure for our clients. …
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Navigating The Unpredictable in Your Retirement Routine
You wake up in the morning, get yourself a healthy breakfast, and sit down to check in on the daily news of our world. Even after leaving the workforce, our days and our lives still find a way to develop…
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Market Update December 2020
November stock market returns were for the record books, as the S&P 500 rose nearly 12%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average had its best month since 1987, and the Russell 2000 was up 18% for its best month ever. The…
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Post-Election Market Update November 2020
Election Day has come and gone (my house is pleasantly quiet now that the political calls have stopped coming in!) and, although the results aren’t completely in, we have a much better feel for what government will probably look like…
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Better Together: Essential Small Business Survival Tips for Right Now
The stunning beauty of a Maidenhair tree is matched only by its remarkable resilience to survive all sorts of environmental challenges that topple less hardy species. The tree agelessly defies strong winds, pollution, and drought. The secret of how a…
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Market Update September 2020
There is a lot of buzz around IPOs recently, the initial public offering of privately held companies that are becoming publicly owned. It reminds me a lot of the IPO heyday of the late 1990s, which proved to be the…
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The Top 7 Social Security Myths (and How To Get the Most from Your Hard-Earned Benefits)
Social Security seems simple. But this retirement benefit is in fact quite nuanced, with many variables to consider–including when to start collecting, how to maximize your benefit, and what to do if you choose to go back to work. Here,…
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Market Update August 2020
Around my house, we’re starting to get ready–although very slowly–for the return to school for our kids. We love summer, so it’s a bit sad that it’s coming to a close. But, autumn is becoming my favorite season, since…
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Why Rethinking Retirement Can Lead to a Healthier and Happier Life
Picture this… what’s the first thing that enters your mind with these words? Flower Friend Retirement Music Anyone can quickly imagine a flower, a friend or music. But, retirement? What does retirement look like? Most of us think about retirement…
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Market Update July 2020
2020 is halfway over, and I hate to wish time away, but I think most folks are glad to see it over with. Remarkably, with all the turmoil, the S&P 500 closed out the first half with a loss of…
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7 Critical Reasons a Financial Partner is the Key to Growth for Your Small Business
“Most small business owners decide to start a business because they love what they do. Typically, what they love doesn’t have anything to do with business tax structure, employee benefits, or employer regulations. I happen to love doing the things…
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