Financial Plan
Homes smart enough to save you money
FAMILY & LIFESTYLE When it comes to smart home technologies, there is an abundance of options. Here are some we think are worthy investments. It’s been reported that Oprah Winfrey has a high-tech ski home in Telluride, Colorado, that boasts a radiant heat system that allows her to skip shoveling snow from the driveway. And…
Read MoreHelping a loved one buy a home? Review strategies and risks
FAMILY & LIFESTYLE Approaches range from offering a straightforward monetary gift to making the purchase yourself and becoming a landlord. Explore various strategies and their tradeoffs. Real estate has long been one of the foundational pieces for an investment portfolio. But for younger generations, buying a home has become increasingly difficult. Younger homebuyers face all…
Read MoreMaking the most of Medicare’s open enrollment period
RETIREMENT & LONGEVITY Ask yourself a few questions to make sure you’re getting the most from Medicare. Mark your calendar for Medicare’s open enrollment season: between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7, you are able to make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan and prescription drug coverage. During this time, you can change from Original Medicare…
Read MoreThe Fed and the Housing Market
Chief Economist Eugenio J. Alemán discusses current economic conditions. The Federal Reserve Bank (Fed), the central bank of the United States, has a difficult task ahead. The most important objectives of the Fed are: “maximum employment, stable prices, and moderate long-term interest rates in the United States.” In order to do that, the Fed has,…
Read MoreGet to Know Special Needs Trusts
ESTATE & GIVING Trust assets can be used for a variety of helpful and enriching benefits, all while not jeopardizing valuable government assistance. Caring for a family member or friend with a disability or special needs can be difficult to navigate without expert help and the right plan. Whether due to an accident or mental…
Read More“No Kids” Shouldn’t Mean “No Estate Plan”
ESTATE & GIVING Regardless of your family situation, it’s important to have certain estate planning essentials in place so that your legacy is left the way you intend. Estate planning can sometimes feel overwhelming, and those without children or close family members may be especially uncertain about where to begin. You may feel as though…
Read MoreTrim 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 your tax savings – could be more than worth the effort. Consider adding one or…
Read MoreHome, 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 may not know Payne by name, you’ll undoubtedly be aware of his brilliant and imperishable…
Read MoreInspiring 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 may make you uncomfortable, wouldn’t you rather be prepared as much as you can be?…
Read MoreBetter 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 Maidenhair tree can live for more than 1,000 years was recently discovered—its ability to adapt…
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