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Your Monthly Market Newsletter, September 2023
yourDespite the hope for a continued market upswing, the positive trends we saw in July did not carry into August, and the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P all finished down for the month. The Federal Reserve (Fed) didn’t meet in August, so...
Read MoreJuly 2023: Your Money Matters
This month’s Your Money Matters newsletter contains great tips for revising how you view your bucket list, new tax rules to know when selling your home, info on why portfolio rebalancing is so important, and considerations when...
Read MoreWho gets the money? Beneficiary Designations
No beneficiary designation? Who gets the money?The Importance of Beneficiary DesignationsAccording to a recent Wall Street Journal article, retirement plans and IRAs account for about 60 percent of the assets of U.S. households...
Read More3 Common Myths About Annuities
Annuities have garnered fans and critics over the years and often are the subject of many misconceptions. But, especially in an environment of rising interest rates and high inflation, an annuity might be a great addition to your...
Read MoreMay 2023: Your Money Matters
This month’s Your Money Matters newsletter encourages you to stop wasting money, weighs the pros and cons of prepaid debit cards, shares a quick guide to checking to see if you have unclaimed money, and looks into how long a $20...
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Weekly Market Insights: Lower inflation lifts spirits in uneven week.
The combination of an improving inflation outlook resulted in a week of uneven, albeit positive, performance, in which cyclical and financial stocks rallied while technology, real estate, and utilities lagged. The Dow Jones...
Read MoreTop Retirement Challenges for Women
One of the biggest financial challenges women often face is preparing for (and saving enough for) retirement. There are numerous reasons why these challenges exist, but through continued awareness and planning, those challenges can be...
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Weekly Market Insights: Erratic Holiday Trading Leaves Stocks in Doldrums
In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...
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Weekly Market Insights: Cooling Inflation Brings Market Gains
A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreA 9.6% COLA increase? It could be the real thing!
Like many Americans, you may be feeling pain from the high cost of living every time you buy groceries or fill up at the pump. Surging food costs and higher gas prices are pinching consumers, especially those living on a fixed income....
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10/18 Market View Weekly: By the Numbers
Breathtaking VolatilityAn above-consensus consumer inflation number sent stocks tumbling in early Thursday trading before inexplicably surging higher in a stunning reversal that saw the Dow Jones Industrial Average rally 1,500 points...
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Age My Way in May
May is a month to celebrate the older Americans in our country and honor their lives and the accomplishments they still have ahead of them.Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy to bring awareness to...
Read MoreDon’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
While it’s natural to look ahead to a leisurely retirement, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four...
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5 Facts to Remember During Market Volatility
Wouldn’t it be nice if the stock market didn’t have such violent swings in either direction? Especially the dramatic downward plunges - we’d ALL like to avoid those! But the reality is, the markets include a certain...
Read MoreTime-Saving Tips for School Mornings
If you have school-age children, you’re intimately familiar with the often-hectic morning routines that make launching a rocket into space look easy. And, the longer the morning routine, the greater the likelihood of running...
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A 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...
Read MoreAugust 2021: Retirement Readiness
This month's Retirement Readiness newsletter features insights into inflation, the choices for your 401(k) at a former employer, rethinking the 4% rule, and considering how to live a fulfilling retirement. Hope you enjoy, and as...
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A 6.1% Bump in Social Security?
The news keeps getting better for Social Security recipients.It's now projected that benefits will increase 6.1% in 2022, up from the 4.7% forecast just two months ago. That would be the most significant increase since 1983.1...
Read MoreA Note About Inflation
As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic over the past year, you may have noticed the term ‘inflation’ coming up in the news. But don’t let it scare you! The fact is, some inflation is...
Read MoreDid Sam Adams Really Brew Beer?
Gear up for the holiday with some history knowledge! The Fourth of July is the perfect opportunity to read up on the Founding Fathers of the United States, a term coined by a speech given by Warren G. Harding in 1916. Here are a few...
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A COLA with Your Social Security?
If there is a "silver lining" to all the inflation talk, it may be that Social Security benefits are expected to see a larger-than-normal increase in 2022.Preliminary estimates call for a 4.7% cost-of-living increase (COLA) in Social...
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Weekly Market Insights: Upbeat Feelings Boost Market
Optimism over the economic reopening and renewed enthusiasm for technology and other high-growth companies powered the stock market higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s...
Read MoreAvoid Becoming the Bank of Mom and Dad
You spend your whole life raising your children to be self-sufficient. You give them your time, your love, and your money to set them up for success. So, what do you do when your now-adult-child asks for financial aid?As more baby...
Read MoreThe American Jobs Act – 10 Potential Changes We’re Watching
President Biden has unveiled his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan; now, the focus turns to how the Administration proposes to pay for all (or some of) the measures. While these plans are still subject to significant change,...
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“Green Shoots” in the Economy
Investors looking for "green shoots" to confirm that the economy is on the mend have seen plenty of examples in recent weeks. Retail sales rose 9.8% in March, the largest monthly gain since May 2020. It's important to remember that...
Read MoreAmerican Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – What’s Included?
One year into the global pandemic, President Biden has signed into action a new $1.9 trillion stimulus package known as the American Rescue Plan Act. It’s designed to help the American people continue to recover from the...
Read MoreThe SECURE Act and How it May Impact You
In December, the SECURE Act or Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act, was signed into law. This bill brings about some of the biggest changes in short-term retirement policy history and is aimed at strengthening...
Read MoreEstate Management Checklist
Estate Management Checklist Do you have a will? A will enables you to specify who you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enables you to name a guardian for your minor children. Do you have healthcare documents...
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Weekly Market Insights: Rising Inflation Concerns
Rising bond yields dampened investor enthusiasm for high-multiple growth companies last week, sending market averages mostly lower in a holiday-shortened week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.11% for the week. But...
Read MoreWhere should you put your money? It depends.
Clients and friends ask all the time where they should put their money. That’s a great question, and it would be even better if there were a one-size-fits-all answer. Unfortunately, though, market performance is fickle. The same...
Read MoreNewly Announced IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
Each fall the Treasury Department announces inflation adjustments to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and income limits for the following tax year. They recently announced contribution limits and changes for the 2021 tax year.For...
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Income Tax Checklist to Stay on Track
Tax time is upon us and that means gathering all of your documents needed and getting them in one place to make filing your taxes as easy as possible. We thought it would be helpful to send along this handy checklist to help with that...
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Weekly Market Insights: Optimism Stimulates Markets
Anticipation of a new fiscal stimulus and improved vaccine distribution powered stocks to fresh record highs last week with technology stocks leading the way.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%, while the Standard &...
Read MoreSmart Things to Do with a Year-End Bonus
If you are anticipating an annual bonus this year, it’s wise to come up with a thoughtful plan for the extra cash before it comes so you can get the most benefit from it. If you need more time to consider your options, deposit...
Read MoreDecember Market Matters
Favorable data on vaccine efforts continued to stream in over the past several weeks. Both Pfizer and Moderna expect their vaccine distribution to begin in the U.S. and the U.K. within the next 30 days, contingent on FDA approval...
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Weekly Market Insights: Is Stimulus Near?
Stocks marched higher last week on an improving outlook for the passage of a fiscal stimulus package.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.03%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 tacked on 1.67%. The Nasdaq Composite index...
Read MoreNovember Market Matters
Though final counts continue, media outlets have declared Joe Biden the president-elect of the United States. President Trump, however, has stated his intention to contest election results. Pending a runoff election in Georgia,...
Read MoreEstate Planning Myths
Estate planning can be one of the most misunderstood aspects of financial planning, however, it’s a vital part to ensure your assets and family are protected. Unfortunately, common myths convince many they don’t need to...
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Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Mixed Amid Uncertainty
Stocks were mixed last week as worries that stretched from Washington D.C., where prospects of a new fiscal stimulus bill dimmed, to Europe, which saw an increase of new COVID-19 cases.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.75%,...
Read MoreOctober 2020: Retirement Readiness
Our newsletter this month discusses a few misconceptions about social security while sharing some truth, covers a handful of really good reasons to start investing, how women can prepare for retirement, and bridging the confidence gap...
Read MoreInherited IRAs: Learn About The Options
Navigating the death of a close family member can be difficult to endure. When a loved one is lost, the first thoughts likely won’t be about what to do with their IRA. But for beneficiaries, it is important to make wise...
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Keeping your eyes on the goal
As the struggle to control COVID-19 drags on, many of us experience periodic fatigue from distancing, negative headlines and future uncertainties. Staying disciplined when weary is difficult but crucial to short-term financial...
Read MoreSeptember 2020: Retirement Readiness
Our newsletter this month features an overview on when to talk to your financial professional about changes in your situation, if your retiree health care coverage goes with you overseas, includes a pre-retirement checklist to...
Read More8/25 Find your new Fall tradition
Hopefully, you and your family have found ways to enjoy the summer, despite the ongoing pandemic. As the calendar turns to September, we’re looking forward to the cooler days! The way the last few months have been can make your...
Read MoreWhat You Need to Know After a Divorce
For so many reasons, going through a divorce is not easy. The challenges associated with ending a marriage are many, ranging from the legal to the practical to the emotional. As with any complex situation, understanding the steps that...
Read MoreQuestions to Ask Yourself Before a Big Purchase
At some point in life, you’ll be in the market to buy something that costs big bucks. No matter the purchase, sometimes the decision can be hard to make. Here are three things you should ask yourself before you spend your...
Read MoreWeekly Market and Coronavirus Update with Phil Blancato
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news. Please listen to the most recent market update from Phil Blancato, President and CEO of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, a well-known name in the...
Read MoreRoth conversions in 2020 could help your retirement plan
2020 may be a year that none of us ever forgets, for many reasons. But here’s one positive: Roth IRAs can be particularly beneficial for financial planning in the current tax and economic environment. A major incentive for...
Read MoreQuick Important Summer Dates
Hopefully you’ve been able to enjoy the summer finding new ways of relaxation and fun even with the ongoing pandemic. The weather is still warm, but pumpkins have already made their way into the stores, which means Fall and the...
Read MoreAugust 2020: Retirement Readiness
Our newsletter this month features a quick video on suggestions to make the most of your investments, activities to keep our brains sharp, a guided retirement route for women, and the impact of your mindset on your portfolio. Hope you...
Read MoreWeekly Market and Coronavirus Update with Phil Blancato
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and news. Please listen to the most recent market update from Phil Blancato, President and CEO of Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management, a well-known name in the...
Read MoreSummer Vacations in the Time of COVID-19
July usually goes hand in hand with warm weather, fun in the sun and most of all…summer vacations. With the pandemic still a regular part of our lives, many of our favorite summertime traditions are on hold. While the majority...
Read MoreBuild Wealth Over Time
There are many different strategies that can be used to take full advantage of investing opportunities and help you reach your financial goals; one such strategy is called Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA). Dollar Cost Averaging is...
Read MoreTips for navigating the PPP loan application
If you feel like your small business is taking the brunt of the financial hit during this COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. While the CARES Act stimulus bill designated $350 million dollars to support the small business...
Read MoreIMPORTANT BIRTHDAYS OVER 50
TIP: Average Benefit. In 2016, the average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker was about $1,360.Source: Social Security Administration, 2017Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12....
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