Tag: Personal Finance

Direct Indexing

Aug 11, 2021

Direct Indexing
An old way to manage a portfolio is getting some new attention

“Indexing” is a familiar phrase in investment jargon, and a familiar concept. Money managers structure certain investment vehicles to contain all of the stocks within a particular Wall Street index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index. This equity exposure may fit the investment strategy for some investors depending on their risk tolerance, time horizon and goals.  (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,



Expanded Child Tax Credit

Aug 9, 2021

Child Tax Credit Post it note
Changes made for this year

The federal government has upgraded its Child Tax Credit. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan Act, there are four notable differences in effect for the 2021 tax year only.1 (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



Summer Jobs in Teenage Wage-Land

Aug 2, 2021

Without Summer Jobs, Cities Seek Alternatives for Youth

Summer jobs are a perennial aspect of the American workforce. It’s a time when teenagers are filling out applications and, in many cases, earning wages of their own for the first time. But some of what we’ve become accustomed to may be changing. (more…)

Tags: , , , , ,



The Quiet Fall in Bond Yields

Jul 16, 2021

Bond yields clock ticks down
What’s behind the quiet fall in bond yields?

With all the attention given to inflation, stock prices, and job reports, it’s been easy to overlook the remarkable move in the bond market during the past few months as bond yields have fallen.

The yield on the 10-year treasury closed at 1.37% on Friday, July 9, down from its 2021 high of 1.74% in late March.1 (more…)

Tags: , , ,



Conducting Your Mid Year Financial Review

Jul 9, 2021

Mid Year Review time
The midpoint of the year is a great time to review your financial position

With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of summer, we encourage you to slow down and check up on your financial well-being. Is your mid year review scheduled? (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



FAFSA Simplification Act

Jun 18, 2021

As a parent or grandparent, you know firsthand the challenges of funding a child’s education. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Act was passed at the end of 2020 and has changed some of the qualifications for students to receive financial aid. (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



Inflation & the Real Rate of Return

Jun 16, 2021

The real rate of return is an important personal finance concept to understand. And it goes hand-in-hand with the rate of inflation.

It’s the rate of return on your investments after inflation. The real rate of return indicates whether you are gaining or losing purchasing power with your money. (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



Are You Ready for the Second Act of the Secure Act?

Jun 14, 2021

Secure Act
Some potential benefits are coming

Recently, you may have seen headlines regarding the Securing a Strong Retirement Act, also referred to as the second version of the SECURE Act, or SECURE Act 2.0. (more…)

Tags: , , , , , ,



Inflation Outlook for 2021

May 31, 2021

As our nation continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19, one economic trend has been capturing news attention as of late – inflation. Consumer prices are rising amidst economic recovery. In fact, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.8% in April 2021, jumping by a greater-than-expected 4.2% year-over-year.1 (more…)

Tags: , , , ,



How COVID-19 Caused a “She-Cession”

May 19, 2021

Several women-dominated industries were hit hardest by the pandemic.

Since the 1980s, unemployment rates have trended higher amongst men than women during a recession. In previous periods of economic downturn, this made sense. Male-dominated industries, like construction and finance, were typically some of the most impacted by a recession. (more…)

Tags: ,



More Insights

Market Update – Assessing the Technical Damange
Jul 26, 2024

Key Takeaways Volatility came back with a vengeance this week as selling pressure in the mega cap space dragged down the broader market. Counterbalancing weakness in these heavyweight names poses a challenge for the rest of the market. Overbought conditions can also be blamed for the recent weakness. The S&P 500 reached a 14.9% premium … Continue reading “Market Update – Assessing the Technical Damange”

Can You Use Life Insurance for Charitable Giving?
Jul 24, 2024

Life insurance can be an excellent tool for charitable giving. Not only does life insurance allow you to make a substantial gift to charity at relatively little cost to you, but you may also benefit from tax rules that apply to gifts of life insurance.

Social Security Survivor Benefits
Jul 22, 2024

When you think of Social Security, you probably think of retirement. However, Social Security can also provide much-needed income to your family members when you die, making their financial lives easier. Your family members may be eligible to receive survivor benefits if you worked, paid Social Security taxes, and earned enough work credits. The number … Continue reading “Social Security Survivor Benefits”

Making Investment Choices
Jul 19, 2024

Information vs. instinct. When it comes to investment choices, many people believe they have a “knack” for choosing good investments. But what exactly is that “knack” based on? The fact is, the choices we make with our assets can be strongly influenced by factors, many of them emotional, that we may not even be aware … Continue reading “Making Investment Choices”

Retirement Plans for Small Businesses
Jul 17, 2024

As a business owner, you should carefully consider the advantages of establishing an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Generally, you’re allowed certain tax benefits for establishing an employer-sponsored retirement plan, including a tax credit for establishing the plan and a deduction for contributions you make. In return, however, you’re required to include certain employees in the plan, … Continue reading “Retirement Plans for Small Businesses”

Insights + Resources >