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Retirement Annuities Explained: What They Are and How They Work
Having enough retirement income is a top concern for many Americans nearing or in retirement. Even though they may have saved consistently throughout the working years, they may be concerned that their retirement plans will succeed. A successful retirement plan...
CLOSING OUT OUR EQUITIES OVERWEIGHT
Stocks have had a nice run, but at higher prices, the bar for further gains gets higher. We have recently made the case in this publication that there are a lot of reasons to expect the market to go higher between now and year end. But with stocks at higher...
The Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenthood
Parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Children give gifts only a parent can understand — from sticky-finger hugs to heartfelt pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. You raise them with a clear goal that you secretly dread...
Unused 529 Plan Funds: 5 Spending Options to Consider
529 plans are tax-advantaged savings vehicles designed to accumulate contributions and help pay for the beneficiary's qualifying education expenses. Sometimes, 529 plans have unused funds after the beneficiary graduates or decide to discontinue their education. There...
Money Milestones: 4 Financial Goals for Older Individuals
If you saved for retirement for a while, you might look forward to a break from financial responsibility for the remaining portion of your life. But striving for economic betterment should not end when you hit retirement. You may continue to work toward new financial...
EARNINGS UPDATE: BETTER THAN FEARED UNDERSELLS THESE RESULTS
First quarter earnings season is nearly complete, and it has caused us to regret titling our earnings preview commentary on April 10, “Malaise Continues.” While the “better than feared” label fit the past couple of earnings seasons quite well, based on the magnitude...
Financial Planning for Working Moms
Historically, working mothers have had even higher ambitions in the workforce than working women in general.1 This ambition may drive them to excel in budgeting and financial matters that can help them manage their family's finances. What should working moms know...
4 Ways to Invest in Your Mental Health Bank
Are you feeling exhausted? Burnt out? When you feel that you are mentally done and have little to look forward to in life, odds are your mental health bank is dangerously low. Your mental health bank functions in a similar way to your bank account. Deposits go in, and...
SELL IN MAY?
“Sell in May and go away” is probably the most widely cited stock market cliché in history. Every year a barrage of Wall Street commentaries and stories in the financial press floods in about this popular, but overused, stock market adage. Here we take our annual look...
Life Insurance Riders that Help Pay for Long-Term Care
Life insurance has many uses, including income replacement, business continuation, and estate preservation. Long-term care insurance helps provide financial protection against the potentially high cost of long-term care. If you find yourself in need of both types of...