Monthly Newsletters

From Washington to Your Wallet: How the Federal Funds Rate Affects Personal Finance

If you’ve watched the headlines at all in the last month, you know the markets aren’t sitting still. From the worst Christmas Eve on record to the Dow’s largest jump ever just a few days later – losses and gains seem to have less pattern every day. Experts are divided on how 2019 will look, but predictable isn’t the word any of them are using. Read more

How to Save More in 2019

The start of a new year always brings with it new personal goals – lose a few pounds, go on regular date nights with your significant other, get rid of a bad habit or create more good habits. Of course, many of our goals revolve around finances.

In fact, 37 percent of U.S. adults said their New Year’s Resolution was to save money or save more money in 2018, according to YouGov. One of the few ways to keep that promise to yourself is to pre-plan. Losing weight? Invest in that gym membership. More dates? Buy a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant. But how do you plan to save more this year? Read more

Gifts without the Guilt – Tips for Avoiding Financial Stress at the Holidays

Pop quiz: Can you name more than three gifts you got for the holidays last year? A sweater, an Apple watch, a popcorn tin … and, ummmm? Most of us would be hard-pressed to answer this question, even by late January.

What we remember, of course, are the moments with family and friends – the relationships that are renewed in the holiday time of slowing down. Material gifts are fine for the moment, but they are usually forgotten even before they have the chance to break and wear out. Read more

Pass the Turkey! – Financial Tips for the Season of Giving

As the year begins its close, traditions start to appear. From the silverware for feasts, to the tacky lawn decorations the kids love, to the choice of holiday movies, traditions remind us of who we are. There’s a story behind almost every detail, whether it’s grandma’s antique table runner or your secret family recipe for cranberry sauce, and everything is intentional, or at least seems that way. Read more

October Newsletter: 3 Tips for National Financial Planning Month

The leaves are changing, and we find ourselves changing as well. Depending on where you are in the country, you may be draining the pool or storing the patio furniture, or even harvesting the year’s crops. Whatever form it takes in your life, the cool weather causes us to slow down, take stock, and see where the summer left everything.

It’s no surprise then, that October is National Financial Planning month. This can be a great time for a meeting with your financial planner, especially if you only meet a few times a year. Let’s look at a few financial fitness items to discuss with your financial planner and to keep in mind as the leaves fall outside. Read more

September Monthly Newsletter: All Your Pencils Sharpened – A Financial Fine-Tuning for Autumn

We all remember it. You have your pencils all sharpened, your new outfit on, and a fresh new school year ahead of you. Long after our academic days are over, we can’t help feeling that autumn is the time – after the exuberance of summer – to re-check and re-tighten everything to prepare for the colder seasons ahead. Read more

August Monthly Newsletter: 4 Financial Lessons Your New College Student Needs to Hear from You (and 2 Important Items for Parents)

As summer comes to a close, many parents and teenagers are packing up the station wagon (or hybrid crossover) for a trip that, for at least one passenger, is one way. You’re ready for this. You’ve done the shopping trips, you’ve packed the boxes, you’ve even shed a few tears. Now it’s time to send your child(ren) off to college. Read more

July Monthly Newsletter: Five Financial Factors to Consider Before Buying a Home

Every spring it’s the same: the snow melts, the birds begin building their nests, the neighborhood children resume their outdoor play and the housing market blooms. Yes, among the budding trees and perennial sprouts you’ll notice “For Sale” signs popping up all over town. Read more

June Monthly Newsletter: Top 5 Reasons Your Estate Plan Needs a Corporate Trustee

As you plan for your own and your family’s financial future, you may be considering the creation of a trust. Many estate plans utilize what is called a revocable living trust. During your life, you generally serve as Trustee of your revocable living trust and can either retitle your assets in the name of the trust during your life or you can use a “pour-over will” to direct your Personal Representative or Executor to transfer any individually owned assets at your passing to your trust. Read more

May Monthly Newsletter: Retirement and Social Security Benefits What Baby Boomers Need to Know

Income from Social Security­ benefits plays an incredibly important role for many Americans in retirement. In 2015, 85% of married couples and 84% of non-married persons aged 65 or older received Social Security benefits.

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