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The Federal Reserve has been at the forefront of economic news since the spring of 2022, when the central bank started aggressively raising interest rates to combat inflation. Now that the Fed has begun to lower rates, each move will continue to be analyzed for its potential effect on the economy. The Fed’s monetary policy […]

The end of the year is a good time to reflect on everything you’ve accomplished and given to others. As you set resolutions for the new year, why not think about how investing in yourself might give you a fresh start? Investing in yourself means focusing on your personal growth and well-being. By fostering a […]

A decade ago, the Stephen Beck Jr., Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was signed into law. The idea for it originated with a group of parents in Virginia who saw that individuals with disabilities and their families needed a way to save for the future without sacrificing eligibility for much-needed federal benefits. One […]

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 included two provisions allowing rebates for home energy efficiency retrofit projects and home electrification and appliance projects. These home energy rebate programs are to be administered by state energy offices, with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) providing guidance and oversight. Many states have applied for or have received […]

Most of us would prefer not to think about an unexpected (and unwelcome) early retirement, but it does happen frequently. In fact, nearly half of current retirees retired earlier than planned, and of that group, more than 60% did so due to changes at their company or a hardship, such as disability.1 For that reason, it’s […]

There’s no doubt about it, airline travel can be stressful. Thanks to a new federal law and rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airline passengers could have extra consumer protections, some in time for the holiday travel season. Hassle-free refunds. In the past, airline passengers were forced to figure out how to obtain a […]

Whether you’re shopping online or hitting the mall this holiday season, here are some tips that might help you save time and money. 1. Make a list. Establish an overall budget, then make a list of gifts you will need to buy and how much you can afford to spend on each person. 2. Shop early. If […]

An important part of any retirement strategy involves accounting for potential long-term care (LTC) expenses, which can be surprisingly high. The median cost of a private room in a nursing home was $9,733 in 2023, while a full-time home health aide was $6,292 per month.1 If you plan to pay for care out of pocket, […]

Life insurance can be an excellent tool for charitable giving. Not only does life insurance allow you to make a substantial gift to charity but you may also benefit from tax rules that apply to gifts of life insurance. Why gift life insurance? Life insurance allows you to make a much larger gift to charity […]

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year. Set aside time to plan Effective planning requires that you have a good understanding of your current tax situation, as well as a reasonable estimate of how your circumstances might change next year. There’s a real opportunity […]