Self-employed individuals make up 10.1% of the total U.S. workforce. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 2016 Being self-employed has many advantages — the opportunity to be your own boss and come and go as you please, for example. However, it also comes with unique challenges, especially when it comes to how to handle […]
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Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Social Security Retirement Benefits?
Social Security is an important source of retirement income for millions of Americans, but how much do you know about this program? Test your knowledge, and learn more about your retirement benefits, by answering the following questions. Questions 1. Do you have to be retired to collect Social Security retirement benefits? a. Yes b. No […]
How can technology help me manage my money?
It may seem that there’s an app or software program for every purpose, and that includes managing your money. Here are some examples where the technology may be useful in helping you get a handle on your money. Creating a budget: There are multiple apps available that enable you to input your monthly income and […]
7 Estate Planning Resolutions for Clients to Make Now
Click the image below to download the full article. Given the uncertainty surrounding estate planning legislation, many clients may be reluctant to focus on their estate planning goals. I would argue that now is the perfect time to ensure that clients’ estate plans are in shape for whatever the future holds – and here are […]
The Great Unknown
Click image to download the full PDF. Danielle Andrus, Investment Advisor Our fearless forecasters share the highs, lows — and their worries — about 2017’s markets and economy. We head into 2017 facing a great deal of uncertainty. The Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, finally released in April 2016 after six long years of theorizing […]
Revolutionary?
Click image to download the full PDF article. By Melanie Waddell, Investment Advisor It’s fair to say that 2017 will be a year like none other. On Jan. 20, the country swore in as President Donald Trump, who has promised a “new direction” for the country. Kellyanne Conway, Trump’s campaign manager who’ll also serve in […]
I get so many credit card reward offers. How do I know which one to choose?
Credit card reward programs are more popular than ever. In order to keep up with such high demand in a competitive market, credit card companies are coming up with new and more enticing offers every day. How do you know which one to choose? Are you the type of credit card user who likes to […]
Growth, Value, or Both
The terms growth and value are often used to describe two different investment strategies, yet many investors may want both qualities in an investment. Famed investor Warren Buffett put it this way in a 2015 interview: “I always say if you aren’t investing for value, what are you investing for? And the idea that value […]
Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2017
Every year, the Internal Revenue Service announces cost-of-living adjustments that affect contribution limits for retirement plans, thresholds for deductions and credits, and standard deduction and personal exemption amounts. Here are a few of the key adjustments for 2017. Retirement plans Employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans can defer up to $18,000 […]
Medicare and Medicaid: What’s the Difference?
It’s easy to confuse Medicare and Medicaid, particularly since they’re both government programs that pay for health care. But there are important differences between each program. Medicare is generally for older people, while Medicaid is for people with limited income and resources. What is Medicare? Medicare is a federal health insurance program that was enacted […]
