Listen Now: On This Episode: There are plenty of financial lessons to be learned from almost every area of life. And since the Weather Channel is everyone’s favorite station to let play in the background for hours at a time,...
Read MoreSubscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Google Podcasts On This Episode: Our first episode is a quick one to introduce you to Mark Kemp and Todd Little, Certified Financial Planners (CFP) with Kemp Harvest Financial Group in Harleysville,...
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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
As 2020 draws to a close, I find myself sharing a thought I’ve heard from many others: “It can’t come soon enough.” Indeed, 2020 will go down as one of the most – what’s the right word here? –...
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Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Stocks just had their best week since April, with the S&P 500 Index incredibly a chip shot away from new all-time highs. Joe Biden will be the next President of the United States, but markets are confident Republicans will maintain the...
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Thursday, November 5, 2020
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) are designed to help you save money on medical costs by giving you access to a special savings account with tax benefits. Although these plans are very similar, they...
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Wednesday, November 4, 2020
Market Blog Index Performance View expanded table. View expanded table. View expanded table. US and International Equities The major market indices, as denoted by the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, gave back ground again in October with almost...
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Wednesday, October 28, 2020
With the election only six days away and earnings season in full swing, stocks have bucked the usual October weakness during election years so far in 2020 (Monday’s losses notwithstanding). The good news is this could continue,...
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Thursday, October 22, 2020
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Mike Tyson Recent surveys have indicated that many of us are rethinking our retirement plans because of COVID-19. In fact, one survey from the nonprofit group Life...
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Tuesday, October 20, 2020
The 10-year US Treasury yield, at 0.77% as of October 19, is still near historical lows set earlier this year. Historically, 10-year Treasury performance for the next 10 years has tended to track the Treasury yield at the start of the...
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Tuesday, October 13, 2020
The 10-year Treasury yield has stayed in a narrow range since April 2020, helped by a supportive Federal Reserve and ongoing concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. As shown in LPL’s Chart of the Day, the 10-year Treasury yield...
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Wednesday, October 7, 2020
The third quarter was characterized by the carry-over of economic momentum from the second quarter, as states continued to lift restrictions to reopen their economies. Perhaps it was no surprise that some of the hardest hit and most...
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Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Financial planning is an important part of securing your current lifestyle as well as preparing yourself for what you wish to do in your eventual retirement. And while this importance may look different during each stage of your life,...
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Thursday, October 1, 2020
If you've been wondering how to optimize your finances and ensure your money continues to work for you, a financial professional may be able to help. But the thought of turning over your most sensitive financial information to a...
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Wednesday, September 30, 2020
An old Wall Street adage says bond markets are smarter than equity markets, so when stocks encounter volatility, investors often look to the bond market for clues about the potential severity of equity market weakness. The...
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Thursday, September 24, 2020
Many self-improvement goals focus on stability and personal growth — and financial goals are often no different. From buying your first home to saving for retirement, planning your finances can also help you work toward your...
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Wednesday, September 23, 2020
A few weeks ago we looked at how different bond sectors performed during rising rate periods during the last economic cycle (2009–2020). Today we look at falling rate periods—not the outcome we expect, but it can still be...
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It’s never too early to think about how and where you want to live when you’re older. How far in advance do you plan vacations? A month at the very least, right? You’ve booked the flights and hotels, taken time off of...
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Wednesday, September 16, 2020
The US Federal Reserve (Fed) and Bank of Japan (BoJ) both meet this week, while the European Central Bank (ECB) met last week. When central bankers talk— markets listen. “The global economy has been steadying faster than...
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Thursday, September 10, 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has created uncertainty in almost every aspect of daily life. This includes the upcoming professional football season. Professional football is one of the most widely watched sports and an industry that makes...
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Wednesday, September 9, 2020
In the recent LPL Market Street View video, LPL Financial’s Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick discusses why the recession is likely over, making it one of the shortest recessions ever. Some reasons discussed include:...
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Friday, September 4, 2020
Give me work, ‘till my life shall end and life, ‘till my work is done The national holiday we celebrate on Monday, September 7th is a good time for reflection on why we work and what we derive from it. The answer should be...
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Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell gave a significant speech at the annual central bank symposium at Jackson Hole last week in which he laid out the general conclusions of the Fed’s review of its Statement on Longer-Run...
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Thursday, August 27, 2020
When was the last time you took steps to optimize your 401k? If it's been a while, you're not alone. Research indicates that only one in three Americans utilize employer-sponsored 401k retirement accounts; even those who are...
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Wednesday, August 26, 2020
As the economy begins to recover, with the early stage more robust than expected, we increasingly get asked when interest rates will move meaningfully higher. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, historically rates don’t start...
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Thursday, August 20, 2020
And the most important tip of all? Hire a financial professional. Investing can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. If you have a portfolio that was built for you and use the help of a financial professional, you...
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Wednesday, August 19, 2020
As the COVID-19-related economic weakness that characterized the first half of the year subsides, growth has begun to return as trillions in fiscal stimulus have helped to stabilize consumer spending. Against a backdrop of improving...
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Friday, August 7, 2020
Whether you dream of a travel-filled retirement or would prefer to relax and enjoy spending more time at home, you're probably wondering what you can do to make your golden years as stress-free as possible. For many who have spent the...
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Thursday, August 6, 2020
How resourceful can you be during your retirement? Determining where your retirement money will come from is an integral part of planning for retirement. Most people draw on three main sources of income: Social Security,...
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Wednesday, August 5, 2020
The 10-year Treasury yield is historically low, so low that it could climb a full 1% before the end of the year and still be the lowest year-end yield on record, with room to spare. Historically low rates come with a genuine concern...
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Wednesday, July 22, 2020
While the 10-year Treasury yield has traded in a narrow range since early April, the equivalent real yield, represented by the yield on 10-year Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS), has continued to fall and could go lower....
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Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Many retirees today are redefining the “golden years.” Forget about endless days of leisure. Retirees seek adventure, travel, and new business pursuits. While these changes may redefine retirement, will retirees be able to...
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Thursday, July 16, 2020
At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses while at the same time looking after the needs...
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Wednesday, July 15, 2020
After pulling back in the first quarter of 2020, flows into bond mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) dominated stocks in the second quarter. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the second quarter is consistent with recent...
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Wednesday, July 8, 2020
The Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index posted a solid total return of 2.9% in the second quarter of 2020, its eighth consecutive quarterly gain, and a relatively strong quarter for the broad investment-grade bond index...
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Heading into your retirement years brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll, what to enroll in and what coverage will be best for you can be daunting. To...
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Wednesday, July 1, 2020
Nearly four months ago, in late February, the 10-year Treasury yield broke to its lowest level ever, undercutting the record lows from 2016 of 1.32%. Over the following two weeks, as fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic intensified,...
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Wednesday, June 24, 2020
What can we learn about investment income opportunities from coupon-clipping environments? From 1977 to 2019, the price of the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index rose in 22 calendar years and fell in 21 years, but, adding in...
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Thursday, June 18, 2020
Layoffs are a fact of corporate life as companies grapple with economic cycles and global competition. If you get caught in a corporate downsizing and you are not immediately moving to a new employer, you generally have three options...
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Wednesday, June 17, 2020
The yield on the 10-year Treasury yield has been broadly declining since the early 1980s, when it peaked over 15%, but even over that long decline there have been intermittent periods of rising rates. In fact, after periods of...
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Wednesday, June 10, 2020
In probably one of the least surprising economic calls of all time, the Nation Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) officially declared an end to the longest expansion ever and the start of a new recession. As shown in the LPL Chart of...
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Monday, June 8, 2020
COVID-19 reminds us that our high school seniors need a few legal docs COVID-19 has crushed the spring ritual of high school graduations. But it can also encourage graduates and their parents to prepare to meet the practicalities of...
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Friday, June 5, 2020
One extracurricular activity that every student can master while in college is personal money management. Typically, a student’s daily spending is done on an improvised basis, meaning that overspending is often the norm rather...
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Wednesday, June 3, 2020
2020 is only five months old, but in many ways it is one of the most historic years we’ve ever seen. “2020 went from moving along nicely, to seeing the worst recession in a generation and the fastest bear market ever...
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Wednesday, May 27, 2020
The Federal Reserve (Fed) increased its bond exchange-traded funds (ETF) purchases in the week ending May 20 (the most recent data available), adding another $1.5 billion in bond ETFs to its balance sheet, bringing the total holding...
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Wednesday, May 20, 2020
There’re plenty of people who think negative interest rates are a good policy. But we don’t really think so at the Federal Reserve. And I think it’s an area of real uncertainty in the central banking world. -Fed Chair...
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Wednesday, May 13, 2020
Gold has done quite well so far in 2020, up more than 12% year to date versus the S&P 500 Index which is down about 10%. We started to warm to the yellow metal late last year and continue to think it can serve as a potential hedge in...
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Leigh Bencsik – My mom is always eager to jump in and help people that need it. Sarah Gibides – My mom is mentor, friend, confidante, and conspirator! She is integral to the lives of my children and we appreciate her sweet...
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Thursday, May 7, 2020
Kemp Harvest Financial Group recently provided an Identity Theft Webinar during this time of quarantine from the Coronavirus outbreak and we will continue to provide education and information on financial topics that help you. In...
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Wednesday, May 6, 2020
One of the most historic market crashes ever took place 10 years ago today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index plunging more than 1,000 points, or 9%, within minutes, only to regain most of the losses by the end of the day....
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Wednesday, April 29, 2020
The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) for April came in 86.9, falling more than 30 points from the prior month. The monthly drop was the biggest for the index since 1973, reflecting the severity of the economic...
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Thursday, April 23, 2020
We are currently living in a confusing time where most of us cannot leave our homes. At first, this sounds great, but then you are hit with reality. You, and probably your spouse are working from home, and your kids’ school has...
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Wednesday, April 22, 2020
With 22 million jobs lost in the past four weeks, a record drop in retail sales, and huge drops in industrial production and housing starts, it is safe to say we are likely in a recession. Even the Federal Reserve (Fed) in the recent...
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Friday, April 17, 2020
You don’t need to file by April 15th and you should think about the benefits The U.S. Department of the Treasury is delaying the April 15th deadline to file and pay taxes by 90 days, giving individuals and businesses another 3...
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Thursday, April 16, 2020
Stock returns get all the headlines, and with US equities entering their first bear market since 2008, there is good reason for that. However, fixed income may account for a significant portion, or even a majority, of many...
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Dear Clients & Friends: At a time like this when you may be facing fear and anxiety at deeper levels than ever before, our prayer is that you would experience God's peace. God's peace comes to us in the person and work of Jesus Christ....
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Wednesday, March 18, 2020
The market volatility continues, as the S&P 500 Index has closed either up or down 4% or more for a record 7 consecutive days. With the S&P 500 Index down 30% from the highs, it has officially moved into a bear market. Yesterday, we...
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Thursday, March 12, 2020
These crucial years call for action. Today, retirement may seem nearer to you than it once did. The following moves might be worth making—and soon. Catch-up contributions to your retirement accounts. Starting in the year you turn...
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Wednesday, March 11, 2020
The dizzying volatility over the past few weeks has left all of our heads spinning as we wait for containment efforts in the United States and elsewhere to help slow new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Public health is of course our...
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Thursday, March 5, 2020
Despite strong market gains on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the on-the-run 10-year Treasury yield ended the day below 1% for the first time ever and has posted additional declines in real time, sitting at 0.92% intraday as this blog is...
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Tuesday, March 3, 2020
The more money that you can save when you are working, the easier it should be for you to retire and enjoy your golden years. Unfortunately, Social Security may no longer provide a sufficient income to live on during retirement. To...
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Tuesday, March 3, 2020
These days, having a credit card is practically a necessity, even when you are retired. It's hard to do things like buy airline tickets, rent a car, or place an order online without one. And, while monitoring your credit card use is...
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Wednesday, February 26, 2020
The global equity weakness continued yesterday, with consecutive 3% drops for the S&P 500 Index for the first time since August 2015. It might be hard to believe, but exactly one week ago today the S&P 500 was making a new all-time...
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Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Stock markets modestly lower after renewed coronavirus concern. Apple’s announcement that the coronavirus would impact sales had international markets striking a cautious tone overnight, with the technology sector getting much...
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Friday, February 14, 2020
First the car broke down, then the dishwasher stopped working, and now the dog is sick. Sometimes the old proverb, "It never rains but it pours," seems to ring a little too true. When you need money to pay large, unexpected bills,...
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Friday, February 14, 2020
2020 doesn't just mark a new year, but the beginning of a new decade—and with it, some more changes to the federal tax code. It can often be easy to put tax preparation on the back burner, but being proactive can help you save...
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Wednesday, February 12, 2020
The financial media returned to a favorite topic in the last week, yield curve inversion, but we caution against getting caught up in the building frenzy. The Treasury yield curve inverts when short-term interest rates move above...
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Friday, February 7, 2020
Thinking about the need and the costs of long-term care is enough to make anyone uncomfortable. But while it's a difficult subject to talk about, it's also a topic that often generates lots of questions and misunderstanding. Consider...
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Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Economic Blog The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield moved to within .05% of its recent low on Friday, January 31, approaching the 1.47% mark set back in August 2019. Prospects of stabilizing global growth and progress on trade encouraged...
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Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Market Blog Fears that the deadly coronavirus would spread further around the globe intensified Monday and led to the biggest one-day drop in the S&P 500 Index since October 8, 2019. In fact, it was the first time the index moved 1%...
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Monday, January 27, 2020
Contrary to what many people think, trusts are not reserved only for the wealthy. The truth is, people from all walks of life may benefit from a trust. What Is a Trust? Generally speaking, a trust is a legal entity that allows someone...
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Wednesday, January 22, 2020
ECONOMIC BLOG As the economic expansion caps its first decade, we thought it’d be a good time to check on LPL Research’s leading indicators in our Recession Watch Dashboard. As you can see in our latest update and in the...
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Friday, January 17, 2020
The income tax benefits offered by 529 plans make these plans attractive to parents (and others) who are saving for college or K-12 tuition. Qualified withdrawals from a 529 plan are tax free at the federal level, and some states also...
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Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Consumer inflationary pressures grew at a healthy, but manageable rate in December 2019. The core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes food and energy, rose 2.3% year over year last month, around the fastest pace of the economic...
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Friday, January 10, 2020
Retiring in a foreign country is a dream shared by thousands of Americans. Yet the number who actually pack their bags and cross the border to enjoy a life of leisure in a foreign country is difficult to gauge -- neither the U.S....
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Thursday, January 9, 2020
The ability to enjoy a secure retirement is an objective that many teachers and their colleagues pursue years before they leave their jobs. Many public school workers, in different positions, devote their lives to furthering the...
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Tuesday, January 7, 2020
The U.S. airstrike that killed the top Iranian military commander last week was a major escalation in Mideast tensions. In fact, it would be difficult to overstate the geopolitical significance of this action. Iran likely will...
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Thursday, January 2, 2020
The inverted yield curve was the biggest story of 2019 in the bond market. Historically, when long-term bond yields fall below short-term yields, as the 2- and 10-year Treasury yields did in August, recessions have tended to follow,...
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Friday, December 27, 2019
Q: What’s the difference between a tax credit and a tax deduction? A: A tax credit reduces your tax dollar for dollar—that is, a $1,000 tax credit actually saves you $1,000 in taxes. By comparison, a tax deduction reduces...
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Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Economic Blog December 17, 2019 December has been widely viewed as a strong month for stocks, with this year following suit so far. What many probably don’t realize, however, is the majority of the gains have taken place late in...
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The average donor household in the United States gives around $2,000 a year, with small donations making up the bulk of charitable gifts, according to a report prepared by the Center on Philanthropy for Indiana University. The study...
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Saturday, December 14, 2019
Boris Johnson is still the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (U.K.) after the British public voted Thursday to give his Conservative party a clear victory. After a contentious campaign dominated by the prospect of the U.K.’s...
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Friday, December 13, 2019
The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) final policy meeting of 2019 starts today and will conclude tomorrow with the release of the Fed’s policy statement, updated economic projections, and a press conference by Fed Chair Jerome...
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Friday, December 6, 2019
Tip: Not Quite Anything. IRAs are free to invest in just about anything, except collectibles such as artwork, rugs, antiques, gems, stamps, and coins, for example. Traditional IRAs, which were created in 1974, are owned by roughly 35.1...
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Tuesday, December 3, 2019
There are several ways you might consider gifting money to your loved ones. In 2017, the IRS allows you to give up to $14,000 annually (or $28,000 if you give jointly with your spouse) in cash, investments, and/or property to each of...
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Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. AT LPL RESEARCH, as we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some key trends and market signals will be important to watch, including progress on U...
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Tuesday, November 26, 2019
It took nearly 15 months, but the Russell 2000 Index finally broke out to a new 52-week high. On November 25, the Russell 2000 gained an impressive 2.1% to close at its highest level since October 2018. Small caps have lagged their...
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Wednesday, November 20, 2019
“We’re going streaking!” Frank The Tank in Old School As the bull market continues to make new highs, the past few weeks have seen some amazing market streaks. Here are three that have caught our attention. The S&P...
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Thursday, November 14, 2019
Maybe your charitable donations should stay in your zip code? For many of us, buying locally matters. We’ve all heard the term and seen the signs: Shop Locally. Eat Locally. But let’s extend that thought for a minute: do...
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Wednesday, November 13, 2019
The S&P 500 Index has closed higher five consecutive weeks, making six new all-time highs along the way. There now have been 19 new highs in 2019, tying the number we saw last year. There’s no doubt that this bull market has been...
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Friday, November 8, 2019
It seems, sometimes, as though financial professionals come in only two flavors. There are those who promise everything is going to be fine; you don't have to fret about retirement, they say, because they'll help you make more than...
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Friday, November 8, 2019
Life insurance may be a cornerstone of a sound financial plan, providing potential financial stability to a surviving spouse, children, or other family members in the event of your untimely death. Sadly, many Americans have no life...
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Friday, November 8, 2019
Let's say that at the age of 25, you earned $35,000. If your salary increased at the average historical rate, you'd have earned nearly $2 million in total by the time you were 65.1,2 That might sound like a lot -- until you begin...
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Changing jobs is an important decision -- one that many of us are making more often. Once you've decided to switch jobs, your next move is to determine what to do with the money in your former employer's retirement plan. Four Common...
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'Tis the season … to be concerned about heating bills. Conserving fuel not only helps the environment, but also can potentially save you money. Here are some handy tips to help you do just that. Did you know that you could save...
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As the earliest baby boomers begin to enter retirement, the various income guarantees and other living benefits offered through variable annuities (VAs) are gaining in importance. Yet before you rush to add a VA to your retirement...
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Good money habits can help you as you save and invest for the future. Bad habits can leave you treading water (or underwater) financially. Here are some to avoid. Not saving enough. Instead of paying themselves first, some families pay...
Read MoreStocks just had their worst one-day drop since February, as a combination of higher bond yields, U.S./China tensions, nervousness over the upcoming midterm elections, six straight months of gains, and worries about peak margins this...
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As an employer, you face a challenge: attracting and retaining the right talent is necessary to drive your business forward. At the same time, you likely feel a responsibility to help your employees achieve retirement financially...
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It isn’t surprising that average contributions are generally lower for younger 401(k) plan participants. Not only is retirement much farther down the road for them than it is for their Generation X and baby boomer colleagues,...
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In the sports world, a mental error can cost your team the big game. When you are investing, a mental error can put your retirement portfolio at risk. Mistakes often result from letting misconceptions and emotions affect your decisions...
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Layoffs are a fact of corporate life as companies grapple with economic cycles and global competition. If you get caught in a corporate downsizing and you are not immediately moving to a new employer, you generally have three options...
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Growth and value are two fundamental approaches, or styles, in stock and stock mutual fund investing. Growth investors seek companies that offer strong earnings growth, while value investors seek stocks that appear to be undervalued in...
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Grab your backpacks -- fall's here and we are back to school! But wouldn't it be great if all your worries disappeared when fall arrived? Usually, that doesn't happen. Actually, if money is stressing you out and you're trying to figure...
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Whether you need travel insurance is likely to depend on your level of coverage from existing homeowner's, medical, automobile, and life insurance policies. In many instances, travel insurance may duplicate coverage that you already...
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American workers change jobs fairly frequently. For instance, the youngest baby boomers held an average of more than 11 different jobs before the age of 48.1 The decisions you make about how to manage retirement assets when changing...
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Everyone needs a vacation periodically. Breaking the routine of the workaday world is not only refreshing, but studies show it's good both for you and your ability to do a better job. Reducing job stress can lead to more productivity....
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Divorce can be a complicated and challenging process in which details are easily overlooked. Protecting your financial health during this time is crucial, and no one should enter this process without a trusted attorney (specializing in...
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Many adults are finding that their aging parents are in need of healthcare assistance. Luckily, there are many options available today to help your parents grow old gracefully, either in their own home or in a facility, and several...
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Your retirement plan may offer you several options for managing your retirement plan assets when you change jobs or retire. Understanding these choices will help you narrow down your choices. Your Options Following are the options that...
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In certain instances, a terminally ill person can initiate a transaction known as a viatical settlement in which the policy owner sells his or her policy to a viatical settlement company in return for a lump-sum payment. Whole, term,...
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While long-term care policies may provide benefits for people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, these policies cannot normally be purchased after someone has been diagnosed. This makes advance planning all the more...
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In most instances, you become eligible for Medicare on the first day of the month you turn age 65. Whether you need to sign up, and how to go about doing so, depends on the type of coverage you select and whether you collect Social...
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There is a good possibility that you or your spouse will eventually require some form of long-term care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 70% of people aged 65 or older will enter a nursing home for...
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Thursday, April 5, 2018
Haven't read Parts I & II yet? This article will make a lot more sense if you read those first - you can find them here and here. WHY DOES THE SEQUENCE OF RETURNS MATTER?There is a serious risk to any retirement income strategy....
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Thursday, March 29, 2018
These considerations prompt the question: “How much should I take out of my portfolio?” As if dealing with an increasing income need over a potentially longer-than-expected lifetime isn’t challenging enough, it is further complicated by...
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Thursday, March 22, 2018
What if you learned that all you believed about saving for retirement was incorrect? What if the rules changed somewhere along the way and no one told you? When would you want to know?The dream is that you work hard until age 65,...
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Many adults are finding that their aging parents are in need of health care assistance. Luckily, there are many options available today to help your parents grow old gracefully, either in their own home or in a facility, and several...
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Market timing is an investing strategy in which the investor tries to identify the best times to be in the market and when to get out. A big risk of market timing is missing out on the best-performing market cycles; missing even a few...
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What Americans living, working, or traveling abroad need to know about financing health care in a foreign country. Generally speaking, public and private health insurance plans in the United States -- including Medicare and most...
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Although online crime is a fast-moving target, currently, the primary methods in use by identity thieves are social engineering and phishing -- or typically a combination of both. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),...
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Wednesday, December 13, 2017
The end of the year is always busy with holiday related activities – shopping, travel, work parties, etc. One important year-end item that should be on everyone’s to-do list, but often isn’t, is a financial checklist....
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Wednesday, October 25, 2017
Many people want to leave a legacy after they’ve passed, and in most cases, it’s a financial legacy. This can come in many forms, but for those who have specific plans to leave a legacy to an individual, group of...
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Thursday, September 21, 2017
We are all too familiar with natural disasters – hurricanes, floods, and wildfires being the most recent. While our physical health is significantly more important than our portfolio, a financial disaster can be incredibly...
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Were you one of millions who purchased a universal life insurance policy 30 some odd years ago because of the large death benefit with small premiums? Have you been faithfully paying that premium every month since then? Have you looked...
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Having interacted with hundreds of clients over the years, there’s a few questions we hear more frequently than others. We decided it might be helpful to take a couple minutes to dive into the topics you’re talking about....
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Friday, July 28, 2017
There are plenty of advisors in the world who do a great job directing their client’s financial lives, keeping client needs at the forefront of their decision-making. Unfortunately, many people have experienced an advisor that...
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Tuesday, June 13, 2017
If we are true with ourselves, most everyone can think of a time they made a poor investment decision. That mistake does not always result from choosing the wrong mutual fund or stock. It can simply be from a missed opportunity. Either...
Read MoreIt’s often said that the average person puts more time into planning their vacations than their retirement. Perhaps it’s the immediate satisfaction that comes with a well-planned trip, but retirement could be your longest vacati
Read MoreWhat can be simultaneously stressful and relaxing, and almost always costs more money than you were intending?If you guessed vacation, you’re correct!Too often, we spend recklessly when we’re away. That “treat yourself” mentality can be har
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Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Retirement is a long journey with many twists and turns along the way. Like any road trip, we would love to see around every corner to prepare for any dangers that may lie ahead. Retirement is no different. We’ll look at five potential haza
Read MoreSpring is in the air, and it seems like half of our office is moving, buying, or selling something (don’t worry, they’re all staying local!). Maybe you’ve joined in on the fun, and are looking to buy a home this spring. Before doing so, her
Read MorePreparing for retirement is a lot like training for a marathon – you’ve got a long distance ahead and want to do everything in your power to make it as painless as possible. Of course, there might be bumps along the way, but as long as you’
Read MoreWe’ve all had one of those days at work, where the only thing to make you feel a little bit better is a quick trip to your favorite store. Sure, you probably don’t need another bottle of nail polish, but there’s something about that quick d
Read MoreIt’s Monday morning and you’re running late, yet again. You jump in the driver’s seat, start the car, and what pops up? That dreaded ‘Check Engine’ light.You could keep driving for an indeterminate amount of time, but your car will almost c
Read MoreThe perception of, and planning for retirement has changed dramatically over the last century. In the early 1900’s, retirement was not a life goal. It was often something that one was forced into if they lived an unusually long life.
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Thursday, February 16, 2017
The 401k is the main vehicle for most retirement savers in today’s workforce. While it’s not as attractive as a company pension, it is still a viable means of providing a comfortable retirement for many. However, there can be numerous traps
Read MoreThe ideal retirement is smooth sailing – no financial bumps, no health issues – just a happy, carefree life. However, we all know this is incredibly unrealistic. While working up to the level of “Doomsday Prepper” may not be necessary, plan
Read MoreBefore you get upset, thinking this is just another blog post about millennials, let’s explain. The Greatest Generation, also known as the “G.I. Generation,” are the individuals who grew up during the Great Depression, lived through World W
Read MoreFor many of us, a New Year’s resolution is a great way to simplify what we want out of the coming year. Each year, many people set financial goals like “be smarter with money” or “save more of my income.”However, making the resolution to sa
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Thursday, January 19, 2017
It is very common to hear about investment products and the benefits they tout. Stocks boast growth potential, annuities attract with guarantees, while the lure with CDs is preservation and income. All of these can make a great impact to a
Read MoreNow that the holidays are over, New Year’s Resolutions are in full swing! If you’re resolving to improve your financial habits, and still have to decide what to do with your year-end bonus, here’s a few starting points to help you make the
Read MoreWhen you’re making that year-end list and checking it twice, don’t forget to review the following housekeeping items to ring in the New Year with financial peace of mind.
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Tuesday, December 20, 2016
The Kemp Harvest radio show, “Retirement Plain and Simple,” has been airing for years now – every Saturday morning on WNPV at 8am. But now, we want your questions. Submit any and all financial related questions to us and we will answer them
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Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Let me take this moment to wish you a warm and meaningful Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I really look forward to this time of year because, at our house, we try to have lots of folks over for Thanksgiving dinner and during the Christma
Read MoreDebt can be all-consuming, but it doesn’t need to be. While it is easy to fall into and much harder to get out of, becoming debt-free is not unattainable! Millions of people have done it; but it will take dedication and the ability to see t
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Monday, November 28, 2016
Companies offer benefits to their employees in many different ways - health insurance, cafeteria plans, and retirement savings plans being some of the most popular. One component of retirement benefits is company stock. Through Employee Sto
Read MoreThe idea of budgeting is not difficult – decide where you want your money to go, then make sure it goes there. However, it’s much easier said than done. Budgeting is made up of lots of little decisions, all used to uphold the one greater de
Read MoreWe are ten days out from Christmas, and you know what that means! Wrapping paper shreds everywhere, cookies in the oven (hopefully not burning), and that same Bruce Springsteen song about Clarence getting a new saxophone playing over and ov
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Monday, November 7, 2016
I usually tell people that there’s a big IF right in the middle of life. Just as you never know what may happen in the game of Life, there are many “what ifs” when retirees begin to plan for their retirement. For retirees
Read MoreHang up the work clothes, turn off the alarm clock and forget about those “back-to-work blues.” You made it! Welcome to retirement. While many people view retirement as an event, we like to think of it as a process th
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Wednesday, October 26, 2016
We’ve heard the chatter for years now; “interest rates can only go up.” Investors have kept a close watch on when rates will rise to more normal levels. The expectation has been that once the U.S. economy can stand on its
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Thursday, October 6, 2016
Taxes are a common theme in all areas of financial planning - they almost always impact your bottom line. That’s certainly true when it comes to taking income from your retirement savings.
Read MoreHave you ever wondered how to help secure the financial future of your children or grandchildren beyond college expenses?
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Thursday, September 1, 2016
We’ve all seen the popular Capital One credit card commercials that always end with the same question: “What’s in your wallet?” In the same way, I like to ask an equally important question: “What’s in your retirement plan?”
Read MoreCouponing has turned into an extreme sport for some, even granting its own TV series and cult-like following. They’re saving loads of money, for sure, but not everyone has the ability to commit to such an undertaking! For those who don’t ha
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Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Think back to the last time you were on a roller coaster. The high speeds, massive loops, and steep free-falls all got your adrenaline pumping. However, as time wears on, our stomachs can’t handle those same ups and downs anymore. We lose
Read MoreIt’s no shock that retirement brings about a lot of free time. Some fill it to the brim, while others enjoy a slower pace. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, blogging is a hobby that can keep up with whatever speed you decide to take
Read MoreIn financial planning, we come across all kinds of individuals. Some are excited by the idea of maintaining their finances, while others would prefer to crumple up every bill and never think about numbers again. In our years of working with
Read MoreInstead of focusing a lot of effort on making many changes to your spending habits, these six areas of your financial life can yield big savings and earnings with just a few small tweaks.
Read MoreYou’ve seen the headlines and hashtags – but what exactly is “The Brexit?”“Brexit” is actually an abbreviation for “British exit,” referring to Britain’s recent vote to withdraw from the European Union.1 On June 23rd, the nation voted to re
Read MoreNo one wants to work their entire life, only to run into financial troubles in retirement. However, this is exactly what’s happening to the majority of Americans. Statistics say the average household will not have enough money to sustain th
Read MoreAs mentioned in Part One of this post, adult children move back home with their parents for a number of different reasons including recently graduating from college or losing a job. Several times a week, I hear from clients seeking guidance
Read MoreDo you currently have an adult child living at home? Maybe your child just graduated and is weighed down by college loans. Maybe your child just lost his/her job and needs some help figuring out what’s next. Adult children return home
Read MoreWhenever my family goes to the Jersey shore for summer vacation, two things always happen. When we arrive I always say, “I wish we had a beach house. Maybe someday we'll get a place at the shore -- maybe once all the kids are off to colleg
Read MoreA visit to our office will always include the question, “Do you have your will, living will, and durable power of attorney in place?” Some of our clients affectionately refer to this list of questions as the “nag list.” Our intention is not
Read MoreWhat does retirement mean to you? Although the term can be interpreted differently based on personal dreams and passions, author Catherine Pulsifer seems to accurately capture the universal idea: "Planning to retire? Before you do, find you
Read MorePeople like to fit in; it’s one of the simplest laws of human nature. Although we value the things that make us unique, most of us are careful to not let them make us social outsiders. There is strength in numbers, and conformity reassures
Read MoreA good retirement draws on a lifetime of saving and work. But, despite its huge importance, many people slip up in the years just before this milestone. Some of these mistakes are the result of not understanding retirement, while others are
Read MoreStill recovering from holiday spending? Maybe you’ve had debt looming for years and you’re ready to turn it around. We’ve collected a few simple steps to help get you on the road to better credit, giving you the tools you need to control yo
Read MoreWhile your local dollar store probably isn’t known for quality, they’re definitely known for their low prices! Sift through your weekly purchases to figure out which products require brand-name quality, and which purchases can be just as gr
Read MoreAs we get older, we begin to think about what we’ll leave behind. Some leave money, others leave heirlooms, but most try to avoid leaving additional work for their loved ones. Through this desire to care for those we love most, we’ve develo
Read MoreVacations help families create lifelong memories and relax together. But vacations can also be expensive – the average American household spends about $1,200 per person on summer vacations, according to a 2012 American Express® survey. You
Read MoreDo you know who you have listed as your beneficiaries? If you can’t confidently state who you’ve noted, it’s probably time to take a look. Here’s a few answers to the questions we hear most often about beneficiaries.
Read MoreThere are a lot of misconceptions about financial planning. Consider the other side of these eight common myths.
Read MoreTrying to navigate the duties of an executor can be overwhelming, especially if it’s the first time you’ve taken on this level of responsibility. To avoid unnecessary stress in what’s already a stressful environment, we’ve given you six ste
Read MoreFew things are able to motivate us like self-improvement. But despite our initial enthusiasm, our personal goals can seem like impossible challenges after just a few days.Financial goals are particularly difficult to accomplish. Spending mo
Read MoreAs a parent, it’s your responsibility to teach your children about the world, including how to manage money. Financial literacy is one of the most important lessons you can impart on your children to make them successful in adulthood. Raise
Read MoreTax season is perhaps the most widely hated time of the year. It’s annoying and, for many, expensive. But despite its unpopularity, some people are determined to make it even worse: tax scammers.Wherever there is money, there is someone wil
Read MoreIf you’re unhappy in your current job and want to make a career change late in life, it’s important to make a thorough plan first.More than half of U.S. workers want to change careers, a number that will likely increase as time goes on. Peo
Read MoreWe’ve all heard terrible stories about identity theft – stolen credit card numbers, collection agencies calling about an account you never opened – the list goes on and on. When even the Supreme Court has deemed that there’s nothing illegal
Read MoreIn this new year, you may have the opportunity to reevaluate your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Most companies will give you the option to choose between a Traditional and Roth 401(k). Chances are, this decision will require a little
Read MoreIf you had to guess the largest minority group in America, what would you say? The Department of Labor states that as of January 2016, people with disabilities make up the nation’s largest minority, counting almost 50 million individuals.Fo
Read MoreThe best financial decisions are made with the benefit of time, thoughtful consideration, and trusted professional advice. As tax time approaches, take the time to prepare for sound, long-term financial decisions to minimize expenses, taxes
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Thursday, December 24, 2015
Let me take this opportunity to express my warmest wishes - from all of us here at Kemp Harvest Financial Group - for a joy-filled Christmas season. The holidays are a great time to get together with extended family and friends, but it can
Read MoreAs we approach the holidays each year, it becomes a wonderful time to spend with family and friends. It also becomes a time to step back, count our blessings, and reflect on how fortunate we are. You might also find that your budget is tigh
Read MoreWith home ownership in the United States now approaching 70% of all households, the chances are good that you've either taken out a mortgage in the past or have one now. However, many homebuyers don't research and act as carefully as one mi
Read MoreIf you have an account in a qualified retirement plan, you need to understand that one day you will be forced to take withdrawals from your account whether you want to or not. For many this is not a significant concern as these accounts wer
Read MoreWith Baby Boomers beginning to reach age 65, the topic of long term care is drawing increasing attention. Unfortunately, long term care is often misunderstood and, as a result, is poorly planned for, if at all.
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