If you received a year-end bonus, congratulations! As gratifying as it may be to splurge on something you can enjoy immediately, you may want to take a few moments to consider how you can maximize those dollars for the long term. Following are seven smart money moves to help you use a windfall of money […]
The decision to invest in stocks is one that individuals must take the time to consider carefully, weighing the risks and rewards in the context of their unique facts and circumstances. In general, stocks carry far greater risks than other investments, such as bonds and cash. Investors must contend with market volatility based on economic […]
Asset diversification is an investment strategy designed to help investors minimize exposure to market volatility while attempting to maximize opportunities for high returns over the long term. While diversifying assets does not guarantee any investment objective will be met, spreading out investable dollars over a diverse mix of stocks, bonds, cash and other assets could […]
High interest rates and persistent inflation have raised red flags for many investors nearing or entering retirement. In this uncertain environment, soon-to-be retirees are increasingly turning to annuities to help diversify and protect their retirement savings while creating a steady and predictable income stream for all their remaining living years. Determining whether annuity products are […]
Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA can be a smart option for individuals seeking tax-free growth and the flexibility to take tax-free withdrawals in retirement or pass their savings to future generations free of federal income tax. However, employing this strategy contains significant financial implications that individuals must address and carefully plan for […]
In our busy lives, it is not uncommon to put off for tomorrow the things we do not have time for today. This is especially true for things that make us uncomfortable or require significant time and effort to squeeze into our already hectic schedules. However, by sweeping these issues under the rug, you are […]
On Sept. 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve Bank (the Fed) reduced the target federal funds rate by half a percentage point to a range of 4.75 to 5 percent, marking the first rate cut since the start of the pandemic in March of 2020. The move, which follows 11 consecutive rate hikes between March 2022 […]
A Roth IRA is a unique retirement savings vehicle that allows eligible individuals to set aside money today for a potentially tax-free income stream in the future. Like a traditional IRA, a Roth arrangement allows individuals to make annual contributions of up to $7,000 in 2024, or $8,000 for savers age 50 and older. However, […]
If you think the only form of cheating in a marriage happens in the bedroom, you would be wrong. A growing number of marriages suffer the damaging effects of financial infidelity in which one spouse intentionally lies about or hides assets or other financial information from the other spouse. Both are examples of betrayals that […]
Gone are the days when large, institutional banks and wirehouses were the only ones with pockets deep enough to arm financial advisors with the tools needed to attract and retain wealthy clients. Today, independent brokers/dealers and registered investment advisories associated with independent wealth management firms have access to a wide array of customizable strategies and […]