Tax season might only come around once a year, but saving on taxes is a year-round endeavor. By considering tax saving strategies throughout the year, you can minimize your tax burden and keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. Stay Organized: Good recordkeeping is the foundation of effective tax planning. Keep track of [...]

The stock market continued its robust performance in Q1 2024 driven by big technology stocks with Generative Artificial Intelligence investment theses. The overall economy on an aggregate basis has also been strong with unemployment and inflation rates trending lower and now both at 3.8%. The S&P 500 index reached an all-time high on March 28. [...]

In today’s complex financial landscape, savvy investors understand that building a portfolio shouldn’t just be about maximizing your return for a certain level of risk. More and more people are starting to realize that you must consider the tax components of your investments, as it can have a big effect on what you are actually […]

When I was a young adult, like many others, I enjoyed the excitement of tax time and the amount of money I would get back.  I would dream of what fun and exciting things I might do with this “extra money.”  Then, when starting my career in financial services, I learned the real truth behind [...]

Disney Pixar’s 2015 film, Inside Out, tells the story of the emotional conflicts of Riley, an eleven year old girl. Her dad gets a new job and moves the family from the upper Midwest to San Francisco, a move that upsets her entire world. Five emotions, Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger all make their [...]

One common misconception many of us have when it comes to investing is that it is too late to start. Whether you’re thinking about retirement, buying a new home, or even assisting your kids through college, it is never too late to start. One of the main reasons it is never too late to start […]

February proved to be another good month for the stock market as the S&P 500 stock index rallied 4% driven by investor excitement on Generative Artificial Intelligence and optimism on the overall economy. The strong market rally was across all sectors from Consumer Discretionary and Energy to Industrials and Technology. This market rally was in [...]

The Budgeting Process Summary: The beginning of the New Year is the perfect time to budget for this upcoming year. To start planning your budget, begin by calculating the after-tax income of your yearly salary. After-tax income is calculated by subtracting the amount you receive after automatic deductions for a 401(K), health insurance, and life [...]

In the financial world, "fiduciary" is a term thrown around like confetti, often losing its true meaning and raising eyebrows instead of trust. Let’s dive into what it truly means to be a “fiduciary”! What is a Fiduciary’s Duty? At its core, fiduciary duty is a solemn vow. It's a legal and ethical commitment to [...]

Retirement is a significant milestone for many, but it can be a scary adjustment to go from a steady income to living off of your retirement assets. Now that you will no longer be able to rely on your working income, it is very important to strategically plan your retirement. In this article, we are [...]

Perhaps you saw the recent article that draws a connection between merged finances and marital bliss. Researchers at Indiana University’s Kelly School of Business compared newly married couples who kept their finances separate with couples who merged their finances. They followed these couples for two years and concluded that those who merged their finances were […]

Mixed Sector Returns in a Strong Labor Economy The stock market was up overall in January but there were material discrepancies in performance returns from the different market sectors. The Russell 3000 index that covers the 3,000 largest publicly traded companies had a monthly performance of 1.1%. However, the market sector performances had investment returns [...]