Money Talks: How to Use Holiday Gatherings to Start Family Financial Conversations – Copy
Key Takeaways Why Talk About Money During the Holidays? As you gather with family around the holidays, it may be a good opportunity to discuss a potentially uncomfortable, but necessary topic: family finances. This is especially true if you are older and have adult children who need to be brought up to speed on your […]
Breaking Down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: What You Need to Know
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) included lower federal income tax brackets, bigger standard deductions, and higher gift and estate tax exemptions, among other provisions. The law stipulated that some of those tax breaks would sunset at the end of 2025. If that were allowed to happen, the Tax Foundation estimated that […]
Why More Families Are Choosing to Gift Wealth Earlier and How to Do It
Estate management isn’t just about what happens after you’re gone— it’s also about what you can do now to help manage future estate taxes, transfer wealth strategically, and attempt to create a meaningful impact during your lifetime. Many families recognize that intentional lifetime gifting isn’t simply generous; it may also be a smart approach to […]
Key Financial Insights from 2024 and Looking Ahead to 2025
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the year’s financial developments and consider what 2025 may bring. We believe in understanding both the past and potential future of our economic landscape, which may help inform financial decisions. This year has brought its share of financial developments, from market […]
A Different Kind of Year-End Review: 10 Steps to Reflect and Recharge
Financial professionals typically focus year-round on monetary goals and wealth management strategies. However, we also believe that true financial well-being is intrinsically linked to overall life satisfaction and personal growth. This year, we’re encouraging you to look beyond just the numbers. We invite you to conduct a personal year-end review encompassing all aspects of your […]
Year-End Giving Strategies: Maximizing Your Impact
America is a generous country. People with diverse backgrounds can unite for a good cause, whether to benefit their local communities or the broader world. As we enter the holiday season, now is a great time to think about your giving strategy and your contributions to the charitable organizations and causes you care most about. […]
Important Birthdays Over 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last. When you are older, “and-a-half” birthdays start making a comeback. In fact, starting at age 50, several birthdays and “half-birthdays” are critical to understand because they have implications regarding […]
Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
According to industry experts, most people don’t have enough life insurance. The American Council of Life Insurers recently reported that average coverage equals $183,780, which is equivalent to approximately 3.5 years in terms of income replacement (with the median income being $54,132 in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). That’s only half the […]
Your Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?
Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing, and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work, you see smoke coming from under your hood. Bad things happen to the best of us, and […]
Understanding FDIC Insurance
It’s natural to wonder exactly how a bank safeguards your money. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance exists for this very reason: to help protect your funds once deposited. Read on to explore the purpose of FDIC insurance, how it works, and what it covers. What Is FDIC Insurance? The FDIC is an […]