Blog
Preparing Your Business for Crisis
One thing we all learned throughout the Covid pandemic is that life is unpredictable. That's why it's essential to have a documented Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place to help your company stay afloat during unexpected times of...
Read MoreYou Can Celebrate Retirement Stress-Free
Congratulations on your recent retirement! You’ve devoted a lifetime to accumulating wealth, and now the focus has abruptly shifted to spending it. Naturally, many new retirees aren’t quite sure what that transition (from earner/saver...
Read MoreLast Minute Tips Before Tax Day
Fewer things are more reliable than Tax Day, even if the deadline has shifted around a bit in recent years. This year, it’s April 15th for most taxpayers, and recent legislation changes include substantial increases to standard...
Read MoreHappy Year of the Snake
The Year of the Snake is almost here! The snake, one of the most enigmatic, intelligent, and wise symbols within the zodiac – this reminds us to remain measured, centered, and calm.May the coming year be filled with wisdom and...
Read MoreStudy: Hobbies Keep You Sharp
Did you know that hobbies can help you live a longer and more fulfilled life? Many scientific studies have found that having a hobby can improve your physical and mental health, keep you sharp on the job, and help your relationships....
Read MoreShow All
Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act Health Insurance Marketplace
As a reminder, the 2025 Open Enrollment Period for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace is November 1 through January 15, 2025. Anyone looking to enroll, re-enroll, or opt out of private health, vision, and...
Read More6 Tips for Philanthropic Giving
Did you know… with thoughtful, advanced planning, you can extend your legacy of charitable giving beyond your lifetime, creating lasting benefits for the organizations you care about? And if you have a desire to give back to society...
Read MoreVictim of Online Fraud?
Keeping your PII (personally identifiable information) safe in today’s online environment is more challenging than ever. There may not be one simple solution for protecting your digital identity, but there are steps you can take to...
Read MoreCheck Your Withholding This Fall
How much are you withholding per paycheck?Is the amount too little? (Or too much?)Find out the answer before the year ends. You may not want to discover next year that your withholding amount for this year was too small.The IRS offers...
Read More7 Time-Saving Tips for School Mornings ⏰
If you have school-age children, you’re intimately familiar with the often-hectic morning routines that make launching a rocket into space look easy. And, the longer the morning routine, the greater the likelihood of running late and...
Read MoreStudy: Hobbies Keep You Sharp
Did you know that hobbies can help you live a longer and more fulfilled life? Many scientific studies have found that having a hobby can improve your physical and mental health, keep you sharp on the job, and help your relationships....
Read MoreKeep Your Cool and Save 💰
As a financial professional, I’m always looking for ways to help clients be more efficient with their money. Now that summer’s here, staying cool can make electricity bills skyrocket, so here are some strategies to help keep cool and...
Read MoreSummertime Checkup
Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year. Goals still the same this year? Has market...
Read MoreYou Can Celebrate Your Milestones!
With each season of life, new milestones will impact your budget. However, when you enter your 30s and 40s, these milestones have a much heftier price tag. The sheer costs can be intimidating, whether it's a wedding, a new home, or...
Read MoreWays to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
Saving money is a bit like eating healthy; you know you should eat your veggies, but it’s hard to resist indulging in something more fun. Like making healthy choices, a tax refund can present the opportunity to splurge. But, more...
Read MoreCan You Deduct Your Work From Home Expenses?
The pandemic changed the way a lot of Americans work, and working remotely from home is the new normal for many. If you’re one of them, you may be wondering if you should consider claiming the home office deduction on your taxes. We...
Read MoreHonoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
Wishing you a meaningful day of service, reflection, and engaging discourse. Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!
Read MoreMemorable Holiday Recipe Ideas!
The holidays are a time of year when we’re inspired to perfect every home-cooked meal to try and capture the magic of the season. But trying out a new recipe mid-holiday could be a recipe for disaster if it’s a flop! Whether you’re...
Read MoreWishing you a happy and safe Thanksgiving
Perhaps this year, more than ever, Thanksgiving gives us a chance to appreciate what we have – friendships, relationships, and a sense of connection. These gifts are priceless. I also want to thank you for choosing me as your trusted...
Read MoreSecure Your Credit With a Freeze
As more and more people become dependent on technology, the chance of your finances being attacked through cyberspace is increasing tremendously. And one of the most common and devastating ways this happens is through identity theft...
Read MoreHappy Grandparents Day!
Wishing you a day filled with joyful memories and warm hugs. Happy Grandparent's Day.
Read MoreShould You Use Your Retirement to Pay for College?
Educational attainment is a bedrock of the American Dream. We all want our kids to do better than us, and we'll do anything to help them achieve that! But unfortunately, there are dreams, and then there's reality: college costs have...
Read MoreStudy: Hobbies Keep You Sharp
Did you know that hobbies can help you live a longer and more fulfilled life? Many scientific studies have found that having a hobby can improve your physical and mental health, keep you sharp on the job, and help your relationships....
Read MoreSummer BBQ Recipes
Summer is here, and that means it’s time to fire up the grill!! There’s just something about that smoky, charred flavor from a grill. Turns out it’s got a name! It’s called the Maillard Reaction, and it’s a chemical reaction between...
Read MoreYou can't time the market, so focus on time IN the market
The dream of a secure retirement, college funding, or a vacation home may be the financial “prize” you’re keeping your eyes on. But it’s hard for investors, even seasoned ones, to stay focused in the face of market volatility. During...
Read MoreBuilding a Nest Egg for Two
Whether you’re newlyweds or have celebrated many anniversaries, you already know you can accomplish more working together towards the same goal. The same goes with retirement savings. Both spouses can and should be involved in...
Read MoreNovember 2023: Retirement Readiness
This month's Retirement Readiness newsletter features a look at the different parts of Medicare, considerations for retaining your life insurance post-retirement, insights about disability insurance, and five considerations...
Read MoreSpecial Edition Whitepaper on Recent US Debt Downgrade
Because we’re always seeking to keep you informed and aware, we thought you might be interested in the just-published whitepaper from Phil Blancato, Osaic's Chief Marketing Strategist, attached below. This special-edition paper...
Read MoreToday's Advice: Markets Bounce Back
Investing involves risk. We all know that, but it doesn’t make it any easier to bear the endless supply of distressing headlines. Between skyrocketing inflation, bank closures, and a few years of market turmoil, it’s been...
Read MoreDon’t Let Unexpected Expenses Derail Your Retirement
While looking ahead to a leisurely retirement is natural, it’s prudent to prepare for expenses that catch many retirees by surprise. In a recent survey, nearly one-third of retirees reported they faced at least four unforeseen...
Read MoreQ1/2023 - Quarterly Market Recap
We strive to keep you regularly updated with important market changes and economic news. Please find the most recent Quarterly Market Recap from Phil Blancato, Advisor Group’s Chief Market Strategist attached below. This...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Mixed Message Provokes Volatility
Modest gains in major market indices masked sharp volatility amid the uncertainty arising from mixed messages emanating from public officials and revived banking fears. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.18%, while the Standard...
Read More3 Investment Terms You Should Know
Even if you’ve been investing for years, the language of investing can sometimes feel confusing. Getting a better grip on investing terminology (which is often a complex combination of legalese, colloquialisms and slang) can help...
Read MoreWeekly Market Insights: Erratic Holiday Trading Leaves Stocks in Doldrums
In a holiday-shortened week, erratic trading left stocks marginally down for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slipped 0.14%. The Nasdaq Composite index fell 0.30%. The MSCI...
Read MoreA 9.6% COLA increase? It could be the real thing!
Like many Americans, you may be feeling pain from the high cost of living every time you buy groceries or fill up at the pump. Surging food costs and higher gas prices are pinching consumers, especially those living on a fixed income....
Read MoreYour Investment Choices Can Make the World a Better Place
While most people would agree that “leaving the world a better place than we found it” is a worthy goal, many find that it’s not the easiest task to accomplish. Aside from adhering to the “reduce, reuse,...
Read MoreProtect Yourself From Cyber Crime
The pandemic has showcased how much we rely on the internet, which makes it possible to virtually work from home, shop, attend religious service and stay connected with family and friends. Unfortunately, those conveniences come with...
Read MoreAre Capital Gains Taxes Changing?
There are a lot of questions about President Biden’s Build Back Better plan and potential tax law changes, including an adjustment to capital gains taxes.One of the proposals Congress is considering sets the top rate for taxing...
Read MoreReady for Medicare Open Enrollment?
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins October 15 and ends December 7. During this time, current Medicare beneficiaries have the option to adjust their coverage for the coming year. Any changes to your plan will go into...
Read MoreDistracted America
Over the last year, many have seen their lives impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The ways in which we work, live, and communicate have drastically changed, to say the least.It’s difficult to predict what other aspects of life...
Read MoreA Note About Inflation
As the economy continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic over the past year, you may have noticed the term ‘inflation’ coming up in the news. But don’t let it scare you! The fact is, some inflation is...
Read MoreNot all Debt is Created Equal
When meeting with clients to determine the most efficient ways to maximize retirement savings, it’s not unusual for me to come across debt in a portfolio which prompts the million dollar client question, “Is it better to...
Read MoreThe American Jobs Act – 3 Potential Changes We’re Watching
Recently, there’s been a lot of noise about the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, commonly referred to as the ‘infrastructure bill.’ We’ve heard a lot about infrastructure over the few years, and...
Read MoreSteps To Avoid Credit Fraud Against Children
We know how devastating being the victim of fraud can be. When it comes to protecting credit, most people only consider taking precautions for adults. But many victims of identity theft crimes are children. Why? Their credit typically...
Read MoreApril Market Matters
The U.S. continues to make progress against COVID-19 with many businesses reopening across the country. Vaccine eligibility has widened or will soon be widened in all 50 states, over 3 million vaccine doses are being administered...
Read MoreHaven’t Filed Your Taxes Yet? Don’t Worry!
Preparing your taxes can be a real drag. It can feel like tax day looms over your spring! Well, fear not: the IRS has given you another month to file your taxes!The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service has announced that...
Read MoreNewly Announced IRS Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
Each fall the Treasury Department announces inflation adjustments to tax-advantaged retirement accounts and income limits for the following tax year. They recently announced contribution limits and changes for the 2021 tax year.For...
Read MoreFinancial resolutions that are actually attainable.
We wish you a very happy new year! As we close in on year-end, a common topic of conversation amongst friends and family is what resolutions they vow to make in the new year. One of the top kind of resolutions deal with finances in...
Read MoreMedicare and Travel – What to be Aware of
Retirement evokes different dreams for everyone, but for many, travel is part of the image. If travel is part of your retirement vision, before you leave town, it’s important be aware of whether Medicare coverage will...
Read MoreProtect Yourself From Cyber Crime
The pandemic has showcased how much we rely on the internet, which makes it possible to virtually work from home, shop, attend religious service and stay connected with family and friends. Unfortunately, those conveniences come with...
Read MoreMarket update and other ways we can help
Vaccine development continues to a be a source for good news in the fight against COVID-19. AstraZeneca announced its vaccine candidate entered the final stage of testing in the US, while Moderna, Pfizer and BioNTech have vaccine...
Read MoreAugust 2020 Market Matters Update
While COVID-19 cases continue to rise globally, a bright spot on the horizon is continued vaccine development progress with 135 potential vaccines in testing with the possibility of being available by January. Unemployment rates are...
Read MoreWeekly Market and Coronavirus Update with Phil Blancato
We’re continuing to monitor the markets as well as the impact the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is having on them around the world. In the meantime, we’re doing everything we can to provide useful, accurate information to our...
Read MoreMarket Update 5/20/2020
Hope was lifted this week with the potential development of a vaccine for COVID-19 however, the preliminary release of the vaccine quickly created skepticism. Unemployment is likely to peak in the next month and a new bill known as the...
Read More