Blog
How Does Your Employer’s Retirement Plan Compare?
May 30, 2019
Each year, the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA) surveys employers to gauge trends in retirement plan features and participation. Results are used by employers and plan participants to benchmark their plans against overall averages. How does your plan compare to the most recent survey results, released at the end of 2018?1 Participation and savings…
Time for a Mid-Year Investment Check
May 30, 2019
Many investors may be inclined to review their portfolios only when markets hit a rough patch, but careful planning is essential in all economic climates. So whether the markets are up or down, periodically reviewing your portfolio with your financial professional can be an excellent way to keep your investments on track, and midway through…
Ten Money-Saving Travel Tips
May 30, 2019
Exploring the world sounds fun and exciting, but it can be expensive to travel. However, there are ways to experience the trip of your dreams on a budget. Follow these money-saving tips when planning your next vacation to help make it more affordable. 1. Join a frequent flyer program. It will probably take time to accumulate…
Four Tips for Planning a Career Change
April 29, 2019
Changing careers can be rewarding for many reasons, but career transitions don’t always go smoothly. Your career shift may take longer than expected, or you may find yourself temporarily out of work if you need to go back to school or can’t immediately find a job. Consider these four tips to help make the financial…
How Does the Federal Reserve Affect the Economy?
April 29, 2019
If you follow financial news, you’ve probably heard many references to “the Fed” along the lines of “the Fed held interest rates,” or “market watchers are wondering what the Fed will do next.” So what exactly is the Fed and what does it do? What is the Federal Reserve? The Federal Reserve — or “the…
How much money should a family borrow for college?
April 29, 2019
There is no magic formula to determine how much you or your child should borrow for college. But there is such a thing as borrowing too much. How much is too much? One guideline is for students to borrow no more than their expected first-year starting salary after college, which, in turn, depends on a…
Due Date Approaches for 2018 Federal Income Tax Returns
March 27, 2019
Tax filing season is here again. If you haven’t done so already, you’ll want to start pulling things together — that includes getting your hands on a copy of your 2017 tax return and gathering W-2s, 1099s, and deduction records. You’ll need these records whether you’re preparing your own return or paying someone else to…
Four Reasons Your Parents Might Be in Financial Trouble
March 27, 2019
As your parents age, they will probably need more help from you. But it may be difficult to provide the help they need, especially if they’re experiencing financial trouble. Money can be a sensitive subject to discuss, but you’ll need to talk to your parents about it in order to get to the root of…
Rules on Opening a 529 Plan Account for College
March 27, 2019
Year over year, participation in 529 plans continues to rise.1 Anyone can open an account, lifetime contribution limits are typically over $300,000, and there are tax benefits if the funds are used for college. Here are some common questions on opening an account. Can I open an account in any state’s 529 plan or am I…
Operation Education Outreach Continues with Third Symphony Sponsorship
March 3, 2019
We are proud to announce our third school sponsorship in two months, as we are supporting the annual dinner auction for Marguerite Montgomery Elementary. The school’s PTA will hold the Mexican-themed dinner and auction from 5:30 to 10 p.m. March 2 at the Veterans Memorial Center. There will be music, drinks, dinner, and silent and…