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Thursday, March 23, 2023

Kurt Czarnowski is currently the principal in “Czarnowski Consulting,” a retirement planning firm which in now in its 12th year of providing “Expert Answers to Your Social Security Questions. He is the former Regional...

Thursday, March 23, 2023

With so much of our lives spent online, it’s sad to think of losing the important stuff. Pictures of your kids and grandkids; Personal items like cherished emails, texts, and voicemails from loved ones; Or the notes for that book...

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

What is financial fitness? We are all familiar with the term physical fitness, and if pressed for a definition, we might define it in terms of our strength and health level. When it comes to an explanation of financial fitness, the...

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Amid the reverberations of two U.S. banks being taken over by regulators and the spread of uncertainty to European banks, stocks trended higher last week on the strength of the technology sector.The Dow Jones Industrial Average was...

Thursday, March 16, 2023

When events like Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank happen, it's natural to wonder how a bank safeguards your funds. Fortunately, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance was designed for this very reason:...

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Monday, March 13, 2023

Stocks tumbled last week as investors reconsidered their interest rate expectations after Fed Chair Powell’s Congressional testimony that rates may need to go higher. Stocks also were rattled when a west coast bank was placed...

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Jerome Powell would be terrible to have in your book club. He would always reveal how the book would end.When the Fed Chair spoke following the Fed meeting in February, he said, “we’re in the early stages of...

Thursday, March 9, 2023

March is Women's History Month, a time to recognize the remarkable contributions of women throughout history. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," We're honored to share a few examples of women who continue to...

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

FSI Advocates for Main Street Americans’ Access to Objective, Affordable Financial AdviceCarol Schmidlin of Franklin Planning LLC announced she has renewed membership with the Financial Services Institute (FSI) in Washington, D.C...

Monday, March 6, 2023

A late-week surge, triggered by reassuring Fed-speak, propelled stocks higher last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.75%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.90%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up 2.58% for...

Monday, February 27, 2023

Concerns over a firmer monetary policy were heightened by fresh economic data, touching off a climb in bond yields and a slide in stock prices last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s...

Monday, February 27, 2023

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Growing concerns about further interest rate hikes, prompted by fresh economic data, reversed early-week gains and left stocks mixed for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

The time following Valentine's Day has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel and...

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Would it surprise you that the U.K. stock market is hitting new all-time highs and several other European markets are either at new highs or approaching new all-time highs?It seems like only a few months ago, European economies...

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Required minimum distributions (RMDs) have been in the financial/investing news a lot over the last several years.  RMDs came into being when Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) were introduced back in 1974.  Their...

Monday, February 13, 2023

Stocks drifted lower as a week of mixed earnings reports and resurgent worries over Fed monetary policy dragged on investor sentiment. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.17%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined...

Monday, February 13, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Friday, February 10, 2023

The history of the United States is a tapestry embroidered with many cultures. One of the most vivid and complicated historical threads is those belonging to Black Americans. The accomplishments of many individuals, named and unnamed,...

Friday, February 10, 2023

The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...

Sunday, February 5, 2023

"Is the bear market over?"That's a question I've been asked a number of times in recent weeks. And my answer is the same, "Let's give it a little time."But people are quick to remind me that stocks are off to a good start in 2023,...

Saturday, February 4, 2023

As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET.For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...

Monday, January 30, 2023

You may have heard the saying, “inflation hurts savers and benefits borrowers.” The expression suggests that borrowers benefit from inflation because they pay back lenders with dollars worth less than when the money...

Monday, January 30, 2023

Stocks added to their early 2023 gains amid a busy stream of mixed corporate earnings results and conflicting economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.81%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.47%. The Nasdaq...

Monday, January 23, 2023

Stocks showed mixed results last week as recession fears resurfaced in response to weak economic data and a tepid start to a new corporate earnings season.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average skidded 2.70%, while the Standard &...

Monday, January 23, 2023

National Financial Wellness Month comes each January. It's a time to remind people to either establish a financial strategy or take some time to sit down and review it with their trusted financial professional.For me, it's time for me...

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Stocks rallied last week thanks to fresh confirmation of inflation’s cooling trend and growing optimism that an inflation slowdown may provide the Fed with space to ease up on future rate hikes.The Dow Jones Industrial Average...

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

The December inflation report had some encouraging news. It showed that consumer prices trended lower for the month, but more importantly, it confirmed that overall prices have been trending lower for the past six months.Now the ball...

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Have you enrolled in Medicare, or are you considering it? If so, you should know that anyone who receives Medicare is eligible to receive Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.However, if you don’t enroll for that coverage...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

It’s our mission to provide our clients with a timely market commentary of the prior quarter’s financial market performance, key economic releases, and policy developments.Please see the most recent Quarterly Market Review...

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

In the final days of 2022, Congress passed a new set of retirement rules designed to make it easier to contribute to retirement plans and access those funds earmarked for retirement.The law is called SECURE 2.0, and it's a follow-up to...

Thursday, January 5, 2023

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...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Congress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement.You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement...

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Perhaps you’ve heard the maxim, “Preparation is the key to success.” But when it comes to life insurance, knowing when to prepare is almost more important than the preparation, itself.Sure, it can be difficult to...

Thursday, December 29, 2022

In the next few months, you will be newly eligible for Medicare. That means considering your coverage options. Should you sign up for traditional Medicare? If you do, should you complement it with a Medigap policy? Or should you opt...

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

There is late breaking tax & retirement planning news: The Secure Act 2.0 has been approved by Congress and is awaiting President Biden's signature into law. This new law expands upon The Secure Act 1.0 which was approved in...

Thursday, December 22, 2022

Hawkish comments by the Fed and weak economic data heightened investors’ recession concerns and sent stocks lower last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 1.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 2.08%. The...

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

Once again, the year has flown by! In these final weeks of the year, our thoughts often turn to the comforts of home and family — of sharing good cheer with neighbors, friends, and loved ones.In that spirit, I would like to wish...

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us?Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see that...

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

While you probably already found your notice in the mail, you may be curious about the COLA increase happening for Social Security recipients in the New Year. Starting in January, beneficiaries will see an 8.7% increase to help offset...

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Recession fears and concerns that the Fed may consider a longer rate-hike cycle sent stocks lower for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 2.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 fell 3.37%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The financial markets are complex systems. They can move from one event to the next so quickly that it's hard to know what’s driving prices.For example, look at the roundtrip oil prices in the chart below.Oil prices surged to...

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

The holiday season is upon us; from story time with sorely missed grandchildren to laughter with friends and family over long-cherished memories, there's little doubt that "the most wonderful time of the year" has arrived.For my family...

Friday, December 9, 2022

It appears that America’s corporate leaders are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.Almost half of S&P 500 CEOs in second-quarter conference calls pointed to “recession” as a potential headwind in 2023....

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

Stocks ended higher last week as investors navigated the crosscurrents of a potential easing in future rate hikes and continued strength in the labor market.The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged 0.24% higher, while the Standard &...

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

It appears that America’s corporate leaders are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best.Almost half of S&P 500 CEOs in second-quarter conference calls pointed to “recession” as a potential headwind in 2023....

Saturday, December 3, 2022

Please allow me to share with you our enhanced Holistic Financial Planning services. My team and I are continually striving to understand your goals so that together, we can chart a course to your financial success.These are just a few...

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Growing optimism that the Fed may be ready to ease future interest rate hikes sent stocks higher in a quiet trading week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.78%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.53%. The Nasdaq...

Monday, November 28, 2022

Over the years, the Fed has followed a similar pattern with interest rates. It raises interest rates, then pauses, so it can see how the economy is adjusting to the higher rates. The chart below shows the Fed’s pattern with...

Monday, November 28, 2022

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2022 Carol Schmidlin Earns “The Bucket Plan”® Certified DesignationLocal financial advisor will now offer new planning process to clients Greater...

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

We’ve read articles about RMDs (required minimum distributions), but we haven’t heard much about a similar acronym, RBD (required beginning date). Interestingly enough, RBDs apply to RMDs. In fact, a RBD is the first date...

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

 A cooling inflation number ignited a powerful rally on Thursday, sending stocks to strong gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 4.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 5.90%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Monday, November 14, 2022

The midterm elections have come and gone, and although the results don’t appear as one-sided as many predicted, it seems one party will narrowly take control of the House, while the Senate may hinge on a Georgia runoff.It's...

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

The financial markets are on edge this year each time Fed Chair Jerome Powell takes the podium following a Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting.The chart below shows that the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index has gained...

Friday, November 4, 2022

The midterm elections are underway. In many states, ballots have been delivered and, in several cases, already returned by Americans exercising one of the most sacred of their Constitutional rights.Election Day is always the Tuesday...

Friday, November 4, 2022

Congratulations on your 72nd birthday! If so, it's time to start drawing down on some of your retirement accounts. If you don’t, Uncle Sam may help himself to some of your hard-saved funds. However, there are some exceptions.As...

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

You may have heard the phrase “contrarian investing,” but did you know that one of the most reliable contrary indicators is individual investors?Retail investors often do the wrong thing at the wrong time. But this year,...

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Stocks overcame poor earnings results from some of America’s largest companies to post gains last week as investors cheered positive earnings surprises, easing inflation and a rebound in economic growth.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

A positive start to a new earnings season and late-week hopes for a near-term easing in Fed rate hikes lifted investors’ spirits and powered stocks to gains for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 4.89%, while the...

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Stubborn doesn’t seem like a strong enough word, but that’s how Fed officials are describing inflation.Inflation's “stubbornness” has been on full display in recent weeks: First, the Producer Price Index (PPI)...

Thursday, October 13, 2022

A 10% early withdrawal penalty will apply to any post separation withdrawals from the TSP that are taken before the year in which you reach the age of 55. As one would expect, 72(t) is named after a section of the Internal Revenue...

Monday, October 10, 2022

A powerful two-day stock rebound cemented a positive week for investors as a new trading month began.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.99%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 1.51%. The Nasdaq Composite index increased 0...

Monday, October 10, 2022

Traditionally, I’ve been a little cautious when people say, “it’s different this time.” After all, the past few years have seen more financial “firsts” than most.But despite that skepticism, this...

Monday, October 10, 2022

Lately, "inflation" seems to be the media's favorite word. Everywhere you turn, there's another story about the impact of inflation. For example, many news outlets have reported that confectionary prices have surged over 30% from last...

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Rising recession fears and uncertainty in the bond and currency markets sent stocks to new 2022 lows last week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.91%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Friday, September 30, 2022

Wall Street is always searching for a hero to embrace or a villain to blame. And right now, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is the villain.After the September Fed meeting, Powell said interest rates may be heading higher for longer than...

Friday, September 30, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Converting your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA can come with many benefits, including eliminating the uncertainty of how future tax rates will impact your income in retirement. Plus, say goodbye to required minimum distributions (RMDs)...

Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Yields Surge, Stocks TumbleLast week’s meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) proved unsettling for the financial markets. It wasn’t only the widely expected announcement of another rate hike but a more hawkish...

Sunday, September 18, 2022

National Hispanic Heritage Month (Spanish: Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana) is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history,...

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

In a holiday-shortened week of trading, stocks posted healthy gains despite more tough talk on monetary policy from Fed officials.The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 2.66%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 gained 3.65%. The...

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money.The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Reserve is "strongly committed" to fighting inflation, but there remains hope it can be done without the "very high social costs" involved in prior campaigns to control surging prices, Fed Chair Jerome...

Monday, September 12, 2022

16 states will soon be giving out their own form of stimulus checks, but only to those who qualify.While news of federally funded stimulus checks frequently flooded the internet during the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic,...

Sunday, September 11, 2022

If you haven’t reviewed your insurance profile in a while, you may be surprised that what made sense in the past no longer fits your life.Here are some ways to quickly evaluate your needs.Stop on a DIME - To use the DIME...

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

Have you heard? The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on Tuesday, August 16. While the $430 billion package includes many provisions, I thought I’d highlight three key areas where you may benefit the most.Tax credits...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

The overhang of Fed Chair Powell’s Jackson Hole speech the previous week carried over into last week as investors recalibrated stock valuations amid a seemingly more assertive monetary policy stance.The Dow Jones Industrial...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

The White House recently forgave up to $10,000 to student loan borrowers as part of a larger debt forgiveness program. There are still quite a few questions to be answered, but here are some key points to know.Pell vs. non-Pell: Loan...

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...

Thursday, September 1, 2022

U.S. Representative Angie Craig introduced the You Earned It, You Keep It Act, which would repeal federal taxes on Social Security benefits for retirees across the country. Over the past year, inflationary pressures have stretched...

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

A comprehensive sell-off on Friday following comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell drove stocks to losses for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average tumbled 4.22%, while the Standard & Poor's 500 dropped 4.04%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...

Friday, August 26, 2022

 Please Join Carol Schmidlin as She Presents Live Complimentary Workshop:Your Tax Management Journey - Part 1Registration link below.Tax Management Today - Not all money is taxed the same. Most people procrastinate against tax...

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Ahead of another deadline on the restart of payments for America's $1.7 trillion in federal student loans, President Joe Biden on Wednesday, 8/24/22 announced a plan to cancel debt for a subset of Americans and continue to keep a...

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Stocks tumbled on Friday, sending stocks to a weekly loss after an otherwise quiet August week of trading.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped -0.16%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 1.21%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Does waiting 30 days for a government report seem a bit unreasonable? After all, we live in a world of instant messages and real-time quotes. Why should we wait a whole month between updates on the Consumer Price Index to see what's...

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Have you heard? The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on Tuesday, August 16. While the $430 billion package includes many provisions, I thought I’d highlight three key areas where you may benefit the most.Tax credits...

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

An improving inflation outlook buoyed investors’ spirits last week, helping lift stocks to solid gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 2.92%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 3.26%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.When was the last time you reviewed your will or estate strategy? August is National "Make a Will" Month, an excellent...

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Stocks turned in a mixed performance last week as investors struggled with headlines suggesting that the Fed was unlikely to soon ease up on its current monetary tightening policy.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.13%, while...

Friday, July 29, 2022

Stocks rallied last week as investor spirits lifted thanks to a better-than-expected start to the second-quarter earnings season.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.95%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.55%. The...

Saturday, July 23, 2022

 Carol Schmidlin Awarded Prestigious MRFC® Credential The Master Registered Financial Consultant Certification Board (MCB) is proud to announce Carol Schmidlin of Franklin Planning, headquartered in Sewell, NJ, has...

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Stop me if you heard this already—roughly half the population wasn’t alive last time inflation was at this level.It’s true. According to IMDb.com, Raiders of the Lost Ark was the #1 movie at the box office the last...

Friday, July 15, 2022

In a holiday-shortened trading week, stocks rallied despite mixed economic data and vacillating energy prices and bond yields.The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.77%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.94%. The...

Friday, July 15, 2022

With half the year behind us, now is a great time to consider what the remainder of 2022 may hold. However, with inflation and economic uncertainty causing many of us to delay or cancel vacations, large purchases, and more, it can be...

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Some money experts have said that 2022 is a dangerous year to retire, but what if you need to? Here are five things to consider. SAINT LOUIS, Mo. — With inflation, rising rates, and a financial crisis, some people are...

Friday, July 1, 2022

During periods of market turbulence, I take comfort in one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes:“Don’t watch the market closely.”The Oracle of Omaha gave this sage advice in 2016, when Brexit, China’s economic...

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend...

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

It’s our mission to provide our clients with a timely market commentary of the prior quarters financial market performance, key economic releases, and current developments.Please see the most recent quarterly market recaps and...

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Prospects of cooling inflation powered a rally in stock prices last week despite growing recession concerns.The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 5.39%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 6.45%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Stocks moved lower last week as recession fears deepened following a Fed hike in interest rates and weak economic data.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 4.79%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.79%. The Nasdaq...

Monday, June 20, 2022

During periods of market turbulence, I take comfort in one of my favorite Warren Buffett quotes:“Don’t watch the market closely.”The Oracle of Omaha gave this sage advice in 2016, when Brexit, China’s economic...

Monday, June 20, 2022

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 for 2022? Has...

Monday, June 13, 2022

Some gloomy headlines are coming out of Wall Street lately. Have you noticed?In recent days, I’ve read things like “Brace yourself for economic hurricanes” and “Wall Street investor survey paints a dire outlook...

Monday, June 13, 2022

A higher-than-expected inflation report triggered a sell-off on Friday, leaving stocks in the red for the week.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.58%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 dropped 5.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index...

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

In a holiday-shortened week of volatile trading, stocks surrendered some of the previous week’s strong gains.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 declined 1.20%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

 Households still have buying firepower, and jobs are growing. Much seen riding on course of the Fed’s tightening campaign to hear some of the chatter in financial markets and corporate America’s C-suites, a US...

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Stocks posted solid gains for the week, buoyed by the release of Fed meeting minutes and upbeat earnings from mid-size and discount retailers.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 6.24%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced...

Thursday, June 2, 2022

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”...

Thursday, May 26, 2022

The number one question I’m hearing this week is, “When are we going to see the stock market reach a low point?” In spite of recent volatility, my answer remains the same: rather than timing the markets, focus on time...

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Recession fears grew last week following weak earnings reports from major retailers, sending stocks lower.The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.90%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 3.05%. The Nasdaq Composite index dropped...

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Rare collectibles can provide an entertaining form of alternative “investment,” and might seem particularly intriguing when markets are wobblier than Aunt Gertrude’s jello salad. Comic books can sell for millions of...

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Thursday, April 7, 2022

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Monday, March 14, 2022

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Friday, February 25, 2022

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Friday, January 28, 2022

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Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Friday, January 14, 2022

Friday, January 7, 2022

Monday, January 3, 2022

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Monday, December 27, 2021

Friday, December 17, 2021

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Friday, December 3, 2021

With the end of the year just around the corner, now is the time to consider year-end strategies for tax planning. Ed Slott, CPA, suggests that low tax rates offer opportunities for some taxpayers to make some smart retirement moves....

Thursday, December 2, 2021

News of a new, highly virulent COVID variant triggered a market sell-off on Friday, sending stocks into negative territory for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.97%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 slumped 2.20%....

Thursday, November 18, 2021

WHEN BAD NEWS IS GOOD NEWS Financial markets can be challenging to understand. But when markets enter a “bad news is good news” cycle, it becomes even more difficult to follow along. At its November meeting, the Fed...

Wednesday, November 17, 2021

Stocks posted small declines last week as investors digested recent stock market gains and an unexpectedly high inflation read. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.63%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 retreated 0.31%. The...

Friday, November 12, 2021

A Federal Reserve announcement on tapering, a fresh batch of corporate profits, and encouraging economic data lifted stocks to another weekly gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.42%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

VETERAN'S DAY NOVEMBER 11, 2021 -THANK YOU! As the nation celebrates Veterans Day, take a moment to recognize and thank the veterans in your community. In every field, every business, veterans help America thrive.

Saturday, November 6, 2021

To help raise revenue to pay for President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan, Congress is considering a number of tax law changes, including adjusting estate taxes. One of the proposals would reduce the estate tax exemption to...

Thursday, November 4, 2021

A fresh wave of positive corporate earnings surprises sent markets to new record highs last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased 0.40%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 rose 1.33%. The Nasdaq Composite index picked up...

Friday, October 29, 2021

Stocks rallied last week on a stream of positive corporate earnings surprises. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.08%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 1.64%. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 1.29% for the week....

Friday, October 29, 2021

These are proposals only (Released by the House Ways and Means Committee on September 13, 2021) Recent retirement proposals from Congress would upend planning strategies for retirement accounts, especially Roth IRAs. These changes are...

Thursday, October 7, 2021

Market Insights 10/4/2021 Higher bond yields and a legislative stalemate in Washington, D.C., added up to losses for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 1.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 2.21%. The...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you switched...

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

In a quiet week of news, stocks moved lower amid simmering concerns over the Delta variant’s effect on the progress of economic reopening. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 2.15%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500...

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

The September Effect The stock market notched its 7th straight month of gains in August, and the Standard & Poor's 500 index has set 53 new highs so far in 2021.1 During August, stocks rallied as investors looked past the increased...

Saturday, August 28, 2021

Pursuing your retirement dreams is challenging enough without making some common, and very avoidable, mistakes. Here are eight big mistakes to steer clear of, if possible. 1. NO STRATEGY: Yes, the biggest mistake is having no strategy...

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

Your End-of-Summer Checklist by Michelle Sutton-Kerchner Before summer slips away, be sure you check these off your (sand) bucket list … Most of us still are waiting for the relaxation summer promises. Some of us are starting to...

Thursday, August 5, 2021

MARKET INSIGHTS FOR AUGUST 2, 2021 The stock market posted small losses last week despite a very strong showing by corporate America. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.36%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 lost 0.37%. The...

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

As a parent, you of course want to give your child the best opportunity for success, and for many, attending the “right” university or college is that opportunity. Unfortunately, being accepted to the college of one’s...

Thursday, July 8, 2021

With June officially behind us, it’s time to face the facts: we’re headed toward the second half of 2021. While there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the rest of summer, we encourage you to slow down and check up on...

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Recently, you may have seen a number of major cryptocurrencies fall thanks to a continuing sell-off that began last week. In fact, over $250 billion was lost in the crypto market alone.1 It may be tempting to view this as another...

Monday, June 14, 2021

What does it mean when two of the most powerful voices in American financial life seem to be saying two different things? In one corner, we have the “Oracle of Omaha,” investor Warren Buffett. As one of the nation’s...

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Money saved and invested in IRAs and qualified plans can grow tax-deferred to generate income later in life. While retirees would like to enjoy the pursuits that make their hearts content, they must also expend money on physical...

Friday, May 7, 2021

A recent survey shows that 63% of investors are more interested in protecting their financial assets and planning for uncertainty in the future than anything else.1 There are many reasons for this change, but here are a few of the...

Friday, April 16, 2021

Only 45 percent of adults have a will or other estate documents in place, which may not be entirely surprising.1 No one wants to be reminded of their own mortality or spend too much time thinking about what might happen once...

Tuesday, March 30, 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 passed by Congress on March 10, 2021 includes many non-tax provisions to help address the COVID pandemic. There are also tax provisions in this law that may help you reduce your 2020 taxes. The IRS...

Friday, March 19, 2021

Less than one month ahead of the traditional date, the I.R.S. has delayed the deadline for filing and paying taxes. The new deadline is May 17, 2021.1,2,3 The delay follows continued disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic and a late...

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

You may have heard the news about stocks for certain companies suddenly ballooning, quickly going from lunch money prices to several hundred dollars a share. In one case, the shares rose over 1700% since December 2020.1 So, what gives?...

Thursday, January 21, 2021

Maybe you dream of waking up next to the ocean on a gorgeous piece of land you own, surrounded by nature, with zero internet because you never need to work again. Or maybe you dream of waking up somewhere other than your childhood...

Thursday, January 14, 2021

Rebalancing Your Portfolio Everyone loves a winner. If an investment is successful, most people naturally want to stick with it. But is that the best approach? It may sound counterintuitive, but it may be possible to have too much of a...

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

A new $900 billion COVID-19 stimulus package passed by Congress was signed into law by President Trump on December 27, 2020. What's most important about the legislation is what's not in it. It does not extend the CARES Act provisions...

Friday, November 6, 2020

Addressing the potential threat of long-term care expenses may be one of the biggest financial challenges for individuals who are developing a retirement strategy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 70% of...

Friday, October 9, 2020

" I had a comment about LTC coverage, my mom had a number of health issues and required institutional 24/7 "memory" care the final year of her life. My dad found out the hard way how expensive the care costs in 2017. It was over $12...

Friday, June 12, 2020

Even in “normal” times, the news can be depressing. But these days, it can seem like there’s an awful lot to worry about. Here’s a sampling of the types of headlines I’ve seen recently: Why US hospitals...

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Carol Schmidlin Presents Live Webinar! Weathering the Storm A lot has changed since the beginning of 2020. There are slogans we've all heard like "We're all in this together" and "This is our new normal". While this may be true, we...

Friday, May 8, 2020

Stimulus Check Payouts Will Put More Green Into Seniors' Pockets This Year As of a little more than a week ago, there were in excess of 2.2 million confirmed cases of this respiratory illness worldwide, with more than 153,000 deaths...

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

The spread of COVID-19 sent stocks tumbling, as the healthand economic costs of the pandemic continue to mount. Click HERE for important information.

Friday, April 3, 2020

We have witnessed some extraordinary moves in the financial markets during the past few trading sessions. In recent days, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has fallen by over 7 percent more than once. Ongoing concerns over the...

Monday, March 30, 2020

Corona Virus and Market Downturn For those who may have missed Carol's live webinar, please click here and then download to access. The Corona Virus Pandemic is an unprecedented event that has impacted everyone in some way or another....

Monday, March 2, 2020

Key Takeaways The Wuhan coronavirus has unnerved global equity markets so far in 2020. While still early, compared to the SARS outbreak in late 2002/early 2003, investors are concerned about the possible impact to economies and on...

Thursday, February 13, 2020

THE BUCKET PLAN According to The Bucket Plan, one of the worst behavioral mistakes you can make as an investor is panicking during times of volatility and selling your holdings. The Bucket Plan approach can help take emotion out of the...

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

ESTATE LIQUIDITY PLAN During client review meetings, we’ve noticed that a number of our clients are ending up with a slight gap in their estate plan. There are a few ways to manage your final expenses when you pass away. However,...

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Six Key Retirement Changes of the Secure ActBy: Carol Schmidlin January 2, 2020/0 Comments/in Uncategorized /by Karen Dzierzynski The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Enhancement Act was signed into law by President...

Thursday, January 23, 2020

The average retirement lasts for 18 years, with many lasting even longer. Will you fill your post-retirement days with purpose? Imagine this: it’s your last day on the job. A whole career behind you. You say goodbye to your...

Saturday, January 18, 2020

HOW WILL THE U.S. AND IRAN CONFLICT AFFECT OIL? Historically, a Middle East crisis has led to spikes in the oil market, which have been followed by recessions. However, record domestic oil production has made the U.S. less dependent on...

Saturday, January 4, 2020

Six Key Retirement Changes of the Secure Act By: Carol Schmidlin The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement (SECURE) Enhancement Act was signed into law by President Trump on December 20, 2019. This is the most extensive retirement...

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

TEN QCD RULES FOR 2020 YOU NEED TO KNOW If you are charitably inclined and have an IRA, you might want to consider doing a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) for 2020. In addition to the gift you are making to the charity, there...

Thursday, November 7, 2019

There are Many Risks in Retirement, But, With Today’s Market Valuation, One of The Biggest Risks is The Potential for a Market Correction While You Are Drawing Income From Your Retirement Accounts. Academically, this risk is...

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Everyone who is subject to Required Minimum Distributions who gives to a charity should use Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs), but must qualify by being age 70 ½ or over. Say for example you give $10,000 to your church...

Sunday, May 5, 2019

A TALE OF TWO ASSETS BY: KEZIA SAMUEL, CAIA INVESTMENT COMMITTEE MEMBER SENIOR VP, CHIEF PORTFOLIO STRATEGIST So far, 2019 has proven to be a very different year in markets compared to 2018. Prospects of a U.S./China trade deal and a...

Friday, February 8, 2019

THE TAX CUTS AND JOBS ACT The countdown begins. Once the clock rolls us into 2019, tax season gets underway. The old calendar year, 2018, will have been put officially to rest.Deductions from your paychecks and other income sources...

Monday, January 7, 2019

Last January, the feature articles in our newsletter were “Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Roth IRA”, and “Highlights of the Trump Tax Plan”. Many of you have taken advantage of funding Roth IRAs and...

Friday, December 14, 2018

In speaking to hundreds of people approaching retirement each year, I very rarely hear people understanding the three phases of money. Let’s start with the accumulation phase. When we are accumulating assets, we are typically...