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At GENESIS Wealth Management, we put clients first. Our team and all of our resources are dedicated to helping clients achieve their financial goals.

Our blog is a place for you to learn more about current market news, the latest information for investment advice and financial planning related to wealth management industry. Our weekly blog will keep you current on everything you need to know to pursue your financial objectives.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month and the perfect time to think about your insurance policy. Have you ever wondered how much life insurance is "enough"? You might consider a needs analysis in order to truly meet your objectives.

Thursday, August 17, 2023

Last week’s release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was the second month in a row that showed inflationary pressures were falling at a faster pace than economists’ estimates, which is undoubtedly good news. Additionally,...

Thursday, August 3, 2023

In the face of high job turnover, employees must consider the long-term implications of their actions on their retirement savings. A 401(K) rollover is an invaluable tool for maintaining retirement income. Explore more how to rollover.

Thursday, July 20, 2023

Held every July, the Tour de France is a great illustration about financial planning. Here is how a professional cyclist prepares for the Tour de France and how a financial advisor prepares a comprehensive financial plan.

Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Recently, the LPL Research team published the 2023 Midyear Outlook: The Path Toward Stability. A six-month check-in on where the markets have been and where they seem to be headed, the report is a great guide to help steer personal...

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Wednesday, June 28, 2023

Investing can be of the best ways to help achieve your financial goals. Looking to begin an investing journey? We offer tips to help guide your strategy.

Friday, June 16, 2023

By faithfully tracking your progress with periodic reviews you will be in a better position to realize the future and the retirement of your dreams. Why not spend a few hours reviewing your finances? Here are some important items to cover.

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

The S&P 500 officially entered bull market territory on June 8, 2023 after a 165 trading day climb off the October 12, 2022 low. What happens next? How long does a bull market last? LPL Research discusses about these questions.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Whether the goal is saving for a house, college, retirement or a legacy, making a long-term plan - and sticking to it - are important parts of an investment strategy. Here's your investment strategy option.

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Higher education costs continue to soar causing many parents to wonder whether they have enough money to pay for their child's college education. Discover the benefits of a 529 College Savings Plans.

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

International investments can offer a range of benefits to investors, but plenty of risk too. Here are five significant reasons why investors should consider international investments to their long-term asset allocation mix.

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

There are several reasons why it's important to spring-clean your financial plan. Find out how your financial advisor can help you evaluate your current financial plan and identify areas for improvement.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

The best saving and investing habits pay off throughout life. Yet, with age, it is probable that your specific, financial goals are likely to change. Life cycle planning identifies both common goals and investment strategies for the...

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

The financial markets’ resilient performance during March was striking, despite pockets of uncertainty surrounding the strength of the economy—and not to mention concerns over the durability of the banking system. .....

Friday, March 24, 2023

Tax season can be a stressful time for many people, especially if you're not fully prepared. However, with some advance planning and preparation, you can take steps to reduce your tax bill for the upcoming year. Here are 7 things you...

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a type of savings account designed to help individuals and families save money on their health expenses and reduce their future tax bill. To be eligible for an HSA, you must be enrolled in a...

Monday, March 20, 2023

Just as the market was starting to make some progress digesting the news of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failure, another source of potential financial stress popped up in the form of Credit Suisse (CS). Here’s what we know...

Thursday, March 2, 2023

Financial markets have experienced quite a bit of change this year in just two short months. We started the year hopeful that stocks would benefit from a better economic and monetary policy environment by the spring, but recent...

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Whether you’re one to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions or simply use the beginning of the year to reset on a few habits, there’s almost always some value in reflecting on the past year before...

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Investing in U.S. stocks and bonds is a popular way for individuals and institutions to grow their wealth and generate income. However, it is important to consider the impact of taxes on these investments before and after making them....

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Financial wellness is a term that refers to the overall health and well-being of an individual's finances. In order to pursue financial wellness, it is essential to understand and manage the five key elements of personal finance:...

Monday, January 9, 2023

There was good news for those saving for retirement in the recent appropriations bill passed to fund the government, signed into law by President Biden on December 29, 2022. The larger bill included a set of retirement reforms called...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

For many people, the month of December and the New Year are times for personal reflection, a time to consider commitments and resolutions for the coming year.This year, why not resolve to make your finances a priority? With proper...

Wednesday, December 21, 2022

“Recent indicators point to modest growth in spending and production. Job gains have been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated, reflecting supply and demand imbalances...

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

With its blinking lights, family traditions, and festive music, December is the most wonderful time of the year. And according to Charity Navigator, the month of December really is wonderful because December sees approximately 30% of...

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

The end of the year is when a lot of deadlines come up.So, as we head to the end of the year, now is a great time to make sure your financial plan is still on track. And it's wise to use a checklist to see where you are and what should...

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays, time off, and family should be celebratory, not burdensome. But if you approach taxes with an eye toward reducing your...

Friday, November 11, 2022

Answers to your top inflation questions. Been there, done that. Don’t want to do it again. That’s how many people who lived through the 1970s and 1980s feel about inflation. But today’s reality is that your money...

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

October is usually one of the worst months for stocks, but October 2022 is shaping up to be the best month on record since 1976. Did you sell your equity positions at the end of September because you could no longer stomach this...

Thursday, November 3, 2022

October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month. The downside pressure...

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

At some point in your life, you probably have heard about the importance of developing a budget. But, why is a budget so important?Perhaps you simply spend what you must and save whatever’s left over. Or, perhaps you spend all...

Wednesday, October 12, 2022

Many people don’t think about—or prepare for—long-term care. Unless they’ve had a friend or family member receive long-term care, they may not realize how essential it is—or how expensive it can be....

Thursday, October 6, 2022

Whatever your destination, it helps to have a map—and that’s especially true when you’re preparing financially for the journey we call life. Whether your financial goals include paying off debts, buying a house,...

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

In the last several weeks, we have continued to face elevated uncertainty in financial markets due to high inflation and rising interest rates, and we thought it was an important time to take stock with the final...

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Unless you live on another planet, you are fully aware of this thing called inflation — whether you’re at the grocery store, a gas station, buying clothes online, hiring...

Friday, September 9, 2022

When it comes to stock market performance, August was “the best of times, and the worst of times.” The strong market rally that peaked in mid-August was viewed by many analysts as a transition from a...

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

It’s never too early to start investing in our children’s future—literally. September is College Savings Month, which makes now the perfect time to consider how we can contribute to their educational and financial...

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

A thoughtful retirement strategy may help you pursue your many retirement goals. That strategy must consider many factors, and here are just a few: your income needs, the order of your withdrawals from taxable and tax-advantaged...

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

It’s hard to believe, but soon Labor Day will be in the books. The weather will start to turn a little cooler, college football will return and the kids will be back in school. For me, it’s always been the kids going back...

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

The most watched, and arguably the most exciting, soccer league in the world kicked off this weekend across the pond: the English Premier League (EPL). It’s set to be an enthralling season for the many EPL fans around the world...

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Regardless of the path your life takes, money will play an important role at every turn. Certain events, especially graduating from college, entering the work world, getting married, having children, and retiring all require targeted...

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

When Judy purchased her life insurance policy 10 years ago, she thought her insurance planning was complete. She assumed that if she paid her premiums on time, she could sit back and not think about life insurance anymore.Judy’s...

Tuesday, July 12, 2022

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...

Wednesday, July 6, 2022

As the calendar has turned to July, investors would certainly like to forget the first six months of 2022. However, the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday does bring with it reason for celebration. Not only is...

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

A bear market is officially here thanks largely to stubbornly high inflation. For many of us, it has probably felt like a bear market for a while now, but the S&P 500 Index didn’t close more than 20% below its January 3 record...

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The Roth 401(k) has become an attractive investment account, with investors attracted to their qualified tax-free withdrawals and contributions which receive after-tax treatment. But like other 401(k) plans, the Roth 401(k) carries...

Thursday, June 16, 2022

It finally happened. On Monday the S&P 500 Index moved into a bear market, finally closing 20% beneath the January 3 high.Here are 7 things to know about bear (and bull) markets:1) Since World War II seven bull markets have officially...

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

May 29th marks the nationwide celebration of 529 Day, an opportunity to highlight the many benefits of 529 college savings plans.As higher education costs continue to soar, many parents find themselves faced with the nagging question,...

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

The real value of a bear market may be that it gives investors, who are temporarily frozen within its grip, the opportunity to learn or relearn important lessons regarding risk and diversification. For savvy investors, a bear market...

Friday, May 13, 2022

It’s been a tough year so far for a traditional “60/40” portfolio, a portfolio of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. Using the S&P 500 Index and the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (“Agg”) to represent stocks...

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Since the COVID-bear retreated in March 2020 through the end of 2021, all we heard was how stock market gains were driven by just a handful of stocks – the FAANG stocks (and Microsoft). But since the beginning of 2022, investors...

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

The housing market has been frustrating for buyers and a boon for sellers, but there are signs that those frustrations might be easing – depending on where you live. Would-be buyers have struggled with historically low...

Tuesday, April 26, 2022

The market skyrockets one day, plunges the next. Is this the wobbling before the crash? Should you invest now? If so, how? Everything at once? That’s tempting, but not always wise. A common question investors ask their financial...

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Since it first became available in 2006, many employers have added the Roth 401(k) to their benefit packages as a retirement savings option. A Roth option is available for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and 401(k) and 403(b)...

Tuesday, April 12, 2022

How do you figure out how well your asset mix is diversified, and not too heavy in one area – like stocks? Using statistical correlations can help refine your investments and lower risk.

Friday, April 8, 2022

LPL Research explains why this market may have a bit more left in the tank.

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Advice from the Social Security Administration can guide your decision.

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

As retirement approaches, consider ways to donate to charity without depleting your long-term savings. If you expect to retire in 5 to 10 years, you may currently earn near-peak income. It’s an excellent time to front-load your...

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Today the Federal Reserve is widely expected to hike rates for the first time since December 2018 and we expect them to kick things off with a 25 basis point hike (0.25%), with three or four more hikes coming later this year....

Wednesday, March 2, 2022

As you look at your newborn or young child, it’s tough to imagine them going off to college one day. Though that time may be far away, you should start financially preparing for your child’s future education as soon as...

Friday, February 25, 2022

Though stocks and geopolitical worries have made 2022 get off to a rocky start, LPL Research shares why there may still be some positive news.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

You should make sure your retirement savings at least keep pace with inflation. But what is inflation and how does it really affect your retirement savings? Let's explore.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Preparing now for your financial future is essential because what you do today can help ensure a secure retirement tomorrow. There are four factors you will need to consider when planning for your retirement.

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Offering a retirement plan can help your business attract and retain employees, while making it easier for you to save for your own retirement. Here are some of the options available to business owners.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Talk to your financial advisor to help create the best financial plan for you The Internal Revenue Service announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2022 has increased to $20,500, up from $19,500 for...

Monday, January 24, 2022

Lately we’ve seen two things swirling that some investors think could hurt them down the road. The idea that higher yields and rate hikes are bad is all over the place, but it all might not be so simple. In fact, looking back at...

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

After the stock market’s growth in 2021, many believe a pullback (or even a correction) may be a healthy thing. Such a drop is not horribly painful, by historical standards, and smart investors can seek to cushion such a fall. Read....

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Life insurance is an agreement between you (the policy owner) and an insurer. Under the terms of a life insurance policy, the insurer promises to pay a certain sum to a person you choose (your beneficiary) upon your death, in exchange...

Monday, January 10, 2022

LPL Research shares what they are optimistic about for 2022.

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

These simple steps might save you a great deal of money and heartache We all make mistakes, and through them, we learn. But when it comes to finances, it is best not to take the trial-and-error approach. Maybe you’re making some...

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Our resurgent economy grew at over a 6% pace in the first half of 2021 and is on track for over 5% growth for the year by the time 2021 draws to a close. During the early recovery, we had a hand up from stimulus...

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Retirement savings isn’t the only financial goal you might want to consider in a lifetime. There are other considerable milestones that you want to take into account as well.

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

LPL Research Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton delivers market insights on what we can expect in the economy, policy, stocks, and bonds for the rest of 2022.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

2021 has certainly been a year of financial highs and lows. No one can reliably predict short term moves in the market, but good financial planning can help prepare you for unforeseen setbacks. If you had a successful year, it’s...

Friday, October 15, 2021

Tips to help you find your financial planner and financial planning firm The financial planner and financial planning firm you pick to manage your assets and advise you on key financial decisions affects your retirement and other major...

Friday, October 8, 2021

Dear Valued Investor, One constant in life is change. During the past year and a half, we have experienced more change than any of us bargained for. Change is disruptive—but also brings opportunities. For investors right now,...

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

You exercise to benefit from your sweat equity in the future, right? Waking up early in the dark mornings of winter to exercise comes hard. Once your workout ends, though, you often begin the day with the payoff of a tremendous energy...

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying off debt and saving for retirement. In reality, many other financial goals beckon to individuals during their lifetime. Because of this, it’s important to look...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Whether you are just starting your career, in your peak earning years, or enjoying retirement, your insurance protection needs may change over time. Life cycle planning helps identify insurance needs that are common to particular...

Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Dear Valued Investor: The bull market continues, with the S&P 500 Index now up seven months in a row. Stocks have impressively gained 20% year-to-date, with the S&P 500 making 53 new all-time highs before the end of...

Wednesday, September 1, 2021

How much life insurance do you need? Your life insurance needs will depend on a number of factors, including the size of your family, the nature of your financial obligations, your career stage, and your goals. For example, when...

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

The green revolution is upon us. Like it or not, the world is shifting away from fossil fuels toward renewables. Solar and wind farms are sprouting up across the globe. The major car companies are phasing out gas-powered vehicles and...

Thursday, August 19, 2021

When you first considered investing, it probably seemed like a good idea to focus heavily on what worked best for you from the beginning. If stocks from a particular company brought you high yields, why not double up on your original...

Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

The first half of 2021 is behind us. As life emerges from the pandemic to a "new normal," a mid-year financial checkup may be more important than ever this year. Here are some ways to make sure that your financial situation is...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

If you're like most people, you bought life insurance to provide for your loved ones in the event of your death. But because you're self-employed, you may have an even greater need for life insurance: You'll want to protect your family...

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

In the first half of 2021, the U.S. economy powered forward faster than nearly anyone had expected. Speed can be exhilarating, but it can also be dangerous. In our view, the overall economic picture remains sound and will likely...

Wednesday, July 7, 2021

It’s easy to be intimidated by all the details of financial planning. However, you don’t need to be an expert to understand fundamental concepts such as credit, debt, budgets, and goals. A little self-education can go a...

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Saving for retirement is essential for your long-term security, but what will you do if there is an unpredicted expense due to an accident, illness, job loss, or other crisis? By creating an emergency fund, you establish a safety net...

Wednesday, June 23, 2021

When you’re wealthy, you have a lot to lose—through property damage/loss, liability lawsuits, expensive medical treatments, and income interruption. It’s important to know what types of insurance policies will cover...

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

Stocks ended the week mixed as investors appeared to shrug off a hotter-than-expected inflation report.The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.80%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 advanced 0.41%. The Nasdaq Composite...

Wednesday, June 16, 2021

The global pandemic has taken a grim toll on lives and livelihoods. Many have been laid off, furloughed, or taken on more debt to tide things over. Many others have had to scale back their lifestyle or help support family or friends...

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

As we move into June, a path to normalcy is coming quickly with stadiums allowing full capacity, restaurants filling up, and summer vacations in full swing. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy continues to recover remarkably quickly and the...

Thursday, June 3, 2021

So, you’re looking to purchase your first home. Congratulations! It’s an exciting time, creating a safe and secure home for yourself (and perhaps family) while building equity in a long-term asset. While selecting the right...

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

U.S. assets invested in socially responsible strategies topped $17.1 trillion at the start of 2020, up 42% from two years earlier. Sustainable, responsible, and impact (SRI) investments now account for nearly one-third of all...

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Saving for retirement can seem impossible when you are saddled with so many daily expenses: student loans, mortgage/rent, car payments, childcare, and more. But there is nothing wrong with starting small, because the power of...

Thursday, April 22, 2021

How generational and societal change is influencing companies and the markets. ESG: what does that acronym stand for? Those three letters stand for "Environmental, Social, and Governance" and signify an investment that has particular...

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Earth Day marks a chance to learn about the environmental challenges we face, and reflect on the ways we can become more involved and make personal choices to elicit positive environmental and social changes. Increasingly, more...

Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Careful planning is a necessity if you are a business owner or top executive nearing retirement. Your exit strategy may require succession planning if you want to influence the composition of the management team before your departure....

Friday, April 9, 2021

Stocks have kicked off the year in a strong fashion, and history shows this may give reason to be optimistic for the rest of the year. After a solid—but certainly turbulent—year in 2020, the S&P 500 Index has continued to...

Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Let’s play a little fill-in-the-blank game. Complete the following sentence: Those poor (Millennials, GenXers, Boomers)! They really got the short end of the retirement stick, especially in light of the pandemic. Which is the...

Wednesday, March 31, 2021

“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes.” Mark Twain What more can we say other than few months have been kinder to stocks lately than the month of April. In fact, it was last year that saw the S&P 500...

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

The pandemic caused many people to work from home, and some companies do not plan to return to office-based work until this summer, if ever. While you may view this as a mixed blessing, you can capitalize on the situation to save money...

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Today is the one-year anniversary of the low in the 10-year Treasury yield. While we’ve discussed the sharp rise in U.S. Treasury yields that have occurred this year, rising rates have been a global phenomenon. Similar to the...

Tuesday, March 2, 2021

When it comes to financial stability, people tend to focus on paying off debt and saving for retirement. In reality, many other financial goals beckon to individuals during their lifetime. Because of this, it’s important to look...

Monday, February 15, 2021

“One of the most helpful things that anybody can learn is to give up trying to catch the last eighth—or the first. These two are the most expensive eighths in the world.” –Jesse Livermore Countless stock...

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

An important part of any retirement strategy involves factoring in the potential expenses associated with long-term care. For many years, people have purchased long-term care insurance to help cover some of those costs. However, over...

Monday, February 1, 2021

Only one-in-four Americans (27%) feel very confident that they will have enough money to live comfortably when they retire, according to the 2020 Retirement Confidence Survey Summary Report.⁠11 While the number is up slightly from the...

Thursday, January 14, 2021

There are fundamental steps you can take to get on-track with your financial plan. Planning for your financial future is a critical endeavor, yet one that many overlook or fail to nurture. Some may feel that financial planning is only...

Monday, January 4, 2021

As the new year dawns, most Americans are probably happy to bid good riddance to 2020, a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, political brawls, and challenging economic times. Many have had to take on debt to tide them over...

Sunday, December 20, 2020

LPL Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward is designed to help you navigate a year in which economic conditions may continue to improve dramatically. Like the markets, Outlook 2021 looks ahead. 2021 will bring advances to further...

Monday, December 14, 2020

Here are some things you might consider before saying goodbye to 2020. What has changed for you in 2020? For many, this year has been as complicated as learning a new dance. Did you start a new job or leave a job behind? That’s...

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Tuesday, we released our 2021 market views in Outlook 2021: Powering Forward. We are extremely proud of this report and we can’t wait to hear your feedback! As we explain in Outlook 2021, we anticipate a strong earnings rebound...

Friday, November 20, 2020

Few of us will miss 2020. As the year begins to wind down, it’s a good time to review whether your financial plans still align with your goals. You should reassess your risk/reward tradeoffs, retirement timeline, estate plan, and...

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year. Defer income to next year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2021, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then....

Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Markets are volatile. Preparing for an uncertain stock market should be part of your long-term retirement plan. The coronavirus pandemic is a classic illustration of how a surprise event can rattle the stock market. It’s also a...

Friday, October 9, 2020

Anyone who is thinking of converting their traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may want to consider do it this year. Why? Because today's unique conditions create an opportunity to minimize the tax bite from converting. In fact, many have...

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Federal and state governments have spent extraordinary sums in response to the economic toll inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At some point it is likely that governments will look for ways to increase revenue to compensate for this...

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

For National College Savings Month in September, we discuss several burning issues about these popular college savings vehicles. Assets in 529 college savings plans more than doubled in ten years, topping $370 billion at the end of...

Tuesday, September 22, 2020

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month—a good time to take a fresh look at your existing policy, or consider how much coverage to get on a new policy. Purchasing a life insurance policy is an important step toward protecting...

Thursday, September 17, 2020

America is “ready for football,” while financial professionals are ready for volatility. Football is back, which means Summer is coming to a close, days will get shorter, and sweaters will soon be in play. This year, there...

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Dear Valued Investor: Back to school this year will be different. On the one hand, like other years, it marks the end of summer, the arrival of cooler weather, kids hitting the books again, and Labor Day gatherings. But unlike other...

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell gave a significant speech at the annual central bank symposium at Jackson Hole last week in which he laid out the general conclusions of the Fed’s review of its Statement on Longer-Run...

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

COVID 19 has brought tragedy to many families and businesses and impacted personal finances. It has also rendered many an estate plan inaccurate and unrepresentative of current circumstances. If you, your family or your beneficiaries...

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Wealthy investors are free to deploy their money any way they want, yet statistics show a consensus on several financial habits. Read on to see how your behavior compares to that of your peers. A recent survey1 of high- and...

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

LPL Financial Research is looking ahead for new ways to face current challenges and prepare for better times. Use our Midyear Outlook 2020 to chart a path to eventual economic and market recovery. Plus, learn how stocks may predict the...

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Although the fight against COVID-19 continues to dominate the headlines and our thoughts are with those affected, this is an election year and as we get closer to November it will begin to garner more attention. Next week in our Weekly...

Friday, June 26, 2020

Undeniably, spring 2020 has tried the patience of investors. An 11-year bull market ended. Key economic indicators went haywire. Household confidence was shaken. The Standard & Poor’s 500, the equity benchmark often used as...

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

By investing for retirement through your employer-sponsored plan, you are helping to manage a critically important financial risk: the chance that you will outlive your money. But choosing to participate is just one step in your...

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Stocks drifted lower last week, weighed down by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s unsettling comments on the economy and signs of renewed tensions with China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.65%, while the...

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

A once-in-a-lifetime event such as the coronavirus pandemic forces us to reassess many things we may have taken for granted. Most of us take our personal good health for granted. Many of us assume we will always get by financially,...

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

A chocolate cake. Pasta. A pancake. They're all very different, but they generally involve flour, eggs, and perhaps a liquid. Depending on how much of each ingredient you use, you can get very different outcomes. The same is true of...

Thursday, April 30, 2020

One of the best known investment axioms is to “sell in May and go away.” This is largely because these six months have historically been some of the worst six months of the year. As you can see below, the next six months...

Thursday, April 23, 2020

Holding an appropriate amount of cash in a portfolio can be the financial equivalent of taking deep breaths to relax. It could enhance your ability to make thoughtful investment decisions instead of impulsive ones. Having a cash...

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Performing well in these events can help you earn a gold medal in investing Fans of summer athletics look forward every four years to a major athletic event. Hundreds of athletes from all over the world converge to compete in swimming,...

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Stocks have rallied nicely off the March 23 lows on the back of a bold policy response from the Federal Reserve (Fed) and lawmakers in Washington, DC, which was followed by signs that a peak in growth of COVID-19 cases may come soon....

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Distributions can be waived in 2020 for Inherited Accounts, 401(k)s, and IRAs. Recently, the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security” (“CARES”) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act is...

Friday, March 27, 2020

A retirement investment vehicle designed for small. Do you work for yourself? Then you may want to consider the solo 401(k), which marries a traditional employee retirement savings account to a small-business, profit-sharing plan. To...

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

The longest bull market in history lasted almost 11 years before coronavirus fears and the realities of a seriously disrupted U.S. economy brought it to an end. If you are losing sleep over volatility driven by a cascade of...

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Volatility is back. The sustained rally that produced 30%+ gains in the S&P 500 in 2019 and continued into 2020 came to an abrupt halt in late February, when fears of the new coronavirus epidemic and its effects on the economy swept...

Friday, March 13, 2020

The historic volatility continues, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average officially setting its fastest move from a new all-time high to a bear market (down 20% from the highs) in the 124-year history of the index. It took only 19 days...

Thursday, March 5, 2020

The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act was enacted in December 2019 as part of a larger federal spending package. This long-awaited legislation expands savings opportunities for workers and includes new...

Thursday, February 27, 2020

The global equity weakness continued yesterday, with consecutive 3% drops for the S&P 500 Index for the first time since August 2015. It might be hard to believe, but exactly one week ago today the S&P 500 was making a new all-time...

Thursday, February 20, 2020

There are two types of rollovers: direct and indirect. A direct rollover is paid from your plan directly to your IRA or to your new employer's retirement plan. The funds are never payable to you. An indirect (60-day) rollover is a...

Thursday, February 13, 2020

When it comes to investing, many people associate risk with losing money. But investing entails different types of risk. Understanding each type -- and the potential return associated with your retirement portfolio -- can help you...

Thursday, February 6, 2020

Monday’s strong manufacturing report caught our attention, even as the coronavirus outbreak dominated the financial media. At 50.9, the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing purchasing managers’ index...

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

If you're thinking about opening a 529 account, or if you've already opened one, you might be wondering how 529 funds will affect your child's financial aid eligibility. A general word about financial aid The financial aid process is...

Monday, January 27, 2020

A look at three other long-term care (LTC) coverage options. Traditional long-term care insurance has grown costlier—and some of those who buy it may never need the coverage. Are potentially cheaper, flexible options available?...

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

2020 is off to a roaring start, picking up right where 2019 left off. Many investors are eyeing the upcoming presidential election as an impending storm for the stock market. In the four-year presidential cycle, pre-election years have...

Monday, January 13, 2020

An individual retirement arrangement (IRA) is a personal retirement savings plan that offers specific tax benefits. In fact, IRAs are one of the most powerful retirement savings tools available to you. Even if you're contributing to a...

Monday, January 6, 2020

There is no better way to control your spending than to keep a family budget. The time you invest in creating and tracking your budget can keep you ahead of financial difficulties throughout the year. Making and sticking to a budget is...

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

2019 was the year of the U.S. consumer. When the year started, trade tensions were heating up and recession calls had grown louder. Many investors saw the end of the business cycle coming as the expansion was on the cusp of becoming...

Friday, December 27, 2019

It was hard not to stumble into a winner if you owned stocks in 2019. With just four trading days left in the year, the S&P 500 Index has returned over 31%, its best yearly return since 2013. Whether you owned diversified stock...

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Are you aware of the different options available to you when saving for your children’s (or grandchildren’s) college costs? Here is a glimpse at each option. The hallmarks of an ideal college savings plan would include...

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

With 2019 coming to a close, the time is right to review your finances and begin preparations for the new year. It happens every year. December 31 sneaks up before we know it, and we’re suddenly in a new year. It’s...

Thursday, December 5, 2019

For years, Americans have been schooled on the benefits of saving: for retirement, for a child's higher education, and even for a rainy day. It's time to add another item to that list: health care. As health insurance premiums,...

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. As we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some key trends and market signals will be important to watch, including progress on U.S.-China trade...

Monday, November 25, 2019

U.S. stocks’ rally paused this week as investors processed another batch of trade headlines. The S&P 500 Index declined for the first time in seven weeks, breaking the benchmark’s longest winning streak since November 2017....

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Robo advisors are online services that assemble investment portfolios for clients using digital tools, ostensibly while charging a lot less than living, breathing planners. The primary appeal was that investors would incur lower fees...

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Finding time to take a breather from the daily grind of life can be difficult. You're likely locked into your regular schedule and hardly have a moment to think about your well-being. Carving out a career for yourself can often be...

Friday, October 18, 2019

Historically, having a diversified portfolio is a good way to manage risk, and REITs may be a way to diversify some of your assets into passive real estate investments. You don’t have to manage or finance REIT properties, but...

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Insurance should be part of everyone’s plan – and it should evolve too Young adults starting out in life, especially newlyweds, need insurance. But what kind? As a start, a good term life policy likely is a smart move....

Friday, August 16, 2019

With so much going on in the world these days, it's easy to overlook the developments in the precious metal markets. Even as governments continue to devalue currencies, central banks across the globe have been accumulating gold. Should...

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Global markets reacted swiftly, but China and its people may suffer more The Chinese government’s move to push down its currency’s value serves one purpose: It told the world’s stock exchanges to panic, which they did...

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Blue chip stocks have been on a tear this month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) has risen 2.8% in July, the best performer of the four benchmark stock indexes we track. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, The Dow’s Hot...

Friday, July 12, 2019

The cyclist can win with a few strategic moves and by avoiding crashes. To reach your financial goals, you don’t have to outperform every benchmark every year. For long-term investors, avoiding and mitigating losses is a key...

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

GENESIS Wealth Management announced it has implemented Riskalyze, the world’s first first risk alignment platform, which mathematically pinpoints a client’s Risk Number® and equips advisors to empower fearless investors...

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) come in two flavors: traditional and Roth. With a traditional, contributions are potentially tax deductible and taxes on contributions and earnings are paid when funds are withdrawn in retirement....

Thursday, April 18, 2019

After such a strong rally this year, you may be wondering what could drive stocks higher from here. With the S&P 500 Index near its all-time high, a lot of good news could be priced in to stocks. At the same time, disappointments could...

Wednesday, April 10, 2019

As tax season comes to a close, you realize exactly how much you paid in taxes and naturally will ask the question, “what can I do to reduce my taxes next year?” The very short and simple answer to this question is to...

Thursday, April 4, 2019

You can use a variety of strategies to pay off debt, many of which can cut not only the amount of time it will take to pay off the debt but also the total interest paid. But like many people, you may be torn between paying off debt...

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Do your investment choices reflect your outlook? Are they in agreement with your values? These questions may seem rather deep when it comes to deciding what to buy or sell, but some great investors have built fortunes by investing...

Friday, March 15, 2019

Even though tax filing season is well under way, there's still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2018. You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $5,500 for 2018 ($6,500 if you...

Friday, March 8, 2019

Will the slowdown in China’s growth keep inflation in check? Inflation remains relatively low, both in the United States and globally, with the U.S. inflation rate hovering around the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Dropping...

Friday, March 1, 2019

After a month-long delay, investors finally have crucial context on economic growth through the end of 2018. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) grew 2.6% from the prior quarter, higher...

Thursday, February 28, 2019

While tax scams are especially prevalent during tax season, they can take place any time during the year. As a result, it's in your best interest to always be vigilant so you don't end up becoming the victim of a fraudulent tax scheme....

Friday, February 22, 2019

Getting old is hard. Your parents’ ability to manage their own finances may decline as they age. Helping them with money matters is a sensitive issue you need to approach carefully. When you hit a certain age of your life, you...

Friday, February 15, 2019

One of the critical needs of a small business is to protect against the untimely death of an owner. This is important because the family of the owner may face a large tax bill, and may not have the liquidity to pay the tax. To make...

Friday, February 8, 2019

Like most businesses, law firms providing health care benefits to employees find their budgets strained by spiraling medical insurance premiums. One solution, the Health Savings Account (HSA), which was created as part of the 2003...

Friday, February 1, 2019

What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for 2019? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building your retirement fund...

Friday, January 25, 2019

The Super Bowl indicator suggests that stocks rise for the full year when the Super Bowl winner comes from the original National Football League (now the NFC), but when an original American Football League (now the AFC) team wins,...

Friday, January 18, 2019

The U.S. government is in Day 27 of a partial government shutdown, now the longest in history. Past shutdowns have largely been a nonevent for the U.S. economy and stocks. Business and consumer confidence indicators usually decline and...

Wednesday, January 9, 2019

The environment for fixed income investors has been challenging over the last several years, and the struggle has intensified recently. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, long-term yields have fallen to 12-month lows, weighed down...

Friday, January 4, 2019

In the end, the S&P 500 Index lost 9.2% in the historically bullish month of December, for the worst-performing December since 1931. From continued trade worries to algorithmic and high frequency trading, from the global economic...

Monday, December 31, 2018

The new year is almost here. Have you considered your financial resolutions for 2019? Whatever your current situation, you can benefit from improving your spending and saving habits. Now is the perfect time to begin mapping out your...

Friday, December 28, 2018

LPL Research is excited to present Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets, with investment insights and market guidance for the year ahead. LPL Research believes the following three themes will be...

Friday, December 21, 2018

The year-end deadline for many key financial decisions is approaching. Check your finances now to avoid unpleasant surprises. December 31 marks the deadline for decisions that can significantly affect your wealth. Taking action now...

Friday, December 14, 2018

Few terms in personal finance are as important, or used as frequently, as "risk." Nevertheless, few terms are as imprecisely defined. Generally, when financial advisors or the media talk about investment risk, their focus is on the...

Friday, November 30, 2018

What we don't know can hurt us. When it comes to investing, investing too conservatively for our goals may be just as damaging as investing too aggressively. How can individuals strike the balance between risk and return in selecting...

Monday, November 26, 2018

College prices are up again this year. According to The College Board’s latest Trends in College Pricing, the average total cost to attend one year at a four-year public, in-state college now runs over $21,000, and over $48,000...

Friday, November 16, 2018

The holidays are quickly approaching. Consider celebrating the season by gifting savings investments to your young loved ones. Cash and investment securities are always a welcome gift, especially when the purpose is as well defined as...

Friday, September 21, 2018

The Cost of Relocating It's natural to consider relocating for retirement. But financially, moving after retirement can sometimes be a big risk. You've worked hard and built a retirement nest egg that could finance a move to another...

Friday, August 31, 2018

Life insurance has many uses, including income replacement, business continuation, and estate preservation. Long-term care insurance provides financial protection against the potentially high cost of long-term care. If you find...

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

Why it is so vital for the truly affluent? Wealth management means more than just supervising a portfolio. It is multi-faceted: addressing risk and tax management, estate planning and charitable gifting, and perhaps college planning...

Friday, July 20, 2018

Linda and Peter are worried about their financial future. "We want our one-year-old son, Raymond, to go to college, but we're concerned that in 17 years, the cost might be more than we can afford," says Peter. "We also need to save for...

Friday, June 22, 2018

Life insurance has come a long way since the days when it was known as burial insurance and used mainly to pay for funeral expenses. Today, life insurance is a crucial part of many estate plans. You can use it to leave much-needed...

Thursday, May 31, 2018

It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan or IRAs at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven't given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may...

Friday, May 4, 2018

As a business owner, you're going to have to decide when will be the right time to step out of the family business and how you'll do it. There are many estate planning tools you can use to transfer your business. Selecting the right...

Monday, April 23, 2018

Remember inflation? That nasty beast that plagued the U.S. economy in the ‘70s and ‘80s, driving prices up over 10% a year for a time, and wreaking havoc with financial markets? For most Americans, high inflation may be...

Thursday, April 12, 2018

By default, single women have always taken responsibility for managing household wealth, but the latest in a series of ongoing studies into the attitudes and actions of women around financial topics found that an ever-increasing...

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

What Your Financial Plan Should Include The key to creating a successful financial plan is ensuring that it covers your current and future financial needs. The best way to determine your particular needs is by spending time with your...

Thursday, March 29, 2018

Take Control of Your Financial Future The pace and complexity of managing modern finances may leave some people unprepared to achieve a successful financial future. If you’re feeling less than confident about your future, having...

Thursday, March 22, 2018

You can’t always envision what will happen in your “second act.” Just as few weathercasters can accurately forecast a month’s worth of temperatures and storms, many retirees find their futures unfolding...

Thursday, March 15, 2018

Thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, Section 529 plan savings may now be used for K-12 tuition as well as for higher education costs. Over 20 years ago, federal lawmakers authorized states to create tax-exempt "qualified...

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Here are some options for getting the most out of multiple retirement accounts You may have had multiple jobs over your career, and left behind retirement account balances of critical building blocks for your retirement. Here is a...

Thursday, March 1, 2018

By now, you have probably received year-end statements for your investment accounts and retirement plan. If your investments include a large share of stocks or stock funds, the news was probably good. In fact, 2017 was a banner year...

Thursday, February 8, 2018

As just about every investor knows, it's not what your investments earn, but what they earn after taxes that counts. After factoring in federal income and capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax, and any applicable state and...

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

If you’re like most people, then once a year, you head to your doctor, regardless of whether you think you may need it at the time. He or she pokes and prods you, gives you a number of tests and asks – and answer –...

Friday, December 22, 2017

Whether you are five or 30 years away from retirement, budgeting for retirement at any age may make your retirement much more enjoyable. Retirement brings many changes, including your finances. Several factors impact your finances...

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Since the likelihood for comprehensive tax reform is high, now is an optimal time to position yourself for change. Although new provisions won’t likely go into effect until 2018 or later, they could still impact 2017 year-end...

Monday, December 11, 2017

During a recent client meeting, my client stopped me and said, "You know, I read an article the other day in the Wall Street Journal that used this term…fiduciary…and I didn't really know what a Fiduciary was and why it...