Integrated Wealth Strategies

Valuation is important for business succession, estate taxes and even qualifying for a loan.

What is the Value of Your Business? Ascertaining the value of your business is important for a variety of reasons.

There were mixed results for stocks last week as upbeat economic data and a critical Q2 corporate report shaped the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.94 percent, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index increased 0.24 percent...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks React to Key Data and Earnings

Bulls and bears, oh my! Why are the financial markets full of animals? Read on to learn what these terms mean, and the history of bull and bear markets.

Bull & Bear Markets: A Timeline This helpful infographic will define bull and bear markets, as well as give a historical overview.

Consider preparing for 30 years in retirement. Are your assets ready?

Potential Income from an IRA Estimate your monthly and annual income from various IRA types.

Emotions play a significant role in our relationship with money and financial decisions.

For some people, deep-rooted emotional obstacles tied to money can make certain aspects of personal finance more difficult and stressful.

Financial trauma is a real and impactful consequence of experiences like childhood poverty, economic downturns, fraud, and more—and can manifest itself during the personal finance process.

Some examples are:

● Financial inaction: Feeling overwhelmed and unable to take control.
● Decision paralysis: Difficulty making financial choices due to anxiety.
● Scarcity mindset: A pervasive fear of running out of resources.

Recognizing these and other potential roadblocks is crucial for pursuing financial well-being.

Financial professionals can offer a supportive environment to help address some of these challenges. They’re way more common than you might think.

Are dividends a key component when evaluating investment opportunities? Learn more.

What Is the Dividend Yield? This calculator helps determine your pre-tax and after-tax dividend yield on a particular stock.

🐘🐴 Ever wondered why a donkey and an elephant became the symbols of our two major political parties?

🎨 Political cartoonist Thomas Nast made these symbols popular in the late 1800s. In 1870, Nast satirized the Democratic Party as a donkey, mocking their stubbornness in the face of progress during the Civil War era. The symbol resonated with the public and stuck.

🐴 Over time, Democrats reclaimed the donkey, transforming it into a symbol of their determination, resilience, and tireless work ethic.

🐘 In 1874, Nast struck again, this time depicting the Republican Party as an elephant. Nast chose the elephant to represent the party’s strength, intelligence, and dignified nature, traits the GOP sought to embody.

Today, these mascots continue to embody the spirit of their respective parties as we head into another election season. 🗳️

Stocks notched a solid gain as dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials boosted the market’s recovery from early August lows. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 1.45 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite added 1.40 percent. The...

Weekly Market Insights: Powell: Fed is Ready for Rate Cut

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals a significant adjustment to our understanding of the job market:

Here are the key points:
💼 818,000 fewer jobs existed in March 2024 than initially reported. This marks the largest downward revision since 2009.
💼 The average monthly job gains from April 2023 to March 2024 were 173,500, vs. the previously reported 242,000.

While this revision is substantial, it's important to remember that job growth was still historically strong. This data gives us a more accurate picture of the labor market's health and could influence the Fed's decisions on interest rates.

Don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions about how this might affect your financial goals.

New data shows US job growth has been far weaker than initially reported | CNN Business US job growth during much of the past year was significantly weaker than initially estimated, according to new data released Wednesday.

Doing some ? There's one item that most homeowners overlook when undertaking remodeling projects.

The Most Overlooked Item of Any Home Improvement The item most homeowners forget on their home improvement project checklist is insurance.

🐶 Today is National Dog Day and a time to celebrate the amazing dogs who bring us so much happiness.

It’s hard for dog lovers to imagine life without them. They are such a big part of our families.

Not that every day isn’t a time to appreciate them, but this is an excellent excuse to share pictures on social media and give them a little extra love.

Here’s to all our dogs, best friends, and fur babies. ❤️

Does your cover you if you get into an accident with an uninsured driver?

Protection Against Uninsured Drivers You’re hit by an uninsured driver. Now what? Are you protected against financial losses?

Did you know the global AI market is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030?

That's a forecast, and it’s subject to change without notice, but the growth prospects may present exciting opportunities across various sectors.

While we see headlines about a handful of well-known companies, there's a whole network of “Pick-and-Shovel” firms quietly fueling the AI revolution.

Who are the "Pick-and-Shovel" players?

Semiconductor manufacturers, cloud infrastructure providers, and AI chip designers are paving the way for AI adoption. These "Pick-and-Shovel" companies may play a critical role in building and scaling AI technology.

Financial headlines can be distracting, and the fear of missing out on the next big thing can lead to do-it-yourself investors making rash decisions.

We are closely monitoring how AI is changing the economic landscape and determining if AI might play a role in our clients' overall strategies.

What are your thoughts on AI's role in the future of finance?

Even if you’re and single, you should still consider yourself with .

Insurance Needs Assessment: When You're Young and Single Even if you’re young and single, you should still consider protecting yourself.

Stocks posted solid gains last week, buoyed by robust economic data and constructive comments from Fed officials. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index rose 3.93 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 5.29 percent. The Dow Jones...

Weekly Market Insights: Markets Rise Thanks to Upbeat Indicators

Social host laws may make you responsible for underage drinking in your home, even if you are away.

Teen Drinking and Your Liability Drinking may be a “rite of passage” for teens, but when it occurs in your home you may be held responsible for their actions.

Do you need umbrella insurance? Find out more.

Keep Your Umbrella Handy Umbrella liability can be a fairly inexpensive way to help shelter current assets and future income from the unexpected.

The alarming rise in elder financial exploitation (EFE) is reaching new heights, with adults aged 60 and over reporting more than $1.6 billion in losses per year due to scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

What's even more concerning is the increasing sophistication of scams fueled by artificial intelligence (AI). 🤖

Scammers are now using AI-generated voices and deep fake videos to impersonate loved ones, government officials, and even celebrities, making distinguishing reality from fiction more challenging than ever.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (“FinCEN”) released its Financial Trend Analysis in April 2024. It focused on patterns and trends identified in Bank Secrecy Act (“BSA”) data linked to Elder Financial Exploitation (“EFE”).

Key findings include:

▪️ Banks filed 72% of all EFE-related filings.
▪️ 80% of EFE-related filings involve transferring money to a stranger for a promised benefit that the older adult does not receive.
▪️ 20% of EFE-related BSA filings involve theft, where a trusted person steals from an older adult. Unfortunately, 40% of elder theft reports named the elder adult’s children as the perpetrators.
▪️ Perpetrators mostly rely on approaches that minimize direct contact with bank employees, including previously compromised usernames and passwords, guessing passwords, or phishing emails that elicit replies containing sensitive information.

We all have a role in helping protect our seniors from financial exploitation.

Be sure to take proactive steps to help educate and protect your loved ones. Let us know if you’d like to discuss ways to potentially safeguard their financial well-being.

Have you considered how long-term-care costs could affect your retirement budget? Find out more.

Long-Term-Care Needs Determine your potential long-term care needs and how long your current assets might last.

Frequent flyers, this one's for you! 📱

If you have an iPhone, Google has made it super easy to get up-to-the-minute updates on flight status—there is no need to use a flight tracker app or go to the airline’s site.

Just text yourself your flight number (like AA1234), and it will appear in your messages as a hyperlink.

Click on the link and select “flight preview” to get all the info you want.

Thought it was a pretty good hack I hadn’t heard about. Hope it’s helpful. 😎

Stocks ended last week with modest losses, masking a volatile five-day trading period that saw investors embrace recession concerns and then dismiss the slow-down talk as speculation as the week progressed. The Dow Jones Industrial...

Weekly Market Insights: Stocks Stage Comeback After Heavy Monday

Whether you have life insurance through work, are retired, or raising a family, it pays to know the truth about life insurance coverage.

Life Insurance Myths: Debunked Whether you have life insurance through your work or are retired it pays to know the truth about life insurance coverage.

Happy !

Watching my children grow up is one of the greatest joys in life and a source of so much pride (and maybe a little stress, too!). I want nothing more than to see them succeed in life and be prepared for life's challenges.

As a financial professional, I'm passionate about helping families empower their children for a bright future, and I thought I’d share some ideas that can build the foundation for long-term success:

▪️ Consider Opening a Savings Account Together: Make saving a tangible concept by
opening a joint savings account and setting small goals.
▪️ Involve Them in Budgeting: Discuss household expenses in an age-appropriate way and allow them to participate in making budget decisions.
▪️ Lead by Example: Demonstrate healthy financial habits like responsible spending and bill paying. Talk openly about your financial goals.
▪️ Encourage Earning: Earning money, whether through chores, allowances, or a part-time job, teaches valuable lessons about work and responsible spending.
▪️ Start Conversations Early: The earlier you discuss money with your children, the more comfortable they may manage money as adults.

Building a solid financial foundation starts at home! If you're looking for more resources or insights, feel free to message me.

Since August is Golf Month, I have been thinking about how peaceful and beautiful golf courses are and how much I enjoy the quality time they allow me to spend with friends and family.

Golf Month also made me think about what it takes to consistently score well—there are definitely some parallels between the sport and personal finance.

⛳ Like preparing your shots on the course, creating financial strategies requires a defined approach and a long-term vision for your goals.

⛳ Avoiding hazards on a golf course is similar to managing financial risks and navigating market fluctuations.

⛳ Both golf and finance require patience as you pursue your goals.

⛳ The game of golf, like the financial landscape, is constantly evolving. Continuous learning and adaptation are the keys to success in both.

Metaphors aside, what I like most about golf is the opportunity to spend quality time with people I enjoy—whether they are young or old.

Help me add to my bucket list! What golf courses should I visit?

changes everything, including your needs. Here are some things to look out for

Insurance Needs Assessment: When You're Newly Married Marriage changes everything, including your insurance needs.

As summer winds down and college move-in day approaches, it's important to think beyond the dorm room essentials.

Here are three key areas you might want to address before your student heads off to campus:

1️⃣ Legal Authorizations: Once your child turns 18, they're legally an adult. Consider establishing a Power of Attorney (POA) if you want to continue to play a role in their healthcare and finances. Also, a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) authorization can help if you want access to their academic records. Having these documents in place may allow you to step in if needed.

2️⃣ Allowance and Financial Responsibility: Have a candid conversation about budgeting and financial responsibility, including credit card use. Determine an appropriate budget, and don’t forget to decide whether they can continue to use your accounts for things like Amazon and Uber.

3️⃣ Out-of-State Insurance Coverage: Review your health insurance plan and check to see if it covers your student's location. Explore renters insurance if they'll be living off-campus. If they're leaving their car at home, you might be eligible for a modified insurance rate.

These are important topics to discuss as your children leave “the nest.” If you have any questions, please reach out. We can work with your legal professional to help your family get the appropriate documents in place.

With the Summer Olympics in full swing, it's hard not to be inspired by the athletes' dedication and preparation. 🏊‍♂️🏆

Just like swimming legend Mark Spitz, who famously said, "If you fail to prepare, you're prepared to fail," success in any field–including finances—requires preparation!

Don't be a spectator in your financial future. Now is the time to strategize and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools you need to pursue your goals.

A little preparation today can help you tomorrow!

Stocks edged higher in August as investors monitored economic reports for the Fed's next move with short-term interest rates

Monthly Market Insights | August 2024 Stocks edged higher during a volatile month of trading as investors monitored economic reports about the Fed’s next move with short-term interest rates.

The financial risks to consider when evaluating self insurance?

When to Self-Insure Choosing to bear the financial burden of an adverse event is called self-insuring. Do you know what that entails?

Here’s another observance you might have missed—this week is National Simplify Your Life Week. Who knew?

It made me think about organizing and cleaning out some of our closets and maybe even tackling the garage (who doesn’t love a clean garage?). But more importantly, it’s also a good reminder that your finances can become cluttered and unorganized just as easily as your home.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to simplify your financial life:

Review your budget: Take a close look at your income and expenses to see where your money is going and identify areas where you can cut back.

Consolidate accounts: Combining multiple accounts or credit cards can make tracking your spending and managing your money easier.

Automate your finances: Consider setting up automatic bill payments and savings transfers to help take the guesswork out of monthly finances.

Declutter your wallet: Get rid of old receipts, unused gift cards, and expired coupons to create a more organized and streamlined wallet.

If you're looking for guidance on consolidating and organizing your finances, we can offer a few tips.