Insights
Blog
Why You Need a Will (and You Need One Today)
Who wants to spend an afternoon thinking about their mortality? No one, which is why more than half of Americans don’t even have a will. The foundation of your estate plan is a Last Will and Testament. Without a will, you are leaving the disposition of your assets and the guardianship of your minor children to a court.
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Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary – June 10, 2019
The S&P 500 surged 4.5% last week as optimism about the Federal Reserve cutting rates and the quick end to potential tariffs on Mexican goods pushed markets higher. The global MSCI ACWI soared 3.6% as international markets participated in the surge, but not as much as domestic markets. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index gained 0.4% as weak jobs data and the hopes of interest-rate cuts pushed rates lower and bond prices higher.
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Monthly Newsletters
Teaching Kids about Money in the Summer Months
Summer arrives – bees, picnics, nostalgia and the chaotic sound of kids everywhere. It’s enough to bring back memories of sweating behind a lawnmower or scrubbing grandpa’s car to get a few precious dollars to spend at the mall or the movies.
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Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary June 3, 2019
The S&P 500 plunged 2.6% last week as economic data remained soft and the Trump administration surprised investors by threatening tariffs on Mexico over immigration concerns, rather than trade negotiations. The global MSCI ACWI dropped 1.9% as international markets held up slightly better than the U.S. The Bloomberg BarCap Aggregate Bond Index soared 0.9% on worries tariffs and the associated uncertainty will push rates lower.
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Blog
5 Reasons to Think About Long-Term Care Planning Today
I once received an email from a family friend about long-term care insurance. He was frustrated over a premium increase – which wasn’t the first rate hike – yet, he was still thankful for the policy. Despite the rising cost, he knew the importance of long-term care insurance in helping protect himself and his family.
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Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 27, 2019
The S&P 500 dropped 1.1% last week to extend its losing streak to three weeks. Ongoing trade disputes and weaker economic data raised concerns regarding slow economic growth. The global MSCI ACWI declined 0.9% as international markets moved with the S&P 500.
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Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 20, 2019
The S&P 500 dropped 0.7% last week primarily due to a sharp decline on Monday after the Chinese retaliated against increased U.S. tariffs. The global MSCI ACWI also declined 0.7% as international developed markets increased slightly, but declines in emerging markets pushed the overall index lower.
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Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 13, 2019
The S&P 500 dropped 2.1% last week as optimism that the U.S. and China will reach a trade deal was beaten down by additional tariffs and accusations of backing away from agreed-on compromises. The global MSCI ACWI slid 2.5%.
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Blog
Retirement Planning: What Are You Waiting For?
Almost half of households near retirement have nothing saved, and that’s a big problem. I believe the biggest headwind is merely getting started: saving money is hard to do. Life is filled with unpredictable events. Children, healthcare expenses and student debt exact a large toll on many Americans.
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Market Commentary
Weekly Market Commentary May 6, 2019
The news in the last seven days has challenged the hopes and assumptions of some investors. Many hoped the Federal Reserve would signal an interest rate cut this year to combat weak inflation reports. The Fed signaled a cut is unlikely if growth remains decent in the press conference following the meeting.
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