An Introduction to Bond Ladders

bottom view of several ladders at different heights

Bonds play an important role in a diverse investment portfolio. As fixed-income securities, they can provide a stable return until they mature. As with any investment, bonds are subject to a certain amount of risk. Interest rate risk, for one, is the possibility that interest rates will rise after an investor buys bonds, causing them […]

How to Weather a Market Correction

down pour of rain onto black umbrella

Sometimes stock prices drop across the entire market at once triggered by a range of things, such as a natural disaster, political turmoil, concerns over rising interest rates, a global health crisis, or problems within a single sector that cause a domino effect across the market.  A decline in stock prices of 10% from their […]

It’s Time to Have “The Estate Plan Talk”

elderly couple embracing a young man

Talking with loved ones about estate planning and inheritance can be challenging, especially as it centers around two taboo topics – money and death. But talking with your adult children about their inheritance can provide signature advantages for you and them. It can help your heirs better prepare for the future and give you a […]

How Women Can Overcome Obstacles to Retirement

woman concentrating on paperwork

Retirement planning requires forethought, discipline, and the juggling of many moving parts. Staying on track to meet financial goals can be tricky for anyone, but it can be especially hard for women, who face a number of financial headwinds.  Women face unique challenges when it comes to employment, income, and caregiving; as a result, they […]

Why Investors Should Avoid Overconcentration

several eggs in a wicker basket

A concentrated position in a single stock can happen to investors for many reasons. They may receive company stock as part of their employee compensation package or they may have bought shares of a single company, hoping to choose a big winner.  However, it’s unlikely that a single stock will outperform the market as a […]

Keeping Your Financial Accounts Cyber-Secure

smartphone on wooden table with key inserted into the screen

Cybercrime is on the rise everywhere. In fact, global losses due to cybercrime climbed from $600 billion in 2018 to $1 trillion in 2020. That’s enough to make anyone concerned about the security of their financial accounts. But you don’t have to feel helpless against the threat of hackers. These steps can help limit your […]

Lesson from the FIRE Movement

a lit match against black background

The Financial Independence/Retire Early, or FIRE, movement is an investment practice and lifestyle that focuses on saving aggressively and spending frugally so individuals can move toward financial freedom and perhaps even retire decades ahead of schedule.  The movement has been around since the 90’s and has gained more exposure recently as the financial fallout from […]

Answering Your Kids Toughest Money Questions

young girl raising her hand in a classroom setting

Kids ask tough questions about money. It’s how they learn. As a parent, these are teachable moments that offer a chance to impart some financial wisdom to them.   Start by asking them questions for clarification. After all, “Why does a lawyer always answer a question with a question?” Answer: “Why shouldn’t a lawyer answer a […]

Get a Jump Start on Your 2022 Taxes

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As you’re finishing up your 2021 tax return, you may be thinking your tax work is done until next spring. But getting a jump-start on next year’s taxes can help you get organized, saving you time and money when April 2023 rolls around. Here are four steps you can take now to prepare for next […]

4 Tips to Help You Avoid Timing the Market

hand holding smartphone with timer function being used

Sudden ups and downs in the stock market can be hard to ignore. It’s common to get the urge to sell when you see your investments lose value — or to buy when the market is surging. But predicting the effects of short-term market movements like these is nearly impossible. And efforts to “time the […]