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What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s ideas from the industry or emerging trends, you can read about it here. And once in a while, we may throw in a movie review or some other surprise. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

Friday, December 1, 2023

Life today is expensive, and contributing to a retirement plan is more beneficial than ever. Recently, the IRS announced it was raising the contribution limit for 401(k)s to $23,000 for 2024, up from $22,500. In a world where pensions...

Friday, December 1, 2023

The window of opportunity for many tax-saving moves closes on December 31, so it's important to evaluate your tax situation now, while there's still time to affect your bottom line for the 2023 tax year. Timing is everything Consider...

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Generational wealth involves proactive financial planning, especially when parents or grandparents pass on their wealth to loved ones after they die. Entrusting family members with receiving an inheritance is more than just getting a...

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are vital for those who must take an annual required minimum distribution (RMD) but seek a tax-advantaged strategy that may help lower their adjusted gross income (AGI). Using a QCD strategy,...

Thursday, October 5, 2023

With a few simple actions, you can ensure your estate planning is effective. Whether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness. Are you...

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Monday, October 2, 2023

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans report that they aren't prepared for a recession — despite the near-constant drumbeat of recession talk from media and economic experts alike. This lack of preparation may be the result of "recession...

Friday, September 8, 2023

Ten Things You Must Know About Medicare Heading into your retirement years brings a slew of new topics to grapple with, and one of the most maddening may be Medicare. Figuring out when to enroll, what to enroll in and what coverage...

Thursday, September 7, 2023

You're about to receive a distribution from your 401(k) plan, and you're considering a rollover to a traditional IRA. While these transactions are normally straightforward and trouble-free, there are some pitfalls you'll want to avoid....

Thursday, August 24, 2023

Having a solid life insurance policy in place is crucial for any adult who has assets, a business, or a steady income. While most adults know that having a life insurance policy is a vital piece in their financial puzzle, there are...

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

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 12, 2023

Artificial Intelligence-powered tools, such as ChatGPT, have the potential to revolutionize the efficiency, effectiveness and speed of the work humans do.And this is true in financial markets as much as in sectors like health care,...

Monday, July 10, 2023

At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses or the financial challenges of young adulthood...

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Managing your tax liability can literally save you thousands of dollars.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...

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

A Roth IRA conversion involves repositioning traditional IRA or qualified employer-sponsored retirement plan assets into a Roth IRA. One reason people convert traditional IRAs or other retirement accounts into Roth IRAs is so they can...

Monday, May 15, 2023

You are not alone if this tax season brought unwelcome surprises. A speaker at a recent conference referred to tax year 2022 as a season of “Tax Chaos.” In response, I’m introducing new tax planning capabilities...

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your...

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Get more security & convenience with your financial statementsI wanted to let you know you have the option to go paperless with your documents inside the Account View portal. Within the portal, you can sign up for paperless delivery of...

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It's useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are...

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Planning for retirement is exciting, but it may come with a bit of stress. If you worked hard all your life, now might be the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. One of the things that you may need to consider is when it...

Friday, March 10, 2023

When it comes to planning for your retirement income, it's easy to overlook some of the common factors that can affect how much you'll have available to spend. If you don't consider how your retirement income can be impacted by...

Friday, March 10, 2023

Could you be losing money because of simple monetary mistakes? Avoid these money-wasting habits in 2023 to have more cash when you need it—or save it for a rainy day.

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Your retirement planning needs to incorporate more than just investments. Your open heart and your relatives can combine to threaten your retirement savings – savings you soon may need. Learn the true cost to your future before...

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten employees, or some other tangible measure. However, financial professionals may...

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Download and print this tax guide to help you this season.

Wednesday, January 4, 2023

As inflation soars, you can now save a lot more for your retirement. On October 21st, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500,...

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Each year, many of us focus on our financial health by resetting goals and checking off items on our financial to-do list. Attempting to implement everything at once can be overwhelming but a month-by-month approach may help you plan...

Monday, December 12, 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...

Saturday, December 10, 2022

A qualified charitable distribution, or QCD, allows you to distribute funds from your IRA to an eligible charity (a 501(c)(3) organization) as long as you’re 70 1/2 years of age or older. Since the gift will go directly to the...

Monday, November 7, 2022

The average U.S. income tax rate stands at just over 13%—and if you're like many taxpayers, you're always looking for new tips and tricks to help reduce this percentage.1There are a number of different tax planning moves you can...

Monday, November 7, 2022

Shifts in tax brackets as well as the standard deduction slated for 2024.On October 18, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax year 2023 adjustments for tax returns filed in 2024. From the IRS directly:“The tax...

Friday, November 4, 2022

Year-end is approaching and being prepared is the best way to make this tax season your easiest yet. Following are important information and tools to help you get ready. As always, meeting with me early and often will ensure your...

Thursday, October 6, 2022

What WA State Residents Need to Know About Estate TaxesIn Washington State (WA), there is no inheritance tax but it does have an estate tax. An estate tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. Estate tax accounts...

Thursday, October 6, 2022

What should you consider during periods of market volatility?

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

 A beneficiary is the person or entity you name (i.e., designate) to receive the death benefits of a life insurance policy. Some states require that your beneficiary have an insurable interest in your life or be related to you (at...

Sunday, August 28, 2022

The Inflation Reduction Act includes health-care and energy-related provisions, a new corporate alternative minimum tax, and an excise tax on certain corporate repurchases of stock.The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law on August...

Monday, August 8, 2022

One silver lining in the current bear market is that this could be a good time to convert assets from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Converted assets are subject to federal income tax in the year of conversion, which might be a...

Monday, August 8, 2022

More women are working and taking charge of their own retirement planning than ever before. What does retirement mean to you? Do you dream of traveling? Pursuing a hobby? Volunteering your time, or starting a new career or business?...

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

When market volatility takes investors on a wild ride, fear and panic are common responses to this stock market roller coaster. Acknowledging these emotions may be a good first step, but acting upon them could result in impulsive,...

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

If you're like some Americans, you've probably heard of annuities but are unsure what they are. An annuity is a contract with an insurance company designed to help your money last throughout your life. With an annuity, the money you...

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

The Stock Market has been trying to teach these lessons forever….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...

Thursday, May 19, 2022

It’s tempting to give up on data security altogether, with all the billions of pieces of personal data – Social Security numbers, credit cards, home addresses, phone numbers, passwords and much more – breached and...

Thursday, May 5, 2022

Market volatility could spook even the most seasoned investor. If a precipitous week or two in the market has you ready to sell, you may want to reconsider your risk tolerance and asset allocation. Attempting to time the market by...

Monday, April 4, 2022

Thursday, March 17, 2022

Whether you're searching for an accounting professional to help you with your business needs or just want your taxes prepared by a CPA, forming a relationship with an accountant can require a lot of trust — and due diligence....

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Asset allocation is a common strategy that you can use to construct an investment portfolio. Asset allocation isn't about picking individual securities. Instead, you focus on broad categories of investments, mixing them together in the...

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Many women manage their own money. This includes women who have always been doing so and women who are relatively new to the world of investing, for whatever reason. Regardless of your level of investing experience, there are certain...

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Download the 2021/2022 Tax Season at a Glance guide from LPL.

Wednesday, February 2, 2022

Talk to a financial professional to help create an appropriate 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...

Friday, January 14, 2022

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

There are countless benefits of charitable giving. Through generous donations, you can make a difference in your community and society. You may also feel happier and even save on your taxes. Here are some key things to need to know...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

When it comes to retirement planning, much ado is made of how much to save. But often, the real difference lies in shrewd distribution planning. By withdrawing funds from certain account types in a certain order, you might...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

Retirement and financial planning should take on a holistic approach. There are two parts involved, preparing for retirement, and being in retirement stages. Both stages are equally important in your approach to how you view your mind,...

Tuesday, November 2, 2021

You may be able to reduce your tax liability if you consider adopting these tax strategies before year’s end. Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays, time...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

“So what do you think?” she asked, staring across a desk piled with papers. Nearing the end of her 32-year teaching career, after years of diligent saving and several weeks...

Tuesday, October 5, 2021

Has it been a year already? Here once again, October is Long-Term Care Planning Month. And this year, workers in Washington State must make an important long-term care decision. Beginning January 2022, Washington workers will begin...

Monday, September 20, 2021

Taking money out of retirement without a plan is a recipe for trouble You‘ve saved for years. Now that you are retired, did you create an income plan from your savings? The financial industry and media constantly talk about the...

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Quantitative easing and short-term rates near zero could be ending soon. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell seems to have capitulated on plans to taper the Fed’s stimulus program as of mid-July, causing the bond market to rally...

Sunday, August 8, 2021

Identity theft compromises the personal data of millions of Americans every year. There are steps you can take to minimize your online risk and protect your sensitive data from cyber-attacks. Identity theft is a growing concern that...

Wednesday, August 4, 2021

An Investment Policy Statement is your guardrail to help keep you on your path When markets near high records, you wonder, “Is this a bubble?” When markets dive, you wonder, “Is this a crash?” Your biggest...

Monday, July 26, 2021

In March 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.6%, the largest one-month increase since August 2012. Over the previous 12 months, the increase was 2.6%, the highest year-over-year inflation rate since...

Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Many self-improvement goals focus on stability and personal growth — and financial goals are often no different. From buying your first home to saving for retirement, planning your finances can also help you work toward your...

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

Most of us go to see professionals when we’re in trouble or during times of crisis. Think about it. We go to the doctor when we’re sick. We go see a lawyer when we have a pending legal matter. We go see a counselor when...

Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Whether you've been wondering about boosting your investments' rates of return or are concerned that your financial affairs are a bit too complicated for your next of kin to handle, it may be time to seek advice from a financial...

Thursday, January 28, 2021

I have always been skeptical when companies change names. Often, one unpronounceable but familiar name is replaced with something less pronounceable and completely unfamiliar. I’ve always felt that customers are right to wonder...

Monday, January 25, 2021

We all have a word or phrase to describe what 2020 was like for us. Among the more politely printable options, “Extraordinary” may sum up the year for investors. Through a period of extraordinary volatility, global markets...

Saturday, December 19, 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 limit...

Monday, November 9, 2020

What comes to mind when you hear the word "budget?" You’re not alone if you’re thinking “tedious, life-draining sacrifice.” ...

Friday, August 28, 2020

We knew it was time to take action when the last file drawer refused to close. This summer our practice completed a long-postponed paperless conversion, moving everything we had stored on paper up to the cloud. Now, as we wield greater...

Monday, April 20, 2020

Turbulent markets challenge investors to balance reason and emotion. When the ride turns bumpy, our reasonable side buckles in while our emotional side prepares to bail out. Finding the calm place in between can help investors stay on...

Monday, March 23, 2020

Last week, The New York Times shared the story of a rafting group who returned from a month of isolation in the Grand Canyon to discover a new reality. I have tried to imagine what I might choose if offered a return to reality or...