HOT TOPIC: Can Consumers Keep Carrying the Economy?
Consumer spending has bolstered the economy amid inflation, higher interest rates, and a cooling job market. This article looks at what may be driving spending and what might derail its momentum.
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Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics. Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read an article in its entirety.
HOT TOPIC: Can Consumers Keep Carrying the Economy?
Consumer spending has bolstered the economy amid inflation, higher interest rates, and a cooling job market. This article looks at what may be driving spending and what might derail its momentum.
November
Previous Newsletters
November
Bond Yields Are Up, but What Are the Risks?
After years of low yields, bonds are offering higher yields that may be appealing to investors regardless of their risk tolerance. This article provides an overview of bond risks.
HDHP/HSA Pairing May Help Control Medical Costs
High-deductible health plans offer potential savings by encouraging cost-effective choices in medical spending, as well as eligibility for a health savings account with tax advantages.
Tax-Loss Harvesting Offers Chance at Silver Lining
Stock market downturns can be rough on a portfolio’s bottom line, but selling losing investments may offer the potential to reduce an investor’s tax liability.
Breaking Down Clean Vehicle Tax Credits for Business Owners
Business owners may be able to claim one of two new federal tax credits to help offset the cost to purchase certain clean vehicles.
October
HOT TOPIC: Rising Oil Prices Could Pose the Latest Threat to the Economy
This article discusses the market dynamics that are impacting oil prices and adding to concerns about broader inflation and economic growth.
Managing Medicare Out-of-Pocket Costs
This article looks at the two different and mutually exclusive options Medicare beneficiaries have to help control retirement health-care spending: Medigap and Medicare Advantage.
Four Key Objectives of a Sound Retirement Plan
A sound retirement plan should be based on personal circumstances, and no one strategy is suitable for everyone. This article looks at four goals that a retirement strategy should address.
New FAFSA Favors Grandparent College Giving
Changes to the 2024–2025 Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) allow grandparents to help with college expenses without affecting financial aid eligibility based on the FAFSA.
September
HOT TOPIC: Soft Landing or Delayed Recession?
This article looks at the current state of U.S. economic activity and the prospects for continued growth as higher interest rates work their way through the economy.
Social Security 101
Social Security is complicated, and the details are often misunderstood even by those who are already receiving benefits.
Coming in 2024: New 529 Plan-to-Roth IRA Rollover Option
The SECURE 2.0 Act includes two new provisions related to college savings and funding. Learn more in this article.
All Eyes on the Earnings Picture
Earnings season can be a volatile period for stocks. As investors digest and respond to new data, the marketplace rewards some companies and punishes others.
Leave a Lasting Gift with an Ethical Will
An ethical will, also called a legacy letter, can tell a personal story and communicate beliefs and life lessons to family, friends, or community.
August
Home Energy Tax Credits
There are two separate federal tax credits available for home installation of certain energy efficient or clean energy property. Learn more.
SECURE 2.0: Big Impact for Small Businesses
This article discusses provisions in the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 that may be of particular interest to small business owners.
Mutual Funds: What’s in Your Portfolio?
Mutual funds offer a convenient way to invest across a wide range of market activity. This article provides an overview of different types of mutual funds in order of typical risk.
It’s Your Money: Why Not Get Your Withholding Right?
Did you owe money at tax time or receive a large refund? This article discusses the types of situations in which taxpayers should consider adjusting their withholding.
On the Move Again: International Travel Tips
Are you planning a foreign vacation? This article offers some suggestions that might help keep it on track.
HOT TOPIC: What’s Happening in the World of Higher Education?
This article covers the decline in college enrollment, recent developments in student debt and financial aid, and tips for making cost-effective decisions.
July
Why Buy Life Insurance During Unsettled Economic Times?
This article looks at four good reasons why life insurance can be especially helpful in a challenging economy.
Tracking the Fed’s Progress on Disinflation
This article compares the key inflation measures that economists and investors are watching for signs of easing price pressures.
SECURE 2.0 Act Expands Exceptions for Early Withdrawal Penalties
Discover exceptions to the federal income penalty for early withdrawals from tax-advantaged retirement accounts, including new exceptions added by the SECURE 2.0 Act.
REITs, Rates, and Income
This article provides an overview of REITs, including how they can offer a consistent income stream and why changing interest rates can affect REIT performance.
Child Care Is a Budget Buster: Take Advantage of These Tax Breaks
A tax credit and/or dependent-care flexible spending account might help offset some of the costs paid for a nanny, babysitter, day care, preschool, or day camp.
June
A Mortgage Recast Is an Alternative to Refinancing
This article explains how a mortgage recast works to enable a homeowner to reduce a monthly mortgage payment without having to refinance and why it may be an appealing solution in certain situations.
Cheaper Hearing Aids Are Coming to a Store Near You
Thanks to a recent regulatory shift, it’s now possible to buy an effective hearing aid without a medical exam or a prescription, potentially for a lot less money.
Does the Social Security COLA Help If You’re Not Receiving Benefits?
This article explains how the COLA not only helps current beneficiaries, but also may increase future benefits for those who are not yet receiving Social Security payments.
How Taxes Impact Your Retirement-Income Strategy
Retirees face unique challenges when managing their income, particularly when it comes to taxes. This article provides an overview of tax-related issues, from taxing Social Security to the new RMD rules and determining when to tap taxable and tax-advantaged accounts.
Most Grocery Shoppers Aren’t Fooled by Shrinkflation
You may have noticed products shrinking in size while prices stay the same or increase. This article includes tips for spotting and reducing the impact of this tricky strategy.
Will Artificial Intelligence Upend the American Workforce?
This article discusses the race between tech companies to monetize AI and how widespread adoption might affect workers, the economy, and society in general.
May
HOT TOPIC: Rescuing America’s Safety Net
This article looks at the current fiscal outlook for the Social Security and Medicare programs and presents some potential changes that might help to strengthen them.
Bear Market Emotions: Strategy vs. Reaction
Staying disciplined in building a well-constructed portfolio over time can help carry investors through the market’s rough spots.
Municipal Bonds: A Tax-Advantaged Way to Put Capital to Work
Muni bonds and tax-exempt funds have long been a mainstay in the portfolios of income-focused investors who want to manage their tax burdens.
Social Security Offers Benefits from Birth Through Old Age
The bulk of Social Security benefits go to retirees, but Social Security is much more than a retirement program. This article outlines other types of Social Security benefits.
Keep an Eye Out for IRS-Related Scams
Although IRS scams are especially prevalent during tax season, they also take place throughout the year. This article identifies some common tax scams and offers tips to help avoid becoming a victim.
April
Trusts — Not Just for Estate Taxes
In the past, trusts were often used to avoid estate taxes, but that purpose has become less important for most people with current high exemption amounts. However, a properly constructed trust can serve many other purposes for families of more modest means.
Time for a Spring Cleanup: Organizing Your Financial Records
Spring is a good time to clean out and organize financial records. This article offers guidelines on how long different types of records need to be retained.
Are You Eligible for Any of These College-Related Federal Tax Benefits?
College students and their parents need all the help they can get when paying for college or repaying student loans. This article explains three federal tax benefits that could take some of the sting out of expensive college costs.
Retiring in a Down Market? Don’t Panic
Market volatility makes most investors nervous, but a big downturn can be especially disturbing to those who are approaching retirement or newly retired. This article presents three fundamental concepts that may help investors keep market movements in perspective and mainta
Business Owners: Should You Organize as an LLC?
Establishing an LLC creates a separate legal entity to help shield a business owner’s personal assets from lawsuits brought against the firm by customers or employees.
March
Double Up with a Spousal IRA
Do you know how to fund an IRA for a nonworking spouse? These IRS rules can help couples build retirement savings based on joint income.
Creating Your Own “Operation London Bridge”
Queen Elizabeth II had a complex end-of-life plan, but you may also need an appropriate plan to help ease the burden on your family.
HOT TOPIC: Red Ink: The Debt Ceiling and Deficit Spending
This report explains the potential consequences of not raising the debt limit in a timely manner and provides an overview of new projections from the CBO for future deficits and the national debt.
Key Retirement and Tax Numbers for 2023
Find out about cost-of-living adjustments that affect retirement plan contribution limits and other deductions and threshold amounts.
The Inflation Experience is Painful – and Personal
This article discusses consumer price index categories, how they’re weighted, and the top drivers of inflation over the past year.
When Should Young Adults Start Investing for Retirement?
Now is the best time to start retirement investing for two key reasons: compounding and tax management. Read this article to learn more.
February
HOT TOPIC: SECURE 2.0 Aims to Brighten the Future for Retirement Savers
This article provides an overview of upcoming changes that could affect workplace retirement plan participants and IRA owners due to legislation passed by Congress at the end of 2022.
Three Ways to Help Simplify Your Finances
Over time, finances can become complicated. Here are three ideas that might make them simpler and less stressful.
Small Businesses Should Prepare for Stronger Tax Enforcement
The IRS is receiving $80 billion to upgrade its technology and workforce. This article offers tips for business owners to help avoid a tax audit.
Fixed for Life: What Can an Annuity Do for You?
Do you know the difference between immediate and deferred annuities and options for annuitization? Read this article to find out.
Balancing Stocks and Bonds in One Fund
Discover what to look for in a balanced mutual fund and learn how this type of fund might be used in a portfolio.
December
IRA Distributions Can Benefit Your Favorite Cause…and Your Tax Bill
IRA owners who are 70½ or older can give to charity without itemizing and still get a tax break. Find out how.
Fraudsters and Scammers Pocket Nearly $6 Billion in 2021
This article discusses the most common and costly types of scams, and how would-be victims can spot them.
Talk About These Money Matters Before the Wedding
Get an overview of financial topics couples should discuss to help keep surprises and disagreements from disrupting newlywed bliss.
Sectors: Overweight, Underweight, or Just Right?
Did you know varying performance can change the balance of sectors in a portfolio? Learn how sector funds can be used to shift sector weighting.
Is It Time to Buy an Electric Vehicle?
The electric-vehicle market is evolving quickly. This article offers some ideas to consider before purchasing an electric vehicle.
HOT TOPIC: ‘Tis the Season for Tax-Friendly Giving Strategies
Donating to charity could offer tax benefits and may increase your ability to give. This article explores various tax-advantaged giving strategies.
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