Financial Planning
Q4 2024 Market Commentary: A Year-End Rally Caps Off a Robust Year
As we closed the books in 2024, the financial markets have delivered an impressive performance, defying early-year skepticism and rewarding patient investors. The fourth quarter saw a continuation of the year’s positive momentum, with major stock market indices reaching new heights and the broader market participation expanding. We’re reminded that steering away from the negative…
Read More2024 Annual Tax Planning & Strategy Guide
2024 Annual Tax Planning & Strategy Guide We are pleased to announce the delivery of our 2024 Year-End Tax Planning and Strategy Guide. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you navigate the upcoming tax landscape, optimize your tax & financial planning, and identify key strategies now and for the year ahead. In this guide, you…
Read MoreThe Fed Finally Cut Interest Rates. What Could It Mean for Your Finances?
On September 18, 2024, the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) lowered the benchmark federal funds rate one-half percentage point to a range of 4.75% to 5.0%. It was the first rate cut since the Fed raised the funds rate aggressively from March 2022 to July 2023 to help control inflation.¹ The long-awaited policy…
Read More2024 Year-End Tax Tips
Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year. 1. Defer income to next year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2025, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a…
Read MoreRequired Distributions: Changes You Need to Know
The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) changed the rules for taking distributions from retirement accounts inherited after 2019. The so-called 10-year rule generally requires inherited accounts to be emptied within 10 years of the original owner’s death, with some exceptions. Where an exception applies, the entire account must…
Read MoreMorning Market Commentary Q1 2024
The last quarter of 2023 was marked by a sudden turning point in the interest rate rhetoric of the Fed, a resilient economy led by a strong consumer, and a normalization of inflation. At the end of Q3, the Fed continued to raise interest rates as investors continued to wonder when the hikes would come…
Read MoreMorning Market Commentary Q3 2023
Investors began the third quarter of 2023 focusing on the potential peak in interest rates, the robust rally from the bottom of the stock market, and renewed optimism of a soft landing derived from trends of cooling inflation and economic growth. However, as rates continued to rise from a hawkish Fed, both the bond…
Read MoreStudent Loan Forgiveness: How to Apply – Easy!
There are new developments for student loan forgiveness. The application for Student Loan Forgiveness is now available. Filling out the application is easy and takes about five minutes. You don’t need to log in or provide any documents. Click Here to Apply Borrowers are advised to apply for forgiveness before November 15, 2022 How to…
Read MoreFAFSA for 2023-2024 School Year Opens on October 1
October is the kickoff month for financial aid. That’s when incoming and returning college students can start filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the next academic year. The FAFSA is a prerequisite for federal student loans, grants, and work-study, and may be required by colleges before they distribute their own institutional…
Read MoreNew Developments for Student Loan Forgiveness
As you may have heard in the news, there are new developments for student loan forgiveness. This is a fast-moving program change and we do not have final guidelines on the implementation of the program. Nonetheless, we wanted to get you the information we have so far, and subscribe below to receive updates as we…
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