On March 15, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in 2017. Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen moved the benchmark interest rate a quarter percentage point higher, to a range of 0.75% to 1%, and the Fed indicated that the market could expect two more rate increases this year.1 So what does this all mean for you? The answer depends on whether you look at it from a standpoint of being a borrower, a saver, or an investor. Later in this post, we’ll take a look at all three scenarios. But first, here’s a bit of background as to what an interest rate increase actually is, and why they occur. [+] Read More

Retirement planning in America is no simple task. Whether it’s navigating the ever-shifting tax code, factoring-in the rising cost of healthcare, or devising income strategies from various sources like Social Security and retirement investment accounts, investors have many decisions to make and potential strategies to pursue. So, amidst the many complexities involved with retirement planning, it’s useful to take a step back and think about retirement planning in simpler terms. In other words, start with a basic framework first, and then grind down into the details from there. Here are 3 practical tips for setting a solid course for your retirement. [+] Read More

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in March 2015 and has been updated to include new tips for tax filing year 2016. “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” It’s February, which means tax time is just around the corner, and you’ve probably seen lots of articles quoting Benjamin Franklin’s historic quip, but taxes don’t have to be as bad as all that. Whether you’ve already started your taxes, outsourced the entire process to a tax professional, or are waiting until the last minute, small things make a big difference when it comes time to do your filing. These seven strategic tax tips have been selected to help you get the most possible out of your tax filing. So, instead of dreading doing your taxes, maybe this is the year where some extra research could help you save a bit more. Or perhaps you’ll set a goal to finish your taxes earlier than you’ve ever finished them before. So, grab the tax bulls by the horns! And use these seven strategic tips to potentially make your life easier. [+] Read More

If you were asked to give only one answer to the question, “What do you think is the most important quality in a healthy relationship?” what would you say? Our answer: communication. There are, no doubt, other important and necessary qualities in a healthy relationship, like trust, honesty, and commitment to a common goal or end. But it all boils down to the ability to communicate freely and openly. Good communication means being on the same page and working as a team, which in turn makes problem-solving less difficult – and maybe even fun. Think about instances in your workplace or with your spouse/partner where strong communication made everyone happier, more confident, and more productive. There are probably a lot of breakthrough moments that come to mind! Why wouldn’t the same strengths of communication apply to financial planning? Well, they do. [+] Read More

There is an emerging concept in health care known as “precision medicine.” According to the National Institutes of Health, “precision medicine is an emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in environment, lifestyle and genes for each person.” In other words, instead of treating an illness with a blanket, ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, every individual is viewed as unique—which means their treatments are customized. [+] Read More

Many retirees or those pondering retirement know: sometimes it’s difficult to let go. After spending decades being hard-wired to go to work week-in and week-out—and in many cases enjoying it—just retiring cold turkey can be a lot to process. That’s why many people opt to “phase out” instead, incrementally weaning themselves away from work and towards retirement. Call it, a “gradual retirement.” [+] Read More

Allow us ‘cut to the chase’ on one thing when it comes to 401(k)s: they are almost always valuable tools for retirement planning, for those who can access them. 401(k)s have been bedrocks of retirement planning for a long time and could remain so for years to come.(Click here to get the ebook, 5 Ways to Enhance Your Retirement Planning Strategy). If you’re working and have access to one, do everything you can to max it out and invest it according to your risk tolerance and long-term objectives. It’s hard to imagine regretting that type of planning. [+] Read More

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act is still fairly new; it was signed into law in December of 2014, so many people are still unaware of what it is and how it can be used.1 In fact, only a few states will have their programs up and running in 2016. The bill’s intent is to ease the financial burdens faced by individuals with disabilities by making tax-free savings accounts available that can cover expenses such as housing, transportation, and education. Let’s take a closer look at the ABLE Act and how it might be helpful to you with your financial planning. [+] Read More

In brief: Following the 2015 decline, S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) fell -6.7% in the first quarter.1 Companies beat earnings estimates but missed revenue estimates. We maintain our view that the headwinds weighing on aggregate earnings— energy prices and a stronger dollar—will dissipate over the course of 2016, leading to mildly positive earnings growth for the year. However, we are keeping an eye on rising wages, which have the potential to press on earnings and margins just as other headwinds subside. When it comes to choosing the best metric for evaluating earnings, we prefer operating earnings, as they offer the cleanest view into a company’s day-today business. If the gradual earnings recovery that we anticipate occurs during the second half of 2016, we see some upside for U.S. equities. [+] Read More