Blog

The Fed Finally Raises Rates

The events of today bring one word to mind: finally. Earlier today, the Federal Reserve (Fed) finally raised the target for the federal funds rate by 0.25%. By raising this key overnight borrowing rate, the Fed raised interest rates...

Update on Recent Market Volatility

August brings with it the end of summer, but in recent years, bouts of stock market volatility have been common. It is quite normal for stock prices to decline at some point almost every year. In 30 of the 34 calendar...

Is America Prepared to Retire?

Only 48% of Americans say they think they are saving enough. And 30% feel that they are not even slightly confident that they are saving enough for retirement. That finding comes from the 2015 Consumer Financial...

Midyear Outlook 2015: Some Assembly Required

The New Gradual Retirement

Do we really want to retire at 65? Not according to the latest annual retirement survey from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies which gauges the outlook of American workers. It found that 51% of us plan to...

Is It Time for Life Insurance?

Many younger Americans lack life insurance. A 2014 report from insurance industry analyst LIMRA found that only a third of Gen Y Americans have any life insurance coverage. In the same survey of 6,000 respondents, six in...

How Can Women Save More for Retirement?

Numerous articles have mentioned the obstacles women can face as they save for retirement. Turning from the negative, here are some positive factors that may help women save more...

Are Women Reluctant to Talk About Money?

A new study asserts that women feel uncomfortable discussing financial matters. The latest Money FIT Study from Fidelity Investments is generating some conversation within the financial industry. The investment giant...

Are You Underprepared for Retirement?

Financially speaking, how many Americans are truly on track to retire? A recently published white paper suggests that about half of us are approaching our “third acts” with faulty assumptions. Perception differs...

Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance

Thirty-nine percent of American households have no life insurance at all, according to LIMRA, which keeps close tabs on the life insurance industry.In the same survey, half of all American households...

Your Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?

Have you ever had one of those months? The water heater stops heating, the dishwasher stops washing and your family ends up on a first-name basis with the nurse at urgent care. Then, as you’re driving to work,...

LPL Financial Research - Mid-Year Outlook 2014 - At A Glance

Merging Your Money When You Marry

Getting married is exciting, but it brings many challenges. One such challenge that you and your spouse will have to face is how to merge your finances. Planning carefully and communicating clearly are important,...

Maximizing the Value of Your Business During Difficult Economic Times

This year has continued to challenge many business owners as they wade through these challenging economic times. By looking beyond the current difficult environment many business owners can prosper by planning for the...

As Easy as a Game of Darts

We are over one decade into the twenty first century and what do we have to show for it? From an investment perspective: next to nothing. The perennial money makers -- stocks and real estate –...

Thank Uncle Fester: The Origin of "Coogan Accounts"

As a new contributor to this unique magazine I want to offer a heartfelt thanks to our wonderful publisher Suzanne Takowsky for the opportunity. I look forward to offering insightful and timely articles dealing with...