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Friday, November 3, 2023

In our current environment, where political news comes from every direction, it’s important to remember the importance of impartiality in your portfolio. There is a certain allure of aligning your portfolio with your political...

 

Friday, November 3, 2023

Blind spots, in the realm of investing, can be likened to the unnoticed smudges on a pair of glasses. They obscure a clear view of reality, but can easily go unnoticed. In the world of finance, this can have costly implications. ...

 

Monday, October 2, 2023

As you navigate the digital landscape, it is important to be aware of the evolving fraud risks posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Scammers embrace AI because it enables them to analyze large amounts of data quickly, identify...

 

Monday, October 2, 2023

When can you access your savings without a penalty? When should you enroll in Medicare? At what age is it best to collect Social Security?  In the years leading up to retirement, there are a number of key milestones and deadlines...

 

Friday, September 8, 2023

Retirement is an exciting phase of life, offering seniors the opportunity to explore new interests, travel, and spend more time with loved ones. However, it can also present challenges in terms of socializing and making new friends...

 

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Friday, September 8, 2023

The good news? Retirees are living longer. The bad news? Many aren’t planning for it financially. Life expectancy is a key piece of retirement planning. After all, you’ll need to estimate your lifespan to determine how much...

 

Thursday, August 3, 2023

As many are aware, mortgage rates have been rising steeply since 2021. Now, lenders are having to get creative to drive new business. They’re offering more incentives to find new buyers and to undercut the competition....

 

Thursday, August 3, 2023

Did you know that 40% of workers today plan to move to a different city or region after they retire?1 This underscores a trend of retirees eager to explore new horizons, trade familiar environments for fresh ones, and even...

 

Monday, July 3, 2023

Making financial decisions can often be more challenging than it appears. A variety of subtle influences can cloud our judgment. Among these, behavioral biases like anchoring, loss aversion, and herd behavior have been found to shape...

 

Monday, July 3, 2023

We recently passed the 40th anniversary of frequent flyer programs as we know them. These programs started really simply, but forever changed the way we travel. Essentially, the more you flew, the more points you earned, the more free...

 

Friday, June 9, 2023

Whether your retirement date is fast approaching or you still have a few years to go, it’s important to take steps to boost your nest egg so you’re better prepared to meet your goals. Consider the following five strategies...

 

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

A target date fund is an investment instrument designed to become more conservative as it approaches a predetermined future date. For investors looking to simplify their retirement strategies, target date funds can be appealing for...

 

Thursday, May 4, 2023

When we hear the term “gratitude,” most of us think of living a happier and more fulfilling life. We think of slowing down, being mindful, and cherishing the small moments, like savoring a cup of coffee or reconnecting with...

 

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Kids ask tough questions about money. It’s how they learn. As a parent, these are teachable moments that offer a chance to impart some financial wisdom to them.  Start by asking them questions for clarification. After...

 

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Over the next two decades, more than 84 trillion dollars will change hands in what has become known as the “great wealth transfer.” More than $72 trillion of that will pass from older generations to their heirs, while...

 

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

There’s good news for your retirement plan! Starting this year, the age at which you must start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your tax-deferred retirement accounts has increased from 72 to 73 years old. In...

 

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Saving for retirement doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an ongoing process that requires monitoring and tweaking your plan over many years to help ensure you have enough to meet your retirement goals.Sometimes relatively small...

 

Friday, January 6, 2023

Planning for retirement is rife with big questions — not just how you want to spend your golden years, but where? For some, retirement offers the opportunity to spend more time with family; for others, it’s...

 

Friday, January 6, 2023

Investors and advisors alike have long debated the merits of active versus passive investing. As the markets have taken a downward turn over the last year in response to rising interest rates, this age-old question has emerged again...

 

Friday, December 2, 2022

Stock investing is an important engine of growth in your portfolio, but deciding on an investing strategy and particular stocks can be challenging. When designing a diversified portfolio that minimizes risk, it can help to think of...

 

Friday, December 2, 2022

When constructing a portfolio, it’s critical to understand three important factors: your goals, your time horizon, and your risk tolerance. Of those three, risk tolerance can be the trickiest to get a handle on, especially since...

 

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

Family trusts are an important tool for managing wealth across multiple generations. They can help you avoid the time-consuming and costly process of probate, keep your assets private, minimize taxes, and ensure that your wealth is...

 

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

It’s common knowledge that investing in mutual funds, index funds, or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) can help build a diversified portfolio. These funds hold diverse baskets of securities, including stocks, bonds and other assets...

 

Monday, October 3, 2022

Lately, financial pundits seem to be constantly warning that a bear market is coming, arguing over whether one has begun or predicting when one will end. It’s less common for them to actually define one. From their ominous tone,...

 

Monday, October 3, 2022

As tax planning season and end-of-year charitable giving begin, it’s a good time to consider the benefits of donor-advised funds. Charitable giving has many facets, most notably as an opportunity for you to support the causes and...

 

Wednesday, September 7, 2022

If you’re a parent, the start of a new school year may have you considering how much you’re able to set aside for your child’s college fund. Average annual tuition in the U.S. is $38,185 for private college and...

 

Thursday, September 1, 2022

The charitable remainder trust (CRT) is a popular retirement- and estate-planning tool. It can be a convenient way to create a stream of lifetime income for yourself and others or donate to a charity while minimizing and deferring...

 

Monday, August 8, 2022

Markets go up and down in ways that are not entirely predictable. For long-term investors, what the market is doing in the present isn’t that troubling; they’ve got a long time to ride out potential downturns. But for...

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Sometimes stock prices drop across the entire market at once triggered by a range of things, such as a natural disaster, political turmoil, concerns over rising interest rates, a global health crisis, or problems within a single sector...

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

Talking with loved ones about estate planning and inheritance can be challenging, especially as it centers around two taboo topics – money and death. But talking with your adult children about their inheritance can provide...

 

Thursday, June 2, 2022

A concentrated position in a single stock can happen to investors for many reasons. They may receive company stock as part of their employee compensation package or they may have bought shares of a single company, hoping to choose a...

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

 

Tuesday, May 3, 2022

 

Friday, April 1, 2022

 

Friday, April 1, 2022

 

Monday, March 7, 2022

 

Monday, March 7, 2022

 

Thursday, February 3, 2022

 

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

 

Monday, January 3, 2022

 

Monday, January 3, 2022

 

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Building a portfolio is a big effort. It requires considering your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Once that’s settled, you’ll have to choose investments that match these criteria. And this is only the beginning....

 

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Financial planning is not a set-it-and-forget-it activity. Rather, financial plans are ever-evolving based on your changing life circumstances. Your goals and priorities may shift as your career evolves and big changes like marriage,...

 

Monday, November 1, 2021

Your 401(k) is a tax-advantaged retirement account built to help you save more for retirement. Contributions can lower your taxable income, and money inside your 401(k) grows tax-deferred. Withdrawals are subject to income tax. To...

 

Monday, November 1, 2021

The holiday season is a popular time to reflect on the past year and donate to causes you care about. Donations not only aid people and organizations in need; they also confer a potential tax benefit to the giver. Recent changes to the...

 

Monday, September 27, 2021

Risk is an inherent part of investing. After all, no one can control the losses or gains of a particular asset, sector, or the market as a whole. But you can take steps to manage your risk by diversifying your portfolio. Here’s a...

 

Monday, September 27, 2021

As part of your compensation package, your company might offer you stock options to supplement your salary. While they can be a valuable form of compensation, they also leave you with plenty of decisions to make about how and when to...

 

Sunday, August 29, 2021

Every year, the Child Tax Credit reduces the tax liability of American parents. If it lowers their tax burden below zero, it can even put money in their pockets. The credit's size increased following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017....

 

Sunday, August 29, 2021

A health savings account (HSA) is a tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals with high-deductible health plans to set money aside for medical expenses. These accounts offer unique tax benefits and can even be savings...

 

Monday, August 2, 2021

You’ve spent years planning and saving for your retirement. And then, out of the blue, your employer hands you an early retirement offer that could change everything. An early retirement, or “voluntary severance,”...

 

Friday, June 25, 2021

Climbing commodity prices, ambitious government spending packages due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent economic crash have resurrected a long-dormant fear: runaway inflation. But what is inflation, and is it something to...

 

Friday, June 25, 2021

Alternatives are investment options beyond the typical stocks, bonds and cash found in most portfolios. They can be tangible assets like precious metals, or they could be financial assets like private equity or hedge funds....

 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic helped put an end to the longest bull market in history. The stock market plunged, and many investors were tempted to pull their money out of the market to avoid additional losses. But periods of uncertainty offer...

 

Thursday, May 27, 2021

Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are a type of tax-advantaged account that can help you boost your retirement savings. The most common IRAs you’ll choose from are traditional and Roth IRAs. Both are designed for long-term...

 

Friday, April 30, 2021

Communication about money is often fraught for couples, and bringing the topic up with your partner can be challenging. But discussing financial concerns, goals and habits is key to a strong relationship. And open communication about...

 

Friday, April 30, 2021

Many investors want more out of their investments than just a good return. They want to know that the companies they invest in are ethical and responsible — that they build environmentally sustainable business models, advance a...

 

Monday, March 29, 2021

Learning how to properly manage money is a crucial life skill that can take years to develop. For teens who may be earning an income for the first time, there can be a steep learning curve when it comes to financial literacy, but...

 

Monday, March 29, 2021

Baby boomers in the U.S. are set to bequeath $68 trillion in wealth by 2043, as part of the Great Wealth Transfer. Much of that will be left to Generation X and millennial heirs. If you expect to receive an inheritance, planning ahead...

 

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

When it comes to financial planning, women are likely to face different challenges than men. For one, they earn less than men on average, and they’re more likely to work part-time jobs or take time away from their careers to...

 

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

How Does Dollar-Cost Averaging Work? When you’re in a traffic jam on the highway, you may find yourself trying to merge into whichever lane is moving fastest at the moment, only to find yourself falling behind drivers that stayed...

 

Thursday, January 28, 2021

The basic premise behind life insurance is simple: You pay premiums to an insurance company, which then pays your beneficiaries a certain amount after you die. But not all life insurance policies are alike. In fact, the right policy...

 

Thursday, January 28, 2021

Reducing your tax burden can help you manage your wealth and free up money to meet your financial goals and build your legacy. But tax rules are complicated, and you may need help understanding all the methods you can use to minimize...

 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Charitable giving is a great way to support the causes you care about while also getting a tax break. In 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which incentivized charitable giving by...

 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

With the new year in full swing, it’s a great time to take stock of your personal finances. From building a budget and saving for retirement to getting a jump on this year’s taxes, here are some of the smart money moves to...

 

Monday, November 30, 2020

When you retire, you get to bid farewell to the working world. That’s the good news. The bad news? You’ll no longer have a paycheck coming in from your employer. To address that, you’ll need to piece together a steady...

 

Monday, November 30, 2020

A good succession plan creates a blueprint for ownership transfer as you exit your business. It helps you prepare for your retirement, ensuring you have the income you need. And setting a well-conceived plan into motion protects the...

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

A wealth transfer plan guides the movement of your assets from your estate to your beneficiaries. Baby boomers are already in the throes of the most significant wealth transfer in history. Over the next 25 years, they are expected to...

 

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Long-term care insurance helps cover the cost of assistance with daily living tasks, including bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility. This type of care is not covered by Medicare, supplemental Medigap policies, or other traditional...

 

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Elections can move the market, but that doesn’t mean you should change your approach Like any big news event, U.S. presidential elections can cause ripples and even waves in the stock market. In November 2016, for example, Donald...

 

Thursday, September 17, 2020

On January 31, 1940, the first monthly Social Security check was issued to Ida May Fuller of Ludlow, Vermont. She received $22.54, according to the [[https://www.ssa.gov/history/idapayroll.html Social Security Administration]]. She was...

 

Monday, August 31, 2020

When you retire, you’ll likely draw your income from several sources—such as retirement accounts, taxable investment accounts, and Social Security Benefits. Each of these sources is taxed according to its own rules. So, in...

 

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Online banking and electronic payment options offer consumers unprecedented access to their financial accounts. Yet, this convenience comes at a price—a greater risk of identity theft. Identity thieves can use your personal...

 

Thursday, June 25, 2020

On December 20th, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act became law. As the name implies, this law intends to make it easier for Americans to save for retirement. Though this may sound simple...

 

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Although there is a significant financial component to leaving a lasting legacy, it encompasses so much more than just money. It’s easy to get stuck in a pattern of living life day by day, but your legacy isn’t something...

 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Fear, uncertainty, volatility, panic—these emotions are nothing new to the world of investing. In fact, they seem to reappear on a fairly consistent basis. The outbreak of Covid-19 has brought them back with a vengeance, but wise...

 

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

When stock markets experience sudden downturns, investors can feel anxious and make decisions detrimental to their long-term goals. After all, when you’ve worked hard for the money, it’s painful to see your account balances...

 

Friday, March 27, 2020

If you avoid these 4 potentially devastating financial moves, you should have a better chance of becoming prosperous and pursuing your goals. If you have made one of these already, it may be time to get back on track. 1) Buying More...

 

Monday, February 10, 2020

As I was leaving the grocery store a few months ago, a headline from USA Today jumped off the page: College Student Loans: Debt Hits a New High. Last year, college seniors graduated with a diploma, a well-paying job (hopefully), and an...

 

Monday, January 27, 2020

Making a New Year’s resolution is the first step to creating better habits. But making a New Year’s resolution and keeping a New Year’s resolution are not always the same thing. If you’re like most people, New...

 

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Disorganized finances can make it difficult to plan and set your goals. Following a pattern of established management guidelines can help you stay on-top of your financial situation throughout the year. Whether you need to overhaul...

 

Monday, December 16, 2019

Are your finances ready for the end of the year? December brings many deadlines and lists; there are gifts to buy, holidays to plan, and vacations to organize. While financial planning should occur year-round, it often becomes top of...

 

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Research shows that most of the ingredients required for a happy retirement can be lumped into six broad categories: Health, Connection, Purpose, Growth, Play and Money. Health We all know that eating right and exercising is good for...

 

Monday, November 18, 2019

Are you in the ‘Sandwich Generation’? If you have the responsibility of simultaneously raising kids and looking after your aging parents, then this article is for you. We know you have an extremely challenging lifestyle...

 

Monday, November 4, 2019

The opportunity to discover a new passion in life is just one gift of a successful retirement. For some lucky individuals, that new purpose may have been known long before that big day. But for many others like Kathy and Don Lemly, it...

 

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

No financial plan is complete without an estate plan. Estate planning covers all aspects of your life, from creating your will to planning medical decisions. Due to the complex and emotional nature of estate planning, many people avoid...

 

Thursday, September 5, 2019

You’ve saved money all your life. Or, maybe you sold your business after investing years of hard work. You’ve chosen the smart path and have a comfortable nest egg as you set sail into retirement. But always be on guard!...

 

Monday, August 19, 2019

The equity and fixed-income markets have experienced considerable volatility over the past few weeks. Some of this has been related to a recent escalation of trade tensions with China and falling interest rates. On August 14th, the...

 

Wednesday, July 31, 2019

We’ve all heard it said: “Records are made to be broken.” We celebrate record-breaking winning streaks from our favorite teams. Conversely, we hope to avoid a long string of losses. The bull market that began in 2009...

 

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

As a generation of Americans grows older, a considerable amount of their personal wealth is transferring to younger family members. In fact, over 60 trillion dollars is expected to change hands in the next 25 years. You may acquire...

 

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Part of our ongoing practice here at Continuum Consulting Group is educating the community about proper methods, strategies and financial tools, so anyone can make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial independence,...

 

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Many investors are familiar with the emotional impact that often comes with market volatility. When stock markets swing in extreme directions or change suddenly, investors can feel anxious and make decisions based on emotion that can...

 

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Did you know that 67 million people received Social Security benefits in 2017? Despite so many retirees relying on Social Security income, many don’t fully understand these benefits. Moreover, there are many misconceptions about...

 

Thursday, May 2, 2019

We all want what is best for our children. At an early age, we teach them to eat the right foods, we place them in the best preschools, we encourage them in grade school and high school, and we cheer them on when they excel in...

 

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Retirement is one of the most important life events you will experience, and getting it right takes wise planning. With a sound intellectual framework, and some assistance from a qualified professional, you can ensure that you are ready...