As life goes on, it seems to become more and more complicated. I remember those early days when I had a toy box and when it was time to clean up my room, everything went into one place – my toy box. What a huge relief it would be if you could take your entire…
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I love my kids, but towards the end of a long road trip, well…you probably know. What is it about our minds that make us more impatient the closer we get to our goal? If we are honest with ourselves, we are just like our kids. We drive a little faster on that last stretch…
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A fellow advisor once told me a story about trying to help his grandmother with her life planning. “She refused,” he said. “She insisted that John, who had been her advisor and friend for years, was doing just fine for her. Besides, she couldn’t take away the business from a lifelong friend.” He continued by…
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It is that time of year – Christmas! Maybe it’s due to watching Scrooge or The Grinch for the umpteenth time, but it seems we are all inspired to give back during the holidays even in the smallest way. Here are a few ideas to give to your favorite causes and have Uncle Sam help…
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The rush of the holiday season is in full swing…and so is the risk of cyber-attacks. During this time of year, online activity is on the rise. According to Deloitte, e-commerce holiday sales are projected to grow 11%-15%, compared to 2020. This rise in online activity is the perfect opportunity for scammers to take advantage…
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Wow! 2021 has been a whirlwind… sometimes literally in paper. It seems we have had a new proposal almost every day from lawmakers. Social Security alone has been addressed in 10 different bills this year. And taxes? Keeping up with introduced or impending changes is a full-time job. The good news is that we are…
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It’s that time of year when families get together, laugh, tell stories, and eat too much. And like most holiday movies, some of it is remembered fondly all year – and some of it you just grit your teeth to get through. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, I want to bring a…
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How much house can I afford? How much car can I afford? How much horse trailer can I afford? Can I afford a second home? Can I afford a recreational vehicle? I think most of us ask ourselves this at one time or another in our lives, or at least we should. Honestly though, I…
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Suppose you were born in 1952 and your grandparents had scrimped and saved $10 a month for you during the first 18 years of your life. Had this investment averaged 8% every year until your retirement at age 65, this relatively small investment of $2,160 would be worth $203,632.61! Albert Einstein was once asked, “What…
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If you are age 65 or older, you likely already know what’s in store over the next two months: Endless phone calls and ads with promises of additional benefits and lower premium health care plans. So, with salesmen battering down your door, how do you make the decision whether to change or not to change?…
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