Nov. 21, 2017 Market Update for the Month Ending October 31, 2017

Treats, not tricks, for markets

Better-than-expected economic data in the U.S. and positive corporate earnings news lifted the major market indices in October. The S&P 500 Index returned 2.33 percent, the Nasdaq Composite popped 3.61 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 4.44 percent.

Nov. 21, 2017 Building a Solid Asset Protection Plan

Although commonly associated with multimillion-dollar offshore trusts, asset protection planning takes many forms, for every type of individual. It starts with building a foundation of protection and may progress to more complex strategies.

Nov. 21, 2017 Why Should You Consider Long-Term Care Insurance?

Living a long life is likely; planning for it is a necessity. Most people envision themselves living a long life. They invest for a financially secure retirement and plan to spend those years doing the things they enjoy most. As part of your financial planning process, it’s important to understand how needing long-term care may affect your assets, your family, and your future. The cost of an uncovered long-term care event can range from tens of thousands to more than a million dollars, so it makes financial sense to manage that risk.

Oct. 30, 2017 Market Update for the Quarter Ending September 30, 2017

Positive quarter for global markets

September was a positive month for most financial markets, capping off a solid quarter. In the U.S., the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.16 percent, the S&P 500 Index was up 2.06 percent, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.11 percent. For the quarter, these three indices were up 5.58 percent, 4.48 percent, and 6.06 percent, respectively.

Oct. 30, 2017 A Financial Checklist You Can Handle

Starting fresh is always a great feeling, but the scale of what we set out to accomplish at the beginning of the year sometimes becomes overwhelming as the months go by. The question is,how can you stay motivated to meet your financial goals throughout the year?

Oct. 30, 2017 Should You Consolidate Your Retirement Accounts?

If you’re like most people, you’ve saved for retirement in multiple ways, including employer plans and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). As you approach retirement, it may make sense to consolidate all of your savings into one account to achieve a coordinated investment plan.