Blog

Tax Planning to Support Your Financial Goals

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, February 9, 2026

We're so excited to announce our new Tax Planning Services! New planning tools have been introduced to our industry in recent years that allow financial advisors to review a client’s information in light of current tax rules.

I Rolled Over Assets to an IRA — Will I Owe Taxes?

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

I rolled over assets to an IRA. Will I pay tax on this? IRS form 1099-R will be generated for any distribution from a retirement account. To know if your distribution is coded as a non-taxable direct rollover, look for the code...

Life Insurance Is Love in Action

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, February 2, 2026

When we think about protecting the people we love, we often think about the day‑to‑day things: showing up, supporting each other, building a life together. But there’s another kind of love — the kind that plans ahead. The kind that...

90 Million Adults Don’t Have Life Insurance and 50% of Americans Are Underinsured (2) These are scary statistics. Many investors don’t think about life insurance as part of a financial plan; often, it’s considered a separate product,...

✅ What to Do When You Inherit Wealth: A Practical Guide

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Friday, January 16, 2026

Practical steps for managing inherited wealth: organize assets, understand taxes, update your plan, and build a roadmap with trusted advisors.

What Does a “K-Shaped Economy” Mean—and Why It Matters to Your Financial Life

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Friday, January 16, 2026

You may have heard economists or commentators refer to today’s economy as “K-shaped.” While the term sounds technical, the idea behind it is straightforward—and important for understanding why people can have very different financial...

You're Invited -PASSing the Baton: 2026 Investment Outlook

AssetMark

Thursday, January 8, 2026

As we leave 2025 behind, it is time to reflect on the market's performance and look ahead to the forces that will shape the new year. Join our upcoming webinar, "PASSing the Baton: 2026 Investment Outlook," where we will take a deep...

Adding a Trusted Contact: Strengthening Your Account Safeguards

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, January 6, 2026

Investment firms have a client service feature that may be a benefit to certain investors. They will ask you whether you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1 You do not have to supply this information,...

8 (Non-Financial) Steps to Prepare for Retirement

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Saturday, January 3, 2026

Let’s begin by defining “retirement”. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines retirement as “withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from active working life.” While this may be the traditional...

Life insurance is a crucial component of financial planning, providing a safeguard for your loved ones in the event of your untimely passing. However, navigating the world of life insurance can be complex, and many individuals make...

When you’re starting to build wealth, balancing a career, student loans, perhaps a mortgage, or a young family, the idea of adding life insurance to your financial plan might seem like just another expense you can't afford. Many...

🧭 One Powerful Way to Prepare for Retirement: Visualize It Retirement isn’t just a financial milestone—it’s a life transition. And one of the most effective ways to prepare for it isn’t crunching numbers (yet), but imagining what...

💡 What Is a “Backdoor” Roth IRA Contribution?

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Friday, November 21, 2025

If your income is too high to contribute directly to a Roth IRA, you might still have a path in—through the “backdoor.” A Backdoor Roth IRA contribution is a legal strategy that allows high-income earners to fund a Roth IRA by first...

Building Your Retirement Income Floor

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, November 17, 2025

🧭 Planning for Good: Building Your Retirement Income Floor A one-page guide to help you visualize secure income in retirement What is an Income Floor? Your income floor is the foundation of your retirement cash flow—the portion...

Understanding Schedule C, Schedule E, and K-1s

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, November 3, 2025

Schedule C vs. Schedule E: Key Differences Feature Schedule C Schedule E Purpose Reports business income/loss from self-employment Reports passive income from rentals, royalties, partnerships, etc. Who Uses It Sole proprietors,...

🧾 Annual Compliance Checklist for a Massachusetts LLC Taxed as an S Corporation

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Sunday, November 2, 2025

This checklist outlines your core obligations as an LLC owner in Massachusetts with S Corporation tax status. This is for education purposes only and not advice. 🗂 Entity Maintenance ✅ Annual Report Filing Due: On or before your LLC’s...

When you’re in the stage of accumulating wealth, time is your greatest asset. The dollars you save and invest today have years—even decades—to grow through the power of compounding. The good news? You don’t need to overhaul your...

🩺 Health Insurance Alert for 2026 🩺

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Big changes are coming that could affect your coverage and costs: 📉 The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits under the ACA are set to expire at the end of 2025—this means higher premiums for Marketplace plans and fewer subsidies for many...

If you’re like us, you're putting on cozy sweaters when it’s not quite sweater weather yet in anticipation of the brisk days that are coming and hoping they get here a little faster. There’s something about fall that stirs up a...

🗂️ Preparedness Is Power: Why Organizing Personal & Financial Documents Matters Before an Emergency

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

In moments of crisis—whether it's a natural disaster, sudden illness, or unexpected absence—clarity and access are everything. Yet too often, vital documents are scattered across filing cabinets, cloud drives, and desk drawers, leaving...

Financial Planning FAQs

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Q. What is a financial plan, and why do I need one? A. A financial plan is a roadmap for your money, designed to help you achieve specific goals—whether that’s buying a home, starting a business, retiring early, or leaving a legacy. It...

Monthly Market Review - A look at June 2025

AssetMark

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

Please see the most recent Monthly Market Review from AssetMark, which provides timely commentary on market performance and current events. If you would like more information or have questions about anything we send you, please don’t...

FAQs for Women with Wealth

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Q: I’ve never worked with a financial advisor before. What should I expect? A: Expect a warm, judgment-free space. Our process starts with listening—really listening—to what matters to you. Then we co-create a plan that supports your...

Q: Do I need a financial planner who understands LGBTQ+ issues? A: While every financial plan includes things like budgeting, saving, and investing, LGBTQ+ individuals often face additional considerations, like navigating estate...

Welcome Theresa Trinidad

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

I’m excited to introduce Theresa Trinidad, who just joined our Seattle-area office! Theresa specializes in high-net-worth and trust planning, bringing a strategic approach to complex wealth management. She’s also deeply passionate...

Pride Month is a celebration of LGBTQ history, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality. It’s also an opportunity for allies to step up and show meaningful support. Being an ally isn’t just about waving a rainbow flag in...

Exciting Promotion Announcement!

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Susan has been promoted to Client Service and Investment Operations Associate! Susan has consistently demonstrated dedication, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering exceptional client service...

A Day in the Life of a Financial Advisor at Planning for Good

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

A Day in the Life of a Financial Advisor at Planning for Good At Planning for Good, work doesn’t feel like a separate entity—it’s woven into the fabric of life. As a fully virtual practice, our team works remotely, whether from home...

Which portfolio would you prefer?

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

A summary of how time periods impact perceived risk and return.

MARKET COMMENTARY & ECONOMIC AND CAPITAL MARKETS DASHBOARD

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

As financial markets adjust to evolving macroeconomic trends, investors continue to assess the impact of interest rate movements, corporate earnings, and broader sector performance. This edition highlights key developments in equity...

As you approach retirement, understanding how your income affects your benefits is essential. Two important concepts to be aware of are Social Security and IRMAA, or the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. Here's what you need...

Join us for our Q1 2025 review, a 30-minute insightful and interactive discussion to help you cut through the noise during this time of uncertainty and increased market volatility. Our discussion will focus on: An overview of the...

When Life Happens: Why You Need an Emergency Document Kit (And How to Get Yours)

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Life has a way of surprising us. Sometimes it’s a last-minute trip to care for a loved one, a hurricane warning that turns into an evacuation order, or a sudden illness that leaves you—or someone close to you—unable to communicate...

It’s been a busy few weeks as all the mixed economic signals have unsettled Wall Street—and market volatility is never comfortable for investors. Here’s a short recap, so grab some popcorn. We’re going to cover a lot of ground...

Do me a favor: print the chart in this email and pin it to your wall. I want you to have a constant reminder that stock prices see pullbacks several times during the year. It’s a normal, healthy part of the investing cycle. Is it...

You’re Invited - Market Volatility: Navigating Tariffs and Policy Uncertainty

AssetMark

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Join AssetMark’s investment leaders for a timely and interactivesession to answer questions on how policy uncertainty, recession fears, and sticky inflation are impacting markets and investor sentiment. Topics include: • Potential...

Tips to Manage Social Security Benefits

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

There have been many questions about the stability of our Social Security system. This is a very big topic with lots of speculation, access getting limited and threats to benefits. I don’t have answers, but our team does have some tips...

On the Mark Special Edition: 3 Tips to Stay Calm During Market Volatility

AssetMark

Friday, March 14, 2025

When stocks are falling, it is hard to sit still. In this special edition of "On The Mark," AssetMark shares three essential tips for staying calm amid market volatility. If you have questions on the attached, please reach out. Read...

Tax Time Resources

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Friday, February 21, 2025

I've compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions during tax time and I'd like to share them with you in case you have some of these same questions. Please note that our team is working to assist our investment clients to meet...

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), enacted as part of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, requires certain companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). This is...

🦊 Fox in the Henhouse: Navigating Financial Trust in 2025 🏦

Peggy Haslach, CFP®, CLU®

Monday, February 17, 2025

Since January 20th, there has been much chatter on social media about safe places to move accounts or assets. Whether it’s bank accounts, brokerage accounts, advisory services, or even precious metals, many believe the grass is greener...

Tax form 5498 is used to report the fair market value of IRAs. Generally speaking, clients can expect to receive a tax form 5498, if (this is not an exhaustive list): You contributed is an IRA You rolled over assets from a qualified...

Karen Visits Mexico

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

You might know by now that I believe retirement planning to be more than crunchy the numbers. If you’re doing true planning for your “golden years”, then you need to consider things like your mental and physical health. You also need...

The tumultuous political landscape coinciding with tax season means we’ve seen a huge uptick in questions and concerns about financial planning and investing. We’ll be sharing resources via email, our blog and social media, to help...

Understanding 1099 Tax Forms: What Clients Need to Know

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Clients can expect a tax form 1099, of various kinds, if (this is not an exhaustive list):You took a distribution from an employer retirement plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b)Including a rollover to an IRA, which isn’t considered...

FICA is a U.S. federal payroll tax. It stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and is deducted from each paycheck. Read more about it here: What are FICA taxes and who pays it?

"On Sunday, President Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act, which eliminated the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) rules, which had for 40 years unfairly harmed public service retirees."...

A January 6th Story You Haven't Heard - The Power of Stories in Financial Planning

Peggy Haslach, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Living on this earth long enough, certain days bring about memories that are both happy and sad. For instance, my birthday has always been a mix of emotions. As a child, I was thrilled when it coincided with Memorial Day and our...

The Internal Revenue Service released the updated income tax brackets, standard deduction, and retirement contribution limits for the 2025 tax year. While these changes won’t impact you for some time, it may benefit you to start...

Preparing for 2025: Navigating Divorce and Financial Concerns with Confidence

Peggy Haslach, CFP®, CLU®

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

There are many reasons people end their marriages, and recent posts have highlighted some surprising ones, like political differences. While it might seem trivial, these decisions can stem from financial reasons, differing opinions, or...

As you likely already know, our team prides itself on its commitment to serving historically underrepresented people, such as women, neurodivergent folks, and the LGBTQ+ community. What we’re now learning is that these demographics...

How Project 2025 Can Affect Your Investment Accounts

Peggy Haslach, CFP®, CLU®

Monday, November 18, 2024

Many clients have been asking how the incoming administration’s Project 2025 will impact their financial plans, particularly those in the LGBTQ community. Project 2025 outlines the administration’s goals for the first 180 days,...

On The Mark: Trump 2.0—Key Policies & Market Implications

AssetMark

Friday, November 15, 2024

Higher tariffs, tax cuts, and deregulation are some of the key policies of President-elect Trump. What will it mean for markets? Our latest edition of On the Mark discusses the upcoming election and how it may impact the market. If...

We're Here For You

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

If you work with Planning for Good, you no doubt know that we are committed to serving historically underrepresented communities and the people who love them. This means that many of us are reeling from the results of the election....

Key Considerations on How the Election Could Impact You

Peggy Haslach, CFP®, CLU®

Thursday, November 7, 2024

We are here to help you navigate through this period. Here are some key points to consider: Market Volatility and Inflation: You may see some general commentary about market volatility and inflation. It’s important to remember that...

Now that election season has ended, it may be helpful to examine how the different combinations of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives have looked like since 1900. As the accompanying table shows, a Republican or...

Inherited wealth can be overwhelming—you're not alone

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Friday, October 18, 2024

💸 **Inherited wealth can be overwhelming—you're not alone!** 💸 In the past few years, many new clients have come to us feeling lost after receiving a significant inheritance. It’s understandable—managing new financial assets comes...

"Debt is a sneaky little four-letter word that can quietly undermine your financial and emotional health if left unchecked. Just like a football team trying to advance from the red zone to the end zone, managing your debt requires...

Life insurance is a crucial component of financial planning, providing a safeguard for your loved ones in the event of your untimely passing. However, navigating the world of life insurance can be complex, and many individuals make...

As climate change continues to wreak havoc across the globe, heat waves are pushing temperatures to unprecedented highs, making traditional summer vacation spots in the Mediterranean less appealing. Destinations such as Greece, the...

The death of a loved one can be excruciating, confusing, and stressful. If you are named (or left) as a personal representative, here are some resources to help make this process a little less painful. SETTLING AN ESTATE EXECUTOR...

In the midst of the current global pandemic, there has been an increase in fraudulent and criminal activity. Now more than ever, your clients may be targeted financially through a variety of schemes. This checklist helps guide the...

Updated: 08/15/2024 The rules surrounding inherited IRAs have changed a lot over the past couple of years. A variety of regulations (both pending and finalized) have caused a lot of stress and confusion for both advisors and their...

In this election year, many of the issues being debated directly impact women. They particularly affect women who belong to historically marginalized communities. In 1920, women earned the right to vote. Let’s use that right to make...

Are you getting ready to change your name and dreading the process of updating all the various accounts and systems? Perhaps we can help… HERE is a list of the most common places where you’ll want to update your name....

It’s a topic that likely makes your blood boil like it does ours. But unfortunately, elder abuse is a distressing reality that affects a significant portion of our aging population. It comes in various forms, including physical,...

An important aspect of financial planning is being as prepared as possible for unforeseen health events. Estate planning can help you communicate your wishes ahead of time, to help facilitate care should you be incapacitated or to...

Pride Month is here! All month long, people across the country are planning parades, events, and other community gatherings to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. For this entire month, we honor our collective rights to live freely, love...

Learn what the word "fiduciary" means, and why it's important to work with one.

I don’t know about you, but every time I see headlines that say, “Top 10 Reasons” or “How Much Do You Need,” I click on it. So when I saw the CNBC article, “You’ll need at least $1 million to retire comfortably in these 10 U.S. States...

Put this on your immediate to-do list!

AssetMark

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

As we prioritize the security of your financial well-being, we strongly recommend considering a credit freeze as an additional protection against potential identity theft and fraud. Protecting your financial well-being in this day and...

Here's a tip to help reduce unneeded spending and to lower the chances of someone opening a credit card in your name without your knowledge... Opt-Out of the prescreening process that allows credit card companies to send you...

We welcome guest authors to our blog to provide what we feel is valuable information for our clients and prospective clients. Here's a resource related to Medicare 101. This is a high-level chart on the major components of Medicare,...

It's Women's History Month! To celebrate, we wanted to dive into the inspiring journeys of three women financial trailblazers who have transformed the investing world. In the traditionally male-dominated field of finance, these...

What You Need to Know Financially, many of us associate the spring with taxes—but we should also associate December with important Individual Retirement Account (IRA) deadlines. This year, like 2024, will see a few changes and...

Karen Visits Cape Cod

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, March 11, 2024

(Note: I record my travels and write these blogs periodically to help provide my clients with a little insight and inspiration! My aim is to review establishments, big and small, from the perspective of my unique client base. That...

In a move that underscores the ever-evolving landscape of the American economy, Amazon.com Inc. is set to join the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) on February 26th, marking a significant milestone for the e-commerce behemoth. This...

Retirement marks the beginning of a new chapter, a time to explore passions, savor life's simple pleasures, and create lasting memories. As retirees embark on this exciting journey, creating a retirement bucket list becomes a powerful...

Risks of Excess Cash

AssetMark

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Investors sought safety following the 2022 bear market, driving a record of $6 trillion in cash. In this edition of "On The Mark," Kezia Samuel, CFA, CAIA, Vice President of AssetMark discusses the costs of holding onto too much...

As we start off on a new year, the prospect of achieving significant financial goals becomes an exciting reality. In fact, financial related resolutions are second in line right behind fitness. But not all resolutions are created...

We like to share pertinent industry articles that add color and details to some of the strategies that we talk to appropriate clients about.  In this case, we're sharing a resource about how and why annuities might have a place in...

At Planning for Good, one of our roles is to consider any unique challenges that our client base might face over a lifetime and to stay up to date on those important topics. We keep our eyes open for informative resources and we pay...

How healthcare costs can impact your retirement (Webinar Replay and Resources)

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, December 26, 2023

With insights and ideas from Nationwide®, we can help you start to plan for what’s likely to be one of your biggest retirement expenses.

The new year is around the corner. Are you ready?  This time we're providing a little flow chart JUST FOR FUN! Click HERE (or see below) for a sample of our educational flow charts. We have these on various topics that we...

Karen Visits El Salvador

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, December 18, 2023

(Note: I write these blogs monthly and record my travels to help provide my clients with a little insight and inspiration! My aim is to review establishments, big and small, from the perspective of my unique client base. That is, I...

Women often find themselves orchestrators of holiday magic, the epicenter of planning, gifting, cooking, and orchestrating festive feasts. While spreading joy to loved ones, it can be challenging for women to prioritize personal and...

The year is winding down, and you’re likely dealing with all that entails, including making health decisions and pondering the new year ahead. Have you had your annual wellness check for 2023? If not, you may want to schedule it...

"Annuities used to have a bad reputation, and rightly so. In the past, they had long surrender periods (periods when you can’t withdraw all your money without a penalty), offered limited options like tax-deferral and standard...

How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment fast approaching, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you switched...

As seniors, there is great joy in being able to retire to relax and spend time with your grandchildren. However, when you stop working, then finances can start to get tight and life can become a bit more stressful. Today, Planning for...

AssetMark Premier AdvisorMeetings

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

2-3 times per year, our advisors attend the AssetMark Premier Advisor Meeting. Here's why this is important for our investment advisory clients: This is an opportunity for us to meet with the AssetMark leadership team, including:...

Karen Visits Philadelphia

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

I was fortunate to attend an AssetMark Investment Mastery conference this past September and lucky for me, my hubby tagged along on a little 5-day adventure to Philadelphia. To recap, it was an awesome two-day intensive class on how to...

Here are some rules to know if you were not the spouse of the original IRA owner. These tips are provided by one of the leading IRA experts whom we follow to stay up to date with law changes: #EdSlott #InheretedIRA #PlanningforGood...

What would you do with a windfall? It’s a question I’ve read or heard a lot lately. Considering the Mega Millions jackpot has now grown to $1.02 billion, it’s safe to say most of us have thought about what it would...

Review of Atlantic City and Margaritaville

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Note: I write these reviews as I travel to help provide my clients with a little insight and inspiration! My aim is to review establishments, big and small, from the perspective of my unique client base. That is, I assess things like...

Review of Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort in Hancock, MA

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Friday, September 8, 2023

If you ever find yourself traveling on Rt. 9 around Shrewsbury, MA, do yourself a favor and stop in at Pho Sure, a local Vietnamese restaurant. I stopped in with my family while headed back home from a vacation in the Berkshires...

It’s time for your life insurance checkup. September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1 If you don’t have any life insurance, you’re not alone. Life...

As pre-retirees, the prospect of financial freedom in retirement is a dream we all aspire to achieve. The essence of independence and freedom lies in enjoying life on our terms without worrying about financial constraints.

Review of Pho Sure - Shrewsbury, MA

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

If you ever find yourself traveling on Rt. 9 around Shrewsbury, MA, do yourself a favor and stop in at Pho Sure, a local Vietnamese restaurant. I stopped in with my family while headed back home from a vacation in the Berkshires...

At some point, you’ve probably heard the financial advice that says you should max out your 401(k)—i.e., contributing the maximum allowable limit each year. You can contribute up to $22,500 of your annual salary for this...

August is here, the month of simplicity and decluttering! As we embark on "Simplify Your Life Week," it's the perfect opportunity to take a step back, reassess our priorities, and streamline our lives for greater peace and fulfillment...

Your Vision & Objectives for Planning

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Monday, August 7, 2023

One of the best places to start planning is by figuring out what you'd like your future to be! Try a visualization exercise and write down specific goals. This is important not only in articulating your thoughts, but clients have...

The Berkshire Museum

Karen Melo Ticas, CFP®

Thursday, August 3, 2023

If you ever find yourself in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, do yourself a favor and stop in at the Berkshire Museum. I stopped in with my family for the second time while traveling. Here are a few things we learned and saw at this...

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate. Pride serves as a reminder of our progress in fostering a society that embraces people of all orientations, identities, and expressions. It is a time for us to honor the contributions,...

At Planning for Good, we strive to provide exceptional service and guidance to help you achieve your financial goals. Today, we're requesting your support through a Google review. Previously, financial advisors were restricted from...

Pride Month is here! All month long, people across the country are planning parades, events, and other community gatherings to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.For this entire month, we honor our collective rights to live freely, love...

The clock is ticking on US debt ceiling negotiations. Treasury Secretary Yellen informed Congress that cash balances are estimated to run out by early June, the so-called X-date. With the deadline fast approaching, markets are sending...

Whether beginning your investment journey, saving for a major purchase, planning for college, or funding your retirement we will help to track and realize your financial wishes. Working together, we’ll review your objectives...

Birds singing, bees buzzing, and slightly longer days are all signs that winter has finally turned to spring. And with spring often comes the urge to deep clean your home, giving you the feeling of a fresh start. But spring cleaning...

Over the last two weeks, the banking system experienced stress not seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Today, the Fed raised the Fed Funds Rate by 0.25%. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized the resilience of the banking system...

Recent developments in the U.S. banking sector have a lot of people thinking back to the unprecedented events of 2008 and questioning the stability of well-known financial services organizations. It is natural to have concerns during...

What a week it's been! We're getting lots of questions about FDIC insurance, the SIPC protection program and similar programs offered for insurance and annuity products. Here's a quick summary of it all. Please click the link for...

In partnership with HerMoney, a digital media company, started by personal finance expert Jean Chatzky, focused on improving the relationships women have with money, the Alliance released the fifth chapter of new research, The State of...

Periodically, we'll be providing a flowchart with answers to the questions we most get asked! If this topic doesn't pertain to you at this time, stay tuned, more frequently asked questions will follow.

Over the last month, we’ve been proactively connecting with our clients by phone, Zoom meeting, and via a client survey.

From eligible deductions to limits, changes, and deadlines, deciphering the annual tax updates can be challenging. We’ve attached this handy quick reference guide that outlines key tax information for 2023 so as you look to the year ahead,

The new year is an ideal time to review your financial goals for the future; it’s fresh, new, and a time of intention. Credit and finances go hand in hand, so it’s also the perfect time to spot-check your credit and...

Following a budget is one of the essential steps to securing your financial future. Coming out of the holidays always creates an opportunity to review your budget and refocus. Not only that, inflation has skyrocketed to levels not seen...

One of the best ways to protect the security of your most important data, and to help ensure lenders are seeing your best credit score, is to check that all of your financial information is up to date and accurate.

A new year is on the horizon. Each day that comes presents something new and exciting both for you and the people in your life.Is this the year you open the door to something new and exciting? Embark on some new travel adventure? Or...

The holiday season is a time for celebrating and connecting with family and friends. It’s also a time of increased spending. Many consumers rely on electronic methods to cover the cost of gifts, travel, parties and gatherings,...

Are you tired of getting inundated with junk in your mailbox? Are you having to recycle more mail than you open? Not only is this a nuisance, but it could cause you to miss something important in the shuffle. Here are some tips to...

Thanksgiving is here, and we have much to be thankful for – In good times and bad, there is still much for which to be grateful. Our quality of life is remarkably high. We come through tough times and solve problems – and...

You need someone who will actively monitor your plan, someone who listens when you tell your story, someone who provides leadership at the right time.

The holidays are right around the corner, and you’ve likely got a long to-do list to prepare such as planning meals, booking travel, and picking out gifts.One holiday prep tip that often goes by the wayside but is most important...

This year’s COLA increase won’t be the all time highest, but the Senior Citizens League anticipated it to be as much as 8.7%. As it turns out, they were right on the nose. This tops last year’s 5.9% increase.

AssetMark’s experts review the markets and economy for last quarter and year-to-date. They also will review recent Fed actions, inflation, and the possibility of recession, as well as the investment implications for stocks and...

We’re entering a tricky time of year: September and October have a reputation for bringing an extra measure of market volatility.Some of the stock market’s most challenging events have hit in September and October, and...

If you’ve felt like stock prices were a little more volatile in 2022 than in recent years, your “spidey senses” are right on the money.The S&P 500 has posted 81 daily moves of at least 1% through August. Of those...

Yes, portfolio losses are painful, but volatility can offer opportunities to strengthen portfolios and enhance long-term results. In this edition of On the Mark, AssetMark Chief Investment Officer Christian Chan, CFA shares three...

"Where there's a will, there's a way." Sage advice that applies not only to our lives but to your estate strategy.

Summer’s here, and the time is right for vacations, outdoor activities, and fun. It’s also a good time to consider a few financial matters. Here are some questions to ask yourself mid-year.

Stock market losses can occur for a variety of reasons, sometimes they are driven by excessive market valuations after an extended bull market and other times, may be due to external events, such as a war or a pandemic.

Together we can learn about diversity, equality and inclusion. We get to dig a little deeper into LGBTQ history and share our hopes for the future.

Last week, the yield curve inverted for the first time since August 2019 (as a refresher, a yield curve inversion means that long-term interest rates have dropped below short-term rates).

I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I pause to reflect on the evolution of Planning for Good. It was 15 years ago that I made the decision to leave corporate America so I could focus on directly helping people manage their finances.

Since income taxes are currently top of mind, I thought I’d share a tip on where to find details of information provided to and from the IRS, which now has a new way to verify your identity.

An important part of planning is to ensure that you think ahead and prepare: for the unexpected, for eventualities and for silly mistakes you’re sure you’ll never make, until you do! Like what, you ask? A sudden flood, loss...

The one thing that is certain when geopolitical events take hold is that uncertainty runs rife, and one thing that the markets don’t like is uncertainty. It’s during these times when market volatility picks up, it's most...

Stocks closed lower for the week as escalating tensions on the Russian-Ukrainian border added to existing jitters over higher inflation and a pending tightening of monetary policy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 1.90%, while...

If there’s one thing that causes me to roll my eyes, it is people patting themselves on the back for doing things they are expected to be doing. It’s for that reason that I don’t typically go-on about what our team...

Every February, Americans celebrate Black History Month. In addition to honoring the accomplishments of Black Americans past and present, many clients often ask if they can do more. The answer is yes! By supporting Black-owned...

Prospective clients often tell me that that they feel uncomfortable or embarrassed to share their personal circumstances with me, for fear that they will be judged. It’s likely been the thing keeping them from seeking help when...

Interest rates. Trade Talks. Inflation Fears. Political Events. International Developments. During the past year, every one of these events have influenced stock prices. So when you hear that the financial markets are reacting...

In order to bring your vision alive, we need a well-thought-out framework, we need specialists, and we need people to pay attention to the details and move things along smoothly.

By any measure, 2021 was a strong year for investors. But what’s in store for 2022? From my perspective, I expect that many of the same forces that influenced markets last year will play a role again in the year ahead. COVID-19...

Divorce can be an emotional rollercoaster, and because of its unique challenges, you can find countless articles online about how to get through it. That’s not my goal here. Below you’ll find some of the commonly overlooked...

We strive to keep you updated on the latest financial updates and information.  Each year the markets bring new surprises and 2021 was no different. Despite a slew of concerns including new COVID variants, inflation and supply...

Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. This week, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022.Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)...

In this day and age, we have endless responsibilities competing for our time. Some decisions are complicated and have serious repercussions if we make a poor choice, or neglect to act. Traditionally, we’ve learned to seek...