Blog
Guiding the Boomerang Generation
I've seen the "Boomerang Generation" in more than a few headlines lately. These young adults return, or "boomerang," to their parents' homes as they attempt to navigate the property market. The key culprit is mortgage rates nearing...
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Your Quarterly Medicare Newsletter
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...
Read MoreSocial Security Announces 2024 COLA
The Social Security Administration has announced a 3.2% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2024. This adjustment means the average Social Security retiree beneficiary will see their monthly check increase by about $57 to $1,849,...
Read MoreCyber Safety Tip: Update
We’ve all been there. You’re scrolling through your phone, computer, or tablet, and a notification pops up. “Update Me!” While that isn’t the exact wording, the meaning is the same. Something wants to be...
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Will Middle East Tensions Push Rates Higher?
The Fed’s ongoing pledge of “higher interest rates for longer” has rattled financial markets and raised the cost of everything from mortgages to credit cards. Now adding to tensions are the recent events in the...
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Medicare's Open Enrollment
How long has it been since you’ve reviewed your Medicare policy? With open enrollment beginning soon, there are a few questions you may want to ask before you renew, add, drop, or switch coverage. Have you changed or added...
Read MoreUnwrapping Halloween's Candy Economy
I hope this email finds you in high "spirits" as we approach the spookiest time of the year. As the days creep closer to Halloween, confectioners weave a sweet web in preparation for this enchanting holiday. Did you know that the...
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Why the Fed Is Focused on Your Paycheck
The Federal Reserve has a dual mandate—manage inflation and maximize employment. But sometimes, those economic goals conflict with each other. As you can see in the accompanying chart, labor shortages in 2022 pressured...
Read MoreEveryone Needs an Estate Strategy
Like some of my clients, you may have seen the latest regarding Aretha Franklin's estate. The Queen of Soul passed in 2018, and years later, her loved ones are still caught in legal trials thanks to the existence of multiple wills. As...
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Your Quarterly Medicare Newsletter
Are you already planning for the end of the year? Where did the time go? In this edition, we’ll be looking into navigating Medicare for the first time, particularly if you are under the age of 65. Don’t forget Medicare...
Read MoreA.I. Is Everywhere
If you've heard CEOs mention "A.I." multiple times during second-quarter conference calls, you're not imagining it. There have been an astounding 1,072 mentions of A.I. (and counting) so far.1 Some believe that A.I. has the potential...
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Why the Fed Can't Figure Out the Jobs Market
As the Fed continues its fight against inflation, one of the more challenging parts of the economy is gauging what's happening in the jobs market.One July report showed the private sector added nearly 500,000 jobs, double the...
Read MoreResumption of Student Loan Payments and Interest Accrual
The U.S. Department of Education has officially announced that student loan payments will resume in October, ending the three-year-long pause that was implemented due to the pandemic.Starting September 1, interest will begin accruing...
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Happy Parents’ Day!
The fourth Sunday in July is Parents’ Day in the United States, created by an act of Congress in 1994.While it may receive less attention than the well-known Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Parents’ Day reflects...
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The Fed Raises Rates. Again.
Don't hold a surprise birthday party for Jerome Powell. He would hate it. And if you plan on visiting the Fed Chair, call first. He doesn't like surprises.Powell delivered on his March promise at the most recent Fed meeting by...
Read MoreThe Heat is On
Summer’s here, and the time is right for fun in the sun (or shade). Like many of us, you’re probably looking forward to an extended getaway or family trip. But summer also means planning for hot weather, which can come with...
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Wall Street Focuses on Debt Ceiling
Would it surprise you to hear that investors have moved past worrying about inflation? They have, at least for now.Wall Street has shifted its attention to Washington’s budget negotiations and how the debt ceiling will be...
Read MoreFive Savings Secrets
Are you saving for the future?People often come to me asking for financial guidance. Some want to know how to invest or diversify the money they’ve saved, but others admit to me they’re just not sure how to save. If...
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Happy Mother's Day
A special day for moms everywhere arrives in May. Celebrate the moms you know in any way you can. Let them know that you appreciate the wonderful and invaluable roles that they play. This is just a little note to encourage you to take...
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CEOs Talk Inflation
Over the next several weeks, we will hear from corporate leaders as they update investors on their first-quarter financials and provide a glimpse into the rest of the year.But this quarter, the actual financial results may be of only...
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Age My Way in May
May is a month to celebrate the older Americans in our country and honor their lives and the accomplishments they still have ahead of them.Older Americans Month was established in 1963 by President John F. Kennedy to bring awareness to...
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Fed Chair Powell Can't Keep a Secret
Jerome Powell would be terrible to have in your book club. He would always reveal how the book would end.When the Fed Chair spoke following the Fed meeting in February, he said, “we’re in the early stages of...
Read MoreHeadlines don't have to cause anxiety
Last year, we all witnessed some anxiety-producing headlines.I hope our firm's communications deliver a balanced view of breaking news, regulatory and tax law changes, economic topics, and timely market updates. Our goal is to keep you...
Read MoreThe best laid plans…
Even the most thought-out financial strategy may need to be adjusted for unexpected events, such as changes to your family life or career, or shifts in your family priorities. These are important opportunities for us to connect and...
Read MoreSpring into financial transparency
The time following Valentine's Day has always served as a reminder that Spring is on the way. The days are getting longer, the birds and the bees are doing their thing, and people everywhere are thinking about future travel and...
Read MoreCelebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories
March is Women's History Month, a time to recognize the remarkable contributions of women throughout history. This year's theme is "Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories," We're honored to share a few examples of women who continue to...
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Words of Wisdom from Warren Buffett
The stock market can provide some head-scratching moments, which is why I like Warren Buffet’s quote, “...don’t watch the market closely.”Stocks have been strong this year, and they rallied sharply before...
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Inflation Is Trending Lower. Now What?
The December inflation report had some encouraging news. It showed that consumer prices trended lower for the month, but more importantly, it confirmed that overall prices have been trending lower for the past six months.Now the ball...
Read MoreThe Biggest Bowl Game of the Year
As the biggest sporting event of the year approaches, football fans all over the nation (including us) are gearing up for the Big Game on Sunday, February 12, at 6:30 PM ET.For many, Sunday means a day of tasty tailgating and...
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Celebrating Black Wealth Builders Throughout History
In celebration of the achievements of Black Americans and their integral role in our nation’s history, here are eight Black wealth builders we believe should be remembered. These individuals deserve recognition for their...
Read MoreFive Savings Secrets
Are you saving for the future?People often come to me asking for financial guidance. Some want to know how to invest or diversify the money they’ve saved, but others admit to me they’re just not sure how to save. If...
Read MoreSocial Security 2023 COLA Increase Kicks In
While you probably already found your notice in the mail, you may be curious about the COLA increase happening for Social Security recipients in the New Year. Starting in January, beneficiaries will see an 8.7% increase to help offset...
Read MoreSECURE Act 2.0 Passed in Final Days of 2022
Congress spent the final days of 2022 on new reforms designed to help Americans save more for retirement.You may hear the changes called SECURE Act 2.0, which is a follow-up to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement...
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Outlook 2023: What's Next for Interest Rates?
What does the bond market know that the Fed isn’t telling us?Fed officials recently have said that short-term rates will need to climb to over 5 percent to bring inflation under control. But in the table below, you can see that...
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Keeping it in Perspective
It’s easy to get excited reading the news. With all of the storm and stress of the last few years, it’s only natural to react to each ping of our phone’s news apps with a deep sigh and a cynical “what...
Read MoreNew Changes to the Taxation of Real Estate
Based upon a new California tax case decision, scheduled federal tax law sunset provisions, and a new City of Los Angeles transfer tax enacted in the just concluded November 2022 election, new changes are coming to the taxation of real e...
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"Unretiring" To Stay in the Game
Knowing when it’s the right time to retire can be difficult, especially if you love your job. Even professional athletes have a hard time knowing when to walk away!These athletes thought they were ready for retirement but...
Read MoreNew Retirement Contribution Limits for 2023
The Internal Revenue Service has released new limits for the coming year. After months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some of these cost-of-living-based adjustments have reached near-record levels.Individual Retirement...
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What’s the Fed’s Master Plan?
Wall Street is always searching for a hero to embrace or a villain to blame. And right now, Fed Chair Jerome Powell is the villain.After the September Fed meeting, Powell said interest rates may be heading higher for longer than...
Read MoreHow 401(k) Changes Affect Coverage for Part-Time Employees
From independent contractors to gig workers to freelancers — a growing number of organizations rely on part-time employees to get the job done. In fact, as of March 2022 there were around 25.9 million people employed on a...
Read MoreSECURE 2.0 Raises the Required Minimum Distribution Age — And Some Questions
Organizations that offer their employees 401(k) and 403(b) plans may want to keep track of key legislative changes looming on the horizon. Recently, the House of Representatives introduced a bipartisan bill designed to help more...
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StoneKimbro Featured In Advisor's Magazine: It' All About Our Clients!
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California Ponders Long-Term Care Legislation Enacted in Washington State
Most people are aware that long-term care costs are rising dramatically Coupled with people generally living longer, many are struggling with how to finance long-term care in the highly likely event that we will need it later in life....
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Attracting Top Talent with a 457(b) Plan
Ask any HR Director, and they’ll tell you there’s a talent war going on. Non-profit organizations are not exempt. In the quest to attract, recruit, and retain top-tier leadership in today’s competitive hiring...
Read MoreConfused about non-profit executive compensation? You’re not alone.
Evaluating Your Executive Compensation Ideally, your mission is the main reason top-tier talent are drawn to your non-profit organization. But when it comes to recruiting and retaining high-performing executives, non-profits find...
Read MoreSocially Responsible Investments in Retirement Plans
Social responsibility is integral to your organization’s mission. But what about financial responsibility? As organizations strive to balance the desire to do good with the need to perform well, they’re starting to take a...
Read MoreA Reality Check about Post-Retirement Healthcare Costs
Americans are living longer, and that’s great news. Extended lifespans, however, can also come with added anxiety, as people begin to ask themselves: “Who will take care of me when I’m older? And how will I pay for...
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