Financial Planning Trends & Insights

As we watch the market go up and down (and then up again), we rarely think about the taxes we might pay with the rise of our portfolio or home value. But we should, because the tax man always cometh. Thankfully, you aren’t completely powerless when it comes to capital gains tax—you can control how […]

After a three-year rally, the financial markets have been down for seven straight days, marking their worst slide since the pandemic decline in March of 2020. (1) Monday’s market dip put the S&P 500 down over 10%, which is officially called a “correction” on Wall Street. (2) In addition to the stock market decline, inflation […]

Welcome to 2022! Given that 2021 wasn’t quite the fresh start we’d hoped for, a new year can be overwhelming to think about. After the intensity of the last two years and the pandemic, economic shutdown, and slow road back to “normal,” the good news is that there are actionable steps you can implement to […]

Is investing an art or a science? If you want to succeed in investing, does it take a set formula or skill and talent? Either way, investing can seem intimidating and overwhelming. But you don’t have to just cross your fingers and hope for the best. Whether you choose to purchase stocks and bonds, contribute […]

Most of us entered 2021 with a lot of hope—hope that the new year would bring an end to the pandemic and life would go back to normal. Instead, we saw the uncertainty continue and extend even further. Concerns about inflation, potential tax changes, and long-term purchasing power have many people wondering if next year […]

Having employee benefits is a great perk, but if you know all the ins and outs, the chances of maximizing their potential are slim. That’s true of the thrift savings plan (TSP) that’s available to you as a federal employee. The TSP is a great opportunity to store away your hard-earned money for retirement, and […]