Posts by Craig Brown
Market Update – Reasons We Still Believe In December
It has been a rough start to the most wonderful month of them all, with the S&P 500 Index down each of the first two days of December. Don’t stop believing just yet, though. Everyone knows December has usually been a good month for stocks, but what happened last year is still fresh in the…
Read MoreCharitable Giving: Good for Your Heart and Your 1040!
It may be better to give than to receive, but it may be even better to give and see your generosity rewarded. Charitable giving can play a valuable role in your financial and tax strategies. A well-planned gift to charity could provide an income tax deduction and a reduction of estate taxes. Your donation could…
Read MoreGiving Thanks for the U.S. Consumer
Giving Thanks for the U.S. Consumer This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for solid consumer confidence, even though it has wavered in recent months. Consumer confidence fell for a fourth straight month in November, according to preliminary Conference Board data. Even though the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index has dropped from its economic cycle peak, consumer sentiment…
Read MoreDo Your Parents Need Long-Term Care Insurance?
We live in an age of medical miracles. People live longer than ever before, and life expectancies are increasing at a steady rate. This means that many of us will be fortunate enough to still have our parents with us as we ourselves reach retirement age. As our parents age, however, their health may decline,…
Read MoreThe Sandwich Generation: Juggling Family Responsibilities
At a time when your career is reaching a peak and you are looking ahead to your own retirement, you may find yourself in the position of having to help your children with college expenses while at the same time looking after the needs of your aging parents. Squeezed in the middle, you’ve joined the…
Read MorePutting The Bull In Perspective
The S&P 500 Index has closed higher five consecutive weeks, making six new all-time highs along the way. There now have been 19 new highs in 2019, tying the number we saw last year. There’s no doubt that this bull market has been incredibly impressive, especially lately. But, it may also be quite misunderstood. For…
Read MoreRetirement Plans For Small Businesses
Retirement Plans For Small Businesses As a business owner, you should carefully consider the advantages of establishing an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Generally, you’re allowed a deduction for contributions you make to an employer-sponsored retirement plan. In return, however, you’re required to include certain employees in the plan, and to give a portion of the contributions…
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