Blog

For many people, fall is a season full of familiar change. Every year, retailers stock their shelves with pumpkin spice-flavored products. But where exactly did the signature spice of the season get its start?

Having a good Estate Plan with all of the necessary documents is a good start. Helping your loved ones to find the necessary documents when then need them is essential. Our Peace of Mind Checklist can help.

If you'll be turning 65 in the near future, it may be time to consider your strategy for Medicare benefits.You can apply for original Medicare (Parts A and B) at age 65 whether you have retired or not.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, many people transitioned to working from home at the beginning of the year. That has encouraged a housing boom. Could now be the right time for you to buy a house?

Right now, many Americans are worried about their financial health due to the impact COVID-19 has had on the country. Is inflation now a factor that needs to be considered?

"Will I outlive my retirement money?" That's one of the top fears for people who are starting to prepare for their retirement years.So I have to chuckle a bit when I see headlines that say, "Here's how much money Americans think they...

Thanks to the CARES Act, those who hold certain retirement accounts can bypass RMDs for 2020. If you already took a distribution, you may still be able to reverse your decision. Here's what you need to know...

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken up nearly every aspect of American life. To say it’s been a difficult time would be an understatement. However, difficult times may open doors to new possibilities.

Lately, it can feel like each day brings a new headline about fluctuating market behavior. But amid the ups and downs of 2020, there may be some potential good news on the horizon. On July 16, 2020, the interest rate for a 30-year...

As we get older, we tend to need more care and that care can cost a lot. Women face unique challenges when it comes to planning for extended care. Have you adequately prepared for the care that you might need?

While you may be already thinking about your health insurance, including Medicare, it’s important to remember that you may, at some point during your retirement years, require some sort of extended care.

In our uncertain climate, it’s unsurprising that when American investors are thinking about their financial strategy, that the topic of life insurance comes up.For some, it’s always been front of mind. For younger...

If you’re like most of us, you’ve probably been thinking about your health quite a bit lately — especially if you’re approaching retirement. When it comes to your health, Medicare may be an important part of your retirement strategy.

Whether you’re an old hand at telecommuting or know next to nothing about it, working from home is not a new concept. With planning, discipline, and experimentation, you can make working from home a productive and rewarding experience.

This summer, why not skip the grocery store and get fresh, local produce right from the farm? That’s the beauty and ingenuity of Community Supported Agriculture programs.

You put a lot of time and effort into creating a home but, have you thought about the reality of losing some or all of what you have created? Making a home inventory for insurance purposes is important but, do you know how to begin?

Few life events are more stressful than a job loss. If you or someone you know is in this situation due to COVID-19, you’ll likely have several questions such as “What should I do with my 401(k)?”

These documents will enable your friends and family to care for you in your time of need and to settle your Estate more easily. It is a wonderful final gift to give your heirs but, it will not help them if they do not have access.

Today, we age differently from previous generations, and many of us enjoy active lives well into our seventies, eighties, and beyond. Our concept of retirement has evolved in recent years. Have you considered an encore career?

When was the last time that you checked your beneficiaries? Has it been more than 5 years? You may not need to make any changes but, it is good to verify that each of your accounts still have the beneficiary designations that you want.

It’s not often that sweeping legislation like the SECURE Act is passed. The new rules are expected to cause changes to some retirement strategies. For others, new opportunities may be revealed. How will you be affected?

You’ve heard the clichés about springtime: She’s no spring chicken. Fresh as a daisy. Head in the clouds. Chasing rainbows. A ray of sunshine. The start of spring varies, but typically it begins in late March and...

Whether you personally felt well prepared for this economic downturn or not, the stimulus check that you receive should help you to weather the storm and prepare for future storms that may come.

A truly great estate strategy protects more than just your wealth: it also helps protect those you love. For many of us, our non-human loved ones are part of the family.

Congress determined that forcing retirees to take RMDs when your accounts were down was unduly harsh and they are allowing you to bypass RMDs for 2020. Is that the right option for you?

Beautiful lawns and flower beds help set off a welcoming home. But without the proper knowledge, maintaining an attractive landscape can be an annual challenge. While the year is still young, there are steps you can take now...

While we are unable to ensure a profit or protect against all loss, we created the Surge and Protect Strategy to do our best to protect as much as we can during uncertain economic times.

If you are concerned about the effect that the market downturn will have on your 401(k) or any of your investment accounts, it is a good idea to talk to an experienced Financial Advisor who can help you to make a plan to work toward goals.

Whether your retirement is just around the corner or years away, ensuring your preparations are in order can be the centerpiece of an effective retirement strategy. This is especially poignant when you consider that approximately 4 out...

We honor the women who make a difference at Pinnacle Wealth Management. We are grateful to the women who have been a part of this firm over the years. They have shaped it into a Wealth Management Practice that we are proud of.

In January it was announced that a new FICO Score will be available this summer. The new scoring will change the way that scores are calculated and could have a big impact on consumers and their individual scores.

Most households are eager to maintain the quality of coverage they enjoy, well into their retirement years. But preparing for extended care requires consideration and thoughtful planning. Let’s explore some of the ways you can prepare.

Relationships are the Cornerstone of What We Do. Nearly 30 years ago a woman walked into my office with a shoebox full of papers and receipts and asked me to help. Her father and had just passed away and she was struggling to manage...

Fintech and other technological innovations are increasingly becoming permanent features in our financial lives. Learning to implement and integrate these innovative tools could potentially make life easier and more manageable.

The new rules and regulations detailed in the SECURE Act regarding beneficiaries of IRAs and 401(k)s are changing the way Investment Advisors and Attorneys are thinking about the distribution of assets to beneficiaries.

The best retirement strategy is one based on SMART goals, but with the flexibility to change and adapt, if necessary. Now is a great time to evaluate your goals, make course corrections, and give yourself permission to dream big.

There is good news for retirement account savers. For those making contributions to retirement accounts, some of the limits have gone up again in 2020! How will it will affect you? 401(k) contribution limit $19,500 up from $19,000...

Gratitude is not so much a moral obligation. It is a yearning to step beyond ourselves. But, does it make you healthier, wealthier, and wiser?

I have made many New Year’s Resolutions that have to do with money. The problem is, I have failed at these resolutions more than I have been successful. Now, when I make a resolution, I try to follow the 3 M’s.

One of the most important resolutions you might consider is to take better care of your eyes. Worsening eyesight can happen so gradually, you may not even notice it.

While the 1.6% increase in benefits will cover some costs, it is worth pointing out that medical expenses, one of the largest expenses for retirees, have seen a much higher inflation rate, 3.46% in 2019. How can retirees keep up?

Switching to a home that’s the right size for your retired lifestyle can often lead to tangible benefits like, a smaller mortgage, lower utilities, or lower property insurance.

The end of the year is often a busy time filled with shopping, parties, events, and celebrations. The last thing that most people want to do is a financial checkup but, doing so could benefit you greatly in tax season.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we decided to take a poll of the office to see what financial decisions each of our team members were most thankful for. See what everyone had to say...

Consumers easily get into trouble this time of year due to excess spending. Failing to properly plan can put your finances in the red. Could you create a reasonable budget to help you enter the New Year in a better financial position?

I am far from perfect and I have made my fair share of mistakes as an Advisor but, I do my best to give advice to my clients that is honest and forthcoming. I try to do the right thing even when no one is looking.

Due to historically low rates on cash accounts, many people have been hesitant to keep much of their portfolio invested in cash but there is still a good argument to be made for keeping at least a small portion of your assets in cash.

I really enjoy speaking with kids and young adults about finance. As I thought about it, I realized that I could narrow it down to some basic principles: 123s and ABCs.

Many people talk about inflation. Even though news stories about inflation are common, I would be surprised if many people could give an accurate definition of what it is. So, what exactly is inflation? Put simply, the inflation rate...

Creating an Emergency Fund is not rocket science, it is simple math. Having an Emergency Fund will help you to stay on track with your personal and financial goals when an emergency happens (because it will).

Recently, stock prices dropped sharply on fears that the trade dispute between the U.S. and China had escalated. Investors woke to the news on Monday, August 5, that the People’s Bank of China had manipulated its currency,...

Both have Pros and Cons: Both are great options for retirement saving but neither is a “one size fits all” solution.

When looking for a financial advisor, one of the first pieces of advice that you will receive is to find someone who is a fiduciary. That is great advice but, what actually is a fiduciary and why is it better if your advisor is one?

Planning for the holidays is stressful. Planning early by setting a budget and saving enough to cover it can help you to keep the holidays merry by avoiding financial woes.

How Can I Protect Myself from Identity Theft? The quick answer is you can’t. That being said, there is a lot that you can do that will make it a lot harder for criminals to steal your identity. So what can you do?

There is one major life event that we all must face, death. It is a good idea to prepare now while you and your loved ones are clear-headed and are not suffering from the emotional duress of loss.

As a Financial Advisor, I talk to clients about all aspects of their finances, including their mortgage. The question I am often asked is, “Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?” My answer used to be: “No...

Social Security has been in the news again lately. The 2019 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees revealed that the Social Security trust fund can no longer guarantee full benefits by the year 2035[1]. This is one year later than was...

Whether it’s big or small, growing or declining, living within your wage allows you to live your best life. Ultimately, isn’t that what we are all trying to do?

In life, there are two things that are certain, death and taxes. Even though you can’t avoid paying taxes, you can have some control over when and how much you pay. The government has generously given taxpayers some retirement...

Do you have a son or daughter who is 18 or older? When you were thinking of a birthday present for your newly minted adult child you probably did not consider legal documents but, maybe you should have. Even though you may not consider...

Tax season is stressful! One of the most important steps in tax preparation can often be the most challenging: gathering all forms and documents. If you received income from someone other than your employer (a bank or financial...

There are two kinds of working people: Those who work because they HAVE to work and those who work because they WANT to work. Most of us aspire to be in the second group. So, how do you get there?

The recent government shutdown brought to light a very real issue that anyone could face at any time. What would you do if you suddenly stopped getting a paycheck and you did not know when you would get another? Fortunately for many...

Good news for retirement account savers. For those making contributions to retirement accounts, the limits have gone up in 2019, something that has not happened since 2013. How it will affect you: 401(k) contribution limit $19,000 up...

My Dad always said “Make reversible decisions quickly and make irreversible decisions slowly.” That advice has saved me countless times in my life. Over the past few years, the lottery has had several large jackpots, many...