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LPL Financial Research Midyear Outlook 2023: The Path Toward Stability

Our 2023 investing outlook started with a theme of returning to normalcy. Considering 2022’s market volatility and the aftereffects of the pandemic, the idea of finding balance was certainly a welcomed change. It’s a theme...

Stars, Stripes, and Stocks: 3 Ways Investors May Pursue Financial Freedom

What does the term "financial freedom" mean to you? For some, it means freedom from a particular workplace or industry. For others, it means the opportunity for an early retirement or the ability to start a long-desired business....

Financial Freedom, Market Volatility, and You

If recent market volatility has you questioning your opportunities for financial freedom, you are not alone. Due to rising inflation, higher interest rates, a volatile stock market, and recession fears, many investors find themselves...

Pre-Vacation Home Safety Tips

Vacation is something that we all look forward to, but it’s important not to forget about your home—and its safety—while you’re away. With some pre-planning, it’s easy to make sure your house is safe and...

Retirement Annuities Explained: What They Are and How They Work

Having enough retirement income is a top concern for many Americans nearing or in retirement. Even though they may have saved consistently throughout the working years, they may be concerned that their retirement plans will succeed. A...

3 Key Money Moves Every Parent Should Make

Whether you are expecting your first child or have been a parent for years, finances and building a future for your family go hand-in-hand. Luckily, there are money moves you can make now to help manage financial stress, support...

Small Business Owners Are You Ready or Not Checklist

Small Business Owners: Are You Retirement Ready (or Not)?Whether you are an employee in corporate America or a small business owner, retirement is a part of life. For many, the thought of retiring and whether or not you are ready to...

Life Insurance: How Much Is Enough?

You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your...

The Principles of Financial Literacy

Financial literacy refers to the skills and knowledge that allow an individual to make informed and effective decisions through their understanding of finances. Financial literacy starts by building a basic understanding of 'money...

3 Reasons to Wait Until 70 to Claim Social Security Benefits

In a rush to file for Social Security benefits at age 62? Many people are - but slow down and do the math first.When it comes to claiming Social Security retirement benefits, you may want to consider waiting to start benefits when...

13 Potholes to Avoid on the Road to Retirement

Perhaps you’re just starting to save for retirement, or within a few years of retiring. Unfortunately, it’s common to take a wrong turn, or make bad financial decisions, as you continue on your journey toward retirement.

Estate Planning for Family Caregivers

A surprising two out of every three American adults do not have any kind of written estate plan.1 For adults who also serve as family caregivers, not having a plan in place can pose major risks for them and their entire...

Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

How to Teach Your Children Financial Wellness

Teaching children about financial wellness should start at an early age. Learning how making money, saving, and spending is related and the first step in teaching your child how to understand the value of money. Children learn from...

LPL Financial Research Outlook 2023: Finding Balance

Through all the challenges, newfound opportunities, and every high and low we’ve experienced during the last couple of years, it’s no surprise why we might be striving for more balance. Whether it’s about the markets...

QCDs: Donating and Gift Giving Through Your IRA

A qualified charitable distribution, or QCD, allows you to distribute funds from your IRA to an eligible charity (a 501(c)(3) organization) as long as you’re 70 1/2 years of age or older. Since the gift will go directly to the...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree: 5 Christmas Tree Facts

One of the most popular icons of the Christmas season is the Christmas tree. It has become a symbol of the holidays and the center point for Christmas displays, party decorations, and events. During the Christmas season, you may find...

Charitable Giving

Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the...

Choosing a Retirement Plan for Your Business

There are a lot of options to consider, depending on your business model You’re an entrepreneur and you’re not looking back. You’ve opened your own business, whether alone or with partners, and you’ve achieved...

Year-End Planning for Retirees

As we approach the last quarter of each year, it is a good time to plan for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for existing retirees and those hoping to retire in the next few years. There are tax and income...

Protecting Your Financial Information Online

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet,...

8 Things Financial Planning Can Help You Address

Financial planning is unique for each person; no two financial plans look the same because everyone's life and personal goals are different. Regardless of what your goals are, financial planning can help you work towards achieving them...

An Essential Guide to Estate Planning Preparedness

A recent survey by Caring.com found that a whopping two in three American adults do not have an estate plan1—an alarming statistic, considering that an estate plan can protect your assets and ensure that they go to the right...

3 Ways To Improve Your Finances for Self-Improvement Month

September is self-improvement month and a great time to work on your financial health. When you think of self-improvement, you likely think of your health or career but may pay little attention to your finances. Getting your financial...

401(k) Plans: The Basics

Retirement plans established under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code, commonly referred to as "401(k) plans," have become one of the most popular types of employer-sponsored retirement plans.What is a 401(k) plan?A 401(k)...

3 Golf Tips to Keep Your Retirement Plan on Course

In golf, as in finances, there are a few rules of thumb that may improve your game: keep a level head, avoid traps, practice before trying something new and stay the course. Applying lessons from the golf course to your financial life...

5 Ways to Improve Your Financial Awareness

Regardless of what you do or how much you earn, you deal with money on a daily basis. The more you understand about finances, the more effectively you will be able to manage yours.Yet, many people lack financial literacy skills. One...

Staying on Track with Your Retirement Investments

Investing for your retirement isn't about getting rich quick. More often, it's about having a game plan that you can live with over a long time. You wouldn't expect to be able to play the piano without learning the basics and...

Mid-Year Outlook 2022: Navigating Turbulence

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...

5 Financial Facts About the Sandwich Generation

The "sandwich generation" is the descriptive term for adults generally between the ages of 40 and 59 who are raising a minor child (or supporting a grown child) while also caring for a retirement-age or older parent. With financial...

Social Wellness: What is It and Why is it Important?

Social wellness refers to the relationships you have and how you interact with others. It involves building and maintaining positive, supportive relationships and fostering meaningful connections.If you prioritize becoming socially...

Four Tips for Gaining Financial Independence

The golden rule of financial planning: if you can plan it, you can pursue it.Over the past July 4th, we celebrated our country’s history of declaring independence and guaranteeing basic human freedoms. But true freedom includes...

Fatherly Advice: 7 Timeless Financial Tips Our Fathers Taught Us

Financial Aid Resources for Your Incoming Freshman

Everything You Need to Know About Adjusting to Retirement

The Financial Impact of Mental Health

Myths and Facts About Social Security

Invest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month

4 Reasons to Get Fired Up About 'Refired' Not Retired Day

Making the Most of Your Relationship with a Financial Professional

Keeping Your Stress Levels in Check

How to Avoid Financial Heartbreak from Sweetheart Scams

Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season

Four New Year's Resolutions for Current Retirees

New Year, New Goals: Your Countdown to Financial Health

For many people, a new year provides a new start—and nothing says "new start" like a fresh new set of financial goals. But setting these goals is easier said than done. What steps should you take to get the most bang for your...

A Season of Giving: 5 Different Ways To Give During the Holidays

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...

Can You Spot the Scam? Common Financial Fraud Warning Signs

Many people are familiar with the scammers who promise to pay millions of dollars in exchange for briefly holding funds in your bank account or those who offer to enhance certain body parts risk-free. Today's scammers are clever at...

Your 2021 Year-End Planning Checklist

It may be easy to forget we're nearing the end of the year. Even during the busy end of year rush, it's a good time to reevaluate your 2021 finances and turn an eye toward 2022. What can you do now to potentially improve and streamline...

Financial Planning at Every Age

In 2013, a Gallup poll found that only about one in every three U.S. households maintained a budget.1 A 2021 survey of 1,000 Americans found that 80% now say they have a budget.2 Americans are budgeting more due to the pandemic....

Everything You Need to Know about the FAFSA for 2021

One of the most important pieces of the college financing puzzle is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Without the FAFSA, a college student is unlikely to be able to apply for or receive certain types of federal...

Creative Solutions for College Sticker Shock

Imagine your reaction to the following scene: You return home from work one night to find your teenage daughter running gleefully about with a letter in her hand. When you calm her down, she tells you that she has just been accepted to...

Life Insurance Changing Times, Changing Needs

When Judy purchased her life insurance policy 10 years ago, she thought her insurance planning was complete. She assumed that if she paid her premiums on time, she could sit back and not think about life insurance anymore. Judy’s...

Optimizing the Home for Virtual Classrooms

For many parents, COVID-19 restrictions resulted in a double-whammy of adjustment both professionally and personally. Along with managing the new normal in their jobs, parents became teachers, tutors, and counselors as they helped...

Shop Smarter at the Farmer’s Market

If you’re lucky enough to live near a farmer’s market, you know the value in perusing aisle after aisle of freshly-made baked goods, locally-grown produce, and expertly-prepared meats and cheeses. Oftentimes there are...

Rethinking Social Wellness for Your Employees

Corporate wellness programs have been key tools in improving productivity, employee retention, and creating a more desirable corporate culture. While many companies have put a strong focus on physical wellness plans, many are just...

Sustainable Living: Good For Your Wallet and the Environment

From opting for metal or rubber straws in lieu of disposable ones to saying goodbye to a daily commute by working remotely, sustainable living is a hot topic for many households. But living a more sustainable life isn't just good for...

Key Benefits of a Financial Advisor

Whether you've been wondering about boosting your investments' rates of return or are concerned that your financial affairs are a bit too complicated for your next of kin to handle, it may be time to seek advice from a financial...

2 Factors Farmers Need to Consider During Estate Planning

After a busy life on the farm, you may be looking at the next steps and addressing how you plan to pass on the property, land, and assets that you worked so hard throughout your life for. While many people may feel they do not need an...

How to Stay Committed to Your Financial Goals

Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals. Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be difficult, especially when times may be financially tough. But by staying...

5 Investment Considerations for Small Business Owners

If you're a small business owner, many of the best practices employed by individual investors are also available to you (of course!), but you also have some additional options and factors to weigh while creating your investment plans....