Blog

As a small business owner, your employees are the heart and soul of your organization. Many entrepreneurs understand the importance of a diverse, inclusive workforce and the benefits it brings, not just to the business, but to the...

It’s essential for parents to be proactive in supporting their kids’ well-being In recent years, the burden of student loan debt has become an increasingly prevalent issue, significantly impacting individuals and the...

New ruling emphasizes the need for an adaptive estate planning approach One recent development that has stirred conversations among investors and advisors alike is the issuance of the IRS Revenue Ruling 2023-2. This ruling has...

Tips to guide your parents with confidenceAs professionals, managing our own finances can be a challenge. However, one area that we often overlook, yet is vitally important, is understanding and navigating our aging parents' finances....

Financial education is constantly evolving. As investments, financial priorities, and the economy change, so do financial strategies and plans. To stay on top of your retirement and ensure that you are on your way toward your financial...

As a business owner, putting all your profits back into the business may be tempting, especially during the lean years. However, when it comes to saving and investing as a business owner, there are other paths you could consider for...

Nearly 56 million American adults are 65 or older, and the demand for community living and estate planning services may increase over the next few decades.1Do you know what arrangements you need to make when the time comes? What are...

Low-risk, predictable returns for investors needing to preserve their capital.In a rising interest rate environment, fixed-income investments become increasingly important for investors. Fixed-income investments such as bonds, Treasury...

It’s time for us (you) to rethink the retirement age and make adjustmentsAs the wealthiest society in human history, it is reasonable to expect that we should prioritize the well-being of our citizens, particularly as they age....

Government employees, such as teachers, firefighters, police, and others, often consider working after their eligible retirement age when presented with a DROPs offer. A DROP program is a tax-advantaged retirement plan that provides...

Financial freedom is a state of being in control of one's finances, covering expenses easily, and saving for future goals. Financial freedom enables you to choose how you spend or interact with your money and have the choice to decide...

Being a small business owner can be rewarding but also may bring a lot of stress. You may be experiencing the pressures of trying to grow your company while providing a solid future for your employees. On top of all that, you will also...

40% of Us Don’t Pay Any Federal Income Taxes. A new analysis by the Tax Policy Center (TPC) indicates a significant decline in the number of American households that will not pay federal income taxes in 2022. According to the TPC,...

Did everyone else have bank failure on their bingo card for 2023? Yeah, I didn’t either. After the year of our Lord 2022 mercifully ended, a brief respite from turmoil would have been a welcome...

Comparing 2008/09 with the current financial landscape offers guidanceThe 2023 global economy has been experiencing a period of turmoil, marked by aggressive responses from governments, regulators, and the biggest banks as the world...

Do you pride yourself on being thrifty, consistently taking care to buy budget products, clip coupons, and shop at big warehouse stores? If so, give yourself a pat on your back—you are taking smart steps to protect your financial...

The IRS has identified 21 states that made special payments to taxpayers in 2022. After a review of those special payments, the IRS has determined that taxpayers in many states will not need to report those payments on their 2022...

After spending so much of your life saving for retirement, it may be challenging to transition from depositing funds to withdrawing them. You may wonder whether there is any way to maintain your lifestyle and preserve your wealth to...

529 plans are tax-advantaged savings vehicles designed to accumulate contributions and help pay for the beneficiary's qualifying education expenses. Sometimes, 529 plans have unused funds after the beneficiary graduates or decide to...

Charitable giving is an opportunity to use your wealth to benefit others while providing you with tax benefits. If you’re searching for a way to reduce your tax bill and give back to the community, a donor-advised fund (DAF) or a...

Basic estate planning is something that everyone should do, regardless of your age, marital status, the value of your assets, and if you’re a parent or not.  According to a 2021 poll by Gallup, less than half of U.S. adults...

Budgeting techniques are constantly evolving, with new approaches being developed and old ones being adapted as technology changes. But sometimes, the simplest of methods is all it takes to help you take better control of your finances...

Having a professional walk you through savings, budgeting, investments, tax issues, and other aspects of financial planning can be invaluable. But if you're not sure what you want from this relationship—or what you're looking for...

The importance of financial literacy for children cannot be overstated. One of the most effective ways to teach children about money management is by encouraging them to open a savings account. A savings account not only teaches...

While retirement is a time to enjoy the things you have worked hard for in life, the next chapter may leave some a little anxious. Retirement doesn't mean you have to retire from the excitement in life. In fact, it is the perfect time...

Tax time can be stressful, and often means a lot of time and paperwork, but you can reduce some of the stress by going paperless with your tax documents. You can receive tax documents (and many additional mailings) electronically by...

If you're a business owner, you are likely the Chief Everything Officer at work and have many responsibilities. A business owner's situation is unique since they are asset-rich and cash-poor since their wealth is in their...

Financial wellness is a term that refers to the overall health and well-being of an individual's finances. In order to work toward financial wellness, it is essential to understand and manage the five key elements of personal finance:...

What is using trusts to gift your business?Using trusts to gift your business is a technique whereby, rather than gift your business directly to your beneficiaries, you transfer ownership of your business to a trust and then name your...

If you or a loved one are approaching the point of needing elder care, you may be wondering what your options are. What level of care is right for your situation? How will you pay for care? What will happen when you need a more...

Basic estate planning is something that everyone should do, regardless of your age, marital status, the value of your assets, and if you’re a parent or not.  According to a 2021 poll by Gallup, less than half of U.S. adults...

What is gifting? Transfer of ownership without receiving valueBroadly speaking, a gift occurs when you transfer something (e.g., your business interests) to another party without receiving something of at least equal value in return....

A trust is a legal vehicle that protects your assets that contains instructions for your assets when you die or become incapacitated. When you set up a trust, you transfer assets from your name into your trust's name while you still...

The LPL Research Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee is increasing its recommended interest rate exposure in its tactical allocation from underweight to neutral. Now that interest rates have moved substantially higher, we...

Basic estate planning is something that everyone should do, regardless of your age, marital status, the value of your assets, and if you’re a parent or not. According to a 2021 poll by Gallup, less than half of U.S. adults (46%)...

Inflationary dynamics continue to surprise to the upside, and markets now expect the Fed to pursue one of its most aggressive rate hiking campaign in years. U.S. Treasury yields continue to move higher as well. We think we’ve...

You might be thinking about retiring, but how do you know when you are really ready for it, mentally and financially? For decades, the normal retirement age was 65. This was when you became eligible for Social Security and Medicare....

Baby Boomers — those born between 1946 and 1964 — hold about $20 trillion in wealth.1 Over the next few decades, many Boomers may transfer this wealth to their Gen X, millennial, and Gen Z children, perhaps incurring a...

Through charitable giving, you can support causes or organizations you believe in and lock in tax benefits simultaneously. Whether you’re new to charitable giving or a veteran, there are several strategies you should keep in mind...

As we approach the end of the year, you may want to review areas that may impact your wealth and estate planning next year. In this year-end planning guide, we examine four critical areas to consider that may affect your finances:1....

RMD Tables are changing to keep up with The SECURE Act of 2019. Under The SECURE Act, if you turned age 70 1/2 in 2019, you would've been required to take your first RMD by April 1, 2020. If you turned age 70 1/2 in 2020 or later, you...

Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell reiterated his warning that getting inflation under control will require some pain. Powell is likely making these warnings based on the arcane, clunky relationship between inflation and unemployment....

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,...

The difficult 2022 for stocks may not get much easier because as we now wait for better news on the inflation front, we have to contend with a seasonally weak month of September. While we got some welcome news in Friday’s jobs...

Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached.That's where financial planning...

Earnings growth of 6-7% doesn’t sound very exciting, but given the challenges corporate America has faced, we consider the nearly-complete second quarter earnings season a resounding success. The numerous challenges last quarter...

Existing home sales fell 5.9% in July, the sixth consecutive month of declines as higher interest rates weigh on housing affordability and prospective buyers. As the housing market slowed, so did prices. The median price for a single...

As a successful business owner, you don't want to think about your operations being interrupted by a natural disaster or other unexpected event. Yet the possibility is a real one.Natural catastrophes represent just a portion of the...

Investors cheered the two better-than-expected inflation reports last week, pushing the S&P 500 to 16% above its June 16 low and only 11% below its all-time high. After this rebound, the key question investors are asking is whether...

QuestionI made after-tax contributions to my 401(k). When I retire, can I roll that money into a Roth IRA tax-free?AnswerYes.After-tax funds can be segregated from other funds in the account and transferred directly to a Roth IRA. In...

The market pundits remain intensely focused on the question of whether the U.S. economy is in or about to enter recession, so we thought a piece on what a recession might mean for the stock market would be of interest. While...

Stocks have been unable to make up much ground since the June 16 lows, with a bear market rally amounting to only around a 4.3% gain in the S&P 500 Index since then (as of July 1). After the more than 6% rally the week of June 24 and...

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...

For the past year, supply-related problems contributed more to inflation than demand-related imbalances, but that may be changing soon. There are at least three factors that could change the course of inflation. First, the improvement...

In 2022, U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high, with prices for food, housing, gasoline, and other key staples increasing by nearly 10% over the previous year.1 During these uncertain times, stocks have continued a roller-coaster ride that...

Whether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness. Are you aware of these common estate planning mistakes?Titling property jointly with...

The largest cost-of-living-adjustment since 1982 impacts 90% of seniorOn October 13th, the Social Security Administration announced that Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for tens of millions of Americans will...

Stocks have been unable to make up much ground since the June 16 lows, with a bear market rally amounting to only around a 4.3% gain in the S&P 500 Index since then (as of July 1). After the more than 6% rally the week of June 24 and...

Every May, interest rates on federal student loans are recalculated for the upcoming school year. The rates are calculated by combining the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note with an extra fixed amount set by Congress.Based on...

2022 has been rough all-around for the American consumer. Not only are we battling decades-high inflation, but investors’ portfolios are off to one of the worst starts to a year in history as we near the halfway point. Our...

When you die, what will happen to your retirement plan benefits? In general, your retirement plan benefits pass to the beneficiaries you designate on the plan beneficiary designation form. Your benefits will generally be subject to...

The bear market that started on June 13 has left the S&P 500 Index 23.5% below its January 3 high. After the initial positive reaction to the Federal Reserve’s first 0.75% rate hike since 1994 and tough talk on inflation,...

Adults caring for aging parents and children simultaneously have now become known as the "sandwich generation." While each generation comes with its own array of financial challenges, the sandwich generation often feels a tight...

For members of the "Sandwich Generation"—those currently in their 40s and 50s who are caring for children and their parents who are over 65-years old—estate planning may seem like a low priority. After all, when you're...

Almost half of all adults are part of the "sandwich generation." These are adults in their 40s and 50s who are helping support or care for a parent while also supporting or caring for a child.1Being caught between two generations of...

This year has been tough for investors, not just because stocks have fallen but also because bonds have not helped mitigate those losses as they have historically done. Below we discuss the outlook for diversified portfolios of stocks...

Many pundits are issuing recession warnings and saying the economy is heading for a hard landing. Amid the cacophony of voices, we think the economy is slowing just like central bankers want but not shrinking. Further, we argue that a...

At the risk of sounding cliché, making the case for stocks to stage a second half rally back to the prior highs requires investors to see through some heavy cloud cover. If you prefer another market cliché, it’s times...

Core bond investors have experienced the worst start to the year ever. However tough this year has been so far though (and it has been tough), the potential for future returns has improved meaningfully, in our view. Starting yields...

We believe pent-up demand, gradual improvement in supply chain challenges, solid labor force growth, and productivity gains will all contribute to another year of above-trend economic growth in 2022.

There are only six weeks to go in 2021 and it has been an incredible year for the stock market bulls. In fact, in many ways it could go down as one of the best years ever. This week, in honor of Thanksgiving, we wanted to take a...

When developing a succession plan for your business, you must make many decisions. Should you sell your business or give it away? Should you structure your plan to go into effect during your lifetime or at your death? Should you...

After an updside inflation surprise in October, it’s clear that peak inflation may still be ahead, possibly even pushing into 2022. While the Federal Reserve (Fed) maintains its position that elevated inflation will be...

A well-crafted business plan can be a blueprint for entrepreneurial confidence. This multifaceted tool is as important to established business owners looking to grow their companies as it is to budding entrepreneurs. A business plan...

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve invested a great deal of time and effort into building your company. With day-to-day demands, it may be difficult to imagine your eventual transition into retirement. Yet, if you...

Contributing to charities comes with a load of tax rules. Here’s are a few things to think about.. Every April 16th (or in 2020, July 16th) should remind us of everyone’s least favorite season – tax-planning time....

Since we began our investing careers, we’ve had the concept of diversification drilled into our heads. Some refer to it as the only free lunch in investing. Well, when it comes to geography, that advice hasn’t been helpful...

All data is provided as of November 1, 2021. Dear Valued Investor: The past year and a half have tested all of us, but overall, the economy continues to strengthen, COVID-19 trends are greatly improving, and this still relatively young...

What are appropriate checklists for year-end tax planning? Tax planners often develop checklists to guide taxpayers toward year-end strategies that might help reduce taxes. Typically, suggestions are grouped into several different...

5 Things That Might Spook Markets

Josh Brown, CFP®

Monday, November 1, 2021

With Halloween over the weekend, what better to write about this week than what scares us? If our positive near-term market outlook proves to be overly optimistic, we believe one—or perhaps more than one—of these five...

Using Trusts to Manage Wealth: What Investors Should Know

Joel L. Gray

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Whether you manage a trust for someone else, are the beneficiary of a trust, or are thinking of creating a trust, you probably have some questions about the "best practices" of trust management. A well-managed trust can help preserve...

Bullish Setup Into Year-End

Josh Brown, CFP®

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

The S&P 500 Index has gained more than 20% so far this year, making more than 50 record highs along the way. Certainly nobody should be upset with that return if that was all 2021 brought us. However, we see signs that there could be...

Optimizing Required Minimum Distributions

Josh Brown, CFP®

Tuesday, October 26, 2021

Seventy-two is an important age milestone for those in or near retirement, as it marks the time when required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin to be withdrawn annually from IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans (previously,...

Mid-November Means Open Enrollment Time

J. Scott Thompson

Sunday, October 24, 2021

Open enrollment for employee benefits kicks off this month. While you plan your Thanksgiving menu, review your benefit choices. Even if little changed in your life this past year, maximize what your employer offers. Here are some...

Tax Benefits of Charitable Planning

Josh Brown, CFP®

Thursday, October 21, 2021

When you donate to a charity, you want to know that your donation is going to its highest and best purpose—which means minimizing the tax exposure of the donated assets. One way to accomplish this, whether you're hoping to donate...

Q3 Earnings Preview: Less Upside

Josh Brown, CFP®

Monday, October 18, 2021

We have used most of the superlatives we know to describe corporate America’s stunning performances over the past two earnings seasons. Despite lofty expections, results exceeded estimates by the biggest margins we’ve ever...

What You Should Know About Inherited IRAs

Josh Brown, CFP®

Monday, October 4, 2021

The rules and consequences of IRA beneficiary arrangements are complex The rules pertaining to Individual Retirement Account (IRA) beneficiaries can be complicated. Here is a quick look at the limitations the Internal Revenue Service...

Which Way is Your Household GDP Trending?

Josh Brown, CFP®

Monday, September 27, 2021

Macroeconomic data most useful when viewed through your own filters As stock markets continue to reach new highs, we’re bombarded with economic data that seemingly points to why the markets will continue their march forward...

How to Positively Impact Your Long-term Savings Practices

J. Scott Thompson

Monday, September 20, 2021

Like dieting, budgeting your expenses can benefit from long-term commitment. However, human nature leads many of us to become frustrated when we can’t immediately have the things we need or want. As a result, the best-laid...

Four Financial Planning Essentials to Ease Your Retirement Fears

Josh Brown, CFP®

Monday, September 13, 2021

When it comes to planning for retirement, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Putting together a financial strategy can be complicated at any time of life, what with changing regulations, ups and downs, but it can help ease your retirement fears.

NorthEnd Team's Book Recommendations for 2021

Joel L. Gray

Monday, September 6, 2021

Must Read Books and the Evolution of Book Clubs. When was the last time you read a book? Now that audiobooks and electronic platforms make it easier for us to read or learn on the go, it can still be difficult to prioritize this popular...

5 Ways to Take Control When Life Gets Busy

Joel L. Gray

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Don’t Fall into Fall: Budget Your Time Accordingly. Vacation season is coming to an end and it’s time for one of the busiest times of year—fall. With holidays around the corner and back to school for kids, budgeting...

Recently, inflation has found its way into the broad economy. This is partly a result of the tremendous amount of government stimulus over the past 18 months in reaction to the COVID-pandemic. Even though some prices are up lately...

Financial Independence: 4 Tips to Help You Succeed. The golden rule of financial planning: if you can plan it, you can pursue it. Self-sufficiency isn’t guaranteed, but every one of us has the opportunity to achieve it.

Charitable Giving: Should your charitable donations should stay in your zip code? For many of us, buying locally matters. We’ve all heard the term and seen the signs: Shop Locally. Eat Locally. But let’s extend that thought...

One of the main reasons we buy life insurance is so that when we die, our loved ones will have enough money to pay off our remaining debts and final expenses. We also purchase life insurance to provide for our loved ones' future...

Investment Planning throughout Retirement Investment planning during retirement is not the same as investing for retirement and, in many ways, is more complicated. Your working years are your saving years. With luck, your income...

Caring for Your Aging Parents: What is it? Caring for your aging parents is something you hope you can handle when the time comes, but something you probably hope you never have to do. Caring for your aging parents means helping them...

When America first began its battles against England in 1775, in an attempt for separation, colonists in favor of the break were met with a great deal of skepticism. Most Americans were not in favor of the revolution, not because they...

Should you insure that trip or TV? Here’s what an economist would do You can buy insurance for practically anything these days. Planning a vacation to France? Your airline, travel agent or even hotel will likely offer trip...

The Basics of Retirement Planning You may have a very idealistic vision of retirement — doing all of the things that you never seem to have time to do now. But how do you pursue that vision? Social Security may be around when you...

Looking for a tax-advantaged college savings vehicle that has no age restrictions and no income phaseout limits — and one you can use to pay for more than just tuition? Consider 529 savings plans, a popular way to save for...

Many of you already have estate documents, probably executed many years ago. You need an estate attorney to look over your documents every 10 years or so. Here are a dozen points to review. Determine your...

Your financial professional can help you navigate the ever-changing IRS rules Taxpayers of all ages may be able to claim a deduction on their 2020 tax return for contributions made to their Individual Retirement Account made through...

Estimating Your Retirement Income Needs You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as...