Blog

A Crystal Clear New Year

It’s that time again: the chance to put yourself first and make realistic goals for the year ahead. While it seems like you can only focus on one aspect of your health at a time, that’s not the case. The following...

IRS Adjusts Tax Brackets to Account for Inflation

Shifts in tax brackets as well as the standard deduction slated for 2024.On October 18, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax year 2023 adjustments for tax returns filed in 2024.From the IRS directly...

8 Tips to Stay on Track with Your Holiday Budgeting

It’s hard to believe we are already approaching the end of another year, and holiday season will soon be here. Since holiday spending doesn’t include just gifting, it’s essential to set your budget now. You may likely...

5 Do’s and Don'ts for Charitable Giving During the Holidays

The fourth quarter holidays are often seen as one of the prime times to take out your checkbook — not only do many charities put in extra efforts helping others this time of year, but donating is also a smart financial move....

What the Mid-Terms Might Do to the Stock Market

The S&P 500 does best when one party controls Congress and the WH too.The 2022 Midterm Elections will feature hundreds of hotly contested races at the state and local level and will decide whether the Democrats maintain – or the...

Preparing for Year-End and the 2022/2023 Tax Season

Year-end is approaching and being prepared is the best way to make this tax season your easiest yet. Following are important information and tools to help you get ready.\ As always, meeting with us early and often will ensure your...

Paint and Sip by the Sea Recap

It was yet another fantastic evening, appreciating current clients at Legacy One Financial. Hosted by Gaea Verneris at Legacy One Financial and Jason Van Duren at Bluerock Investments, guests got to sip delicious wines at the New Deep...

A Fall Financial Checklist

For many, autumn is the best time of year. The return of cool breezes, comforting foods, and pumpkins can be invigorating. It’s also a bookmark of sorts, especially for your finances—a perfect time to take stock of your...

Your Long Term Care Action Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide

Those turning 65 this year have a 7 in 10 chance of needing long-term care (LTC) at some point.1 With the cost of a private room in a nursing home now topping $100,000 per year, the thought of paying this — or for a loved one...

Life Insurance Riders that Help Pay for Long-Term Care

Life insurance has many uses, including income replacement, business continuation, and estate preservation. Long-term care insurance helps provide financial protection against the potentially high cost of long-term care. If you find...

Use the Power of Positive Thinking to Improve Your Life

Everyone has a choice to make when they wake up in the morning. Will today be a good day or a bad day? A “good day” all starts with positive thinking. A negative mindset translates into bad thoughts that will adversely...

5 Advantages Women Financial Professionals May Have Over Their Male Counterparts

Although some estimates show that 15 to 20% of all financial professionals are women, there is a growing demand for females in the financial services industry.1 In America, women control about $14 trillion in assets. A female financial...

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...

Get Set… Hike!

Sun, Fun, and Summer Savings: 5 Thrifty Tips for Summer Traveling

Fatherly Advice: 7 Timeless Financial Tips Our Fathers Taught Us

How to Stay Motivated with Your Fitness and Health Goals

The Financial Impact of Mental Health

Meditate Your Way Into Relaxation

3 Common Social Security Scams and How To Avoid Being Fooled by Them

Invest in Your Financial Education During Financial Literacy Month

Women's History Month: 4 Female Financial Pioneers

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

Keeping Your Stress Levels in Check

How to Avoid Financial Heartbreak from Sweetheart Scams

Meditate Your Way into the New Year

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

Get Carving: The Best Ski Resorts

For many Americans, the countdown to the holiday season means one thing: winter sports. Skiing is a popular hobby, and for good reason. When else can you take in all of Old Man Winter’s glory as you fly down a mountain? Not only...

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...

Five Things You Need To Know About Long-Term Care Insurance

Long-term care insurance is a type of insurance that covers the costs related to long-term, chronic health concerns. It may cover things that traditional health insurance does not cover, such as personal care services. If you have a...

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...

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...

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....

American Business Women's Day

September 22nd is American Business Women's Day, and it may be the perfect day to celebrate women who have surpassed the glass ceiling and gone on to be leaders and inspirations for businesswomen everywhere. In honor of American...

Labor Day 2021: The Pandemic's Impact

2020 was one of the most disruptive years ever for the U.S. job market, almost as significant as the unemployment during the Great Depression in 1933 and surpassing joblessness during the Great Recession from 2006 to 2008. Many...

Taxpayer Appreciation Day—Recognizing Taxpayers' Contributions

Though U.S. taxpayers received an extra month to file and pay their federal income taxes in 2021, some are still smarting from having to write a check to the IRS.[1] For many, it can be tough to make the connection between those...

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...

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...

The Most Visited Parks

The United States is filled with natural beauty, which can be enjoyed by visiting one of the many parks throughout the country. From forests to canyons, waterfalls to mountains, you can find a park that has what you are looking for....

Happy Graduation! Time to Repay Your College Loans

Graduation from college is an exciting time for many and signals the start of student loan repayment. If you are a recent graduate, you may have a co-signer on your student loan. If you are a parent or family member that is a co-signer...

Helping Young Adults Understand Insurance

Insurance should be part of everyone’s plan – and it should evolve too Young adults starting out in life, especially newlyweds, need insurance. But what kind? As a start, a good term life policy likely is a smart move....

529 Savings Plans: For Education Expenses and Estate Planning?

A 529 plan is a state-sponsored tax-advantaged plan designed for saving for future education expenses authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. If used for education, the assets grow tax-free. According to the College...

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....

WOMEN AND FINANCIAL STRATEGIES

Forty-four percent of American women are the primary breadwinner in their house.1 Yet only 10% of women feel very confident in their ability to fully retire with a comfortable lifestyle.2 Although more women are providing for their...

Tips to Help Financial Stress

With so much going on in the world today—from a global pandemic through economic hardship—it comes as no surprise that many people have recently found themselves under heavy financial stress. Whether it is due to the loss...

How Will Working Affect Social Security Benefits?

In a recent survey, 74% of current workers stated they plan to work for pay after retiring.1 And that possibility raises an interesting question: how will working affect Social Security benefits? To answer that question requires an...

9 Facts About Social Security

Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the website, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how...

Retirement Plans and Estate Planning

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...

Mental Health Services and Employer Sponsored Insurance

While many people often think of only their physical health needs when evaluating health insurance plans, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all plans that are sold on the individual or family health insurance marketplaces to...

April is Financial Literacy Month

Too many people just don’t have it, but your financial professional can help April is National Financial Literacy Month – an entire month dedicated to underscoring the importance of learning, establishing and maintaining...