When evaluating investments, it’s easy to focus on total returns—how much your money has grown over time. However, that number alone doesn’t tell the full story. That’s where annualized returns come in. They provide a clearer, more...
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When it comes to financial planning, many people underestimate the true cost of life’s biggest expenses. Let’s put your knowledge to the test. Write down your answers and see how many you got right at the end!
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Planning for long-term care is no longer a "one-size-fits-all" decision. As medical costs rise and the insurance landscape shifts, families are finding that a variety of strategic options exist—but each comes with trade-offs that...
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It’s natural to wonder how your net worth stacks up against others your age. Headlines often highlight average or median net worth figures by generation, and social media can make it seem like everyone else is getting ahead faster...
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With tuition costs rising, student debt at record levels, and more education options than ever before, families face tougher decisions about higher education than previous generations...
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Long-term capital gains—the profit you make when you sell an investment you’ve held more than one year—are taxed more gently than ordinary income. For most taxpayers, those rates remain at 0%, 15%, and 20%, but the income...
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Establishing an estate strategy is crucial, yet many wait too long to put their wishes in writing. Use this helpful guide to review your estate strategy and start conversations with your loved ones, financial professionals, and legal team..
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Estate planning is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are honored. Unfortunately, many people carry misconceptions that cause them to put off planning till later in life, or...
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Alternative investments have increasingly gained attention among investors who are looking to expand beyond traditional stocks and bonds. These investments may offer exposure to different asset classes and sectors...
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Regardless of which side of the aisle you lean towards, new government legislation affects us all. President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill," signed on July 4th, introduces significant changes to education and long-term savings...
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It is important in your 20s and 30s to be aware of the financial risks that life can present. This whitepaper will help navigate the many available insurance options that can help to protect your financial future.
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When people talk about investing, flashy headlines and viral videos often highlight overnight gains, explosive stock picks, or the next big cryptocurrency...
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"Should I pay off my debt or continue paying into my savings and short-term goals?" It's a valid question with no short answer. Paying off debt could mean paying less interest and increasing cash flow in the future. Paying into savings...
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Guide your clients through 401(k) rollovers, helping them avoid costly mistakes that could lead to unnecessary taxes and fees—potentially saving them thousands
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Fear and greed are the most powerful feelings influencing investor behavior in financial markets. These emotions often lead to dramatic swings in securities, creating volatility that can hurt or benefit investors...
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Navigating Medicare can feel overwhelming, but understanding your options ensures you get the right coverage for your needs. If you're turning 65 soon, start exploring your choices today to make a smooth transition into Medicare!
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The idea of wellness extends further than how we look and feel. Financial wellness is an important concept, and this whitepaper will explain what it is and how we can help you to achieve it...
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What you need to know about RMDs starting in 2025. The SECURE Act caused significant changes to the rules for inherited IRAs, impacting how beneficiaries receive these funds. One major change was the elimination of "stretch IRAs" for...
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It's understandable that investors are worried about how the ongoing conflict in the Middle East might affect investments. It's been just over a year since the terrorist attack on Israel, and the continued fighting and political...
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Are you aware of the key changes in SECURE 2.0 that could impact your retirement strategy? How does this change affect your retirement strategy? Get familiar with the SECURE Act (and the updated SECURE Act 2.0) and its impact on your...
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As college tuition costs rise, many families are exploring ways to save for their children's education. One increasingly popular option is the grandparent-owned 529 plan. This savings vehicle offers significant tax advantages and...
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Finances are a balance. How do you save enough to reach your goals without sacrificing your wants and needs right now? We cover a few major spending choices that make all the difference: your home, your car, and your travels. With some...
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Inflation readings have been gradually drifting closer to the central bank’s 2% target. Inflation is generally defined as the continued increase in the average prices of goods and services in a given...
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Building wealth takes hard work and dedication, but preserving and growing it also requires consistent effort and careful planning. There are several factors that can erode your estate if left unaddressed.
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In this infographic, outline the seven major events in which savings can play a significant role in enabling your clients to live their best life. After all, their savings shouldn't only act as an "in case of emergency" fund, but also...
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The saying “Change is the only constant” applies to all areas of life… including finance. Markets rise and fall. Alarmist headlines come and go...
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Investing wisely should be a mathematical exercise … but often, the real science at work is psychology...
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Brentwood Financial Advisors is pleased to announce earning Diamond Status at Cetera Financial Group’s annual awards conference. Since 2019, Brentwood Financial Advisors has been an independent firm affiliated with Cetera, an at-scale...
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Reinvesting your interest earnings into your investments is a powerful way to maximize your return. The effect of compound interest on your investments is especially impactful over a longer time horizon. Compound interest is different...
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Hedge funds occupy a fascinating niche in the investment world. They have gained prominence over the years, attracting attention from both sophisticated investors and the general public. Understanding what hedge funds are and how they...
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You've worked hard, saved, and prepared. Your well-earned retirement is here, but are you confident that your money will last?
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Almost a quarter of retirees move states in retirement. But there are some important practical matters that you’ll want to attend to before or soon after you settle into your new digs. Here’s a quick roundup...
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We all know that saving money is a great idea, but can your money do more than just sit around? While investing may seem daunting at first, it is how you can get your money to work for you and your goals. Here are Seven Principles of...
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For most people, planning for retirement is centered around finding ways to accumulate the greatest amount of savings possible. But a crucial part of the equation tends to get overlooked—distribution strategies. That is, figuring...
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When you leave a job or prepare to retire, you have options for your old 401k plans. The great thing about a 401k retirement savings plan is that most plans are portable when you leave a job. You have several options...
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Despite the current market volatility, the best guidance may be the simplest: step back, look at the big picture, and avoid any hasty decisions...
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If you’re like most business owners, you’ve treated your company like a member of the family. So what happens to it after you’re gone? Any solid financial plan will include some kind of estate planning...
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Pursuing a sound financial strategy doesn't have to be overwhelming. Educate clients and prospects on solid investment principles with this helpful whitepaper that includes bite-sized pieces of timeless financial advice...
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The proverb “rags to rags in three generations” means that oftentimes family wealth does not last for very long. The first generation makes the money, the second spends it, and sadly, the third ends up seeing none of the wealth.
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Build an investment strategy that reflects your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance.
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Whether using artificial intelligence or human brainpower, the right financial advisor will help find the best investments for your personal portfolio.
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When it comes to market rebounds, “Fear Of Missing Out” can be perfectly rational – and avoidable. There’s a simple rule of gravity that every child learns: What goes up … must come down. Every...
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The recent bank closures have raised some questions with investors about their own funds. While it does not appear that these closures will be a systematic risk to the economy, it is still a good opportunity to understand your asset...
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Figuring out retirement choices can be a little intimidating. How do you pick the most appropriate retirement plan for you? There are a number or choices and pros and cons to each option. Take a look at our infographic to help you decide.
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Most people don't realize the high chance they have of needing this care and how expensive it is. Failing to plan for this expense can derail your retirment plan.Since long-term care is typically not covered by traditional health...
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A new law is set to change the way we plan for retirement – and especially the relationship between your prepaid tuition plan and your Roth IRA...
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A donor-advised fund can maximize how your donations are working for causes you care about.If you’re at all interested in charitable giving, then there’s a good chance you’ve already heard about donor-advised funds....
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As the name indicates, Separately Managed Accounts (SMAs) are a professionally managed portfolio of securities. These accounts are similar to an ETF or mutual fund in that they have a variety of securities within them. However, a SMA...
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People mourning a loved one already have a lot on their minds — especially if that loved one is you. Even the simplest things can feel like steep challenges, so one of the best investments you can make for your next generation is...
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If you’ve got concerns about your college plan, we’ve got answers to common questions. Education is perhaps one of the best investments there is, since it opens up a whole world of future potential. By...
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The CalSavers Retirement Savings Program is a rudimentary state-run retirement savings program for those working for a privately-owned business. If the business does not offer a retirement savings program and has at least 5 employees,...
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SECURE 2.0 has the potential to transform the way American employers and employees manage retirement plansA new law is set to change the way retirement works for you and your employees. It’s known as the Securing a Strong...
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Few topics lead to as much disagreement between today’s savvy investors as cryptocurrency. Some true believers will shout from the rooftops that it’s the money of the future and the future of money. Some cynics will just...
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Any significant decision in life will bring with it an emotional component. This can be especially true when making financial decisions. When we let our emotions take control of our investing choices, we could end up making some less...
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Merger arbitrage, otherwise known as risk arbitrage, is a lesser-known investment strategy among the general investing public…
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As the internet constantly evolves and expands, more and more people are increasingly shopping online, storing their information in the cloud, and doing business virtually. As our lives become more complicated, cyber-crime continues…
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It’s time for your life insurance checkup… September is National Life Insurance Awareness Month, so it’s a great time to review your coverage.1 However, for many, life insurance can be a complicated subject to...
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How to select insurance coverage for your needs Evaluate your options to select what is right for you. Many people have misconceptions about Life Insurance. Some believe that it is more expensive than it actually is. Others think it is...
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Understand the fees and process of working with an advisor. Navigating your many financial options isn’t an easy task. Using a financial advisor can provide you with clear and customized guidance based on your current situation...
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Which one are you doing? The main difference between speculating and investing is the information behind the investment decision and the risk. It is no surprise that investors want to make a profit off of the initial capital invested...
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Should I invest in bonds right now? Is the big question on every investor’s mind. Bonds are known as the reliable workhorses of any portfolio. They exist to protect principal, building a foundation that investors rely on even...
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There is an old saying on Wall Street that the market is driven by two emotions: fear and greed. Although this is a simplification, it is often the case for many investors. Investing your hard-earned money can be scary and at the same...
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WHAT IS DOWNSIDE LOSS and how to avoid it Downside loss is an unglamorous, but crucial, side of investing to consider when assessing for risk your portfolio. When the stock market rallies, investors are happy and believe they’ve...
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Don’t forget your 529 college savings plan contributions! Starting your college 529 savings plan is the first step to preparing for college. But to meet your deadline, regular contributions are key to growing your investment....
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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A FINANCIAL PLAN? Stop guessing about what could be in the way of your financial goals and start a plan of action. Everyone could benefit from a financial plan. While your situation and goals are specific to...
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There is the age old investing adage that if you want a greater return you must have greater risk. However, not everyone is comfortable with greater risk. As a way to ease into the markets, you may instead elect to follow a more...
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On March 25, the Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion stimulus bill named the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act (H.R. 748, as amended) and on Friday, March 27, the bill was signed into law. The $2.2 trillion...
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Now is a good time to remember that long-term investment goals tend to survive temporary market shifts. Any time you see a swing in the markets and a drop in your account balance, emotions are going to arise. Here are some steps on how...
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Enter 2020 with clarity about how you can reduce your taxable income As we enter a new year, many Americans are working hard to get their finances in order and prepare for upcoming goals. There are many tax planning strategies you can...
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What Can You Expect from Your Financial Advisor? There are a wide variety of financial advisors. They range from different levels of experience, to completely different business models. Whether you're saving for retirement or...
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Risk management is a key component of your financial planning. What is Risk Management? Risk Management is an important yet sometimes overlooked aspect of personal finance. By definition, “risk management is the process of...
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