Life & Finance Blog

What’s on our mind? You can read about it in our blog. Whether it’s planning ideas or investment strategies, you can read about it, and sometimes watch it, here. So keep checking in. We’re glad to have you reading along.

Friday, September 25, 2020

The Importance of Treating Yourself Every Now & Then When it comes to your finances, there are some expenses that are worth the money. It doesn’t hurt to treat yourself, even while saving for retirement. Wanting to save your...

Friday, August 21, 2020

The Value of Volunteering Stepping into retirement is great for getting in that well-earned rest and relaxation—and for taking up volunteering, no matter what that looks like. Volunteering in retirement can be a great way to keep...

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Your Emergency Fund: How Big Should It Be? When Should You Use It? If you think of your finances as a house, your emergency fund would be the foundation. It’s the first step you takein...

Monday, August 3, 2020

The Four Foundations of Financial Literacy August 14 is Financial Awareness Day. It’s a good time to brush up on the principles of financial planning—budgeting, managing debt, saving and investing. Being financially...

Friday, April 17, 2020

In our new Street View video, Putting Things In Perspective, LPL Research VP and Sr. Market Strategist Ryan Detrick reminds us the stock market is forward-looking, and historically, the S&P 500 Index has tended to hit bottom about 5...

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Friday, March 27, 2020

Take Five -- Five easy ways to reduce daily stress No matter how calm you try to stay, life is going to throw some stressful moments at you. It can really affect your focus on retirement planning or other financial...

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

The longer we’re in this business, the more convinced we are that change is the only constant. We realize that market ups and downs can be extreme and unpredictable. We sympathize that volatility can play havoc with your nerves....

Thursday, January 16, 2020

If you’re interested in “giving back”, you want to make sure you do it in the most appropriate manner: Providing you the most flexibility, allowing for the greatest tax savings, lowering costs, etc. We just released a...

Thursday, November 7, 2019

In the sports world, a mental error can cost your team the big game. When you are investing, a mental error can put your retirementportfolio at risk. Mistakes often result from letting misconceptions and emotions affect your decisions...

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

For parents planning for their children's college education, there are several investment options to consider. One option is state-sponsored prepaid tuition plans. These plans allow parents to pay today's tuition rates with the...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Because you've worked hard to create a secure and comfortable lifestyle for your family and loved ones, you'll want to ensure that you have a sound financial plan that includes trust and estate planning. With some forethought, you may...

Monday, October 14, 2019

Donor Advised Funds: A Quick & Easy Alternative to a Charitable Foundation Let’s say you donate to a number of good causes each year. And have done so your whole life. But will your children and grandchildren carry on your...

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Charitable Gift Annuity: Giving While Managing your Retirement You like to give to charity. You need a steady income stream either now or for an upcoming retirement. You have cash in CDs, money markets or savings accounts. Or have...

Monday, October 7, 2019

The risks to your wealth aren’t only in the financial markets. The wealthier you become, the more liability protection matters. We live in a litigious world, one in whicheven friends and neighbors can be convinced to see...

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

When the markets and the economy are behaving badly, as they tend to do from time to time, it's easy to feel helpless. But creating a solid financial foundation can help you gain control of your investments and possibly avoid mistakes...

Friday, July 12, 2019

Charitable Remainder Trust: Giving While Managing Your Retirement You want to make a significant gift to charity. You need an income stream now or in the future. You have appreciated assets such as real estate or stock. You want to...

Friday, July 12, 2019

Friday, June 7, 2019

Even the most amicable divorce can have a significant impact on your finances. Knowing the laws that govern the division of assetsduring a divorce is an important first step in protecting your financial health throughout this...

Monday, May 6, 2019

Naming a Charity as Your Beneficiary: Giving without putting your personal finances at risk Some families can’t afford to designate a large sum of money during their lifetime toward their favorite charity. Because of that, many...

Saturday, April 13, 2019

First the car broke down, then the dishwasher stopped working, and now the dog is sick. Sometimes the old proverb, "It never rains but it pours," seems to ring a little too true. When you need money to pay large, unexpected bills,...

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

If you are approaching retirement, likely you are starting to get a little apprehensive about all of the social security income choices available to you. You may have thought the only options were to take it early, or at full...

Monday, January 21, 2019

If you're looking for an investment-income source, you may want to consider adding dividend-paying stocks to your portfolio. They maybe especially appealing to retirees or investors who aren't comfortable with a lot of risk. Going...

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

You know it's important to maintain your physical health. But did you know it's just as important to pay attention to your financial health? When your finances are under control, you are likely to reduce stress and are better able to...

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Wealth can be a mixed blessing -- one that creates great opportunity as well as weighty responsibility -- especially for children. As a parent, grandparent, or concerned relative, you hope to pass on what you have learned about...

Sunday, July 1, 2018

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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

HURRICANE HARVEY AND IRMA DONATION DRIVE The Hesen & Haslam Team is collecting donations to send urgent supplies to those who have been evacuated from their homes as well as the First Responders and the Search and Rescue Teams. If you...