Arrows pointing upward and stock ticker data to highlight the potential growth opportunities of investments in preferred securities

Understanding Preferred Stock: A Complete Investment Guide

Preferred stock is a hybrid security that combines features of both common stock and bonds, offering investors fixed dividend payments with priority over common shareholders. While preferred stockholders typically receive higher yields than bondholders, they accept subordinated claims in the capital structure and usually lack voting rights. Preferred Stock vs Common Stock vs Bonds Feature […]

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What to Do If You Get a Letter from the IRS

Tax Planning / Mike Duffy

If you receive a letter from the IRS, don’t panic. While the possibility of a bill or an audit can be intimidating, there are numerous reasons why the IRS sends letters and notices, many of which are benign. If you get a letter from the IRS, open it as soon as possible. It can be

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Teaching Kids About Money

Financial Planning / Mike Duffy

It’s never too soon to start teaching kids about money. You can teach some simple lessons today that will give them a solid foundation for making a lifetime of sound financial decisions

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Why You Need Tax Strategy

4 Comments / Financial Planning / Mike Duffy

Most people see taxes as something you work through with an accountant once a year. However, this way of thinking can cost you in the long run. Saving money on taxes may require more than once-a-year planning. Lowering your tax bill may require a complete tax strategy—one that involves both your accountant and a financial

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Should You Worry About Bear Markets?

Markets + Economy / Mike Duffy

If you are losing sleep over volatility driven by a cascade of disheartening news, it may help to remember that the stock market is historically cyclical. There have been 10 bear markets (prior to this one) since 1950, and the market has recovered eventually every time.

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Fireworks behind a kid holding a sparkler

5 Financial Resolutions to Try

Financial Planning / Mike Duffy

According to a recent survey, 76% of Americans reported having at least one financial regret. Over half of this group said it had to do with savings: 27% didn’t start saving for retirement soon enough, 19% didn’t contribute enough to an emergency fund, and 10% wish they had saved more for college.

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Should You Rollover Your 401(k)?

Retirement / Mike Duffy

When you leave a job, you need to decide what to do with any funds you’ve invested for retirement via an employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k). Before we get into the pros and cons of the different options available to you, let’s recap what your choices are. Options for 401(k) Funds When You Leave

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Federal Income Tax: How Did We Get Here?

Tax Planning / Mike Duffy

Here’s a sobering fact — In 1913, the top federal income tax bracket was 7% on all income over $500,000, and the lowest tax bracket was 1%.

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Person flipping blocks that say wealth with coins on them

Major Risks to Your Retirement

Retirement / Mike Duffy

If you don’t consider how your retirement income can be impacted by investment risk, inflation risk, catastrophic illness or long-term care, and taxes, you may not be able to enjoy the retirement you envision.

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When Should I Retire?

Retirement / Mike Duffy

Deciding when to retire may not be one decision but a series of decisions and calculations.

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