Blog
Value vs. Growth Investing
Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth. Looking at their recent track records doesn’t do much to settle the debate. Over the past decade, as a whole, value stocks have not performed as well as...
Mutual Funds vs. ETFs
Exchange-traded funds have some things in common with mutual funds, but there are differences, too. The growth of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has been explosive. In 2006, there were less than 1,000; by 2024, there over nearly 10,000 investing in a wide range of...
Perception vs. Reality
Learn how to coordinate your retirement accounts like an orchestra to help maximize your retirement strategy. Key Takeaways Understanding the retirement savings hierarchy can help maximize your limited dollars. Many financial professionals suggest prioritizing your...
It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times
Learn about key investment principles that will help you navigate the unpredictability of the financial markets. Key Takeaways Diversification can help manage investment risk, but it doesn't eliminate it. The "don't put all your eggs in one basket" approach may help...
Making Sense of HSAs and FSAs
How HSAs and FSAs might help your household. With family health insurance premiums rising 297 percent since 2000, averaging over $25,000 annually, some employees feel the squeeze. Deductibles, too, have jumped nearly 50 percent over the last decade, further increasing...
Who Is Your Trusted Contact?
This investment account question is vital and answered as early as possible. Investment firms have a client service feature that may be a benefit to certain investors. They will ask you whether you would like to provide the name and information of a trusted contact.1...
Changing Unhealthy Behaviors
Five phases to changing unhealthy behaviors. Most Americans know the fundamentals of good health: exercise, proper diet, sufficient sleep, regular check-ups, and no smoking or excessive alcohol. Yet, despite this knowledge, changing existing behaviors can be...
You May Need to Make Estimated Tax Payments If…
Have income that isn’t subject to tax withholding? Or insufficient withholdings? You may have to pay estimated taxes. You may have to make estimated tax payments if you earn income that is not subject to withholding, such as income from self-employment, interest,...
9 Facts About Social Security
There are things about Social Security that might surprise you. Social Security has been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know how it works, but how much do you really know? Here are nine things that might surprise you....
