Newsletters

Will you outlive your retirement income? Are your financial expectations for the coming year realistic?

Our financial newsletters are designed to provide helpful information on a wide variety of financial topics. Simply click on one of the newsletter topics below to read the article in its entirety.

September

HOT TOPIC: Mining Maelstrom: Why Rare Earths Are Making Headlines

Outside scientific and national security arenas, many people may not understand the importance of rare- earth minerals. This article helps demystify these critical natural resources.
Consider Munis for Tax-Free Income

Higher yields have led to record new issues of municipal bonds in 2024 and early 2025.
Navigating Financial Conversations with Aging Parents

Having a conversation with parents about their finances is an essential step in helping to ensure their financial well-being as they get older.
Voluntourism: A Vacation That Makes a Difference

A volunteer vacation offers an opportunity to give back, meet new people who share common interests, and become immersed in a different culture.
Mega Backdoor Roth: A Tax-Friendly Retirement Strategy for Serious Savers

High earners may not be eligible to contribute to a Roth IRA, but some people can use a workplace plan to save more and create a source of tax-free retirement income.
Why Renters Should Have Their Own Insurance

Young renters who are just striking out on their own may not realize that a landlord’s insurance policy typically will not cover the destruction or loss of the tenant’s possessions.

August

HOT TOPIC: What’s in the New Tax Legislation?

This article provides an overview of some key provisions in the new tax law, commonly called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Have You Set a Retirement Savings Goal?

Completing this simple worksheet can help establish a realistic retirement savings target.
Buying a Condo? Focus on the Financials

Condominiums are generally priced lower than single-family homes, but condo ownership comes with some special costs and financial implications.
Investing with Market Cap in Mind

Holding stocks in companies of varied sizes through mutual funds or exchange-traded funds could help increase portfolio diversification.
How Savers and Spenders Can Meet in the Middle

Couples with opposite philosophies regarding saving and spending often have trouble finding common ground. This article offers tips on working out financial differences.
Home Appliance Economics

The prices of new home appliances have declined over the last decade, but repair costs have gone through the roof. Here’s what to consider when facing appliance-buying decisions.

July

HOT TOPIC: Buffett Takes a Bow: 7 Lessons from an Iconic Investor

At age 94, Warren Buffett recently announced his retirement as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. This article focuses on investment fundamentals as well as tips and quotes from the famous investor.
Will You Pay a Medicare Surcharge?

The standard monthly Part B premium is $185 in 2025, but premiums for both Part B and Part D can vary based on income levels.
Fine-Tuning with Sector Funds

The stocks in the S&P 500 are classified by 11 sectors, each of which responds differently to market conditions.
Peer-to-Peer Payments Are Popular, but Be Careful

Making a peer-to-peer (P2P) payment is a convenient way to transfer money to family, friends, or businesses — these precautions can help avoid costly mistakes.
Individual Bonds vs. Bond Funds: What’s the Difference?

Individual bonds and bond funds can both provide an income stream, but there are important differences.
Important Tax Breaks for Pass-Through Businesses

Some owners of pass-through businesses may be able to deduct up to 20% of their qualified business income and/or take generous deductions for investing in qualified property.

June

HOT TOPIC: Moody’s Downgraded U.S. Debt — Does It Matter?

On May 16, 2025, Moody’s Ratings downgraded U.S. government debt from its highest rating of Aaa to Aa1. This article looks at the reasons for the downgrade and its potential effects.
Versatile 529 Plans Can Help with More than Just College

529 plans were originally created to save for college, but Congress has expanded the ways these plans can be used, making them a more flexible and versatile savings vehicle.
Life Insurance in Retirement

Life insurance might not seem necessary for retirees or those close to retirement, but there are situations where coverage may make sense.
Catch Up for a More Comfortable Retirement

Only a third of U.S. workers age 50 and older feel they are on track to enjoy a comfortable retirement, but there are opportunities to build substantial savings late in a working career.
Look Out for Observation Care

The use of observation care, during which a patient may be in a hospital room with hospital services but is not officially admitted, has raised concerns for both patients and providers.
Convertible Bonds Straddle the Line Between Fixed Income and Potential Growth

A convertible bond is a regular corporate bond that comes with a special added feature: the investor has the right to convert it into shares of that company’s common stock.

May

HOT TOPIC: Tariffs Drive Market Volatility

This article explains why tariffs have shaken the markets and provides an overview of long-term trends that may help investors put the current volatility in perspective.
ETFs Are Closing the Gap with Mutual Funds

Investor demand for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) has increased rapidly over the last decade due to attractive features that set them apart from mutual funds.
Debt After Death: What Happens to Debt When Someone Dies?

This article provides an overview of how debts are settled after the death of a loved one.
Playing Fair: New Consumer Protections for Airline Passengers

Thanks to a new federal law and rules issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, airline passengers could have extra consumer protections.
QLACs: Your Retirement Accounts Can Act Like Pensions

With a qualified longevity annuity contract, or QLAC, a retiring worker can use a portion of their tax-deferred savings to set up a lifetime income stream that begins at an older age.
Concerned About Cyberattacks? The Threat Is Real

Small businesses that handle potentially sensitive information about customers, employees, or competitors should be proactive about addressing this risk.

November

HOT TOPIC: High Foreign Investment in the U.S. – Will It Last?

The United States received almost one-third of all global foreign investment from 2021 to 2023. This article looks at how different types of foreign investment may impact the U.S. economy.
Treasury Yields Off 17-Year Highs

While yields are off highs not seen since before the Great Recession, investors might consider some of the Treasury security types and maturities outlined in this article.
If You Don’t Have a Will Yet, Why Not?

Although 64% of Americans think having a will is important, only 32% have one. This article looks at reasons people don’t have a will and why they need one regardless of the reason.
FAFSA for 2025-2026 School Year Opens December 1

Following a disastrous rollout last year, this article provides tips for submitting the redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025–2026 school year.
Do You Know Your Medicare Coverage Options?

There are two ways to obtain Medicare coverage: Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Here’s how they work.
Higher Rates Pressure Borrowers and Some Banks: Is Your Money Safe?

In 2023, large bank failures brought renewed attention to the risks banks take to earn money, the role of the FDIC, and the insurance that covers customer deposits.