Blog
Be Right and Be Persuasive
There are those who are very persuasive but not very truthful. Then there are those who are very truthful but not very tactful. The most effective communicators aren't either of those, but are both truthful and persuasive. Who are you?
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Make technology a catalyst, not a crutch
As we embark on a new era stemming from the advances we've seen in the world of artificial intelligence, the people who set out to take advantage of the new technology will be the ones who aren't taken advantage of by the new technology.
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Don't make a reason become your excuse
None of us are born at the same starting point in life. Some may have been born with certain privileges that other people lack. While those privileges may account for someone's success, they don't need to become another person's excuse.
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Choose a Victor Mentality, not a Victim Mentality
The level of success you hope to achieve in your life will come down to the mindset you choose to have. Will you choose to have the mindset of a victim or a victor?
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Don't let your vices destroy your hard work
One terrible mistake made can ruin a lot of previous good done.
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Don't be hasty. Plan out your success
“The thoughts of the diligent are as necessary as the hand of the diligent” – Matthew Henry
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Don't get seduced by folly
Wisdom and Folly are both trying to get your attention in order to influence you. Who will you listen to?
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Embrace Pulling Weeds
Those who become successful do the boring things that everyone else avoids doing.
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Taking criticism
The enemy of greatness is a stubborn heart unwilling to be rebuked. The friend of greatness is a humble heart willing to receive it.
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Don't overwork yourself
While we all have to make a living through work, don't make your entire life just about work.
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Avoid bribes
There is nothing wrong with desiring to be great. However, if left unchecked, that desire could lead to disastrous decisions.
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Stop reacting and start responding
The impulse to react to events rather than respond to them can be costly. Being a good investor means that our emotions must not control our investment decisions.
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Don't panic
“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” - Warren Buffett
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Walk with integrity
Contrary to what is oftentimes portrayed in pop culture, the path to success is not one of corruption. If you want to achieve success in any endeavor, you must be a person of integrity.
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The Social Security Fairness Act is now law. What does that mean for you?
Two provisions in Social Security were just eliminated. I explain what those provisions are and what impact it will have to those affected.
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How to build wealth
Wealth building tends to be among the top New Year's resolution year after year. This word of wisdom discusses how we can turn that resolution into a reality this year.
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Be a blessing
Oftentimes the best way to truly experience blessings in your life is by seeking to be a blessing to others.
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Stay Focused
Many people create plans, but few people stick to them. Outside distractions cause many of us to deviate from the plans we make. The difference between success and failure will lie on your ability to stay focused to the plan you create.
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Train like an Olympian
While most of us won’t become Olympians, the lessons we can learn from them can be applied in our daily lives to become champions in our own right. Here are five such lessons we can learn from these Olympians
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Stop looking for lions
Do you get things done, or are you always finding "reasons" why you have to delay work?
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Taking the undesirable path of diligence
The fastest way to becoming successful in your work is by working with diligence. The quickest way to create lasting wealth is by being patient.
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Understanding patterns and not specifics
Mark Twain once said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes". If that is the case, then understanding the patterns of history can help us to make better decisions for today and avoid the traps of the past.
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Stop acting rich
Having financial stability is something that many people want to attain. However the reason why few people actually become wealthy is because a lot of money is wasted trying to look rich. Don't make that mistake.
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Strive for excellence
Any business can be mediocre. Mediocre businesses, however, don't get noticed. They get ignored and overlooked. Do you want your business to be noticed by even royalty? Be the best.
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Work wisely, Play wisely
It's perfectly fine to enjoy the fruit of your labor. Just don't let that fruit destroy all that you labored to build.
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Debt: the ultimate slave master
You cannot be financially free if you are still in financial chains.
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Laziness - the great destroyer
“Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys” – Proverbs 18:9 Many of the great architectural feats that we marvel at did not form overnight. A few examples include: the Great Wall of China, which...
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Make the most out of your opportunities
Success oftentimes boils down to one thing: did you take advantage of the opportunity afforded to you?
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Don't just be a diligent saver, be a diligent giver
On the road to financial success, the key to ending up with more wealth may not necessarily be upping your savings, but upping your giving.
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Our Year End Financial To-Do List
Christmas is a time of great joy and celebration. With holiday parties, shopping, and family events filling up the calendar, it may also be a busy time for many. Whether you’ve already finished your Christmas shopping or are just...
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Weekly Recap | November 13, 2023
Weekly Recap November 6-10, 2023 Recap November Rally Continues Mixed Equity PerformanceAll three major U.S. equity indices posted follow-on weekly gains with the S&P 500 moderately extending its best weekly performance of the year...
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Social Security COLA and Medicare Part B Premiums
The Social Security Administration recently announced next year's Social Security COLA and Medicare Part B premiums. Find out what you'll be paying in 2024.
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Weekly Recap | November 6, 2023
Weekly Recap October 30 - November 3, 2023 Recap Best Week of the Year S&P 500 Erases Prior Two-Weeks of LossesAll three major U.S. equity indexes posted their strongest weekly gains of the year after economic data boosted hopes that...
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How to ensure that financial success does not ruin you
Plenty has been written on how to deal with failure. Not as much has been written on dealing with success. Yet oftentimes, it's the mishandling of success that ruins many. So how should we deal with success? King Solomon tells us how.
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5 Questions to Ask Yourself 5 Years Before You Retire
Before you actually retire, it’s critical to envision your retirement and make some decisions about how you will live. Ask yourself these questions to help make sure your retirement income strategy will support the life you have in mind.
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6 Savvy Questions About Social Security
Social Security affects us all, but it’s more complicated than most people think. Here are answers to some of the most common questions and areas of confusion.
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7 Questions to Ask Your CPA Before Year-End
Fall is the ideal time of year to look at key items that may affect your tax bill, while there’s still time to make adjustments. Here are questions to ask about some of the issues that most commonly affect higher earners’ tax bills.
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Weekly Recap | October 16, 2023
Weekly Recap October 9-13, 2023 Recap Equities Mixed War News Takes Center StageU.S. equities were narrowly mixed last week, with the S&P 500 posting a second straight weekly gain, while Nasdaq stocks snapped a two-week string of...
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Weekly Recap | October 9, 2023
Weekly Recap October 2-6, 2023 Recap Equities Break Four-Week Losing Streak A Turnaround in SentimentStocks closed positive for the week amid a sharp turnaround Friday after nonfarm payrolls jumped the most since January. The news...
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Weekly Recap | October 2, 2023
Weekly Recap September 25-29, 2023 Recap Equities Decline Fourth Week A Weak Finish to Dismal Month and QuarterThe major U.S. equity averages were narrowly mixed last week with weakness primarily within utilities, food and beverage,...
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Work your land
"Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense" - Proverbs 12:11 We live in a world full of distractions. No matter where you are or who you are with, it is very easy...
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Weekly Recap | September 25, 2023
Weekly Recap September 18-22, 2023 Recap Equities Sink as Bond Yields Rise Fed Meeting Confirms Higher for LongerStock markets slid last week as investors digested the September Federal Open Markets Committee’s (FOMC) meeting...
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Weekly Recap | September 18, 2023
Weekly Recap September 11-15, 2023 Recap Equities End the Week Mixed Stocks Flat Ahead of Fed MeetingInvestors had a lot to digest last week while Fed officials remain in their quiet period ahead of the September FOMC meeting this...
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Weekly Recap | September 11, 2023
Weekly Recap September 4-8, 2023 Recap Stocks Decline Good News is Bad News for RatesEquities declined last week, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite ending below their 50-day moving averages. Investors turned skittish, as...
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Weekly Recap | September 5, 2023
Weekly Recap August 28 - September 1, 2023 Recap Best Week Since June Falling Yields Spur Steady Rate OutlookEquities returned to gains last week, due in large part to an outsized pullback in U.S. Treasury yields at month-end amid...
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Know well the condition of your flocks
Life comes with a variety of twists and turns, ups and downs. How have you managed your resources to ensure that you are prepared for those unexpected detours?
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Weekly Recap | August 14, 2023
Weekly Recap August 7-11, 2023 Recap Major Indexes Mixed on the Week S&P 500 Ends Lower Second WeekEquities finished mostly lower last week as only the Dow Industrials finished fractionally positive. Investors drew guarded relief from...
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Weekly Recap | August 7, 2023
Weekly Recap July 31 - August 4, 2023 Recap Rating Downgrade Stirs Angst S&P 500 Snaps Summer RallyThe summer equity rally cooled in the first week of August with all three major U.S. equity indices ending notably lower with losses...
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Weekly Recap | July 31, 2023
Weekly Recap July 24-28, 2023 Recap Nasdaq Rebounds S&P 500 Advances Third WeekDespite Wednesday’s widely expected Fed rate hike, all three major U.S. equity indices capped solid weekly gains with the S&P 500 up a third-straight...
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Observe the ant
Sometimes the tiniest creatures can teach us the biggest lessons
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Weekly Recap | July 24, 2023
Weekly RecapJuly 17-21, 2023 RecapValue Stocks Lead the WayGrowth Stocks UnderperformLarge cap growth stocks have widely outperformed this year, but recently market breadth has improved with smaller company stocks and value stocks...
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Weekly Recap | July 10, 2023
Weekly RecapJuly 3-7, 2023 RecapWeak Second Half Start for Stocks and BondsRate Concerns Take Center StageAll three major indices logged weekly declines in the first week of July following strong gains during the first half of the year...
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Weekly Recap | July 3, 2023
Weekly RecapJune 26-30, 2023 RecapS&P 500 Returns to Positive Weekly PerformanceEconomic Optimism Trumps Rate ConcernsThe S&P 500 more than fully erased its 1.37% prior weekly loss following renewed economic optimism stemming, in part,...
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Weekly Recap | June 26, 2023
Weekly RecapJune 19-23, 2023 RecapS&P 500 Posts Worst Week Since MarchNasdaq Ends Eight-Week Winning StreakU.S. equities slid backward last week with the S&P 500 snapping a five-week winning streak to close out the holiday-shortened...
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Weekly Recap | June 20, 2023
Weekly RecapJune 12-16, 2023 RecapS&P 500 Posts Fifth Straight Weekly GainNasdaq Climbs Eighth WeekU.S. equities climbed sharply higher last week with the S&P 500 capping a fifth weekly gain, its longest sustained rally since...
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Weekly Recap | June 12, 2023
Weekly RecapJune 5-9, 2023 RecapS&P 500 Posts Fourth Straight Weekly GainNasdaq Climbs Seventh WeekU.S. equities extended gains last week with the S&P 500 briefly topping 4,300 on an intra-day basis. It was another solid week for...
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MAJOR changes coming to the FRS
On June 6, 2023, Govenor Ron DeSantis approved a bill that was passed by both the Florida House and Senate. The bill, SB 7024, will make some of the biggest changes to the Florida Retirement System since 2011.
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Weekly Recap | June 5, 2023
Weekly RecapMay 29 - June 2, 2023 RecapS&P 500 Posts Best Week Since MarchNasdaq Climbs Sixth WeekStocks broadly rallied last week for a strong June start with the S&P 500 having its best weekly gain since March. Even as the rising...
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Weekly Recap | May 22, 2023
Weekly RecapMay 15-19, 2023 RecapBest Week Since MarchSmall Caps OutperformEquities slipped on Friday amidst an abrupt but temporary halt to debt-ceiling negotiations. Markets were still driven higher by dovish comments from the...
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Weekly Recap | May 15, 2023
Weekly RecapMay 8-12, 2023 RecapEquities Slip Second Straight WeekSmall Caps UnderperformThe S&P 500 finished with a fractional weekly loss for the 4th time in the last six weeks with renewed regional banking concerns and debt-ceiling...
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Weekly Recap | May 8, 2023
Weekly RecapMay 1-5, 2023 RecapEquities Mostly LowerSmall Caps Fall the LeastDespite a strong 1.85% S&P 500 finish on Friday, the benchmark index ended fractionally lower last week, capping a fifth straight week with less than a 1%...
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Weekly Recap | May 1, 2023
Weekly RecapApril 24-28, 2023 RecapEquities ReboundLarge Caps Perform BestBroad market stocks were mostly higher last week as the busiest week of the first quarter earnings season boosted investor sentiment, especially among mega cap...
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Weekly RecapApril 17-21, 2023 RecapEquities Slip FractionallySmall Cap and Defensive Stocks Perform BestStocks struggled last week as slowing economic data heightened fears about a potential recession. Additionally, Federal Reserve...
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A Crisis of Confidence
Have you ever reflected on the foundation of the financial system? What comes to mind? Banks, investors, the stock market, the bond market, or the credit markets? That’s partially true.They are the underpinnings, but the...
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Tax Time—Tips to Cut Your Bill
The IRS announced that January 23 was the start of the 2023 tax season—or the date the IRS began accepting 2022 tax year returns.If you have yet to file, most taxpayers have until Tuesday, April 18, 2023, to submit their tax...
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10 Common Medicare Questions Answered
Medicare is more complicated than most people think. Here are ten of the most common questions that come up on Medicare.
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2023 Key Financial Data
Need to know how much you can contribute into your 401(k) this year? Need to know what the tax rate schedule is for this year? This information and much more is now out. Check it out!
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Exercise your financial muscles to get financially fit
A lot of people have been hitting the gyms at the beginning of this year in order to get physically fit. Well, what about your financial shape? Are you doing the things necessary to be financially fit?
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How the change in retirement laws will affect you
With President Biden signing the SECURE Act 2.0 into law towards the tail-end of the year, there are slated to be some changes that could affect how you plan for retirement. We'll discuss those changes in this newsletter.
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2023 Market Outlook: Low Expectations Are Easier to Beat
Cetera Investment Management is pleased to release its annual Market Outlook for 2023 titled, "Low Expectations Are Easier to Beat." In this outlook, they discuss while they expect volatility to remain in both stocks and bonds, stocks...
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A handy checklist for year-end strategies
The holidays are a busy time of year. Shopping, family events, company holiday parties and more may dot your calendar. But I strongly suggest that you carve out some time for year-end financial strategizing so that you will be better...
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Long-Term care and your options
Long-term care includes a whole host of services that you may require to meet various personal needs. And eventually, around 60% of us will need assistance with things many take for granted, according to the Administration for...
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Don’t fall victim to online threats
Online scams are increasingly becoming a major problem for Americans and are ruining many people's financial plans. Don't let yourself be one of those unfortunate people.
Read MoreMedicare Part B premiums are decreasing for 2023
As crazy as this year has been with high inflation and negative stock market performance, any positive news is appreciated. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the Medicare premiums for 2023 and they...
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Four ideas for managing health care costs in retirement
There are many different things to consider when it comes to having the best health care strategy in retirement, and it can be overwhelming for most. Fortunately, there are ways to manage those health care costs. Here are a few...
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What is Happening with CPI and Inflation?
Believe me, everyone on Wall Street wants inflation to go away, or at least shrink back to below 2%, a level we enjoyed not so long ago.But Tuesday's Consumer Price Index report showed it might be some time before we see 2% again....
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This is a marathon and not a sprint. Invest accordingly.
Sometimes those investments that promise quick returns aren't the ones that will give you lasting returns.
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