Blog
When it comes to your financial wellness, knowledge is power. It’s also the foundation for intelligent, well-considered decisions. When you have retirement, a career move or another milestone in sight, sound decisions are vital in helping you pursue your goals and avoid costly mistakes that can affect your future. To continue to enrich your financial knowledge and acumen, we invite you to explore our latest educational blog posts below.
Have a topic you’d like us to cover? Reach out to our team and let us know!
Why Retirement Planning Should Be Your Number One Financial Priority
Most parents would agree that there is nothing more important in life than family. As such, it is not surprising that many parents put their children's needs above their own, including financially. While this selflessness is admirable,...
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Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?
Investors are warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions. However, they are not often cautioned about their preconceptions and biases that may color their financial choices. Here are some examples of how this happens.
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Investment Insights - June 2022
With inflation above its target, the Fed is raising interest rates to slow an overheating of the economy. With interest rates climbing, many investors may worry about the interest rate risk of their bond investments. We examine that here.
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Can Group, Private Disability Policies Work Together?
According to the Social Security Administration, a 20-year-old has more than a 25% chance of becoming disabled before reaching retirement age.1Loss of income for such a duration has the potential to cause significant financial hardship...
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Retirement Questions That Have Nothing to Do With Money
Your degree of happiness in your "second act" may depend on some factors that don't come with an obvious price tag. Here are some non-monetary factors to consider as you prepare for your retirement.
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Your Most Vital Areas of Focus After Losing Your Spouse
Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through in their lifetime. Here we delve into coping strategies that involve emotional health as well as financial wellness.
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Investment Insights- May 2022
In this issue of Investment Insights, we examine the outlook for the U.S. economy. Are increasing fears of a recession due to high inflation and potential overheating of the economy founded?
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Helpful Retirement Strategies for Women
Retirement may look a little different for women, but with the right strategies – and support – you’ll be able to live the retirement you’ve always dreamed of. Here are three steps that may help you get where you want to be.
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Mortgages in Retirement
One question many people on the verge of retirement overlook is: “Should I pay off my mortgage before I retire?” The answer is more complicated than you may think.
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How Retirement Benefits Can Benefit Both Employees and Employers
One of the best ways to show your employees that they are valued is by offering benefits. Yes, vacation days are awesome and dental coverage is valuable, but arguably the best and most attractive benefit you can offer is a retirement plan.
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Should You Borrow from Your 401(k)?
“Does it make sense to borrow from my 401(k) to pay off debt or to make a major purchase?” In this week's blog we take a look at the pros and cons of borrowing from your 401K plan.
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Investment Insights - April 2022
A large tax refund can provide a chance for people to improve their financial well-being. This issue of Investment Insights discusses three of the many possible ways to spend a tax refund.
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4 Steps to Protecting a Child with Disabilities
If you’re the parent of a special needs child, it’s vital to ensure your child will continue to be provided for after you’re gone. It can be difficult to contemplate, but these four tips may help make a long-term strategy attainable.
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Creative Ways to Motivate Your Employees
We all know that a motivated work force is important to the success of a business. Take a look at these five creative (and inexpensive) ideas for motivating your employees.
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Charitable Giving and Taxes: Following Your Heart and the IRS Rules
There are many reasons people choose to give to charities. Regardless of why you decide to give, the important thing is that you do it. Here are a few reasons we believe giving is important.
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Understanding Marginal Income Tax Brackets
By any measure, our tax code is huge. Fortunately, knowing a few key concepts can help us have a basic understanding. Here, we talk about one of those key concepts- Marginal Tax Brackets.
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Investment Insights- March 2022
The markets have turned volatile as investors digest the escalating Russia-Ukraine tensions. This issue of Investment Insights focuses on the potential impact these current tensions may have on your investments.
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Tax Changes for the 2022 Tax Season
Tax Changes: What to Know and Why it Matters Topics covered include: Child Tax Credits Third Stimulus Payment Charitable Donations Capital Gains Retirement Plan Contributions Inflation and Taxes
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Pullbacks, Corrections, and Bear Markets
Clearing up confusion from the economic downturn following COVID-19 and how it might affect your financial strategy.
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Comment on the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
Here, Lanny Bao, CFA, Portfolio Manager, LPL Operations Manager at Cornerstone Wealth Management shares commentary on the Ukraine- Russia Conflict.
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Love Conquers All: Even Through Divorce
Divorce can be a stressful and painful experience to go through, but with the right mindset, everyone involved can walk away as unscathed as possible. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you put in place a strategy for divorce.
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Investment Insights- February 2022
This week we are sharing Investment Insights from Khurram Naveed, Co-Portfolio Manager, LPL Operations Manager Cornerstone Wealth Portfolios. Here he is talking abut behavioral biases and how they can impact our investment decisions.
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3 Estate Challenges for Blended Families
Preparing your estate can be complicated if you’re a part of a blended family. Blended families usually consist of couples with children from previous relationships. Here are some case studies that show some of the challenges.
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A Taxing Story: Capital Gains and Losses
Understanding how capital gains are taxed may help you refine your investment strategies. Here, we take a look at capital gains and losses.
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The Cost of College
The industry of higher education has been hit extremely hard during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we discuss three things you should know about the cost of college in the midst of the pandemic.
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Four Really Good Reasons to Invest
There are many reasons people have for not investing, but with important long-term financial goals, such as retirement, in the balance, the reasons may not be good enough.
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Investment Insights: Analysis, Insights and a Different Perspective
This week we are sharing an Inflation Update from Khurram Naveed, Co-Portfolio Manager, LPL Operations Manager Cornerstone Wealth Portfolios.
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Putting a Price Tag On Your Health
We all know that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important, but sometimes it can affect us monetarily. Consider these health habits and how they may be affecting your bottom line.
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Please Leave Home Without It
Concerns over identity theft continue to grow, especially with data breaches at major companies and financial institutions. Although you may not be able to control data breaches, take a look at these ten things you can control.
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Developing a Family Mission Statement
Christmas season, is the perfect time to develop a Family Mission Statement—a statement that further connects your family by outlining your shared values and creating a vision for all to contribute to. Here are five steps to guide you.
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Fixed or Variable Mortgage, Which Should You Pick?
For most, buying a home is a major commitment. Here, we take a look at choosing between a fixed or variable interest rate mortgage, and give some pros and cons for each.
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Keep Your Umbrella Handy
Umbrella liability insurance is designed to put an extra layer of protection between your assets and a potential lawsuit. Here we discuss when you may want to consider buying a policy.
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TIPS for Inflation
In February 2018, Jerome Powell was appointed as Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. He became the 16th chair to take over the helm of the world’s most influential central bank. Among other duties, he...
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Give Back This Holiday Season
For many, the holiday season is also an opportunity to live their values by giving back to their communities. When it comes to giving back, the options are as unique as the individual. Here are some favorites from the Triada team.
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The Most Overlooked Item of Any Home Improvement
If you are like most homeowners, you love selecting the fixtures, fabrics, and paint colors of your home improvement project. But there is one very important item that you may overlook—making certain you are properly insured....
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IRA Withdrawals that Escape the 10% Tax Penalty
Policymakers wanted to make sure that IRA's were used for retirement purposes by taxing any early withdrawals. Here we take a look at 9 provisions that allow a penalty free withdrawal.
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3 Steps to Align Your Values with Your Money
Your values are your foundation. When it comes to your money and the financial choices you make, your values should line up with those choices. Here are three ways to align your money with your values.
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Inflation & Your Money
“If the current annual inflation rate is only 1.4 percent,1 why do my bills seem like they're 10 percent higher than last year?” Many of us ask ourselves that question, and it illustrates the importance of understanding...
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Catch-Up Contributions
Will you have enough money to live comfortably throughout your retirement years? If you are over 50, the "catch-up" provision allows for additional contributions into a qualified retirement account. Take a look in our latest blog.
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Understanding the Basics of Medigap Policies
With Medicare open enrollment starting on Oct. 15, now is a good time to look at what it does and does not cover. Here, we take a look at how Medigap policies may help cover what Medicare does not.
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Important Birthdays Over 50
Most children stop being “and-a-half” somewhere around age 12. Kids add “and-a-half“ to make sure everyone knows they’re closer to the next age than the last. When you are older, “and-a-half”...
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Navigating Student Loan Debt
The average American college graduate owes about $35,000 in student loan debt. By the time it sinks in how much you are likely to owe back, you are probably asking yourself, "what have I done?" Although this number likely sounds...
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Emotional vs. Strategic Decisions
Information vs. instinct. When it comes to investing, many people believe they have a “knack” for choosing good investments. But what exactly is that “knack” based on? The fact is, the choices we make with our...
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Building a Solid Financial Foundation
When you read about money matters, you may see the phrase, “getting your financial house in order.” What exactly does that mean? To some, when your financial “house is in order,” it means it is built on a solid...
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Term vs. Permanent Life Insurance
According to industry experts, most people don't have enough life insurance. LIMRA, which keeps close tabs on the industry, recently reported that average coverage equals $163,000, which is equivalent to approximately 3.5 years in...
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Strategies for gifting to Your Grandchildren
As grandparents, we all want the best for our grandchildren, and that includes making sure they're provided for. Here are 6 strategies to consider when determining the right avenue for gifting to the next generation.
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Retirement Plan Choices for Small Businesses
As a small-business owner, how do you pick the most appropriate retirement plan for your business as well as your employees? Here we discuss the three most popular retirement plan strategies for small businesses.
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Navigating Retirement Pitfalls
Much is written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Some classic financial missteps have been known to plague retirees, too. Calling them “missteps”...
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Diversification, Patience, and Consistency
Regardless of how the markets may perform, consider making the following part of your investment philosophy: Diversification. The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over...
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Are You Ready for Your Portfolio to Make a Difference?
Interest in making an impact with one’s investments has grown in recent years, which means many investors may have an increased interest in environmentally or socially focused investments as well. In fact, impact investments...
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Hitting the Road in Retirement
Saving up and making plans for retirement is one thing, but actually hitting the road can be quite overwhelming. So, here's your all-in-one checklist to help you prep for the journey of a lifetime!
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Retirement Seen Through Your Eyes
How do you see your future? Take a moment to ponder the questions in our latest blog to get a glimpse of your future retirement life.
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Starting a Roth IRA for a Teen
Want to give your child or grandchild a financial head start? A Roth IRA might be a choice to consider. Read on to learn more about how doing this may benefit both of you. Rules for setting up a Roth IRA. If your teen has an earned...
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Managing Money as a Couple
When you marry or simply share a household with someone, your life changes—and your approach to managing your money may change as well. The good news is it’s usually not so difficult. At some point, you will have to ask...
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Meaningful Giving in Your Financial Plan
Crafting a charitable legacy can be both a challenging and a rewarding process. It is a unique opportunity to remember your family and preserve your impact on a cause or community for generations.
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What Is a Roth 401(k)?
While many people are familiar with the benefits of traditional 401(k) plans, others are not as acquainted with Roth 401(k)s. Since January 1, 2006, employers have been allowed to offer workers access to Roth 401(k) plans.1 And some...
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Choosing a Retirement Plan that Fits Your Business
Weather you employ others or work alone, a small business retirement plan can benefit you, your business and your employees. The right business retirement plan can help you build wealth for the future while you focus on your business today.
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A Living Trust Primer
A living trust is a popular consideration in many estate strategy conversations, but its appropriateness will depend upon your individual needs and objectives. What is a Living Trust? A living trust is created while you are alive and...
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How the Federal Reserve Works
Each day, the Fed is behind the scenes supporting the economy and providing services to the U.S. financial system. Here is an inside look at the four main roles the Federal Reserve plays in the U.S. economy.
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The Myth of Happiness, the Lesson of Joy
While joy and happiness may seem synonymous, they are actually quite different. Happiness is a more fleeting, externally triggered emotion, while joy is a deeper, more lasting internal feeling. We all like to feel happy, but what would...
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Succeeding at Business Succession
According to the Conway Center for Family Business, family businesses account for 64% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP), yet 57% of family businesses have no formal succession plan.1 While the number may shock you, it is not...
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Choosing a Business Structure
In March 2020, about 804,398 new businesses had been created in the preceding year.1 All individuals pursuing the dream of exercising their entrepreneurial muscles, will face the same question, “Which business structure should I...
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Estate Management Checklist
Do you have a will? A will enables you to specify who you want to inherit your property and other assets. A will also enables you to name a guardian for your minor children. Do you have healthcare documents in place? Healthcare...
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Do Your Values Match Your Spending?
Actions speak louder than words. We've all heard it said before, but have you ever considered the phrase as it pertains to your checkbook? When it comes to values, it can be particularly easy to talk a big talk, but not necessarily...
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Retirement Realities
Many pre-retirees can become focused on the “ideal” retirement, but turning that dream into a reality can be tricky. At Triada we strive to help clients manage their expectations while maintaining optimism for the future.
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Making Moves: Silver Sneakers 101
Once you turn 65, the world of Medicare opens to you, and you also gain access to its offshoot supplemental programs. You likely know about Part A, Part B, Medicare Advantage, and other sections, but you may not know about the senior...
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Social Security: The Elephant in the Room
For most Americans, Social Security has represented nothing more than some unavoidable payroll deduction with the positively cryptic initials of “FICA” and “OASDI” (Federal Insurance Contributions Act and Old...
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Volunteering in Retirement
“This generation got no destination to hold... We are volunteers of America” “Volunteers” by Jefferson Airplane¹ Those of a certain age will recall these Jefferson Airplane lyrics as a call to action,...
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Writing Your Vision Statement for Life
You’ve got big plans and bigger dreams, but when you have your whole life laid out in front of you, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and without a strong sense of direction. Enter, the vision statement. Let’s start with...
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Women and Financial Strategies
Most women don’t shy away from the day-to-day financial decisions, but some may be leaving their future to chance..
Read MoreThe Cares Act Considerations: Practical Advice for the Business Community
Business entity taxation can be complicated. This video for business owners focuses on providing practical advice for our business community as it relates to the CARES Act of 2020. View time: 11 mins
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A Bucket Plan to Go with Your Bucket List
Longer, healthier living can put greater stress on retirement assets; the bucket approach may be one answer.
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The Value In Understanding Your Values
Remember in grade school when your teacher would provide you with a prompt and have you respond in a journal? Well, grab a pencil and paper, because we have some journaling to do. Today, we are diving into values. Take a moment to...
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9 Facts About Retirement
Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a charitable endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend...
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Business entity taxation can be complicated. This video for business owners focuses on providing practical advice for our business community as it relates to tax planning and changes.
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“Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams to Watch For
Every year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) releases its list of tax scams, spotlighting the myriad ways that people try to separate you from your money.¹ The “Dirty Dozen” Identity Theft Using your personal...
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10 Tips For Living An Active Retirement
We all feel differently about retirement. Common emotions can range from excitement and relief to uncertainty and fear, but one thing is certain: no matter how ready we think we are, we’re probably not completely prepared for...
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Budget Check Up: Tax Time Is the Right Time
Every year, about 140 million households file their federal tax returns.1 For many, the process involves digging through shoe boxes or manila folders full of receipts; gathering mortgage, retirement, and investment account statements;...
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Keeping Good Records is Good Business
Maintaining good records is important to help meet your tax and legal obligations. The right record keeping system not only helps satisfy these obligations, but it may save you money and time. Here’s what to consider for your...
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Five Most Overlooked Tax Deductions
Americans regularly overpay taxes because they fail to take tax deductions for which they are eligible. Here are five overlooked tax deductions to help manage your tax bill.
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Pay Yourself First
Each month, you settle down to pay bills. You pay your mortgage lender. You pay the electric company. You pay the trash collector. But do you pay yourself? One of the most-basic tenets of sound investing involves the simple habit of...
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Trends in Charitable Giving
According to Giving USA 2020, Americans gave an estimated $449.64 billion to charity in 2019. That’s one of the highest totals in more than 60 years since the report was first published.1 Americans give to charity for two main...
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Why Medicare Should Be Part of Your Retirement Strategy
Medicare takes a little time to understand. As you approach age 65, familiarize yourself with its coverage options, costs, and limitations. Certain features of Medicare can affect health care costs and coverage. Some retirees may do...
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Breaking Down the Parts of Medicare
Generally, the different parts of Medicare help cover specific services. Most beneficiaries choose to receive their Parts A and B benefits through Original Medicare, the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the...
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Volunteering in Retirement – Living a Life of Giving
“This generation got no destination to hold... We are volunteers of America” “Volunteers” by Jefferson Airplane¹ Those of a certain age will recall these Jefferson Airplane lyrics as a call to action,...
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How Will the Election Year Affect Your Portfolio?
About this time every four years, many investors begin to wonder, “Which candidate will be better for the markets?” It’s a natural question, especially when almost every candidate touts his or her platform as the one...
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Handling Student Loans (the Debt Crisis and How to Manage It)
The student loan burden is a reality that's really not news. With the student loan debt at $1.6 trillion and rising in the U.S., plus the effects the COVID-19 crisis had on incomes and markets, it's no wonder more and more people find...
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Why You Need a Financial Advisor to Have a Successful Financial Marriage
Money is the biggest source of conflict in relationships, and it’s often the reason for divorce. And it makes sense — money brings on stress for any couple, no matter their income level. Below are the main financial issues...
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How to Avoid Running Out of Money in Retirement
Saving for retirement is something that most people start decades before they reach the golden years. But no matter how well you plan, it happens very often to run out of money in retirement. If the prospect of outliving your money is...
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Fiduciary Financial Advisors: What's the Difference?
Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision. You want someone who knows what they are talking about, who has wisdom about investing money, and who can help you meet your goals. This is especially true as we move into a...
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Small Business Owners: 5 Retirement Plan Strategies to Boost Your Benefits Program
As a small business owner, offering a competitive employee benefits program will not only help you retain your current employees, but it will also help recruit new talent to grow into the future. Whether you already have a retirement...
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Tips on Creating a Tax-Smart Withdrawal Strategy for Retirement
There are many factors to consider when planning for your retirement — and one of them is how, when, and how much you will withdraw from your retirement accounts. Plus, you’ll want to determine what is the most advantageous...
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The Sale of a Business: Key Differences Between Asset and Stock Sales
When it comes to a business sale, one of the biggest things to consider is whether or not the business in question should be sold as a stock or an asset. A business owner may think that the choice isn’t too important, as long as...
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Family Business Owners: Have You Diversified?
Private business owners pour a lot into their businesses, investing all of their money, time, and passion into keeping the company successful. This is admirable and necessary in many cases. However, once that business starts bringing...
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Paycheck Protection Program Changes: What Businesses Should Know
Since the March 27 passage of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as part of the massive CARES Act, the Small Business Administration (SBA), which administers the program, has approved some 4 million loans totaling $511 billion...
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Week in Review: What We’re Watching in the Markets
With jobless claims at the highest rate since the Great Depression and most health officials warning that the number of persons infected with the novel Coronavirus is still rising, it’s hard to understand why the stock market has...
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Week in Review: What’s Happening in the Markets, the Economy, and on the Policy Front
When we compare the beginning of this year to our current state, it’s hard to believe that so much can change in just a matter of months. It has been a little over four months since February 12, when we celebrated as the Dow...
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Week in Review: Market Updates, Economic News and Your Stimulus Check
It’s safe to say we could all use a little positive news these days. In April, the markets helped deliver on that need. Despite some volatility in the stock market toward the end of this week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average...
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Reopening and Reinvigorating the Economy in the COVID-19 Era
Over the past week, we’ve seen more action from the federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the U.S. economy. Today, we’re summarizing some of the most significant developments you should...
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Weekly Recap: The Markets, the Economy, and Your Personal Finances
Triada is working behind the scenes to ensure your long-term investment strategy is equipped to withstand these uncertain times, but there are other planning-based actions we’re taking today in order to safeguard your personal finances.
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Reviewing the Markets, Policy, and Financial and Business Tips
Spring is the season of change — which may seem like an understatement, given our current situation. As many of us settle into our “new normal,” we’re connecting with family in new ways (mostly virtually),...
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What Lies Ahead? Let's Maintain Perspective
It’s a new month, and a new chapter for the global markets, economy, and policy space. Below, we’re taking a look at some of the most important updates you should know, plus tips to help you capitalize on some of the latest...
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Week in Review: Ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic
We’re capping off yet another interesting week for the markets, the economy, the policy arena, and the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Below, we’re providing you with a recap of the latest news you should know, plus what to...
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Triada Advisor: Week In Review
US stocks were on a roller coaster ride last week. The S&P 500 Index fell sharply the previous Monday morning, recovered some of its losses by close on Tuesday, dropped even further Wednesday, then climbed back up Thursday, before...
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The Markets, Your Plan and The Coronavirus
2020 has already been challenging on both the national and global stages. The coronavirus pandemic has quickly sent the world into a state of panic and fear, as businesses and schools shutter their doors, and government agencies advise...
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4 Common Trust Fund Mistakes to Avoid
We all want to make sure our children and grandchildren are provided for, and so we set up secure, foolproof trust funds — or so we think. There are several mistakes you can run into when designing a trust. Here are a few of...
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Avoid an Estate Planning Disaster with these Tips
Celebrities aren’t immune to making estate planning mistakes: whether it’s having no estate plans, having overly simplistic wills, failing to remove (or add) beneficiaries from their estate plans, not putting promises in...
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