What does a Fed rate increase mean?

  The Federal Reserve raises or lowers the Fed funds rate in order to either increase or slow down the rate of growth in the U.S. economy. The Fed funds rate is the rate member banks charge each other for the use of excess reserves. This rate trickles down to what banks then charge for loans such as car loans, mortgages, credit cards, business loans and other[...] Continue reading

Social Security Seminar Recap

Social Security serves as a financial safety net for many Americans preparing for retirement. It’s imperative to understand the basics of Social Security and its benefits, so we recently hosted an interactive seminar that details how it works. We’ve highlighted a few key takeaways in case you missed it! History Prior to the onset of Social Security, the US had no[...] Continue reading

Mastering Limited Partnerships

For the last seven years, interest rate suppression by central banks worldwide has forced investors to reach for higher yielding investments. High cash payouts relative to the puny yields available on money funds and certificates of deposit have made Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs), Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), High Yield bonds and dividend-paying stocks[...] Continue reading

‘Tis the Season…to Talk Family Finances?!

The holiday season is upon us – families will gather from near and far, elaborate dinners will be enjoyed, and, for those adventurous enough to venture out in the wee-hours of the morning, Black Friday shopping traditions will be upheld. Thanksgiving, and the subsequent holidays that follow, typically mark a time of togetherness, and for families, it may be just the[...] Continue reading

Bah Humbug: Tips to Stay Safe When Holiday Shopping Online

This month’s cybersecurity post, courtesy of the SANS Institute, deals with a very timely issue - shopping online securely. As we approach the holiday season and the internet’s biggest shopping day of the year, Cyber Monday, it’s important that consumers take extra care when purchasing gifts online. To properly protect yourself when using the internet to complete[...] Continue reading