Blog
Preparing for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Sunset at the End of 2025
While we haven’t yet said goodbye to 2023, it’s not too early to begin thinking about any tax changes that may be on the horizon. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 was designed to overhaul the federal tax code by...
Read MoreThe Impact of SECURE 2.0 in 2024 and Beyond
SECURE 2.0: Changes Going Into Effect in 2024 Passed in 2019, the SECURE Act was the most substantial retirement legislation in over a decade. It contained important changes designed to help investors save more and be better prepared...
Read MoreAI's Role in Shaping Our Tomorrow: A Look Ahead
While artificial intelligence (AI) is making headlines today, the concept of "thinking machines" can be traced back to ancient philosophers and mathematicians. The phrase artificial intelligence was first used in the mid-20th century,...
Read MoreTop 10 Questions High Net Worth Individuals Ask About Social Security
Social Security, the program you may have spent a lifetime paying into, is designed to offer stability, supplemental income, and other valuable benefits that can play a role in your overall financial strategy after you retire. We've...
Read MoreDon't Get Hooked: A Guide to Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing
As financial professionals, we understand how vital it is to safeguard your personal and financial information. Unfortunately, in our increasingly digital world, cybersecurity risks, such as phishing attacks, have become a prevalent...
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Money Tips for Parents Sending Children Off to College
You’ve done a great job teaching your children vital life lessons and instilling values that will last a lifetime. As summer ends and a new school year begins, one thing that shouldn’t be overlooked, especially for...
Read MoreAttention Parents and Grandparents of College-Bound Students: FAFSA Gets an Overhaul
Changes are coming to the complicated form that students must submit to qualify for college financial aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).The Department of Education is calling it the “most...
Read MoreHow the SECURE 2.0 Act Changed 529 Plans
Changes to 529 Plans in the SECURE 2.0 ActThe SECURE Act was initially passed by Congress at the end of 2019 and was intended to improve retirement savings opportunities. It was a big deal at the time and the most significant piece of...
Read MoreHealth Savings Accounts: Pros, Cons, and Retirement Considerations
What if your child needs braces? The cost may be as much as $6,000 for metal braces—more modern versions can run as much as $13,000. Your health insurance may cover only a portion of the cost. If you're well past the braces stage...
Read MoreTop 7 Most Common Estate Strategy Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Getting your affairs in order and outlining what you want done with your estate after you’re gone is one of the greatest gifts you can leave your loved ones. However, not preparing for the transfer of your assets can lead to...
Read MoreNavigating the Costs of Senior Care: Tips for Preparing for Long-Term Care
Senior care costs can be overwhelming, particularly when long-term care is required due to illness or medical conditions. With the number of seniors in the U.S. expected to rise exponentially by 2030, it's crucial to be prepared for...
Read MoreLiving Trusts: Understanding the Basics and Key Considerations
Estate management can be a complex and daunting task for many people, but it’s a critical step in helping your assets get managed and distributed according to your wishes.One popular tool that can be used in estate strategies is...
Read MoreTrying to Time a Recession?
Economies move in cycles – always have, always willThe Federal Reserve has been steadily increasing interest rates in an attempt to slow the rate of inflation. Its efforts are yielding some results, although inflation remains...
Read MoreWhat Factors Have the Greatest Impact on Your Credit Score?
Fun fact: You probably have dozens of credit scores out there, and each one might be a different number.You’re probably familiar with a credit score, why it’s essential, and what it’s used for, but do you know how...
Read MoreImportant Financial Considerations to Make When Remarrying Later in Life
Discussing personal finances is important for any couple preparing for marriage. However, this topic can be more complicated for those who remarry later in life.If you’re remarrying later in life, one of your goals should be to...
Read MoreTop Considerations to Help Adult Children Be Better Prepared As You Age
As we get older, it’s important that our adult children are prepared to manage any aging-related situations that may arise. This includes everything from having to make medical and financial decisions to determining assisted...
Read MoreTips for Raising Financially Literate Children
Every parent wants the best for their children and strives to prepare them to lead a happy, healthy, and successful life. But, despite understanding the importance of financial responsibility, only 28 percent of parents speak to their...
Read MoreTransitioning to Medicare from Private Health Insurance Plans
Transitioning from Private Health Insurance Plans to MedicareAs you approach retirement age, you may be anticipating transitioning from your private insurance to Medicare, which is a federal health insurance program that provides...
Read MoreWhere to Put Excess Cash
According to the Investment Company Institute, near the end of 2022, there was more than $4.7 trillion in cash sitting in U.S. money market funds.1,2While cash can play a role in a diversified portfolio, historically, cash has not kept...
Read MoreWhat Is the Sequence-of-Return Risk and How Can Retirees Mitigate Its Effects?
With the possibility of a recession looming, it's natural for those nearing or in retirement to have concerns over their long-term strategies. After decades of accumulating a portfolio, the last thing retirees want is for a market...
Read MoreLifetime Estate & Gift Tax Exemption Updates for 2023
In October 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax changes for 2023 — changes primarily driven, in part, by the current inflationary environment. For affluent couples or individuals interested in transferring...
Read MoreContribution Limit Increases for 2023: Just What We Wanted to Hear
In late October, the IRS announced that it is increasing contribution limits to retirement savings accounts in 2023. The changes, like many you are seeing, are a direct result of months of high inflation and financial uncertainty, some...
Read MoreYear-End Financial Strategies
The year is almost over, and it has certainly been a bumpy one for the financial markets and our economy. As financial professionals, we work with families to design investment strategies that help them pursue their goals for education...
Read MoreCharitable Giving Strategies for 2022
Key points:Over the past five years, affluent Americans increased their donations to charity by 48%.1Understand various strategies to help you maximize the impact of your charitable donations and your income tax savings.To qualify for...
Read MoreHow Does the Inflation Reduction Act Impact Healthcare? A Guide During Open Enrollment Season
Key points:One of the biggest components of the Inflation Reduction Act is the changes to healthcare costs and coverage. The Inflation Reduction Act requires all pharmaceutical companies to rebate Medicare participants for the...
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor Podcast – Dispelling Investing Myths for Millennials & Gen Z
As a 20-year-old, if you put $3.47 a day into a low-cost index fund and leave it alone to grow until you are 65, you could reach millionaire status.InTrack Portfolio Manager Tyler J. Gardner argues that if you can afford daily...
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor Podcast – What We Can Learn from Alaska
You may have heard the buzzword "longtermism" being used a lot lately, but what does it mean? It is defined as an ethical stance which gives priority to improving the long-term future.Myron R. Sopher, InTrack's Managing Partner, has...
Read More6 Tips on How to Prepare for a Recession
As you likely already know, we are currently in a bear market, which refers to at least a 20% drop from a recent high. Bear markets attract a lot of attention and concern (often more than necessary). On top of that, interest rates are...
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor Podcast – Water Scarcity & Climate Change
Did you know the Po River, the longest river in Italy, is dropping by as much as 2.7 meters below the 0 gauge, and as a result, more than 100 towns in the region are rationing water? In this episode, Tom Parris, President of ISciences...
Read MoreThe Relationship Between Rising Energy Prices & Renewable Energy Investing
ESG investing is a commonly debated topic these days. Investors who participate in it examine the environmental, social, and governance criteria of a company to assess if that company’s values align with their own. Due to the...
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor Podcast - Discussing Decentralized Finance with Mike Taormina
The dollar value of funds being used in the decentralized finance space was less than a billion just two years ago. Now, it's over 200 billion.This is why Mike Taormina, Head of Institutional Business at the Index Cooperative, argues...
Read MoreEarth Day 2022
On the 52nd annual Earth Day, we encourage you to be mindful of how your actions impact the place we all call home.
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor Podcast - Generational Perspectives on Investing
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The Optimistic Investor Podcast - 2022 Tax Season Optimism & Advice
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The Optimistic Investor Podcast - Do Millennials & Gen Z Care About SRI?
Did you know that over 60% of both Millennial and Gen Z consumers prefer to buy from sustainable brands? More and more studies are showing results suggesting that the younger generations are reflecting their values in their money...
Read MoreCompanies Are Reaching Towards Net-Zero Emissions
Scientists, journalists, and other individuals have been discussing climate change for decades, but companies have been much slower on the uptake. In more recent years, however, they have been more willingly involved in the...
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor Podcast - Money Coaching
Did you know that 70% of financial plans never get followed through on? In this episode of The Optimistic Investor, we discuss why this is and what exactly is preventing people from reaching their goals. Brett Peltzer, Partner,...
Read MoreMoney Coaching
Do you ever feel like for every two steps you take forward financially you take one back? Money coaching can help with that! This type of coaching reveals the reasons why you make the financial decisions that you do. The number of...
Read MoreBig Tech's Role in Socially Responsible Investing
Big tech companies are often considered to be good opportunities for those interested in socially responsible investing (SRI). This is because they frequently meet ESG criteria: environmental, social, and governance standards....
Read MoreEarth Month 2021
In the Beginning On April 22, 1970 millions of Americans participated in the first Earth Day by following United States Senator Gaylor Nelson’s lead. During his life he continued to focus on increasing awareness of the...
Read MoreEmotional Investing - The Dangers of Ignoring Stock Fundamentals
Fundamental analysis is the investor’s version of going back to basics. It requires thinking about the big picture of a company before investing in them instead of solely focusing on how their stock performance fluctuates from...
Read MoreThe Optimistic Investor - Myron's Thoughts on the Current Climate
We’re launching a podcast! The Optimistic Investor takes the often dry and uncomfortable discussion of money, investing, and retirement planning and makes it palatable, interesting, and relevant. In our first episode, Myron...
Read MoreFamily Financial Planning, Tips for New Parents
Starting a family means a lot of new, joyful experiences are headed your way. However, it also means you’ll be shouldering many new responsibilities. Try your best not to stress though! Instead, start making plans. The sheer...
Read MoreShould I Invest in Mutual Funds?
The wide world of investment is full of opportunities. Unfortunately, along with these opportunities comes a lot of jargon and confusion. Common questions that people ask themselves are, “What are mutual funds?” and,...
Read MoreRenewable Energy Storage
The renewable energy industry continues to thrive. Wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and bioenergy are all more popular than ever. In fact, according to a 2019 report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, electrical...
Read MoreWhy Invest in a Women-Owned Business
The initials ESG refer to the factors used to measure the environmental and ethical impact of investing in a company. The “G” stands for governance, corporate governance to be exact. A trend within the group of investors...
Read MoreClimate Investors Seeing Green
This April 22nd marked the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, which was celebrated with the theme of “climate action.” Ironically, two days before Earth Day 2020, wholesale crude oil prices were negative while many alternative...
Read More401(k) Updates Caused by the CARES Act
If you contribute to a 401(k), you’re probably aware of the strict rules around withdrawing money from this type of retirement account. However, some of these rules are currently being temporarily lifted thanks to the Coronavirus...
Read MoreSecure Act 2020
You may be aware that on December 20, President Trump signed into law the SECURE Act (short for Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act). It is the broadest piece of retirement legislation passed in the last 13 years....
Read MoreClimate Change Update
For the first time, a highly respected periodical, “The Economist,” has dedicated an entire issue to climate change. My perspective is that this subject matter surrounds all of us; it is undeniable and it touches each of us...
Read More6 Reasons to Make a Personal Financial Plan
We’d like to clear up the unfortunate misconception that financial planning is a service which only benefits the wealthy. The truth is that having a financial plan, either one you’ve crafted with the help of experts or one...
Read MoreFast Fashion and the Environment
With concerns about climate change on the rise, investors are beginning to address environmental challenges through their investment decisions. Investing does not have to be about profiting at any cost. It’s becoming more and...
Read MoreWhy is Financial Planning Important?
In the world of finance, there are so many buzzwords that it can be hard to keep up. Average people looking for professionals to help them manage their money have to be careful to avoid those who are only in the business to make...
Read MoreInheriting Values
If you’ve created an estate plan, then you know how stressful it can be just thinking about how the next generation will handle the family’s wealth. Many people set up long-term trusts with flexible distribution standards...
Read MoreGetting Comfortable with Volatility
If you pay any attention to the stock market, you probably know that ups and downs are commonplace. Though this can be nerve-wracking for investors, fluctuations are actually a normal part of investing. The last several years, however,...
Read MoreESG Is Part of Our Fiduciary Duty
The concepts of socially responsible investing (SRI) and impact investing grow in popularity more and more every year. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria assist investment managers in finding financial opportunities...
Read MoreBreaking Down ESG
ESG refers to the factors used to measure the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a company. These criteria are usually used in sustainable, responsible and impact investing and socially responsible investing (SRI)....
Read MoreWhat is SRI?
Socially responsible investing (SRI) seeks both financial gain and social good. The goal of most participating investors is to positively impact society with their funds. Of course, this is subjective. The set of ethical and moral...
Read MoreWhat is ESG?
When it comes to finance, there is a lot of jargon that gets thrown around. Just when you think you’re starting to understand what’s being discussed, a new term hits the scene and the confusion starts all over again. When...
Read MoreChina's Economy and How it Influences Your Investments
It’s hard to ignore China. After all, it is one of the largest countries geographically speaking as well as the most populous. We are here, however, to discuss another big aspect of this country; their ever-growing economy. China...
Read MoreAs a Business, Higher Education is Struggling
Most of us feel like we need more money. But colleges and universities? They really do need it. If you're one of the many people who feel like you’re up to your eyeballs in student loan debt, then you might be screaming...
Read MoreHow to Impact Your World with Your Investments
Investing is about making money. When you invest, you do so with the goal of profiting later on. Consumers, however, become more and more self-aware with each passing year. Most of us want to make more money, this is true, but most of...
Read MoreThe Importance of Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Depending on whom you ask, as much as 20-33% of all equity investments is held in index funds. Index funds have always been popular, but the recent bull market has seen billions of dollars pumped into them by individual investors who...
Read MoreDon't Go It Alone
The road of life is not a straightaway, for better or for worse. Each of our paths twists in one way or another. Sometimes we curve in familiar directions, but when in uncharted territory, a sudden turn can mean shock, tragedy, and...
Read MoreSolar Power Flares in Popularity
It’s 2019, you’ve probably heard the words “renewable energy” multiple times, maybe you even hear them multiple times a day. In case you’re still unsure of what they mean, we’re talking about energy...
Read MoreOur Hoppy Home
Various picturesque images come to mind when our home base Vermont is brought up in conversation: fall foliage, ski slopes, flourishing farms, sweet syrup, blossoming breweries. Breweries, as in beer? That’s right, a lot of...
Read MoreThoughts on the Recent Market Correction
Our goal in putting these thoughts together is to give everyone a historic understanding of the correction that occurred during the past two weeks, whether it has further to go, and answer the most important question, is this the start...
Read MoreIndex Funds
Index funds allow the average individual who may not know the ins and outs of the stock market to invest intelligently by offering stock diversification and by reliably delivering average market performance. In essence, they are a type...
Read MorePreparing For Retirement
Many people spend their whole lives passively preparing for retirement, but the older you get the more important it is to flesh out your specific plans. Even if you feel pretty confident about your financial situation, retirement is...
Read More9 Facts About Social Security
Tip: How Much? Check your Social Security earnings and see an estimate of your benefits on the Web site, www.ssa.gov. Social Security’s been a fact of retirement life ever since it was established in 1935. We all think we know...
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