Blog

Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You Think

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, March 19, 2026

Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy: The Difference Matters More Than You ThinkWe all know that April 15 is the end of tax preparation season and the annual deadline for completing and filing your return. As important as proper tax prep is, some...

Creative Ways to Inspire the Next Generation

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Now is a perfect time to focus on financial literacy—a crucial skill that can help almost everyone.Remember those early money lessons, perhaps with a childhood piggy bank. This is a great opportunity to reflect on how those experiences...

Inspiring Women - Women's History Month

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, March 5, 2026

March is Women's History Month! A time to honor the contributions women have made across industries, communities, and history. We've rounded up some of our favorite inspiring quotes from powerful, intelligent and compassionate women...

What Comes Next for Your Business?

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, February 26, 2026

Every business eventually faces the question of what comes next. In my experience, business owners who create a succession strategy early on in their business report having more options and greater freedom down the line.

Explore how to manage shared finances with your spouse with tips on communication, goal setting, and budgeting. Strengthen your relationship through financial teamwork.

Navigating the Costs of Senior Care

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Seniors turning 65 today have a 70 percent chance of needing extended care as they age. However, extended care comes with a hefty price tag.1Nationally, the median annual cost of a nursing home is over $110,000 for a shared room, and...

Beware of Phantom Debt Collectors

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, January 22, 2026

Bad Actors Use Scare Tactics to Net Millions. In late 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took action against a debt collector in the state of Georgia, reportedly using fear and harassment to fool several individuals into paying off...

Are AI Stocks in a Bubble?

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Thursday, January 8, 2026

With AI stocks experiencing price swings lately, charts like the one below have been circulating that compare the Nasdaq 100 (showing data from 2022 to the present) with historic bubbles.Recent publications may want you to look at...

January Financial Detox: Recovering from Holiday Spending

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Friday, January 2, 2026

The holidays are here and gone, and with them, it must be said, a considerable amount of money. Not all of it is money that folks intended to spend. One survey found that 62 percent of Americans admitted that if a holiday deal is good...

The 80/20 Rule for Investing: Focusing on What Truly Matters

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Harness the power of the 80/20 rule in investing by focusing on key assets that drive the most impact, streamlining your strategy for better returns and clarity.

The Gift of Giving: Embracing the Spirit of the Holidays

Karen L. DeRose, CFP^®, CRPC^®

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

As the holiday season approaches, a familiar warmth begins to envelop our communities. Yet, amid the festivities, there lies an opportunity to reflect on the true spirit of the season: giving back. The Heart of the Holidays...

As we approach the end of the year, it’s an opportune time to review and optimize your financial and tax strategies. Here are some key considerations: 1. Tax-Advantaged Accounts: Contribute fully to retirement accounts, including any...

Managing Student Debt Student loans can be a heavy burden for those paying them. Often, student debt ends up delaying important financial milestones like buying a home or saving for retirement. The numbers can be intimidating, too;...

Remember the show Sex and the City? At one point, Carrie Bradshaw (the main character) admitted she'd spent $40,000 on shoes instead of saving for a down payment. Now economists use her name to track what it actually costs to live...

As students head back to campus this fall, this month's chart reveals something fascinating: how we think about debt changes dramatically based on whether we're carrying it ourselves. About one-third of student loan holders ages 25 to...

September is a month that marks new beginnings. As the leaves begin to change and temperatures cool down, September offers a quiet focus that replaces summer’s chaos. For many, it is the start of the school year, approaching a fresh...

With the first half of the year in the rearview mirror, summertime is a great chance to touch base. A mid-year financial review can help to take stock of your accomplishments thus far and uncover any needs for adjustments. It’s...

This month’s Your Money Matters contains helpful information on inflation's impact on investments, managing money as a couple, and how to best examine spending habits to avoid overspending. We also provided an insightful article on...

On January 5th of this year, the Social Security Fairness Act was signed. The law repeals the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), two provisions that reduced Social Security benefits for certain...

As a financial professional, I’m always looking for ways to help clients be more efficient with their money. Now that summer’s here, staying cool can make electricity bills skyrocket, so here are some strategies to help keep cool and...

This month’s Retirement Readiness features helpful information on navigating retirement pitfalls, tips for managing healthcare costs in retirement, and common assumptions about retirement. It also includes tips on how to avoid...