Covid-19

By Ann D. Blakey, CFP®

Determining your Adjusted Gross Income ("AGI") has never been more important than for tax year 2020.  This is because your AGI is used as the "ceiling" against which many benefits available from recent Covid-19 assistance legislation is measured.  

Specifically, the latest round of up to $1,400 per person stimulus checks is only fully available to individuals with AGI lower than $75,000 and for couples filing jointly with AGI lower than $150,000. 

By Ann D. Blakey, CFP®

By Ann D. Blakey, CFP®

The coronavirus crisis has sparked a serious recession in the U.S. economy. Since March, we have experienced volatile stock markets, shuttered businesses, skyrocketing unemployment rates, and government intervention to alleviate the devastating effects of this recession.

But what about the effects specifically on women? Unlike past recessions in which women have made major contributions to economic recovery, the pandemic has erased years of economic gains for women and is poised to leave lasting economic scars.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP®

If the coronavirus’ effect on the markets has taught us anything, it is that every single person should have an emergency fund. This is not just an idea, nor is it a savings account, but rather, it is a separate pool of money to only use in emergencies. So, how do you even start the process of creating an emergency savings fund?

By Guest Blogger Laura K. Biederman, Esq, Long & Foster Real Estate

May 29, 2020 from Fidelity

Sharing some perspective from our Fidelity resources.  Knowledge is empowering and can support you in remaining focused on your goals.

Have you found yourself unsure of your financial situation in the past few weeks? For many people, that answer is a resounding yes. In seasons like this, it is abundantly clear that we all need someone in our corner who is helping us navigate the unknown in areas where we lack expertise.

By Maura C. Schauss, CFP® and Todd I. Youngdahl, CFP®

Keeping your information secure online is critical every day, but especially during times of crisis. Unfortunately, predators take advantage of these kinds of situations in order to get information or money from people. However, there are some things you can do to protect yourself online from scams and combat this issue head-on.

By Craig Strent of Apex Home Loans, Guest Blogger

Many of our clients are thinking about their overall financial plan and making appropriate adjustments to ensure they stay on track with their financial goals – this includes real estate.  We turned to Apex Home Loans CEO & Co-Founder Craig Strent to share his perspective on the mortgage market given today’s environment.  He is a thought leader in the industry and a knowledgeable resource when exploring home financing options. 

By Maura Schauss, CFP® 

Riding the highs, and experiencing the lows, it is the way of the investment market. However, what if we told you that the key to sound and quality investing is learning how to keep it cool when the market is in turmoil? Yes, this includes our markets today, where Coronavirus has caused a shocking amount of volatility. Let’s look at some of the tools that can help you manage your emotions and expectations during market uncertainty.