Money Matters: Protect Yourself

Cary, NC — The risks to your wealth aren’t only in the financial markets. The wealthier you become, the more liability protection matters. We live in a litigious world, one in which even friends and neighbors can be convinced to see opportunity in the wake of misfortune.

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Five Strategies for Tax-Efficient Investing

Cary, NC – After factoring in federal income and capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax, and possible state and local taxes, your investments’ returns in any given year may be reduced by 40% or more. Here are five ways to potentially lower your tax bill.

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Money Matters

Annuity Options: Choices Abound for Today’s Retiree

Editor’s Note: Briant Sikorski from Stratos Wealth Partners in Cary contributed this article.

Cary, NC – Annuities have grown in popularity thanks to the growing population of retirees and their interest in lifetime retirement income and living benefits options.  Yet when considering the purchase of a variable annuity, it is crucial that individuals understand the product’s features and their associated fees.
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Money Matters

Money Matters: Buying Life Insurance – What Kind and How Much?

Cary, NC – Finding the middle ground between being “insurance poor” and unprotected requires assessing real needs and choosing products that are affordable. This article introduces different types of insurance products and the role that they can play in a personal financial plan. Read more

Cary Education

529s and Estate Planning: What’s the Connection?

Cary, NC – Assets in 529 plans have grown significantly in recent years due to their college planning potential. But there’s another side to 529 plans that may appeal to you — potential estate planning benefits. [1]

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Cary Business

Money Matters: 401(k) Decisions – You Can Take It With You

Cary, NC – If you are preparing to change jobs, do you know what your choices are for managing the money in your current employer’s retirement plan? Although many people choose to take a cash distribution, there are other options that may benefit you more. Read more

Money Matters

Money Matters: How to Dig Yourself Out of Debt and Save at the Same Time

Editor’s Note: Briant Sikorski from Stratos Wealth Partners in Cary contributed this article.

Cary, NC – Paying down debt may seem like an impossible task but it doesn’t need to be. By following a basic three-step plan – tracking your monthly income and expenses, establishing good saving habits and then using what you have learned from the first two steps to begin reducing what you owe – you can rid yourself of the debt trap over time.
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Money Matters

Money Matters: Are You Undercutting Your Efforts to Build Wealth?

Editor’s Note: Briant Sikorski from Stratos Wealth Partners in Cary contributed this article.

Cary, NC – Good money habits can help you as you save and invest for the future. Bad habits can leave you treading water (or underwater) financially. Here are some to avoid. Read more

Money Matters

Money Matters: Financial Wellness and Controlling Credit Card Debt

Editor’s Note: Briant Sikorski from Stratos Wealth Partners in Cary contributed this article.

Cary, NC – You know it’s important to maintain your physical health. But did you know it’s just as important to pay attention to your financial health? When your finances are under control, you are likely to reduce stress and are better able to save for retirement and your other long-term goals. Read more

Money Matters

Money Matters: Annuity Options: Choices Abound for Today’s Retiree

Editor’s Note: Briant Sikorski from Stratos Wealth Partners in Cary contributed this article.

Cary, NC – As the earliest baby boomers begin to enter retirement, the various income guarantees and other living benefits offered through variable annuities (VAs) are gaining in importance.

Yet before you rush to add a VA to your retirement funding scheme, take some time to understand what VAs have to offer in a general sense and to sort through the host of optional features and their associated fees and investment risks. Read more