MeansBlog
The Case for Taking Retirement Plan Distributions Earlier in the Year
An RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) is the minimum amount you must withdraw from certain retirement accounts each year once you reach a specific age. The IRS mandates these withdrawals to ensure that retirement funds are eventually taxed rather than left to grow tax-deferred indefinitely. The rules governing these distributions are … Continued
Staying the Course During Market Volatility
“The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect” – Warren Buffett Market corrections can be unsettling, and the recent volatility has left many investors wondering what’s next. According to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), last week’s sentiment reading revealed some of the lowest levels of … Continued
Protecting Your Wealth: Recent Cryptocurrency Scams and How to Stay Safe
Cryptocurrency continues to capture investors’ attention, offering exciting opportunities—but also significant risks. With digital assets still relatively new and regulations evolving, scammers are taking advantage of gaps in knowledge and security. In recent months, we’ve seen a rise in sophisticated cryptocurrency scams that have cost investors millions. If you’re considering … Continued
The Social Security Fairness Act: What It Means for Your Financial Plan
A new era for Social Security brings both opportunities and challenges – here’s how to stay prepared. Social Security retirement and survivor benefits form the foundation of financial security for millions of Americans. As of November 2024, over 60 million retirees, eligible dependents, and survivors received Social Security benefits. For … Continued
Perspectives 2024/2025
Navigating the Markets and Maintaining Your Financial Plan in an Election Year
By: Jamie Stone, CFP®, ChFC®, Chief Planning Officer As we move forward in this important presidential election year, many of you may be wondering–or even worrying–about how political events could impact your investment portfolio and overall financial plan. It’s natural to be concerned, especially when significant elections often bring market … Continued
Market Review and Outlook
By: Karen Oeser, CFA®, CFEI® Last week, the markets fell across the board, with the S&P 500 losing 2.1%, on fears that the economy might be headed into a recession. The manufacturing sector reported its fourth consecutive contraction, while the labor market demonstrated unexpected weakness, adding only 114,000 jobs, rather … Continued
Securing Tomorrow Today
By: Karen Holyoke, Shareholder, Eaton Peabody Essential Documents and Storage Tips Being able to easily locate certain important documents can be a life saver for your loved ones in the event of your incapacity or passing, making a difficult situation less stressful for them to navigate. Just what are the … Continued
Navigating Record Markets and Future “Risks”: 2024 Investment Strategies
Market performance in the first quarter of 2024 defied expectations. Following a strong 24% gain in 2023, the S&P surprised investors with a robust 10% increase for the quarter. The market’s strong start in Q1 is historically significant as there have only been four times since 2000 that the index … Continued
2024 Winter Update
By: Erin Barry, CEO It is hard to believe that we are over a month and a half into 2024! One of my personal goals for the year is to keep you, our valued clients and friends, informed about our firm’s operations, goals, and philosophies. February marks my 5th year … Continued
“Part of success is preparation on purpose”- Jim Rohn
It’s that time of year again, a time when we turn the calendar and welcome a new year. It’s a time when we take a few moments to reflect on all that transpired over the year that just passed, and a time where we start to think about what we’d … Continued
