Blog

How Mid-Term Elections May Move Markets

 Midterm elections are upon us, with Election Day on Tuesday. Republicans are strongly favored to win the House, and the Senate is roughly a tossup. We believe either outcome would be market friendly, although the bigger market...

Looking Ahead

October is now behind us and it has delivered on its track record as a historically favorable month for stocks, offering some respite for investors as major equity indices rose for the month. The downside pressure...

Federal Reserve Preview: Trick or Treat?

With a series of important economic indicators suggesting the economy is declining and inflation is finally decelerating, albeit very slowly, markets are beginning to factor in that the Fed may soon transition to a less aggressive...

Three Things to Know About Recessions

If the U.S. economy enters a recession, the causes and potential outcome will be hotly debated. At LPL Research, our starting point is always looking at history. This week’s commentary will remind us of three things we know about...

Low Bar for Earnings Season

Expectations are very low for this earnings season. The challenges are many, with intense cost pressures and slowing economic growth at the top of the list. The chorus of analysts and strategists calling for big cuts to estimates has...

Protecting Your Financial Information Online

More consumers are conducting financial transactions online and may become vulnerable to tracking, hacking, identity theft, phishing scams, and other cyberspace risks. While nothing can guarantee complete safety on the Internet,...

Factors to Consider When Setting a Retirement Savings Goal

Many Americans realize the importance of saving for retirement, but knowing exactly how much they need to save is another issue altogether. With all the information available about retirement, it is sometimes difficult to decipher what...

Five Things to Watch Out for When Buying Long-Term Care Insurance

You've researched long-term care insurance (LTCI) and are seriously thinking of buying a policy. Just make sure you're doing it for the right reasons--don't be swayed by unsubstantiated sales pitches. Here are some claims you'll want...

How Secure Is Social Security

If you're paying attention to the news, you've probably come across story after story on the health of Social Security. And depending on the actuarial assumptions used and the political slant, Social Security has been described as...

Take Time for a Credit Checkup

The Fair Credit Reporting Act of 1970 has stood the test of time, and the Consumer Credit Reporting Reform Act has provided additional protection to the American consumer. If you take the time to understand the credit reporting system...

Tips to Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes

Whether your estate plan is simple or complex, there are many details, which are often overlooked, that can undermine your plan’s effectiveness. Are you aware of these common estate planning mistakes? Titling property jointly with...

Financial Planning - Helping You See the Big Picture

Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached.That's where financial planning...

Pockets of Vulnerabilities

As Federal Reserve (Fed) officials continue to emphasize the Fed’s commitment towards restoring price stability, the dollar marches ever higher. Markets are currently pricing in another 75-basis point rate hike at the November 2...

Could the Worst Be Behind Us?

First, we want to acknowledge the tremendous damage and displacement caused by Hurricane Ian. Our thoughts are with those impacted by this devastating storm. This has clearly been a challenging year for households....

Markets on Watch as Xi Jinping’s Influence to be Tested in October

On October 16, China will begin its 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing. This plenum is especially significant because it is expected that President Xi Jinping will be granted an unprecedented third term,...

Better Times Ahead

Dear Valued Investor,In the last several weeks, we have continued to face elevated uncertainty in financial markets due to high inflation and rising interest rates, and we thought it was an important time to take stock with the final...

Taking Advantage of Higher Yields

The LPL Research Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee is increasing its recommended interest rate exposure in its tactical allocation from underweight to neutral. Now that interest rates have moved substantially higher, we...

How Much Higher Can Rates Go?

Inflationary dynamics continue to surprise to the upside, and markets now expect the Fed to pursue one of its most aggressive rate hiking campaign in years. U.S. Treasury yields continue to move higher as well. We think...

Getting Jobs Market Back Into Balance

Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell reiterated his warning that getting inflation under control will require some pain. Powell is likely making these warnings based on the arcane, clunky relationship between inflation and unemployment....

The Best and Worst of Times

When it comes to stock market performance, August was “the best of times, and the worst of times.” The strong market rally that peaked in mid-August was viewed by many analysts as a transition from a...

Calendar Cruelty

The difficult 2022 for stocks may not get much easier because as we now wait for better news on the inflation front, we have to contend with a seasonally weak month of September. While we got some welcome news in Friday’s jobs...

Is the Roth 401(k) an Option for You?

Taking a closer look at whether it might be appropriate for your situationSince it first became available in 2006, many employers have added the Roth 401(k) to their benefit packages as a retirement savings option. A Roth option is...

Here’s Why Your Credit Score Matters and How to Improve It

Credit can be a scary subject to approach, whether or not you want to jump into it isn’t an option in most cases; credit determines a lot, but it can also be a great financial tool when used properly. When your credit score is...

Planning Ahead for Life Insurance Proceeds

Why did you purchase life insurance? If you're like most people who buy life insurance, you're looking to provide a source of income for someone (e.g., a spouse, parent, or child) after you die. Buying the policy was the first step....

Have You Checked Your Retirement Plan Lately

It's generally a good idea to review your employer-sponsored retirement savings plan at least once each year and when major life changes occur. If you haven't given your plan a thorough review within the last 12 months, now may be a...

Rising Rates Join Long List of Housing Dilemmas

Homebuyers braving the hot U.S. housing market have run headlong into a striking transition. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed mortgage jumped from around 3.2% at the beginning of 2022 to 5.3% in mid-May, the highest level...

The Ultimate Juggling Act: 4 Ways to Save for College and Retirement

With the average price for private college tuition and fees hitting $43,750 for the 2021-2022 school year and public college attendees paying more than $28,000 per year, many parents are nervously anticipating what will happen after...

Earnings Recap: Still Hanging in There

Earnings growth of 6-7% doesn’t sound very exciting, but given the challenges corporate America has faced, we consider the nearly-complete second quarter earnings season a resounding success. The numerous challenges last quarter...

Where Will Housing Go From Here?

Existing home sales fell 5.9% in July, the sixth consecutive month of declines as higher interest rates weigh on housing affordability and prospective buyers. As the housing market slowed, so did prices. The median price for a single...

Start of a New Bull Market?

Investors cheered the two better-than-expected inflation reports last week, pushing the S&P 500 to 16% above its June 16 low and only 11% below its all-time high. After this rebound, the key question investors are asking is whether...

Case for Recession Weakens

The market pundits remain intensely focused on the question of whether the U.S. economy is in or about to enter recession, so we thought a piece on what a recession might mean for the stock market would be of interest. While...

Big Week for Market Watchers

Last week was epic for market-watchers. A Federal Reserve (Fed) rate hike, a much-anticipated gross domestic product (GDP) report, and the busiest week of earnings season got most of the headlines. There was even a...

What a Week

That was quite a week. These days a Federal Reserve (Fed) policy meeting alone gets a lot of headlines and has market participants on the edge of their seats. Add to that the second straight quarter of negative gross domestic product...

Pay Down Debt or Save for Retirement?

You can use a variety of strategies to pay off debt, many of which can cut not only the amount of time it will take to pay off the debt but also the total interest paid. But like many people, you may be torn between paying off debt and...

How Grandparents Can Help Grandchildren with College Costs

As the cost of a college education continues to climb, many grandparents are stepping in to help. This trend is expected to accelerate as baby boomers, many of whom went to college, become grandparents and start gifting what's...

QCDs: Donating and Gift Giving Through Your IRA

 A qualified charitable distribution, or QCD, allows you to distribute funds from your IRA to an eligible charity (a 501(c)(3) organization) as long as you’re 70 1/2 years of age or older. Since the gift will go directly to...

4 Tips and Resources to Help Seniors During Periods of High Inflation and Market Volatility

In 2022, U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high, with prices for food, housing, gasoline, and other key staples increasing by nearly 10% over the previous year.1 During these uncertain times, stocks have continued a roller-coaster ride...

Stocks - Tax Planning

What is investment tax planning for stocks?Investment tax planning for stocks takes advantage of the tax rules with the goal of achieving the best after-tax return on these investments. Strategies will differ depending on whether you...

3 Way for Women to Achieve Financial Independence

For many women, working toward financial independence is more difficult. Obstacles women face include having a longer life expectancy than men which will require more savings for retirement, spending fewer years in the...

Three Factors That Could Change the Course of Inflation

For the past year, supply-related problems contributed more to inflation than demand-related imbalances, but that may be changing soon. There are at least three factors that could change the course of inflation. First, the improvement...

Managing Volatility

Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us navigate anything that may lie ahead. So far, this year hasn’t seen a...

Looking Forward

As the calendar has turned to July, investors would certainly like to forget the first six months of 2022. However, the Fourth of July Independence Day holiday does bring with it reason for celebration. Not only is...

Constructive, Not Complacent: Lowering S&P 500 Target

Stocks have been unable to make up much ground since the June 16 lows, with a bear market rally amounting to only around a 4.3% gain in the S&P 500 Index since then (as of July 1). After the more than 6% rally the week of June 24 and...

Four Tips for Gaining Financial Independence

Over the past July 4th, we celebrated our country’s history of declaring independence and guaranteeing basic human freedoms. But true freedom includes financial independence, as well.Self-sufficiency isn’t guaranteed, but...

Financial Planning Challenges and Strategies for the Sandwich Generation

Almost half of all adults are part of the "sandwich generation." These are adults in their 40s and 50s who are helping support or care for a parent while also supporting or caring for a child.1 Being caught between two generations of...

Seeking Simplicity: Understanding SIMPLE IRAs and SIMPLE 401(k)s

For those who don't have a 401(k) option through their employer—which includes some small-business owners—how to save for retirement might be challenging. In a competitive employment market, offering retirement options to...

An Introduction to Estate Planning for the Sandwich Generation

For members of the "Sandwich Generation"—those currently in their 40s and 50s who are caring for children and their parents who are over 65-years old—estate planning may seem like a low priority. After all, when you're...

Tips for Talking to Your Kids About Your Finances

Many parents may find it uncomfortable, or even believe it is unnecessary, to inform their children about personal finance matters. Yet, communicating openly with your family members can help to reassure them about your financial and...

Tax Planning Tips: Disability Insurance

The income you receive from disability income insurance may or may not be taxable. The taxability of disability income insurance benefits depends on what type of benefits you receive, whether the premiums were paid with pretax or...

Relief at the Pump and for Portfolios?

2022 has been rough all-around for the American consumer. Not only are we battling decades-high inflation, but investors’ portfolios are off to one of the worst starts to a year in history as we near the halfway point. Our...

Bear Market Q&A

The bear market that started on June 13 has left the S&P 500 Index 23.5% below its January 3 high. After the initial positive reaction to the Federal Reserve’s first 0.75% rate hike since 1994 and tough talk on inflation,...

A Bear Market is Officially Here

A bear market is officially here thanks largely to stubbornly high inflation. For many of us, it has probably felt like a bear market for a while now, but the S&P 500 Index didn’t close more than 20% below...

Is the 60/40 Portfolio Dead?

This year has been tough for investors, not just because stocks have fallen but also because bonds have not helped mitigate those losses as they have historically done. Below we discuss the outlook for diversified portfolios of stocks...

Economy Slowing but Not Shrinking

Many pundits are issuing recession warnings and saying the economy is heading for a hard landing. Amid the cacophony of voices, we think the economy is slowing just like central bankers want but not shrinking. Further, we argue that a...

Annuities within IRAs

What is meant by annuities within IRAs? An annuity is one of the investment options available for your IRA money, as are mutual funds and certificates of deposit. Most financial planning professionals, however, recommend against holding...

Investor Summer School: 3 Investing Moves to Make Before Summer is Over

Many investors still adhere to the old adage—"sell in May and go away"—while others remain fully invested even as the summer heat waves begin. What goes unsaid is that if your asset allocation accurately reflects your risk...

The Joys and Financial Challenges of Parenthood

Parenthood can be both wonderfully rewarding and frighteningly challenging. Children give gifts only a parent can understand — from sticky-finger hugs to heartfelt pleas to tag along on Saturday morning errands. You raise them...

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

In tax lingo, your principal residence is the place where you legally reside. It's typically the place where you spend most of your time, but several other factors are also relevant in determining your principal residence. Many of the...

Tax Issues Related to Marriage

What are tax issues related to marriage? If you're married (or about to be married), financial planning is certainly important. It's also important for you to be aware of the income tax ramifications of your decisions. Although there...

Small-business Owners and the Value of Insurance in Your Financial Plan

A solid financial plan for small businesses is vital, and part of that financial plan should be insurance. Insurance is essential to preserve small businesses, cover their assets, and safeguard their employees. Here are some types of...

Looking through the Clouds

At the risk of sounding cliché, making the case for stocks to stage a second half rally back to the prior highs requires investors to see through some heavy cloud cover. If you prefer another market cliché, it’s times...

Bull Market Hangs by a Thread

The bull market that began in March of 2020 came dangerously close to an end. From March 23, 2020 through January 3, 2022, the S&P 500 Index gained 114% (excluding dividends). From that January 3 closing high...

Financial Aid Resources for Your Incoming Freshman

College is expensive for many people. The average tuition and fees at a college or university for the 2019 to 2020 academic year at a four-year institution was $9,4001. This may include the cost of tuition, books, and housing. For some...

Immediate Annuities Can Provide Lifetime Income

Running out of income is a primary concern for most retirees. Immediate annuities offer a financial alternative to help meet retirement income needs by providing a steady stream of income designed to last through retirement. What is an...

Dawn of a New Era for Bonds

Core bond investors have experienced the worst start to the year ever. However tough this year has been so far though (and it has been tough), the potential for future returns has improved meaningfully, in our view. Starting yields...

What Parents Should Know About Using IRAs for College Savings

When you ponder saving for college, you may think your options are limited to a 529 college savings account or a regular brokerage account. However, many parents are using individual retirement accounts (IRAs) or Roth IRAs to help pay...

Corporate America Delivers, Market Attention Focused Elsewhere

First quarter earnings season was solid by just about any measure, but based on recent market behavior it’s obvious that in general market participants paid little attention. This is a macro-driven market, so it will likely take...

Volatility Continues

Dear Valued Investor, 2022 has been a challenging year for investors so far. The S&P 500 Index just had one of its worst Aprils in decades, and May is off to a rocky start. Bond investors have not fared much better as rising interest...

Have We Really Seen Extreme Pessimism Yet?

It’s been a very tough start to the year with both stocks and bonds down sharply. Adding to the “wall of worry” for investors are the highest levels of U.S. inflation in decades, an aggressive Federal Reserve (Fed),...

April Showers Bring May Flowers

As we move into spring and leave behind the last signs of a long winter, many worries from a chilly start to the year for markets, unfortunately, are still with us. The S&P 500 Index had its worst April in more...

Why You Shouldn’t Sell In May This Year

“Sell in May and go away” is probably the most widely cited stock market cliché in history. Every year a barrage of Wall Street commentaries, media stories, and investor questions flood in about the popular stock...

Life Insurance: How Much Is Enough?

You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of your death. However, determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your...

Financial Planning for Working Moms

Historically, working mothers have had even higher ambitions in the workforce than working women in general.1 This ambition may drive them to excel in budgeting and financial matters that can help them manage their family's finances....

The Big World of Small Business: 4 Statistics Every Small-Business Owner Should Know

News headlines are often dominated by some of the world's largest businesses—from FAANG stocks soaring to new heights to Space X planning to send rockets to Mars. But the makeup of American companies includes more than just the...

Grow Old with Me--Live (Almost) Tax-Free

What will you look for as you approach your "golden" years? Sunshine and the beach at your feet, or colder climates with your favorite cross-country skiing course outside your door? An affordable condo on the golf course with room for...

An Attractive Entry Point

Dear Valued Investor, It has been a turbulent 2022 so far for investors. The S&P 500 Index is on track for its worst April in more than 40 years, the NASDAQ entered a bear market on April 26 with its more than 20% decline, and bonds,...

Businesses and Consumers Likely Protected from Near-Term Recession

Not all recessions are created equal. Previous downturns in the U.S. were prompted by various shocks, with the most recent recession started by health and government-induced shutdowns. Other recessions started in the corporate sector,...

What to Watch This Earnings Season

First quarter earnings season is rolling. BlackRock, Delta Airlines, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and Morgan Stanley were among the first 16 S&P 500 companies to report March quarter results, following 20 index constituents with...

Headwinds to Global Growth

LPL Research reduced U.S. and global GDP forecasts due to Russian commodity disruptions, elevated inflation dynamics, and higher borrowing costs. Still, we expect the U.S. economy to grow 2.7-3.2% in 2022, supported by business...

A Ways to Go

“Bull markets are born on pessimism, grown on skepticism, mature on optimism, and die on euphoria.” - Sir John Templeton According to the guidance of revered investor Sir John Templeton, it appears to...

Our Stock Market Final Four

As the Final Four NCAA Basketball Tournament rolls on in New Orleans, we continue our tradition of picking a stock market final four. We have identified our four key factors for the stock market outlook: 1) Consumer spending, 2)...

Tempering Our Enthusiasm

As the stock market recovered from the 2020 pandemic lows, valuations reached levels not seen since the dotcom bubble more than 20 years ago. The reopening economy and massive fiscal stimulus helped fuel one of the strongest starts to...

Four Things to Know Before You Take Social Security

Preparing for retirement may be an exciting and stressful time. While the idea of leaving the workforce and enjoying more leisure time may be appealing, the prospect of no longer receiving a regular paycheck might be intimidating for...

Three Ways to Celebrate Financial Literacy Month

April is not just about tax season and springtime. Since 2004, April has also been Financial Literacy Month throughout the U.S. Some states also recognize it, such as Arkansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas.1  This celebratory...

Health Is Wealth: How Improving Your Physical Health May Benefit Your Finances

Researchers found that those with more severe debt may be more likely to have physical and mental health issues, although causality is a challenge to establish.1 Fortunately, taking steps to improve your financial habits may also...

3 Moments in Life Where You Should Consider Consulting a Financial Professional

If you've ever wondered why so many lottery winners (an estimated 70 percent) seem to blow through all their winnings so quickly, the answer often lies in two key traits: overconfidence and trusting the wrong people.1 The same...

4 Tips for Teaching Children the ABCs of Money Management

Teaching your children about finances may seem like a weighty topic; however, it does not have to be challenging. By opening the lines of communication early and demonstrating good financial decisions of your own, you may set your...

In Defense of Core Bonds

Core bond investors have experienced one of the worst starts to the year ever, potentially calling into question the validity of bonds in a portfolio. Despite the poor start, we don’t think the value proposition for bonds has...

A Guide to Retirement Planning for Doctors

Working in medicine may be challenging, especially with the strain placed on health care professionals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Working towards a comfortable early retirement may be a financial goal for some physicians. Here...

Ready, Set, Hike

The Federal Reserve (Fed) meets this week and in all likelihood will raise short-term interest rates for the first time since emergency levels of monetary accommodation were provided to markets after the COVID-19 shutdowns....

Downshift in U.S. Growth but Still Above Trend

The U.S. economy grew 5.7% in 2021, exhibiting strength after an unprecedented global pandemic, but as the economy marched into 2022, the COVID-19 Omicron variant squelched some of the rebound in economic...

Navigating Geopolitical Tensions

The green shoots are hard to see right now as spring approaches, clouded by war in Ukraine. Democracy is under attack and innocent lives are tragically being lost. But while we keep one eye on overseas...

U.S. Markets Overcome Ukraine Challenges

U.S. and International Equities Most Markets Lower Firstly, our thoughts go out to those impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and we hope the conflict end’s quickly. This week, U.S. major equity markets finished higher...

America’s Changing Vision of Retirement

Retirement planning is a primary reason for long-term saving, and when people think about retirement, finances are often the focus. However, it is important to also look at the nonfinancial aspects of transitioning from the world of...

5 New Online Scams to Look Out For

Fighting back against internet scams can often feel like playing Whac-a-Mole—no sooner is one scam vanquished than another pops up to take its place. Even those who are generally wary of unsolicited communications can fall victim...

Credit Education Month: 4 Ways to Boost Your Credit IQ

March is National Credit Education Month in the U.S., which makes it the perfect opportunity to brush up on your credit basics.1 Whether you're a credit novice or well-versed in the art of the FICO score, below are four ways to...

Women's History Month: 4 Female Financial Pioneers

For decades, women have been making their mark on the business world, overcoming struggles and adversity to be able to get the same recognition as their male counterparts. In the world of finance, the process has been slow, but the...

Making the Most of Your Relationship with a Financial Professional

Heading to your first meeting with a new financial professional may be a lot like going on a blind date. Can you have anything in common? Can you click? Can you trust this other person with what's most important to you? A strong...

Spring Cleaning Your Investments

Spring is traditionally the time to clean the garage and to get the yard in shape. It’s also a great time to clean up your investment portfolio. Going into the final days of tax season, this is a perfect opportunity to get rid of clutter...

Positivity Amidst Uncertainty

Stocks have gotten off to a very rocky start in 2022, with the potential for Federal Reserve rate hikes coming and the geopolitical worries over Russia and Ukraine only adding to the uncertainty. We don’t want to...

The Fed and Ukraine Influence This Week’s Markets

U.S. and International Equities U.S. Markets Lower The U.S. major equity markets finished lower for the second straight week. With roughly 85% of S&P 500 companies having reported, fourth quarter earnings growth for the index is...

Markets End the Week Lower Amid Inflation Concerns

U.S. Markets Higher The major equity markets finished the week lower, failing to extend the rebound which started two Fridays prior, after the averages closed lower for the first three weeks of the New Year.  Following the early...

Which Region Will get Gold in 2022

It’s been a rough start to the year for U.S. stocks with some stiff headwinds. The path of the S&P 500 in January looked like something Mikaela Shiffrin might ski on given the steepness of the decline...

Tax Tips Every Married Couple Should Know

Getting married is a joyous time, but one that comes with numerous considerations. From living arrangements to future goals, marriage may quickly change a lot of things in your life. One thing that may drastically change after your...

Stocks' Road Ahead

 Dear Valued Investor: The calendar had barely flipped to 2022 and investors were reminded that even attractive long-term stock returns come with a cost: volatility. The S&P 500 Index fell nearly 10% from January 3 through...

What to Expect on Your 2021 Tax Return

The federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact individual income tax returns, from the suspension of federal student loan interest to expanded child tax credits. For many taxpayers, this may mean your...

Senior Housing: Life Made Simpler

When your loved one starts showing signs of trouble in taking care of her home, senior housing may be an option to consider. Senior housing is intended for those who are in relatively good health, who have mobility either by walking or...

3 Practical Time Management Tips for Investors

For many, spending more quality time with loved ones and friends is a New Year’s resolution or work-life balance goal. But for investors who are accustomed to keeping a close eye on their assets' performance, balancing one's "to...

4 Self-Care Tips for Caregivers

Taking care of someone you love has its rewards but also its challenges. In the quest to keep someone comfortable and happy, you may find yourself neglecting your health. With so many things to keep track of, self-care may not be on...

5 Ways to Practice Healthcare Self-Advocacy

It’s important to advocate for your best interests in all areas of life, but especially when it comes to your health. You have agency over your body and know it better than anyone else, but doctors and specialists are trained to...

U.S. Markets Rebound After Three Weeks of Lower Closes

U.S. and International Equities U.S. Markets Higher The major equity markets finished the week higher even as inflation, higher interest rates, and tighter Federal Reserve (Fed) policy remained on investors’ minds. Investors...

Moving Forward After Pullback

Greetings, Stocks have gotten off to a tough start in 2022. Why has the market pulled back and what might we see going forward?We think the most important thing to remember is that periodic stock market volatility is entirely normal....

Down Week Puts U.S. Stocks Near Correction Territory

U.S. and International Equities U.S. Markets Lower The major equity markets finished the week lower as inflation, higher interest rates, and tighter Federal Reserve policy continue to be front and center on investors’ minds....

Emerging Markets Emerge this Week

U.S. Markets Lower The major equity markets finished the week lower as concerns about inflation and higher interest rates continue to weigh on investors’ minds. A weaker than expected December retail sales report along with...

Why the 20 Percent Down Payment Isn’t Always the Best Option

The 20 percent down payment on a conventional loan is one of those “everybody knows” items, as in “everybody knows you have to put 20 percent down.” In reality, however, there are a variety of down payment...

Getting To Know Your Clients Through a 1040

Whether a move is forced or self-initiated, more financial professionals are opening their own doors than ever before. Typically, between legal, operational and client concerns, financial professionals do not always consider the...

5 Signs You May Need Money Counseling, Not Marriage Counseling

Many couples blame their marriage problems on disagreements and an inability to see eye to eye. Marriage counseling is a great option for couples who need to learn how to better communicate, but it might not solve the problem that...

Suggestions for Staying Safe Online from the IRS

Common sense tips to help children, teens and other vulnerable groups The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is helping families, teens and senior citizens learn about the continued importance of protecting personal information in helping...

Markets Begin Year On A Weak Note

Major Markets Lower The major equity markets finished the week lower, as concerns about inflation and interest rates intensified after the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) minutes were released this week. Growth stocks, as represented by...

Tax Prep Checklist: Everything You Need to Be Ready for Tax Season

Regardless of whether you prepare your taxes yourself or use a professional's services, it's a good idea to gather the information and documentation you need well in advance of your actual tax filing date. Below, we've listed some key...

New Beginnings in 2022

With the New Year comes new beginnings, new goals, new challenges, new friendships, and new opportunities. 2021 was an incredible year for the economy and investors, but to us the future remains bright for 2022 and beyond. Let’s...

Markets End The Year On A Strong Note

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets in the Green The major equity markets finished the week higher, as the Santa Claus rally continued to take hold even amid concerns about the Omicron variant’s effects on the economy....

Everyone Is Working From Home—Here’s How to Do It Effectively

Our homes are supposed to be an escape from reality. A safe place we can go to unwind from the stresses of the day, be that from work or from life as a whole. But when this place of comfort becomes your work space, it can be...

Focusing on Your Finances

While most people find the notion of creating a budget about as appealing as cleaning out closets, most would agree that the result—a well-crafted and useful budget—is worth the work   Two financial...

Be Your Most Organized Self This Year

A planner can be a game-changing tool—one that really causes you to not only plan for change, but to stick to it. It’s something you can go back to when you need a reminder of your daily tasks, long-term goals, or any...

2021 Year-End Planning for Retirees

For some, 2021 has flown by—and as we approach the last quarter of the year, it's a good time to begin planning for the next one. Year-end planning is especially important for retirees and those hoping to retire in 2021 or 2022....

Markets March Higher Despite Omicron

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets higher The major equity markets finished the week higher, as the Santa Claus rally took hold even amid concerns about the Omicron variant’s effects on the economy. The growth style...

Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton

LPL Research Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond. While the economy continues to move forward, we’re still feeling some...

Markets Selloff Amid Fed Policy

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Lower The major equity markets finished the week lower, reversing some of last week’s gains on the back of this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. The Federal...

End of Year Financial Planning

For some, it’s easy to put personal finances on the back burner during the last few months of the year. However, before the year comes to an end, it’s essential to review your finances. By doing so now, you can make the...

Markets Rebound As Omicron Concerns Lessen

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Higher The major equity markets finished the week solidly higher, reversing last week’s declines. Traders took solace in the health reports that the effects of the Omicron variant...

A Season of Giving: 5 Different Ways To Give During the Holidays

With the holidays here, now is the time to get into the giving spirit and help to change others' lives for the better. Whether you are looking to make a difference in a specific person's life or the life of many, there are many ways to...

What to Know About Gifting Appreciated Stock

This holiday season, gifting a share of stock may be worth considering as a present, particularly for those with a long investing timeline, such as young people or others who might not be able to invest themselves. For those who hold...

Holiday Resilience

We hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. While life has been challenging during the pandemic, we have a lot to be thankful for. At this time, we are especially grateful for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments

Markets Continue Lower on COVID-19 Variant Fears

Safety Tips for Older Drivers

We all treasure our mobility and independence, regardless of age. While older drivers may have decades of safe driving experience behind them, normal age-related changes can cause a gradual decline in vision, hearing, and/or the...

The Most Common Tax Tips Before Year End

Tax planning can be advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities exist for you to mitigate tax liability, which may leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally, people put...

This December, What Should You Know About Qualified Charity Distributions?

Whether you are preparing to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) from a retirement account this December or are just feeling a bit of charitable holiday cheer, you may be wondering whether a Qualified Charity Distribution...

Markets Down As New COVID-19 Variant Emerges

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Lower The major equity markets finished the week lower as markets gave up ground Friday during a holiday-shortened trading session given new COVID-19 variant concerns in South Africa....

Carving Out Time to Support Small Business Saturday

American Express created Small Business Saturday in 2010 to provide small businesses with a holiday season boost on the heels of Black Friday. The day comes after one of the biggest shopping sales events and serves as a reminder to...

Growth Stocks Catch a Bid Amid Renewed COVID-19 Worries In Europe

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Mixed The major equity markets finished the week mixed as inflation worries continued to play a role in investors’ minds amid an excellent third quarter earnings season....

Spotlighting Women-Owned Businesses on Women's Entrepreneurship Day

Celebrated on November 19th, Women's Entrepreneurship Day was established by Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization (WEDO) in 2013 to bring awareness to the hundreds of millions of women and girls living in poverty and to help...

Inflation Concerns Influence Market Results

U.S. and International Equities Major Markets Mostly Higher The major equity markets finished the week on a negative note as inflation worries played a role in investors’ minds amid an excellent Q3 earning season that has almost...

Strategies for Entrepreneurial Confidence

Whether you’re planning to start a new business, trying to grow a fledgling business, or working to keep an already established enterprise competitive, your business plan is your “roadmap” toward entrepreneurial...

Job Growth Bounces Back in October

The October payroll report more than delivered on expectations for a bounce back from the soft September report. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its October employment report this morning, revealing that the domestic...

Many Reasons to be Thankful

The past year and a half have tested all of us, but overall, the economy continues to strengthen, COVID-19 trends are greatly improving, and this still relatively young bull market is alive and well. As the leaves turn colors and begin...

October Market Insights – The October Rebound

U.S. and International Equities Stocks erased September losses with solid gains in October for the broad market averages. The S&P 500 returned almost 7% for the month, while the Dow Industrials and Nasdaq rose over 5% and 7%,...

Mid-November Means Open Enrollment Time

Reviewing your benefit choices will maximize your employment benefits Open enrollment for employee benefits kicks off this month. While you plan your Thanksgiving menu, review your benefit choices. Even if little changed in your life...

Waiting on Your Tax Refund? How To Track Your Status

If you wonder whether the IRS continues to struggle with delays that kept so many people from receiving their 2020 income tax refunds or having their returns processed promptly, then the answer is a qualified yes. The IRS says that...

Long-Term Care: Exploring Your Options

Have you ever thought about what would happen if you or a family member were no longer able to live independently? What if your elderly parents were no longer able to drive or perform basic activities of daily living, such as bathing...

Leading Indicators Show Tempered Optimism for Economy

On Thursday, October 21, the Conference Board released its September 2021 report detailing the latest reading for the Leading Economic Index (LEI), a composite of ten data series that tend to lead changes in economic activity. Many...

FAFSA for 2022-2023 School Year Opens on October 1

October is the kickoff season for financial aid. That's when incoming and returning college students can start filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, for the next academic year. The FAFSA is a prerequisite for...

Paving Your Road to Retirement

Whatever your age, it’s never too soon to look ahead and begin giving thought to your retirement. With proper planning, you can make the transition to retirement a smooth, comfortable and confident ride. Today, more than ever,...

Weekly Market Performance – Market Move Higher Amid Positive Earnings and Economic Reports

U.S. and International Equities Major U.S. and International Markets Finished Higher The major equity markets finished solidly in the green this week as we head into the genesis of Q3 earnings season. The international markets, as...

Put Yourself in Front of the Savings Game

Like dieting, budgeting your expenses can benefit from long-term commitment. However, human nature leads many of us to become frustrated when we can’t immediately have the things we need or want. As a result, the best-laid...

Third Quarter Earnings Season Preview

We have used most of the superlatives we know to describe corporate America’s stunning performances over the past two earnings seasons. Despite lofty expectations, results exceeded estimates by huge margins. We expect solid...

How to Hire Your Children

If you are a business owner with school-aged children, you may have an opportunity to help your children earn spending money, learn valuable job skills, and lower your taxes. Business owners may employ their children without paying...

Change May Bring Opportunities

One constant in life is change. During the past year and a half, we have experienced more change than any of us bargained for. Change is disruptive—but also brings opportunities. For investors right now, there is...

September Market Insights – The September Selloff

Index Performance View enlarged chart. U.S. and International Equities September has been the worst performing month over the past 10 and 20 years. Looking at the prior year, the S&P 500 pulled back over 9% from September 2nd to...

Leading Indicators Show Optimism For Domestic Economy

On Thursday, September 23, the Conference Board released its August 2021 report detailing the latest reading for the Leading Economic Index (LEI), a composite of ten data series that tend to lead changes in economic activity. Many...

Revisiting Our 10-Year Treasury Yield Forecast

Until recently, we expected the 10-year Treasury yield to end the year between 1.75% and 2.0%. Now, however, there are two key elements suggesting we are unlikely to see significantly higher interest rates by year end: The Delta...

Main Street Sentiment Remains Strong Despite Risks from Speedy Recovery

According to LPL Research’s analysis of the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) recently released Beige Book, business sentiment on Main Street has declined in recent months as the economy navigates the latest wave of COVID-19, but...

Global Monetary Policy and What Likely Comes Next

The Covid-19 pandemic was an unprecedented shock to a large majority of global economies. But the economic damage was met with an extraordinary global monetary response with the Federal Reserve (Fed), European Central Bank (ECB), the...

Year-End Tax Planning Tips

Few words can dampen the cheer and optimism of a New Year like taxes. Let’s face it, the time for holidays, time off, and family should be celebratory, not burdensome. But if you approach taxes with an eye toward reducing your...

529 Savings Plans: For Education Expenses and Estate Planning?

A 529 plan is a state-sponsored tax-advantaged plan designed for saving for future education expenses authorized by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. If used for education, the assets grow tax-free. According to the College...

A Fall Financial Checklist

For many, autumn is the best time of year. The return of cool breezes, comforting foods, and pumpkins can be invigorating. It’s also a bookmark of sorts, especially for your finances—a perfect time to take stock of your...

529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Options

529 plans can be a great way to save for college, but they're not the only way. When you're investing for a major goal like education, it makes sense to be familiar with all of your options. Mutual funds Mutual funds are an option to...

The Bull Market Continues

The bull market continues, with the S&P 500 Index now up seven months in a row. Stocks have impressively gained 20% year-to-date, with the S&P 500 making 53 new all-time highs before the end of August—another new record. All of...

How is Delta Affecting Consumer Behavior?

How is the recent increase in COVID-19 cases in the United States linked to the spread of the Delta variant affecting the U.S. consumer’s behavior? We look at some consumer confidence focused high-frequency data for clues on how...

Jackson Hole Economic Symposium Preview

Since 1978, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has played host to central bankers, policymakers, academics and economists from around the world at its annual economic policy symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, which is slated to...

A Closer Look At The High Yield Muni Market

As mentioned in the most recent Muni Market Monitor, high yield muni funds have accumulated $24 million of net inflows year to date, representing ~20% of total inflows to the total municipal category. With the prospects of higher...

Child Tax Credit: What to Know

Beginning in summer 2021, many U.S. taxpayers with children may begin receiving monthly child tax credit (CTC) checks for the first time. The CTC, which is normally only refundable at tax time, will be distributed to eligible taxpayers...

Leadership Changes Coming to the Federal Reserve?

The Chairperson of the Federal Reserve (Fed) is appointed by the President of the United States and serves a four-year term. The current Chairperson, Jerome Powell, has held that position since 2018 so his initial term is ending early...

Begin Investing While Young

There’s a simple word that has profound implications for savings and investing: compounding. Like a snowball that grows as it rolls down a hill, compounding provides the potential for your money to grow, reinvesting your...

Choosing a Retirement Plan for Your Business

You’re an entrepreneur and you’re not looking back. You’ve opened your own business, whether alone or with partners, and you’ve achieved success. Now you’re thinking about retirement, not just for you, but...

How to Get Your House Back-to-School Ready

Back-to-school time is notably hectic. From scrambling to buy supplies to adjusting your internal clock, it can feel like you’re being pulled in a hundred different directions. However, if you get your house in order beforehand,...

Why Invest?

To accumulate wealth, people may choose to invest their money into various types of investments. Investing creates opportunities that otherwise would be difficult to manage due to the consistency of contributing to the investment....

Is It Time For A 5% Pullback?

It is hard to believe we have passed the halfway point of 2021. After a 2020 that would never end, the first six months of 2021 flew by. With the second half underway, we have updated our views of the markets and economy in LPL...

Mid-Year Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed

LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed is designed to help you navigate the risks and opportunities over the rest of 2021 and beyond. While the speed can be exhilarating as economic growth accelerates, it can also be...

The Sandwich Generation: A growing U.S. Concern

As the U.S. population continues to age, the “sandwich generation” is caught in the middle, supporting both their parents and their children, whether financially, physically, or emotionally. This generation is the...

College Planning Isn’t Just About How to Pay for College

As college costs keep rising, parents are looking for ways to provide funding for their child’s education and determine what institution will prevent them from taking on substantial debt. One college funding source is utilizing...

Five Factors that Impact Your Retirement

Retirement can be a risky business if you don’t consider all the factors that can impact your retirement during your planning process. Although it’s hard to know what will happen in the future to you or your investments,...

Stocks Are Going Streaking

To quote the great Frank the Tank from Old School, “We’re going streaking!” Although Frank had another idea, stocks have been streaking in some historic ways, both near-term and longer-term. Let’s start with the...

The Best Money-Saving Travel Tips for 2021

If 2020 made you fantasize about a trip as soon as travel restrictions were lifted—and you’re still waiting—you aren’t alone. Although 2021 was poised to be a comeback year, it is shaping up to be another summer...

The Fed Calms Rate Hike Worries

The Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) has been doing all they can the past few days to calm the fears over last week’s hawkish Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified to Congress that inflation is...

Why Inflation Worries Likely Just Peaked

As nearly everyone knows by now, inflation has soared the past few months, with the May Consumer Price Index (CPI) coming in at 5.0% year-over-year, the highest since 2008, while the core CPI (excluding energy and food) was 3.8%, the...

Helping Young Adults Understand Insurance

Young adults starting out in life, especially newlyweds, need insurance. But what kind? As a start, a good term life policy likely is a smart move. Other types of insurance may not be. And as they age, what other varieties of coverage...

June Swoon?

Although there was some notable weakness in the middle of May, the S&P 500 Index was able to rally late in the month to finish with a modest gain. Incredibly, this was the eighth year out of the past nine that stocks gained during in...

Three Things Investors Can Learn From Phil Mickelson’s Win

Congrats to Phil Mickelson on his amazing victory on Sunday at the PGA Championship at the age of 50, officially the oldest person to ever win a golf major championship. This was Lefty’s 6th major victory, leaving him just a win...

Where to Invest with Higher Inflation

Inflation is all the rage after last week’s much hotter than expected inflation numbers. Our base case remains that this period of higher inflation will be transitory, as many of the forces that have kept a lid on inflation over...

What Should Grandparents Know About 529 Savings Accounts?

Grandparents can often find themselves in a better financial position to save for their grandchildren's education than their own children are. The parents of prospective students may still be contending with competing priorities like...

How to Stay Committed to Your Financial Goals

Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals. Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be difficult, especially when times may be financially tough. But by staying...

Members of the Military: Personal Financial Planning

Financial planning is the process that can help you pursue your goals by evaluating your whole financial picture, then outlining strategies that are tailored to your individual needs and available resources. Just as the success of a...

Hot Inflation Data Jolts Investors

For nearly a year, investors have had the late spring/early summer months circled on their calendars for a potential jump in inflation. Base effects from rolling off weak data a year ago held the promise of eye-popping year-over-year...

5 Investment Considerations for Small Business Owners

If you're a small business owner, many of the best practices employed by individual investors are also available to you (of course!), but you also have some additional options and factors to weigh while creating your investment plans....

Let’s Talk About Stocks And Higher Taxes

“Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes,” Benjamin Franklin First off, we hope everyone has a happy and safe...

End of Recession Call May Come Soon

Incredibly, the COVID recession may have ended a year ago, but we still don’t have call from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). That may when the first estimate of Q1 2021 gross domestic product (GDP) growth is...

What Happens After The First Rate Hike?

“Don’t fight the Fed.” Old investment saying One of the popular questions we’ve received lately is what do stocks do after the first rate hike? Let’s be clear, we think the Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) will...

Four Reasons The Future Looks Bright For The Bulls

“I look to the future because that’s where I’m going to spend the rest of my life.” George Burns The bull market continues, with the S&P 500 Index now up more than 10% in 2021. With stocks up more than 80% from...

Best Business Conditions of the 21st Century

The United States, and the rest of the world, are looking to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19, and business conditions may already have put the pandemic in the rear-view mirror—at least according to the monthly business surveys...

Eight Key Facts to Know About Social Security

A whopping 70 percent of adults in their 20s through 50s fear that the Social Security program might be reduced or eliminated by the time they retire, and don’t know what to expect.1 It's important for all adults to be informed...

April is Financial Literacy Month

April is National Financial Literacy Month – an entire month dedicated to underscoring the importance of learning, establishing and maintaining healthy financial habits. But ask yourself this: what have you learned about anything...

There's Still Time to Contribute to an IRA for 2020

Even though tax filing season is well under way, there's still time to make a regular IRA contribution for 2020. You have until your tax return due date (not including extensions) to contribute up to $6,000 for 2020 ($7,000 if you were...

Stocks and Inflation

As we continue LPL Research’s Inflation Week, today we will examine how stocks have historically done at different inflation levels. For more color on our views on inflation, please read here and here, and look out for...

LPL Market Signals: 4 Things That Really Matter For Stocks in 2021

March is here and with it comes some Madness! In our recent Market Signals video, LPL Financial Chief Market Strategist Ryan Detrick and Equity Strategist Jeff Buchbinder discuss four things that matter the most for stocks in the LPL...

Tips for Tax Preparation

In 2020, the government gave taxpayers an automatic six-month extension due to the coronavirus. Individuals who were affected by the damaging wildfires were also given additional time to meet most tax deadlines. However, in 2021, the...

Historic Surge for the Energy Sector

The energy sector has certainly been on a wild ride over the course of the past year, perhaps the wildest of all of the S&P 500 sectors. The outbreak of the pandemic in 2020 caused such a demand shock that oil futures traded for a...

Why Bulls Will Like The Year Of The Ox

“Bulls make money, bears make money, and pigs get slaughtered.” Old Wall Street saying. The Chinese New Year (often called the Lunar New Year) will kick off Friday, February 12, and with it will begin the Year of the Ox....

Key Tax Deadlines for 2021

While the 2020 tax year saw some significant changes to filing deadlines due to the effects of the global pandemic, the 2021 tax season seems to be set to be on track with normal filing deadlines. With the pandemic still in sight, it...

Should Investors Root For Tom Brady Or Patrick Mahomes?

The Super Bowl Indicator suggests stocks rise for the full year when the Super Bowl winner has come from the original National Football League (now the NFC), but when an original American Football League (now the AFC) team has won,...

How Stocks Perform in a President’s First Year

2021 kicks off the first year of a new four-year presidential cycle. One of the most popular questions we’ve received lately is how have stocks performed historically during this political year. For starters, the S&P 500 Index...

Stocks Open Higher

Market Signals Covers It All This week’s Market Signals podcast covers all the latest events impacting markets and the economy: Q4 earnings, a new stimulus proposal, the Democratic blue wave, and President-elect Joe Biden’s...

Small Business Optimism Falls to Recovery Low

Rising COVID-19 cases and concern about the policy environment put a dent in small business optimism in the month of December, the index’s second straight monthly decline. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the National...

Buying Your First Home for Millennials and Gen Z

If you are a Millennial or Gen-Zer, buying your first home is likely one of the top priorities on your list. While you may know that you are ready for a house, you may be wondering what considerations you need to make before getting...

Tips for Organizing Your Financial Documents

In an increasingly paper-free society, organizing your financial documents can still be a challenge. No matter how simple or complex your financial picture might be, it takes some thought-out organization to keep your tax documents,...

2020 in 20 Charts

Well, we can officially say goodbye to 2020. Although there still will be many challenges in 2021, we do see much better times ahead. Just how amazing was it? “2020 will go down in history as the first year to ever be down 30% at...

Housing Data Continues to Surge

For many economic data series, 2020 has been a roller coaster. Not for housing, however. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures jump-started the “nesting” behavioral shift away from urban...

Chart of the Year

Stocks continue to surprise to the upside, with the Russell 2000 Index (small caps) and the Nasdaq making new all-time highs on Tuesday. The S&P 500 Index, a chip shot from new highs, already has made 30 new highs so far this year....

Outlook 2021: The Bull Market in Stocks Continues

Tuesday, we released our 2021 market views in Outlook 2021: Powering Forward. We are extremely proud of this report and we can’t wait to hear your feedback! As we explain in Outlook 2021, we anticipate a strong earnings rebound...

Outlook 2021: Powering Forward

More than most years, it’s hard to look ahead to the next year, to 2021, without looking back at 2020. A global pandemic, a massive economic collapse, a bear market, a surprisingly sharp reversal, a hotly contested election where...

What Tax Harvesting Is and Why You Should Care About It?

One way to help boost returns without incurring any extra risk is called tax harvesting, which sounds a lot more difficult than it truly is. Simply put, it is the sale of securities at a loss in an effort to offset the capital gains...

Charitable Giving

Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the...

Big Gains In November Steal From Santa

What a month November was! Here are some of the highlights: Best month for Dow since January 1987 (11.9%) and best November since 1928 Best month ever for the STOXX 600 (16.7%) Best month ever for the Russell 2000 (18.3%) Best month...

30,000 Reasons To Be Thankful

As 2020 winds down, it has been an extremely tough year on all of us. Still, there are many reasons to be thankful and today we will share some reasons investors should be thankful. Stocks have had one of the largest reversals ever in...

Year-End 2020 Tax Tips

Here are some things to consider as you weigh potential tax moves before the end of the year. Defer income to next year Consider opportunities to defer income to 2021, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then....

Earnings Rebound Picking up Speed

Third quarter earnings season has been outstanding relative to expectations by many measures. Some of the highlights: S&P 500 Index earnings are tracking to a 7.5% year-over-year decline, as shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, more than...

End of Year Planning: Set Goals and Reduce Taxes

By the last third of the calendar year, you're likely to have a pretty good idea of what your annual income will be and whether any major expenses or big life changes await you. This can allow you to engage in more robust tax planning,...

2 Post-Election Charts You Need to See

The election is over, but the questions are mounting. We don’t know who will be the next president as of Wednesday morning, but we do know that stocks tend to do well the final two months of an election year. “Once the...

The Best Day Of The Year Is This Week

With the election only six days away and earnings season in full swing, stocks have bucked the usual October weakness during election years so far in 2020 (Monday’s losses notwithstanding). The good news is this could continue,...

Stocks After a Reelection

Now that we have your attention with that eye-grabbing title, there’s definitely something to the idea that stocks perform better the year after a sitting president wins reelection. “Think about it—usually when a...

Medicare Open Enrollment for 2021 Begins October 15

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period is the time during which Medicare beneficiaries can make new choices and pick plans that work best for them. Each year, Medicare plan costs and coverage typically change. In addition, your...

The Market’s Mixed Election Signals

With Election Day just under a month away and voting already taking place in many states, it is still anyone’s guess who will win on November 3. With all of the noise surrounding the election, we prefer to focus on the signals...

What Worked In Q3

Stocks fared well during the third quarter despite September’s weakness, with the S&P 500 Index returning about 9%. The quarterly gain brought the return through the first nine months of the year to 5.6%. Here we peel back the...

What to Know About Working With a Financial Professional

If you've been wondering how to optimize your finances and ensure your money continues to work for you, a financial professional may be able to help. But the thought of turning over your most sensitive financial information to a...

How Corporate Bond Spreads Respond to Equity Market Volatility

An old Wall Street adage says bond markets are smarter than equity markets, so when stocks encounter volatility, investors often look to the bond market for clues about the potential severity of equity market weakness. The...

6 Months From the Low

On March 23, 2020, the S&P 500 Index closed down 2.9% for the day, bringing its total loss from its all-time high to 33.9%. The index was in the midst of its fastest bear market ever. A day earlier, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo had...

How to Protect Your Wealth as You Get Older

As you get older and closer to retirement, your financial practices need to shift slightly as you transition from working and saving to relying on your nest egg. As you approach this stage of your life, you need to take steps to...

How Financial Planning Helps You Work Towards Your Self-Improvement Goals

Many self-improvement goals focus on stability and personal growth — and financial goals are often no different. From buying your first home to saving for retirement, planning your finances can also help you work toward your...

Retails Sales Shifting to Slower Growth

Retail sales rose 0.6% month over month in August following July’s downwardly revised 0.9% advance, but sales fell short of Bloomberg’s consensus expectation for a 1% increase. The retail sales control group, which excludes...

Teaching Money Mindfulness to Your Children

At some point in a child's development, all parents wonder: how can I best teach my child the value of money? Parents who grew up in more modest circumstances than their own children can struggle to balance the desire to provide their...

401k Planning: 5 Questions to Ask

When was the last time you took steps to optimize your 401k? If it's been a while, you're not alone. Research indicates that only one in three Americans utilize employer-sponsored 401k retirement accounts; even those who are...

5 Lessons Learned About Rising Rates

While the direction of the 10-year Treasury yield over the last cycle was decidedly lower, as shown in LPL’s Chart of the Day, there were still six extended periods where it rose at least 0.75%, and in two of those it rose almost...

3 Charts To Watch If You Are Bullish

The S&P 500 Index just closed the door on its best August since 1986, making new all-time highs along the way, while also closing up five months in a row. First things first, make no mistake about it; this is a new bull market. That of...

Before You Refinance Student Loans, Read This

Student loan debt presents a serious financial burden to countless members of Gen X and Gen Y. We may be some of the most educated generations in history, but we're still struggling to earn enough money to take care of rising living...

Four Things to Consider Before Refinancing Your Home

Mortgage refinancing applications surged in the second week of March 2020, jumping by 79% — the largest weekly increase since November 2008. As a result, the Mortgage Bankers Association nearly doubled its 2020 refinance...

Planning Your Distributions After Retirement

When it comes to retirement planning, much ado is made of how much to save. But often, the real difference lies in shrewd distribution planning. By withdrawing funds from certain account types in a certain order, you might...

5 Charts To See With Stocks At New Highs

“Better late than never.” It took a while, but the S&P 500 Index finally made a new all-time high, coming all the way back from the vicious 34% bear market in less than six months. View enlarged chart. It might bring back...

Maximize Your Summer Fun With These Ideas

As temperatures start to heat up and the days get longer, summer fun can kick into gear. Looking for things to do this summer? Then, check out this list of fun and relaxing summertime ideas. Be a tourist in your own area You don't have...

4 Charts That Will Amaze You

The S&P 500 Index is a few points away from a new all-time high, completing one of the fastest recoveries from a bear market ever. But this will also seal the deal on the shortest bear market ever. Remember, the S&P 500 Index lost 20%...

Market Update

Stocks opened higher. US stock markets opened in the green, with the Nasdaq reaching its 30th new record high of 2020. Investors are focusing on positive earnings reports, developments on the COVID-19 relief bill, vaccine progress, and...

All That Glitters Is Gold

“An object in motion tends to remain in motion along a straight line unless acted upon by an outside force.” Sir Isaac Newton Last September, we noted that gold had many structural reasons to soar. Well, soar it has,...

What You Should Know About Contributing to an IRA at Every Age

A traditional IRA offers a great way to shield income from taxation while boosting your retirement accounts. Meanwhile, a Roth IRA can let you pay tomorrow's taxes today. But how can workers who are eligible to contribute to either...

Street View: Midyear Outlook 2020

LPL Research released our Midyear Outlook 2020 last week, discussing the path of the eventual economic and market recovery. What makes this year so incredible is, as of July 21, the S&P 500 Index moved positive for the year....

Five workplace trends will shape life after lockdown

We are experiencing the biggest remote work experiment in history – but many are beginning to imagine life after lockdown. Amid unprecedented global job losses, concerns about transport infrastructure and the continuing need for...

What to Consider Before Making Major Purchases

Many people who diligently seek out money-saving discounts on smaller purchases may still find themselves inadvertently overspending by thousands on major purchases. Over time, this type of large-scale overspending may cut into your...

Outlook 2020: The Trail to Recovery

AT THE MIDPOINT of 2020, we’re mindful that it’s been an extremely challenging year so far in the United States and around the globe. We’re in the midst of a pandemic that continues to impact all of us, our...

Taking Stock at the Halfway Mark

It’s certainly been a wild ride for stocks in 2020. Barely past the halfway point, the year has already brought the worst pandemic to hit the US in over 100 years, an unprecedented government-induced recession as much of the...

How to Make Savings Last Longer in Retirement

Whether you dream of a travel-filled retirement or would prefer to relax and enjoy spending more time at home, you're probably wondering what you can do to make your golden years as stress-free as possible. For many who have spent the...

Avoid These Financial Traps

Money. It's hard to get and easy to lose. It doesn't take long for the wealth you've accumulated to disappear if you don't manage your money well or have a plan to protect your assets from sudden calamity. Snares like the ones...

Coupon Clipping for Investment Income

What can we learn about investment income opportunities from coupon-clipping environments? From 1977 to 2019, the price of the Bloomberg Barclays US Aggregate Bond Index rose in 22 calendar years and fell in 21 years, but, adding in...

The April 15th Tax Deadline is Now July 15th

You don’t need to file by April 15th and you should think about the benefits The U.S. Department of the Treasury is delaying the April 15th deadline to file and pay taxes by 90 days, giving individuals and businesses another 3...

Retail Sales Beat Shows Consumers Coming Back Strong

COVID-19 has decimated global demand as lockdowns materially re-shaped consumer and business behavior. Even as states have begun to re-open, significant questions remain about how demand could recover. The May retail sales print...

Should You Change Your Investing Strategy?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but tactical shifting might make sense Wise investors alter their approaches as market cycles shift, from bull to bear to something in between. A consistent strategy might be far more risky than...

10 Year Yield Breaks Out

US equities continued to gain ground in May, with the S&P 500 Index advancing an additional 4.5%. However, Treasury yields have been remarkably stable since the equity markets bottomed on March 23, with the 10-year Treasury yield...

How Your Health Can Impact Your Finances

Benjamin Franklin once quoted, “Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”—but the key to good health (and good financial health) involves far more than just getting enough sleep.1 For...

Bond Markets Not Yet Believers

The S&P 500 Index has rallied mightily off of its March 23 low, climbing almost 40% through the close of the market yesterday, as market participants look ahead to the economy continuing to gradually reopen. While there are signs that...

Navigating the Path to Homeownership After COVID-19

The arrival of spring flowers often means one thing — the home-buying season is here. But with the COVID-19 pandemic in full swing in early March 2020 and many parts of the U.S. still under shelter-in-place orders through...

COVID-19 In Charts

The S&P 500 Index flirted with closing above 3,000 yesterday, even as much of the economic data is some of the worst we’ve ever seen in our lifetimes. We are often asked how this is possible. The reality is the double backstop of...

Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market

Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It's useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are...

Why financial planning retirement is for everyone

When it comes to retirement plans, there is no one-size-fits-all approach for how to invest. While there are some basic strategies everyone should follow, it’s important to keep in mind retirement plans will vary, depending on...

What Happens When The Bear Ends?

The incredible rally off the March 23 lows continues for equities, with the S&P 500 Index now up more than 32% in 40 trading days. As impressive as the rally has been, we do have some near-term concerns, as we discussed in Downside...

Federal Student Loan Borrowers Get Some Relief Due to COVID-19

On March 20, 2020, the Department of Education announced terms for student loan relief for tens of millions of borrowers in response to COVID-19.1 Here are answers to some questions about the new rules. For more information and to...

Why Gold Will Continue To Shine

Gold has done quite well so far in 2020, up more than 12% year to date versus the S&P 500 Index which is down about 10%. We started to warm to the yellow metal late last year and continue to think it can serve as a potential hedge in a...

Retirement Assistance Within the CARES Act

In late March 2020, as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the U.S. surged past 100,000, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed into law.1 The CARES Act provides around $2.2 trillion in aid to...

What to Do with Your Retirement Plan During Lay-Offs or Furloughs

In an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the government has shut down numerous businesses throughout the country, and others have drastically cut hours. As a result, over 10 million workers filed for unemployment in March...

Have Stay-At-Home Growth Stocks Peaked?

Over the past couple of weeks, we have thankfully witnessed new cases of COVID-19 in the US trending lower. Increasingly, we are also seeing governors implementing plans to re-open their state economies in phases. If the US economy...

April is Financial Literacy Month

Too many people just don’t have it, but your financial professional can help April is National Financial Literacy Month – an entire month dedicated to underscoring the importance of learning, establishing and maintaining...

Small Business Owners Guide to the CARES Act

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the government has funded a number of initiatives to help small businesses. As you navigate this difficult time, you may want to look into the following...

Market Update

Stocks rebound from Tuesday’s sell-off. Global markets are bouncing, as crude oil has somewhat stabilized after the historic sell-off. Caution over restarting the country continues to dominate conversation, with several southern...

Street View: Putting Things in Perspective

The economic data keeps getting worse, yet stocks have been in the midst of one of the greatest multi-week rallies ever. As the LPL Chart of the Day shows, the S&P 500 Index gained 27.2% in the 15 days after the March 23 lows, the...

What Might Future Bond Returns Look Like?

Stock returns get all the headlines, and with US equities entering their first bear market since 2008, there is good reason for that. However, fixed income may account for a significant portion, or even a majority, of many...

Big Annual Declines Are Rare

Stocks have rallied nicely off the March 23 lows on the back of a bold policy response from the Federal Reserve (Fed) and lawmakers in Washington, DC, which was followed by signs that a peak in growth of COVID-19 cases may come soon....

Road to Recovery Playbook Factor #1: COVID-19 Case Update

Factor #1 in our Road to Recovery Playbook is finding confidence in the peak of COVID-19 cases in the United States. At LPL Research we are monitoring this factor daily, and we wanted to provide an update into what we are seeing. As...

What Is in the $2 Trillion Relief Package?

The United States has more cases of the coronavirus than any other country, and in an attempt to stop the spread of this disease, states have closed schools and businesses throughout the country. These unprecedented shutdowns have...

Market Update

Stocks trying to add to huge gains. Futures are indicating a flat to slightly positive open as stocks attempt to add to historic gains from Tuesday on optimism surrounding eventual passage of the fiscal stimulus plan in the Senate. The...

Spring Clean Your Finances

As temperatures warm up, trees begin budding, and the days get longer, you probably throw open your windows and think about spring cleaning your home. As you tackle washing windows, cleaning carpets, and sorting out the garage,...

How Quickly Can Stocks Recover From COVID-19?

The market volatility continues, as the S&P 500 Index has closed either up or down 4% or more for a record 7 consecutive days. With the S&P 500 Index down 30% from the highs, it has officially moved into a bear market. Yesterday, we...

Low Valuations Imply Better Long-Term Performance

The dizzying volatility over the past few weeks has left all of our heads spinning as we wait for containment efforts in the United States and elsewhere to help slow new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Public health is of course our...

Evaluating Professional Advice: 11 Questions to Answer Before You Commit

Obtaining professional advice is a significant step and should not be approached lightly. As with investors and their objectives and constraints, professional advisors also differ in their philosophy, processes, services, education,...

COVID-19 and Oil Prices

The tough times that global markets were experiencing due to the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) worsened this past weekend as a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia resulted in sharply declining oil prices. This combination of...

Stocks Down in January and February Have Bulls Worried

The hits keep coming, as the Federal Reserve (Fed) did an intra-meeting cut yesterday, causing stocks to sell off hard on concerns the economy is on more fragile footing than most think. Read First Emergency Rate Cut By the Fed Since...

Dread doing your taxes? Some tips on hiring someone to take over

I don’t have to tell you that money is a big part of our lives. But in case you doubted it, a study by the American Psychological Association says that money issues outweigh other sources of tension, including work, family and...

Coronavirus Fears End The Calm

Monday was a tough day in the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index down more than 3% as the number of coronavirus cases reported outside of China jumped. Monday’s losses reversed all of this year’s gains so far for the S&P...

Tax Planning for the Self-Employed

Self-employment is the opportunity to be your own boss, to come and go as you please, and oh yes, to establish a lifelong bond with your accountant. If you're self-employed, you'll need to pay your own FICA taxes and take charge of...

Planning for the 2020 Tax Season

2020 doesn’t just mark a new year, but the beginning of a new decade—and with it, some more changes to the federal tax code. It can often be easy to put tax preparation on the back burner, but being proactive can help you...

Earnings Season Observations

The recent news that technology giant Apple would miss its fourth quarter 2020 revenue targets has understandably increased investor anxiety surrounding the potential economic impact of the coronavirus (now called COVID-19). Lost in...

Closer Look At February

A late month selloff in January saw the S&P 500 Index close marginally lower for the month. But stocks have taken off in February, with the S&P 500 up nearly 4% this month, as US economic data remains strong and fears over the...

February is a Great Time to File Your Taxes

Tax tips to make sure your money is working for you, not Uncle Sam When should you file your income tax? Generally speaking, the earlier, the better, after January 1st if you expect to get a refund. If you file by the end of February,...

Manufacturing on the Mend

Monday’s strong manufacturing report caught our attention, even as the coronavirus outbreak dominated the financial media. At 50.9, the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing purchasing managers’ index...

Viral Outbreak Ends Period of Market Calm

Fears that the deadly coronavirus would spread further around the globe intensified Monday and led to the biggest one-day drop in the S&P 500 Index since October 8, 2019. In fact, it was the first time the index moved 1% in either...

Recession Watch Update

As the economic expansion caps its first decade, we thought it’d be a good time to check on LPL Research’s leading indicators in our Recession Watch Dashboard. As you can see in our latest update and in the LPL Chart of the...

Buying a Home

There's no doubt about it--owning a home is an exciting prospect. After all, you've always dreamed of having a place that you could truly call your own. But buying a home can be stressful, especially when you're buying one for the...

Q4 Earnings Season is All About 2020

Fourth quarter earnings season kicked off this week with 24 S&P 500 Index companies slated to report results. Our expectations are for a marginal increase in S&P 500 earnings per share (EPS) on a year-over-year basis, based on current...

How Stocks Do During Geopolitical Events

It was a volatile night for the U.S.-Iran conflict. S&P 500 Index futures dipped 1.5% and global markets swung after Iran shot several ballistic missiles at U.S.-Iraqi military bases. Markets recovered their losses overnight on news...

Establishing a Budget

Do you ever wonder where your money goes each month? Does it seem like you're never able to get ahead? If so, you may want to establish a budget to help you keep track of how you spend your money and help you reach your financial goals...

What You Need to Know About the Secure Act

The largest overhaul to retirement plans since 2006 is complicated The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 – the SECURE Act – passed the House of Representatives earlier this year and was...

Are You Financially Fit?

If you don't have a financial plan, that question may be hard to answer. To achieve financial wellness, you need to define your goals and set a time frame for reaching them. The following steps can help you take control of your...

Charitable Giving: Good for Your Heart and Your 1040!

It may be better to give than to receive, but it may be even better to give and see your generosity rewarded. Charitable giving can play a valuable role in your financial and tax strategies. A well-planned gift to charity could provide...

Is It Time For Santa?

December has been widely viewed as a strong month for stocks, with this year following suit so far. What many probably don’t realize, however, is the majority of the gains have taken place late in the month. “December has...

2019 Year-End Tax Planning Basics

The window of opportunity for many tax-saving moves closes on December 31, so it's important to evaluate your tax situation now, while there's still time to affect your bottom line for the 2019 tax year. Timing is everything Consider...

Four Fed Hikes, One Year Later

The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) final policy meeting of 2019 starts today and will conclude tomorrow with the release of the Fed’s policy statement, updated economic projections, and a press conference by Fed Chair Jerome...

OUTLOOK 2020: BRINGING MARKETS INTO FOCUS

Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. AT LPL RESEARCH, as we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some key trends and market signals will be important to watch, including progress on U.S...

Small Caps Join the Party

It took nearly 15 months, but the Russell 2000 Index finally broke out to a new 52-week high. On November 25, the Russell 2000 gained an impressive 2.1% to close at its highest level since October 2018. Small caps have lagged their...

529 Plans: The Ins and Outs of Contributions and Withdrawals

529 plans can be powerful college savings tools, but you need to understand how your plan works before you can take full advantage of it. Among other things, this means becoming familiar with the finer points of contributions and...

Three Amazing Streaks

“We’re going streaking!” Frank The Tank in Old School As the bull market continues to make new highs, the past few weeks have seen some amazing market streaks. Here are three that have caught our attention. The S&P...

Plan Ahead for the Holiday Budget Crunch

Every year, millions of Americans celebrate the holidays with traditions such as throwing parties and buying gifts for family and friends. Unfortunately, many also participate in a tradition that lands them in debt -- spending more...

Charitable Contributions from IRAs

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 first allowed taxpayers age 70½ and older to make tax-free charitable donations directly from their IRAs. By making a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from an IRA directly to a...

Moderate But Manageable Inflation

Consumer inflation continued at a moderate, but manageable, pace in October. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the core Consumer Price Index (CPI), which excludes food and energy prices, rose 2.3% year over year in October....

Helpful Tax Tips before Year End

Tax planning can be more advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities may exist for you to minimize tax liability, which could leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally,...

Steady Services Activity

The U.S. services sector has steadily expanded this year, even as trade fears drag down manufacturing. The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) non-manufacturing (services) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 54...

Health Savings Accounts: Are They Just What the Doctor Ordered?

Are health insurance premiums taking too big of a bite out of your budget? Do you wish you had better control over how you spend your health-care dollars? If so, you may be interested in an alternative to traditional health insurance...

Will The Fed Go Three For Three?

The Federal Reserve Bank (Fed) is widely expected to cut interest rates on Wednesday, October 30, which would be the third cut this year after nine consecutive hikes. The current fed funds rate target is 1.75–2%, with a 25 basis...

Four Retirement Planning Tips for Millennials and Gen X

In 2014, almost one-third of baby boomers had nothing saved for retirement. For those who did save, the median was around $200,000. This is a far cry less than the $1 million experts recommend for a 30-year retirement plan. Luckily,...

Another Brexit Delay Likely

The United Kingdom’s (U.K.) withdrawal from the European Union (E.U.), or Brexit, is stumbling along, and another delay looks increasingly likely. The U.K. Parliament’s “Super Saturday” voting session last...

Working with a Financial Advisor

The world of 50 years ago was a lot different than it is today. An individual often worked at the same job all his or her adult life, lived in the same house, and stayed married to the same spouse. In those days, too, one spouse could...

Light at the End of the Brexit Tunnel

The debate over the United Kingdom’s (U.K.) withdrawal from the European Union (EU), or Brexit, is reaching another milepost in what could be an action-packed week. Talks between the U.K. government and the EU have entered...

Six Tips To Take Control of Your Financial Health

Similar to taking care of your personal health by proactively incorporating healthy habits and annual checkups, you can also take control of your financial health when you are proactive and engaged in managing your finances. And also...

Can The Economy Predict The Next President?

“The economy, stupid” — Phrase campaign strategist James Carville used to help Bill Clinton get elected in 1992. As Carville noted ahead of the 1992 election, the recession in 1990 and 1991 was top of mind for many...

5 Big Problems to Solve Before You Retire

It seems, sometimes, as though financial professionals come in only two flavors. There are those who promise everything is going to be fine; you don't have to fret about retirement, they say, because they'll help you make more than...

Investing for Major Financial Goals

Go out into your yard and dig a big hole. Every month, throw $50 into it, but don't take any money out until you're ready to buy a house, send your child to college, or retire. It sounds a little crazy, doesn't it? But that's what...

ABCs of Financial Aid

It's hard to talk about college without mentioning financial aid. Yet this pairing isn't a marriage of love, but one of necessity. In many cases, financial aid may be the deciding factor in whether your child attends the college of his...

U.S. Manufacturing Drops to 10-Year Low

U.S. manufacturing activity fell to a 10-year low, dragged down by a weakening global economy. The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 47.6 in September, the lowest level since...

Life Insurance: Do You Need It?

At some point in your life, you'll probably be faced with the question of whether you need life insurance. Life insurance is a way to protect your loved ones financially after you die and your income stops. The answer to whether you...

A Two-Week Rollercoaster in Yields

As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, the 10-year Treasury yield jumped 34 basis points (0.34%) in the week ending September 13, then gave back half that gain in a 17 basis point (0.17%) slide last week. The benchmark yield...

Balancing Act: Saving for Both Retirement and College

Linda and Peter are worried about their financial future. "We want our one-year-old son, Raymond, to go to college, but we're concerned that in 17 years, the cost might be more than we can afford," says Peter. "We also need to save for...

With Fed Cut Likely, Markets Gauging Guidance

The Federal Reserve’s (Fed) policy committee starts its sixth two-day policy meeting of the year today. At 2:00 p.m. ET Wednesday, following the meeting’s conclusion, the Fed will announce its rate decision and release a...

Helping to Care for Aging Parents

Many adults are finding that their aging parents are in need of health care assistance. Luckily, there are many options available today to help your parents grow old gracefully, either in their own home or in a facility, and several...

Do Major Hurricanes Impact Stocks?

First and foremost, our thoughts are with all of those that were impacted by Hurricane Dorian over the Labor Day holiday and all those that are still in its path. Many have asked us what stocks tend to do after a major hurricane hits...

Charitable Giving

Charitable giving can play an important role in many estate plans. Philanthropy cannot only give you great personal satisfaction, it can also give you a current income tax deduction, let you avoid capital gains tax, and reduce the...

Consumer Confidence Defies Pessimism

U.S. consumers are feeling especially empowered these days, despite growing pessimism about the economic outlook. As shown in the LPL Chart of the Day, Consumer Confidence Pushes Through Trade Uncertainty, the Conference Board’s...

Estimating Your Retirement Income Needs

You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you'll need to fund your retirement. That's not as easy as it sounds, because retirement...

Breaking Down China’s Slowdown

Trade tensions continue to weigh on China’s growth, creating added pressure to reach a trade deal with the United States. Economic reports released last week provided further confirmation that the trade war is continuing to...

Education Tax Credits

It's tax time, and your kitchen table is littered with papers and forms. As if this isn't bad enough, you recently paid your child'scollege semester bill, and you don't know where you'll find the money to pay the taxes that you expect...