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For the past decade, both savers and investors have struggled to find attractive yields in fixed-income and cash-equivalent securities due to historically low-interest rates. Remember the days of a mortgage rate of less than 3%? However, as the Federal Reserve adopts a cautious stance toward managing inflation by incrementally raising borrowing rates, traditional fixed-income and cash-equivalent securities have once again emerged as promising avenues for effective cash management and yield generation. As of early August, noteworthy developments include the Federal Reserve's sequence of ten consecutive federal funds rate increases since March 2022, a brief pause in June 2023, and a subsequent 0.25% hike in July 2023. In the midst of this ever-changing landscape, a bond laddering strategy gains significance as a prudent approach to managing cash reserves and cash equivalents, all the while harnessing the potential of prevailing competitive yields.

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It’s that time of year again: wedding season.

These few months always prove to be full of joyous moments celebrating love with family and friends. When it comes to planning for your big day or attending a wedding of a loved one, affordability can be difficult for a lot of couples.  Clearly, the financial burden of putting on, or even attending a wedding is something to think about. However, with proper planning, it’s possible to keep wedding costs under control!

In this article, we hope to share a few financial tips so you can enjoy your special day without depleting your savings.

Photos courtesy of John & Courtney 2023

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Dollar-cost averaging (DCA) is an investment strategy that involves investing a fixed amount of money into an asset over a set period of time, regardless of the asset's price fluctuations. For example, if you invest $1,000 per month into a mutual fund, you're using a dollar-cost averaging strategy.

The idea behind the DCA strategy is to reduce the impact of short-term market volatility on your investment returns. By investing a fixed amount of money over time, you buy more shares when prices are low and fewer shares when prices are high. This tends to help smooth out your investment returns over the long term.

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When life throws unexpected curveballs, it's important to take a step back and evaluate your financial situation to ensure you're still on track to reach your long-term goals. 

So, when is a good time to re-evaluate the risk being taken within your portfolio?

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With the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank,  FDIC insurance is an essential factor to consider when choosing a bank.  Let's review key factors you should know about FDIC insurance. 

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Have you heard of the Aging in Place Tax Credit under County Bill 52-2022?

This tax credit, equal to 20% of the eligible county tax, is designed to reduce property taxes for older adults who have lived in the same home for many years and meet additional eligibility criteria.  The eligible Howard County tax is the amount of tax on the lesser of $650,000 or the assessed value of the dwelling reduced by the amount of any assessment on which a property tax credit is granted.

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As people age, they often face an on-going decision of where to live. For many seniors, the thought of leaving their homes and downsizing to a smaller space is daunting. However, there are a variety of senior housing options that can meet the needs of older adults at different stages of their lives while ensuring their health needs are met at the same time. Therefore, we will be exploring the current differences between independent living, assisted living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), and skilled nursing, as well as their average costs.

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The prospect of retiring and selling a business can be a daunting task for business owners. After dedicating their careers to building their company, the process of selling their interests can be complex and overwhelming, especially if the business has significantly increased in value.  This article will explore why an LOI is valuable, the benefits and pitfalls of donating stock to a DAF, and how to make the most of this strategy.

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As investors, it's natural to feel uneasy when the market experiences a decline. After all, studies have shown that the brain processes both mortal danger and financial loss in the same area. But it goes without saying that it’s vital that we keep our emotions, and our investment decisions separate during volatile periods in the market. 

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