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Working with a trusted financial professional is important when it comes to strategizing and preparing to meet your financial goals. However, as most of us handle money daily, it’s important to have an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of financial literacy. Below we’ve identified five financial basics everyone should know. Understanding these important concepts can serve as a basis for your financial standings.  Basics #1: Debt & Credit Scores  Understanding the ways in which credit or debt can work with or against you should serve as the foundation of your

Once an estate strategy is in place, it should only require periodic reviews to check that it still reflects your wishes. However, life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, relocations, health changes, business sales, and changes in tax law may prompt you to reconsider part of your overall strategy.  The world of estate strategies is changing, as covered in the Trust & Will 2025 Estate Planning Report. Did you know:  While 83% of Americans acknowledge the importance of their estate,

Tax season is officially here—and a little preparation now can save you time, stress, and potential headaches later. Whether you meet with a tax professional or prepare your taxes yourself, proper planning helps the processes go more smoothly and may reduce the risk of costly errors. Check out the tips below and prepare to tackle this tax season with confidence.  Tax Prep Tip #1: Gather All of Your Forms  In January, you likely started to receive the forms you need to properly complete your

January is Financial Wellness Month, which means it’s a good time to remind people to plan and update their financial strategy.  Now is a great time to connect with your Patriot advisor to discuss your financial situation and aspirations for the future. You should also assess if your financial strategy needs any adjustments based on your lifestyle.  Defining Financial Wellness  The first thing to do is define what “financial wellness” means for you. This varies drastically from person to person. It is informed by who you are, where you are

U.S. Markets  U.S. stocks notched a solid gain in the fourth quarter as investors cheered lower interest rates and solid corporate profits while navigating limited economic updates due to the U.S. government shutdown.  The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 2.35%, while the Nasdaq Composite added 2.57%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 3.59%. 1  October Shutdown  U.S. stocks rose for the sixth consecutive month in October as AI- and tech-led advances pushed major averages.2  Solid Q3 corporate results helped drive market momentum

Receiving Social Security benefits is advantageous in retirement, but like almost every other form of income, these benefits are taxed by the government. To accurately predict your retirement income (and taxes), it’s important to understand how Social Security benefits are taxed.  Here, we explain everything you need to know about Social Security benefit taxation.  How are Social Security Benefits Taxed?  While Social Security benefits are a vital source of income for many retirees, a portion of these benefits may be subjected to federal income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service

Understanding your tax bracket is crucial for effective financial planning in 2026 and beyond. Tax brackets are adjusted annually due to inflation and policy changes. Here, we outline the tax brackets for 2026 and some ways to reduce your taxable income.   2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets  The IRS adjusts tax brackets annually based on inflation, and for 2026, here are the tax rates for different income levels:1  Single Filers:  37% for incomes over $640,600  35% for incomes over $256,225  32%

Wondering if you’re prepared for the upcoming giving season?  The holidays are here, and to minimize stress and maximize your gifting abilities, it’s important to keep in mind a few ideas that you may or may not be aware of.   If you’re not sure how your finances match up with your upcoming year-end giving strategy, now is the time to prepare by making your lists and checking them twice. Organization is key to proper gifting this holiday season. Follow the

When you created your investment strategy, your asset allocation reflected your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk.  Over time, however, any of these three factors may have changed, and your portfolio may need adjustments to reflect your new investing priorities.  Diversification  The saying “don’t put all your eggs in one basket” has some application to investing. Over time, certain asset classes may perform better than others. If your assets are mostly held in one kind of investment, you could find yourself under

Open enrollment (the annual period when you can enroll in major medical health insurance plans), begins November 1, 2025, and will remain open until January 15, 2026. You will need to enroll by December 15, 2025 for coverage that begins January 1, 2026.1 For someone looking to change or add coverage, this offers a short window of time to decide on and select your health insurance plan. To avoid a hasty decision to meet this deadline, take some time now to