Richard Dickson, CFP, MBA

Putting a Price Tag On Your Health

Being healthy may help your personal finances.

library-messages.com Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially.

9 Facts About Social Security

Social Security has been a fact of retirement life since 1935. Are you eligible for benefits?

library-messages.com There are things about Social Security that might surprise you.

Password Protection Strategies

Are your passwords easy to crack or difficult to decipher? Test your knowledge.

library-messages.com Simple steps may help you foil hackers and protect your privacy.

Revising Estate Strategy Assumptions

When the rules of the game change, tactics should follow in response to the new landscape.

library-messages.com Estate tax exemptions rules appear to be stabilizing, prompting many to reconsider conventional estate strategies.

Here Is Bipartisan Health Reform

forbes.com This bipartisan health reform package would fix Obamacare problem while meeting the concerns of both Republicans and Democrats.

Money Draining Food Myths

Some diets lighten nothing but your wallet. Here’s a few to avoid. #diets #fads #health

library-messages.com These food myths will really put a drain on your wallet.

Your Emergency Fund: How Much Is Enough?

How much is enough for your emergency fund?

library-messages.com Having an emergency fund may help alleviate the stress and worry associated with a financial crisis.

Estimating the Cost of College

Are you ready for school—again?

library-messages.com This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.

Countering Counterfeit Currency

To make money harder to copy, there have been continual changes to the artwork, paper and ink. #Counterfeit

library-messages.com Combating counterfeiting remains core to preserving the integrity of the nation’s money.

An Election Pattern You Might Not Know About

interesting

lplresearch.com Economic Blog With Election Day a mere five days away, we at LPL Research thought we would add one last election forecaster to the mix of what we’ve presented over the last several months—as much b…

What Do Your Taxes Pay For?

What do Americans spend more on? 1) taxes or 2) food, clothing, and shelter? Answer = 1. #IncomeTax

library-messages.com Here's a breakdown of how the federal government spends your tax money.

Social Security: Five Facts You Need to Know

Here are 5 facts about Social Security you absolutely need to know. #socialsecurity #retirement

library-messages.com Here are five facts about Social Security that are important to keep in mind.

To Buy or Not to Buy

Trying to decide whether to buy or rent a home? There are 4 important questions you should consider.

library-messages.com The decision whether to buy or rent a home may have long-term implications.

Insurance Needs Assessment: Married With Children

Do you know what your #insurance needs are, when you’re married, with children?

library-messages.com When you’re married and have children, insurance needs will be different.

lpl-research.com

More than one third of the S&P 500 index components, or 186 companies, are set to report Q3 results this week, including some of the top names in the index. Today's lineup includes manufacturing behemoth's 3M (NYSE:MMM) and Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT), healthcare giants Pfizer (NYSE:PFE), Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) and Merck (NYSE:MRK), as well as tech titans Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) and AMD (NASDAQ:AMD). Sideshow? While net earnings are surprising to the upside, with the exception of a few misses, the market seems laser focused on the election, COVID-19 and any news related to stimulus talks.

lpl-research.com

Charitable Giving: Smart from the Heart

Three tips for giving smart from the heart.

library-messages.com Do you have causes that you want to support with donations?

Choosing a Business Structure

The choice of business structure is not a final decision. You may amend your business structure to your changing needs.

library-messages.com Entrepreneurs all face the same question, “Which business structure should I adopt?”

Personal Finance Tips for Military Families

U.S. Service Members should consider taking advantage of programs that are available. #MilitaryFamilies

library-messages.com Military families face unique challenges, making personal finance even more critical.

Choosing a Mortgage

A home is the single largest financial commitment for most people. What mortgage fits you best?

library-messages.com Selecting a mortgage isn't an easy process. Get a better understanding of how professionals make the right decisions.

The Economic Journey of Your Morning Coffee

The beans brewed for your morning coffee may have changed hands many times #MorningCoffee

library-messages.com Few contemplate the complex journey that brought their coffee from farm to kitchen table.

The Next President Is Unlikely to Sink the Economy-or the Stock Market

The Next President Is Unlikely to Sink the Economy-or the Stock Market

share.gainfully.com Don't fret if your favorite candidate doesn't get elected in November! The US economy and stock market have generally marched higher through Democrat and Republican administrations alike. Dramatic events such as 9/11, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic can cause sharp market sell...

The Lowdown on Those Free Credit Scores

Ever wonder about those free credit scores you get once a year? #creditscore #credit

library-messages.com What’s the deal with your yearly free credit report?

lpl-research.com

lpl-research.com

Understanding Marginal Income Tax Brackets

Bedtime Story: U.S. Federal Tax Code. How many pages have you read?

library-messages.com An inside look at how marginal income tax brackets work.

Women on the Rise

Did you know that women control 51% of all personal wealth in the United States?

library-messages.com Explore the growing influence women wield over the economy with this handy infographic.

Emerging Market Opportunities

If you'd like to participate in emerging markets, what are your options? #EmergingMarkets

library-messages.com What are your options for investing in emerging markets?

You May Need to Make Estimated Tax Payments If…

Learn more about whether you need to pay estimated taxes.

library-messages.com Have income that isn’t subject to tax withholding? Or insufficient withholdings? You may have to pay estimated taxes.

Four Great, Unexpected Places to Raise a Family

Here are 4 unexpected locations that make great places to #raise your #family.

library-messages.com Here are 4 great, and sometimes unexpected, places to raise a family.

Understanding Homeowner’s Insurance

Do you really understand how your homeowners insurance works? #homeownersinsurance #insurance

library-messages.com Purchasing homeowners insurance is critical for protecting your home.

The Cost of Medical Care

Think you’re saving money by not having health insurance? Think again. Medical debt can be a major cause of financial woes. Read more now.

library-messages.com Learn about the risks of not having health insurance in this informative article.

Monthly Market Insights | October 2020

In September, stock prices dropped as investors worried about stalled fiscal stimulus talks, the upcoming election, and new European coronavirus cases.

library-messages.com Monthly Market Insights | October 2020 U.S. Markets Stocks dropped in September as investors worried about stalled fiscal stimulus talks in Washington, the upcoming election, and new coronavirus cases in Europe. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, which lagged this year slipped 2.28 percent. The Stand...

The Cost of Procrastination

The sooner you begin investing, the longer your money can work for you.

library-messages.com Procrastination can be costly. When you get a late start, it may be difficult to make up for lost time.

I am so honored to have won the OutSmart Gayest & Greatest 2020 Readers' Choice Award for Favorite Best Male Financial Planner/Advisor this year! Thank you to all who voted.

Check out these fun family game night ideas.

Check out these fun family game night ideas.

share.gainfully.com For many families, game night is a big tradition. That's because it can be a great way to make memories in a manner that's largely inexpensive, easy - and most importantly - fun. Whether you're looking to start your own game night or need a fresh idea for your regular meetup, we've rounded up a uniq...

[10/02/20]   Here’s the fourth quarter. Hard to believe it, but we are officially down the homestretch of 2020. Historically the fourth quarter has been the best quarter of the year, with the S&P 500 Index up 3.9% on average and higher 79% of the time. During an election year, it has gained 2% on average and has been higher 82% of the time. The last two times the seasonally weak third quarter gained more than 5%, however, the fourth quarter fell both times—in 2012 and 2018.