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Avoid overspending on Black Friday purchases

Avoid overspending on Black Friday purchases

The holiday season is a time of mirth and merriment, but if people want to spend New Year’s with a cheerful disposition, developing a strong financial plan before going shopping could help their bank accounts substantially.

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Today’s Highlights

Today’s Highlights

“A Republic, If You Can Keep It.”  Noting Benjamin Franklin’s definition of America’s form of government led by the people, U.S. voters decide today whether to grant President Obama another four years in office or hand the keys to the White House to challenger Mitt...

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Today’s Market Action

Today’s Market Action

Domestic equity markets are closed today (fixed-income markets close at noon ET), as Hurricane Sandy – the largest Atlantic storm on record to approach the northeast seaboard, prompted a regional evacuation and sand-bagging at the NYSE.  Should the 900-mile wide storm...

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Understanding different kinds of bonds

Understanding different kinds of bonds

A lot of people talk about investing in different kinds of assets, but knowing what each of these options actually is can help investors determine which of them to include in a financial plan.

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Tips from Financial Planning Week

Tips from Financial Planning Week

The first week in October is Financial Planning Week, and many community banks and financial institutions take that time to provide tips and tricks to promote fiscal wellness with free investment advice.

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Today’s Market Action

Today’s Market Action

U.S. stocks are trading higher as investors anxiously await this Friday’s speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.  Bernanke’s speech at the Fed’s annual symposium in Jackson Hole, Wyoming may signal whether or not the Fed is open to implementing a third...

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Today’s Market Highlights

Today’s Market Highlights

U.S. Home Sales Post Surprise June Decline.  Sales of newly-constructed homes declined by 8.4% in June to an annualized rate of 350,000, missing the consensus forecast for 372,000.  The decline was led by a 60% record high sales plunge in the northeast region....

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Supreme Court Stuns Wall Street

Supreme Court Stuns Wall Street

Supreme Court Stuns Wall Street by Upholding Core Healthcare Reform Mandate.  Contrary to widespread expectation, the justices ruled in a 5-4 decision that the reform measure’s “individual mandate” that forces all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty fee...

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Today’s Market Action

Today’s Market Action

The S&P 500 opened modestly higher as investors welcomed a smaller-than-expected annual decline in home prices, sending homebuilder company shares sharply higher.  Equities pared early gains after a reading of consumer confidence fell to a five-month low, with...

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Market Action

Market Action

In spite of the come-to-be-expected volatility last week, stocks were generally up, with the S&P 500 higher 1.3% for the period. The primary theme continued to be the tough situation in Europe, so Friday’s surge upward appeared to be supported by investor...

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A Vacation from Your Finances?

A Vacation from Your Finances?

There’s No Such Getaway You can get away from your job, your home, and your neighbor’s barking dog, but your finances follow you wherever you go. So, it makes sense to review your financial situation at least annually to find out where you stand and whether you need...

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Making the move to mobile business solutions

Making the move to mobile business solutions

It might be smart financial investment advice to get involved in this trend now as it’s still working out some kinks, and if you want to put your business ahead of the competition, be one of the first to have a mobile-ready website.

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Choosing the right financial advisor

Choosing the right financial advisor

Regardless of whether you’re buying your first place, opening a business or starting a family, it’s important to know that your financial tips are coming from someone you know you can trust.

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Today’s Market Action

Today’s Market Action

U.S. stocks are extending losses after the latest economic data showed factory orders fell in April for a second month, adding to evidence that U.S. economic growth is slowing.  The S&P 500, the U.S. benchmark equity index is now down 10% from its 2012 peak of...

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Tips for successful franchising

Tips for successful franchising

There’s a misconception with startup business owners that buying into a franchise isn’t the same as having a truly independent company, and in some senses they’re right.

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A Financial Foundation: That’s What I Want

A Financial Foundation: That’s What I Want

When The Beatles sang, “Now give me money, a lot of money . . . I want money . . . that’s what I want,” they may not have been thinking about buying insurance or setting up an emergency fund with it. But establishing a solid financial foundation means making sure...

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Being prepared for a business loan

Being prepared for a business loan

Nowadays it can be a little tough to get a commercial loan and while good business banking practices can help make a company look good when it becomes time to apply, there are other tactics and solutions owners can take to boost the odds in their favor.

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Picking the loan that works for you

Picking the loan that works for you

Reports and surveys all seem to say that small business lending is on the decline for April and that going forward owners should consider alternate funding options.

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Are Your Personal Finances on Solid Ground?

Are Your Personal Finances on Solid Ground?

Stock market volatility, the struggling economy, job losses, and a variety of other factors have left many individuals feeling less than totally comfortable with their personal finances these days. If you’re among them, maybe you would benefit from reassessing your...

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