Doug Hutchinson

CFA®, Director of Research and Trading

Don’t Let Beneficiary Designations Unravel Your Estate Plan

3 min read

Don’t Let Beneficiary Designations Unravel Your Estate Plan

Many people pay for a will or trust and assume their estate planning is done. Unfortunately, without proper beneficiary designations, an estate can still end up in probate. A thorough estate plan can help your heirs avoid unnecessary taxes and legal...

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What to Consider When Choosing a Retirement Home or Community

5 min read

What to Consider When Choosing a Retirement Home or Community

Choosing a senior living community or retirement home can feel overwhelming, especially if you only have a short timeframe to decide. Use the...

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Pros and Cons of Municipal Bonds: Taxes, Risks and Returns

6 min read

Pros and Cons of Municipal Bonds: Taxes, Risks and Returns

Investors often hear they need a diversified portfolio that includes both stocks and bonds. Municipal bonds, also known as "munis," are a popular...

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Should Long-Term Care Insurance Be Part of Your Financial Plan?

5 min read

Should Long-Term Care Insurance Be Part of Your Financial Plan?

Many people live independently into their early 80s, but one slip, trip or fall can lead to drastic lifestyle changes. Having a plan in place can...

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529 Savings Plan Rules and FAQs

6 min read

529 Savings Plan Rules and FAQs

Paying for a child’s education is an expensive undertaking, and student loan debt can make the cost even higher. Understandably, many parents want to...

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Understanding Trump Accounts

6 min read

Understanding Trump Accounts

Trump Accounts are a new type of investment vehicle to help young Americans save for the future. They have rules that are similar to an Individual...

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5 Retirement Rules That Need to Be Retired

5 min read

5 Retirement Rules That Need to Be Retired

There are some long-standing retirement “rules of thumb” that still show up in conversations all the time: Withdraw 4% a year, and you’ll never run...

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Tax Preparation Checklist: Avoid Errors and Maximize Deductions

5 min read

Tax Preparation Checklist: Avoid Errors and Maximize Deductions

Tax season can be stressful, especially if you start just a few weeks before the filing deadline. Avoid tax-time panic by gathering required...

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Direct Indexing with an SMA Account: The Tax-Smart Alternative to Index Funds

5 min read

Direct Indexing with an SMA Account: The Tax-Smart Alternative to Index Funds

Index replication is an investment strategy that involves buying a basket of stocks to replicate an index, such as the S&P 500. The strategy got a...

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2025 Tax-Saving Strategies: Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Funds, Clean Energy Credits and More

5 min read

2025 Tax-Saving Strategies: Charitable Giving, Donor-Advised Funds, Clean Energy Credits and More

The 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill was packed with tax law changes. Some are already in effect, others activate on January 1st, 2026. To ensure you...

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