Blog - North Light Financial Services

Stocks & Presidential Elections

What does history show – and should we value it? As an investor, you know that past performance is no guarantee of future success. Expanding that truth, history has no bearing on the future of Wall Street. That said, stock market historians have repeatedly analyzed market behavior in presidential election years, and what stocks do when different parties hold the reins of power in Washington. They have noticed some interesting patterns through the years which may or may not prove [...]

By info@northlightfinancialservices.com|2017-03-28T08:17:32-04:00October 4th, 2012|Business/Economic News|Comments Off

Avoid Making Retirement Planning Mistakes

THE MAJOR RETIREMENT PLANNING MISTAKES Much has been written about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations and charities. Aside from these blunders, there are also some classic financial missteps that plague retirees. Calling them “mistakes” may be a bit harsh, as not all of them represent errors in judgment. Yet whether they result from ignorance or fate, we need to be aware of them as we plan for and enter retirement. Leaving work too early. [...]

By info@northlightfinancialservices.com|2017-03-28T08:17:32-04:00September 27th, 2012|Personal Finance, Retirement|Comments Off

Do You Know Who Your Beneficiaries Are?

Why you should periodically review beneficiary designations. Your choices may need to change with the times. When did you open your first IRA? When did you buy your life insurance policy? Are you still living in the same home and working at the same job as you did back then? Have your priorities changed a bit – perhaps more than a bit? While your beneficiary choices may seem obvious and rock-solid when you initially make them, time has a way [...]

By info@northlightfinancialservices.com|2017-03-28T08:17:32-04:00September 13th, 2012|Estate Planning, Personal Finance|Comments Off

Tips for Minimizing Taxes in 2012 & Beyond

TIPS FOR MINIMIZING YOUR TAXES IN 2012 & BEYOND You may want to exploit these strategic opportunities. Will the Bush-era tax cuts expire next year? We may not have an answer to that question for several months. After the November elections, you could see them extended once again. Nothing is certain: with the daunting financing challenges the federal government faces, they may finally expire in 2013. If your goal is tax minimization, here are the “to-dos” you might want to [...]

By info@northlightfinancialservices.com|2017-03-28T08:17:32-04:00August 30th, 2012|Income Taxes, Personal Finance|Comments Off

Protecting Yourself While Shopping Online

Protecting Yourself While Shopping Online What steps should you take? Whether you shop online routinely or infrequently, the risk of identity theft rises as you offer more and more information about yourself online. Dont use a debit card, and use only one credit card. If your debit card gets hacked, the thieves may be able to access your bank account. But if you use just one credit card for online shopping, youll just have one card to cancel if your [...]

By info@northlightfinancialservices.com|2017-03-28T08:17:33-04:00August 16th, 2012|Personal Finance|Comments Off