Blogs & Videos

As we hit the halfway point of the year, it's the perfect time to pause, reflect, and realign your financial goals. Just like a health check-up or car tune-up, a mid-year financial review can help you catch issues early, take advantage of opportunities, and ensure you're on track to finish the year strong.  Here are some key areas to focus on during your self-check-in. 

The housing market in 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting yet complex landscape for prospective homebuyers. With changing market dynamics, evolving mortgage rates, and inflation factors, now is the time for clients to carefully consider their financial options and long-term goals before making such a significant investment. 

On May 29, we recognize 529 Day—a timely reminder of the powerful role a 529 plan can play in helping families save for education. 

We know that money is personal, but it’s important to try to avoid reacting emotionally.

Spring is a season of renewal—a time to declutter, refresh, and refocus. While many people associate spring cleaning with their homes, it’s also a great opportunity to check in on your financial goals. Whether you're saving for a major milestone, planning for retirement, or simply looking to improve your financial health, revisiting your financial plan now can help keep you on track for the rest of the year.

Please join us as we discuss insights on today's economic and investment topics with guest speaker Stephanie Aliaga, Global Market Strategist on the J.P.Morgan Asset Management Market Insights Team based out of New York. Using J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Guide to the Markets, Stephanie will share thoughts on the current economic landscape, outlook for 2025, discuss key drivers and trends taking place in the markets.

When it comes to securing the future of your family, business, and legacy, estate planning is one of the most critical components of a well-rounded financial strategy. Too often, people associate estate planning only with distributing assets after death, but it’s about much more than that. It’s about ensuring that your wealth is protected, your wishes are honored, and your loved ones are provided for—both now and in the future. 

Tax season is just around the corner, and for many, it can feel like a whirlwind of paperwork, deadlines, and last-minute scrambling. However, with a proactive approach and the right strategies, you can turn a potentially stressful time into an opportunity to optimize your finances.

The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and giving—but it can also lead to some serious financial stress if you're not careful. While it might seem simple - from buying gifts and traveling to hosting family gatherings, it’s easy to overspend and derail your long-term financial goals. But with a little planning and mindful spending, you can enjoy the season without sacrificing your financial health.

As a member of the "Sandwich Generation," you’re likely balancing the financial demands of raising children while also supporting aging parents. This can be a unique challenge, and it requires a thoughtful approach to ensure that you’re building a solid financial foundation for your family while still planning for your own future.Here are some thoughtful strategies to help you navigate this complex stage of life, with a focus on retirement, healthcare, and education plannin

Bringing a new baby into the world is an exciting time, but it also comes with many financial considerations. By taking some proactive steps, you can ensure your family’s financial foundation is strong, both now and in the future.

Whether you are already on Medicare or will be transitioning to Medicare in the next few years, we invite you to join our Medicare Educational Webinar with guest presenter, Emily O'Halloran.

As the U.S. presidential election approaches, many are considering how the outcome might impact their financial plan. The policies and decisions of the new administration could have significant implications for various aspects of personal finance.Here’s a look at how the election could potentially impact your financial plans and what you can do to prepare.

Effective estate planning is crucial for high-net-worth individuals who aim to protect and preserve their wealth for future generations. A well-structured estate plan not only minimizes taxes and avoids legal pitfalls but also ensures that your wishes are honored and your legacy is secured.

As we reach the halfway point of 2024, it's the perfect time to conduct a thorough mid-year financial check-in with yourself This crucial checkup can help to make sure you're on track to meet your financial goals and set the stage for a successful second half of the year. Here are some key strategies to help you maximize your mid-year financial checkup and finish 2024 strong.

While many find it anxiety-provoking to think about, creating a legally binding plan to distribute your assets after your death ultimately provides you with peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that your wishes will be carried out as you have requested.

Let’s talk about several strategies you can use to help guide your conversations and why having meaningful discussions and ensuring you each have a stake in the game will not only make you stronger financially but as a couple as well.

It can be hard to think about and bring up to family members in conversation, but long-term care is an important need to prepare for as a part of your overall financial plan.How much care could you potentially need? On average, women will need 3.7 years of care, and men will need an average of 2.2 years. (source: horsesmouth) Approximately half of people turning age 65 will require some type of paid long-term care in their lifetimes.While planning is crucial to ensure you and your loved ones are

What are we expecting from the markets in 2024? Let's take a look.

We're proudly presenting LPL Research's Outlook 2024: A Turning Point, as our guide to the first half of 2024. Please join us for a comprehensive presentation on the markets and the global economy- and the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead.

Some couples face a difficult (and sometimes awkward) question when they decide to tie the knot: Should they combine their finances, keep them separate, or do a little of both?

While many find it anxiety-provoking to think about, creating a legally binding plan to distribute your assets after your death ultimately provides you with peace of mind. While we encourage you to sit down with a legal professional, we also want to provide some general guidelines you can think through independently. Estate planning is a complex field, but a general outline can clear up some of the mystery.

You're expecting retirement income from Social Security. But a lot of factors can determine how much you'll receive. And the more you know, the better prepared you are to make the right choices. * Know your benefit *Understand your options * Create a plan that fits your situation

So what is your true net worth? This is a tough question with a lot of moving parts.

This article discusses steps that parents can take to build wealth while raising a family.

Planning for Long Term Care. The goal of this presentation will be to: - Recognize the need to plan for long-term care, well before you need it -Increase awareness of how a long-term care event impacts your loved ones -Learn about some of the options that can help mitigate the risks of long-term care and instill a sense of confidence about your future.

If you will be transitioning to Medicare in the next 6-12 months, we invite you to join our Medicare educational webinar, Medicare Basics, on September 28th at 11:30AM. Emily O' Holloran, a local Medicare insurance agent representing Medicare Portal, will be our guest presenter for the event.

The pandemic raised awareness about the importance of having a will, living trust, and other end-of-life documents. Still, only one in three American adults actually have a will or living trust.

We don’t know what’s right around the corner, but it could be a car wreck, job loss, natural disaster, or another kind of emergency with the potential to put us in a debt-crisis situation. Preparing for emergencies by ensuring we have access to “ready cash” can give us peace of mind—and the potential for a good night sleep.

Dr. Quincy Krosby is LPL Financials Chief Financial Strategist. In this role she provides a perspective on global capital markets with an emphasis on the macro-economic environment, coupled with the fundamentals underpinning the equity landscape. In addition, Quincy is a member of the firm’s Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee.

Identity theft compromises the personal data of millions of Americans every year. Please join Blue Heron Financial Group alongside Eugenia Wright, AARP’s Senior Advisor in Integrated Communications, as we discuss steps you can take to minimize your online risk and protect your sensitive data from cyber-attacks.

Your financial decisions today help set you up for a secure future. In this webinar, we’ll cover financial matters relevant to you and how to balance current needs and long-term goals, like retirement and caring for loved ones. You’ll leave equipped with the knowledge and confidence to take your financial journey — wherever you may want to go.

You’re expecting retirement income from Social Security. But a lot of factors can determine how much you’ll receive. And the more you know, the better prepared you are to make the right choices.

Please join us as we discuss insights on today's most critical economic and investment topics with guest speaker Jordan Jackson, Vice President, Global Market Strategist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Using the most recent edition of J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Guide to the Markets, Jordan will share thoughts on the current economic landscape, outlook for 2022, discuss key drivers and trends taking place in the markets and answer your most pressing questions.

When it comes to Medicare, everyone wants to make the most of their benefits. You may have a lot of questions, like clarification on the various Medicare plans offered, eligibility requirements, and cost. - Recognize the impact of health care costs in retirement. - Understand the basics of Medicare plan options. - Expand your knowledge on the provided coverage and plan costs. - Learn important enrollment information and available resources to help you make an informed - Medicare decision.

Dr. Quincy Krosby is LPL Financial’s chief equity strategist. In this role she provides a perspective on global capital markets with an emphasis on the macro-economic environment, coupled with the fundamentals underpinning the equity landscape. In addition, Quincy is a member of the firm’s Strategic and Tactical Asset Allocation Committee.

Blue Heron Financial Group has received numerous questions over the years regarding estate planning and even funeral planning, so we thought we’d bring a panel of experts to you.

We’re proudly presenting LPL Research Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton, with market insights on what you can expect in the economy, stocks, and bonds for 2022. Please join us for a comprehensive presentation on the markets and the global economy—and the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead.

Where did “old age” come from? We’ve all been told a certain story of what aging would look like. And for a longtime, people have lived that particular version of “old age.” But what if society’s thinking of aging is outdated? What if one day, they woke up and realized things could change if they wanted them to? During this presentation, we'll discuss our current concept of aging, and how we can dispel the myths we’ve been told to create our own stories.

We’re proudly presenting LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2021: Picking Up Speed, with market insights on what you can expect in the economy, policy, stocks, and bonds for the rest of 2021. Please join us for a comprehensive presentation on the markets and the global economy—and the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead.

Estate and trust planning isn’t just for retirees. Planning for your estate is very important to your financial plan, and has a major impact on who receives your assets upon death and who will control the process of handling your estate. During this presentation, we will discuss trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, final wills and testaments, so that you’ll be informed about all the estate planning essentials.

Proudly presenting LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2020: The Trail to Recovery, with investment insights and market guidance for the rest of 2020, plus a special elections section. Please join us for a comprehensive presentation on the markets and the global economy – and the opportunities and challenges that may lie ahead.

LPL Research Outlook 2019 "FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets" is filled with investment insights and market guidance for the year ahead.

October is National Financial Planning Month, a time to reflect on your strategy for today’s financial goals, as well as tomorrow’s. Whether you’re just getting started or reviewing and updating a plan put into place years ago, Blue Heron Financial Group hopes you will consider the following when thinking about your financial roadmap.

Today, a college education costs more than ever. But there are ways to make it more affordable. This video offers tips and information that can help you fund higher education for your family.

Presenting the LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens, packed with investment insight and market analysis to guide you through all the action we may see in the year ahead.

Eat your greens, get plenty of rest, stay active, and drink lots of water. All of these are great recommendations that you’ve probably heard from your doctor about your physical wellness. But what about staying healthy, financially? In honor of March being Women’s History Month, we thought we would dedicate this blog post to some best practices for being financially fit women.

Jewelry, a box of chocolates, or a dozen roses. When thinking about the best gift you can give your loved ones this Valentine’s Day, Long Term Care insurance (LTCi) probably didn’t cross your mind. Maybe you don’t think you’ll ever need long term care or maybe your plan is for family members to provide your care. Our hope is that after reading, you’ll reflect on how you and your loved ones could benefit from having Long Term Care insurance in place.