Stonebrook Wealth Management Archive

This is an archive of our past articles. Whether you want to learn about financial planning and retirement fundamentals or read about some of the latest industry news, our Recommended by Stonebrook feed is curated to highlight topics that matter:
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 20, 2024
Women Are Navigating the Great Wealth Transfer
The financial landscape is undergoing a significant transformation as the "Great Wealth Transfer" approaches, ushering in a new era of prosperity for younger
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 14, 2024
Navigating the 2024 Bond Markets
The close of 2023 witnessed an intense rally in the bond markets, spurred by a resilient U.S. economy and a cooling inflationary environment. The fluctuations
Joe Mazzucco | Jan 3, 2024
8 Financial Wellness Tips to Help Manage Generational Wealth
Asset management and financial wellness can help develop long-term confidence when wealth transfers from generation to generation. Understanding and
Joe Mazzucco | Jan 3, 2024
4 Tax Planning Tips for Families
Tax planning might be complex, but it's also essential, as missing tax breaks or failing to optimize income could cost significant dollars over a lifetime. And
Joe Mazzucco | Jan 3, 2024
Key Tax Numbers 2024
It's amazing how fast 2023 flew by and now 2024 has begun. It is the perfect time to get yourself organized for the remainder of the year. On our website, we've
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 15, 2023
IRS Announces New 2024 Income Tax Brackets
It is crucial for individuals to engage in strategic tax planning with their financial professionals, particularly considering the changes to the standard
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 15, 2023
2024 Contribution Limits: What’s New?
Life today is expensive, and contributing to a retirement plan is more beneficial than ever. Recently, the IRS announced it was raising the contribution limit
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 13, 2023
LPL Financial Research Outlook 2024: A Turning Point
In 2024, LPL Research believes markets will make a definitive turn to a more recognizable place. En route, the transition will be marked by meaningful shifts in
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 6, 2023
Investing vs. Saving: Key Differences and Why Your Money Mindset Matters
You often hear people discuss "saving for retirement,” but in many cases, they're actually referring to their investing. The adage "you can't save your way to
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 6, 2023
Estate Planning and Asset Protection: Are They The Same?
You may sometimes hear the terms "estate planning" and "asset protection" used interchangeably. They have different meanings, and it's important to incorporate
Joe Mazzucco | Aug 17, 2023
Thinking About Donating Your Stock to Charity?
For investors seeking to support charitable causes while optimizing their tax benefits, donating stock instead of cash can provide significant advantages. By
Joe Mazzucco | Jul 18, 2023
All You Need To Know About Trusts
Set up trusts to minimize estate taxes, avoid probate, and seamlessly transfer your assets to your heirs.
Joe Mazzucco | Jul 14, 2023
Midyear Outlook 2023: The Path Toward Stability
The economy and markets made progress toward regaining balance in the first half of 2023, but more work lies ahead. Reclaiming that state of balance helps us
Joe Mazzucco | Jul 13, 2023
The Fast-Growing Sandwich Generation
Finances are dicey for those simultaneously caring for their parents and kids. Over the last 20 years, the median age for Americans (the median age is the point
Joe Mazzucco | Jun 13, 2023
Understanding the Roth 401(k) vs. Traditional
Unbeknownst to many investors, companies have the option of offering their employees a new different type of tax-advantaged retirement plan: the Roth 401(k)
Joe Mazzucco | May 23, 2023
Unused 529 Plan Funds: 5 Spending Options to Consider
529 plans are tax-advantaged savings vehicles designed to accumulate contributions and help pay for the beneficiary's qualifying education expenses. Sometimes
Joe Mazzucco | May 22, 2023
Life Insurance: How Much Is Enough?
You may already be aware of the importance of having enough life insurance coverage to handle financial matters that could affect your family in the event of
Joe Mazzucco | Apr 26, 2023
The Facts About Social Security Retirement Benefits
Social Security Retirement benefits are one thing that people know of, but often what they know isn't always accurate.
Joe Mazzucco | Apr 12, 2023
Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market
Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It's useful to have strategies in place that prepare you
Joe Mazzucco | Apr 5, 2023
5 Last Minute Considerations Before Tax Day
With April’s federal tax filing and payment deadline on the horizon, Americans are dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s as they prepare for the countdown to
Joe Mazzucco | Mar 1, 2023
National Debt & Your Personal Debt Ceiling
What is the national debt and should investors worry about it? More importantly, can the national debt teach investors a thing or two?
Joe Mazzucco | Mar 1, 2023
The 5 Elements of Financial Wellness
Financial wellness is a term that refers to the overall health and well-being of an individual's finances. In order to work toward financial wellness, it is
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 13, 2023
Joe Mazzucco Recognized as One of LPL Financial's Top Financial Advisors
February 13th, 2023 - Joe Mazzucco, an independent LPL Financial advisor who founded Stonebrook Wealth Management in Purchase, NY, today announced his inclusion
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 9, 2023
Five Uses for Life Insurance You May Not Know About
When people think of life insurance, what usually comes to mind is settling the deceased's final expenses and providing financial support for their
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 1, 2023
4 Ways a Financial Professional Could Be a Small-Business Owner's Best Friend
As a business owner, you may assume you do not need professional financial advice until you hit certain milestones such as $1 million in sales, having ten
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 1, 2023
Understanding Emotional Barriers to Investing
Even when investors have information that should lead them toward good investment decisions, they don't always make the appropriate choice for their situation
Joe Mazzucco | Jan 6, 2023
SECURE 2.0 Top 10 Provisions
Congress passed SECURE 2.0 as part of the fiscal 2023 spending package. This bipartisan retirement security legislation could present opportunities for your
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 21, 2022
IRS Increases 401(K) Limit By Record Amounts
On October 21st, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2023 has increased to $22,500
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 21, 2022
The 12 Days of Year-End Planning: Things to Consider Going into “The New Year"
At the end of the year, it is necessary to reflect on your financial picture, review the last 12 months, and plan for the future. With all that is involved, it
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 10, 2022
Outlook 2023: Finding Balance | Executive Summary
LPL Research’s Outlook 2023: Finding Balance is our guide to how the readjustments in the economy and markets may impact you in the coming year. The disruptions
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 6, 2022
3 Reasons Investors Can Be Thankful This Year
2022 has been a historic year for financial markets and a challenging one for investors. With inflation rising at the fastest pace in over 40 years, both stocks
Joe Mazzucco | Nov 22, 2022
IRS Adjusts Tax Brackets to Account for Inflation
Shifts in tax brackets as well as the standard deduction slated for 2024. On October 18, 2022, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced tax year 2023
Joe Mazzucco | Nov 18, 2022
Preparing for Year-End and the 2022/2023 Tax Season
You often hear people discuss "saving for retirement,” but in many cases, they're actually referring to their investing. The adage "you can't save your way to
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 7, 2022
Perhaps the Most Important Chart in the Investing World
You may sometimes hear the terms "estate planning" and "asset protection" used interchangeably. They have different meanings, and it's important to incorporate
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 4, 2022
Our Current Thoughts on the Market - September 30, 2022
For investors seeking to support charitable causes while optimizing their tax benefits, donating stock instead of cash can provide significant advantages. By
Joe Mazzucco | Aug 28, 2022
Inflation Reduction Act: What You Should Know
Set up trusts to minimize estate taxes, avoid probate, and seamlessly transfer your assets to your heirs.
Joe Mazzucco | Aug 22, 2022
What to Know About Multigenerational Estate Planning
Baby Boomers are people born between 1946 and 1964. Combined, they hold about $20 trillion in wealth. Over the next few decades, many Boomers may transfer this
Joe Mazzucco | Jul 26, 2022
Retirement Planning Tips for Women
Women often face special challenges when planning for retirement. For example, if they are the primary caregivers in their families, their careers may be
Joe Mazzucco | Jul 20, 2022
3 Tips for Staying Calm While Navigating a Volatile Market
When market volatility takes investors on a wild ride, fear and panic are common responses to this stock market roller coaster. Acknowledging these emotions may
Joe Mazzucco | Jul 12, 2022
Midyear Outlook 2022: Navigating Market Turbulence
Markets rarely give us clear skies, and there are always threats to watch for on the horizon, but the right preparation, context, and support can help us
Joe Mazzucco | Jun 28, 2022
Multiple Uses of Annuities
Annuities can be powerful financial planning tools. Most often used as an insurance product, an annuity can also be used as an investment vehicle, as a way to
Joe Mazzucco | Jun 17, 2022
Our Thoughts on the Current Market - June 16, 2022
The S&P 500 officially fell to bear market levels this week. Rapid inflation across the economy has affected consumers and businesses, raising questions about
Joe Mazzucco | Jun 15, 2022
Why Trying To Time The Market Is Unwise
Market timing is a “strategy” of deciding when to buy and sell stocks by attempting to predict which way and when stocks will move. Let’s look at an example...
Joe Mazzucco | May 24, 2022
A Checklist for Your Retirement Planning
The time to begin planning for your financial future is now. So, when it comes to preparing for retirement, the earlier you start, the better.
Joe Mazzucco | May 18, 2022
Five Lessons To Remember During Bear Markets
The real value of a bear market may be that it gives investors, who are temporarily frozen within its grip, the opportunity to learn or relearn important
Joe Mazzucco | Apr 6, 2022
Black Swans: Short-term Volatility, Long-term Opportunity
Considering the high levels of uncertainty, what should investors do?
Joe Mazzucco | Apr 6, 2022
Assessing Your Retirement Resources
How resourceful can you be during your retirement? Determining where your retirement money will come from is an integral part of planning for retirement.
Joe Mazzucco | Mar 9, 2022
Market Volatility Can Stir Your Loss Aversion
Here is a statement that is bound to cause you to raise your eyebrows: Your long-term financial success may depend less on the structure of your portfolio than
Joe Mazzucco | Mar 9, 2022
401(k) Rollover Options to Consider
When people are leaving their employer, one of the decisions they need to make is what to do with their 401(k). A retirement plan participant typically has four
Joe Mazzucco | Mar 9, 2022
How Financial Asset Management May Help Investors Stay the Course
Taking a deliberate approach to financial asset management and working with a financial professional, rather than choosing to manage your own portfolio, may
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 2, 2022
How to Build a Retirement Plan
Even if your retirement account balances are behind schedule, there are some concrete steps you can take now to shore up your retirement assets. Below, find
Joe Mazzucco | Feb 2, 2022
What Causes Inflation and What to Do About It
It is easy to misinterpret inflation as the rise in the price of individual goods and services. However, inflation is the increase in the average price level of
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 20, 2021
Retirement Contribution Limit Changes for 2022
With inflation on the rise, the IRS increased the 2022 contribution limits for some retirement accounts. Although a 2021 Congressional report found that only
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 7, 2021
LPL Financial Research Outlook 2022: Passing the Baton
Our resurgent economy grew at over a 6% pace in the first half of the year and is on track for 5% growth for the year when 2021 draws to a close. The current
Joe Mazzucco | Dec 1, 2021
Preparing for Year-End & the 2021/2022 Tax Season
Year-end is approaching and being prepared is the best way to make this tax season your easiest yet. Following are important information and tools to help you
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 13, 2021
Estate Planning for Everyone
Have you ever wondered how estate planning might fit into your overall, future plans? Even if you are just starting to build your estate and do not need complex
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 13, 2021
The Most Important Chart in the World
And just like that, the calendar turned to October and volatility picked up in a big way, with three consecutive 1% moves for the S&P 500 Index to start the
Joe Mazzucco | Oct 13, 2021
Avoid Playing Politics with Your Portfolio
When the markets are shaky, it can be tempting to rely on political headlines or pending legislation to time your entry or exit points. However, letting
Joe Mazzucco | Sep 27, 2021
Life Insurance 101: What You Need to Know About Life Insurance
Since an unexpected death can happen at any time, life insurance is essential. While no amount of money can ease the grief that comes with losing someone, life
Joseph Mazzucco | Sep 13, 2021
Antitrust Crackdown Aims to Increase Competition
In July, the president issued an executive order intended to "combat excessive consolidation of industry, abuses of market power, and the harmful effects of
Joseph Mazzucco | Sep 1, 2021
Fear, Greed, and Your Portfolio
Finance, in general, bases on rational and logical theories, and for the most part, tends to be somewhat predictable. Early financial theories assumed that
Joseph Mazzucco | Aug 5, 2021
Your Retirement Portfolio: Five Things to Consider Before Market Turbulence
It is human nature to seek advice when things aren't going well or when an unforeseen event occurs. Often, people seek financial advice from a professional only
Joseph Mazzucco | Aug 3, 2021
Tips to Keep Emotions and Investing Separate
Reducing your emotions can give you a better chance for investing success.
Money is always an emotional subject, but often when our emotions get involved with
Joseph Mazzucco | Jul 23, 2021
Summer of 2021, the Fed, Interest Rates and Me
A few days before the official start of summer on June 21st, Wall Street’s eyes and ears were on the Federal Reserve, and as expected, the Federal Open Market
Joseph Mazzucco | Jun 30, 2021
Rising Inflation: Where Will It Go From Here?
In March 2021, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.6%, the largest one-month increase since August 2012. Over the previous 12 months
Joseph Mazzucco | Jun 8, 2021
Munis Are Expensive but Technicals Remain Favorable
While many of the taxable markets have generated negative returns this year, both the high quality and high yield municipal markets have generated positive
Joseph Mazzucco | Jun 1, 2021
The Amount of Negative Yielding Debt Is Trending Lower
The amount of negative yielding debt is shrinking and that’s a good sign that the global economic recovery is well underway. While negative yielding debt became
Joseph Mazzucco | May 24, 2021
How to Stay Committed to Your Financial Goals
Setting healthy financial goals is critical. Even more important is staying committed to those financial goals.
Keeping yourself committed to your goals may be
Joseph Mazzucco | May 12, 2021
April Jobs Data Disappoints Lofty Expectations
Investors betting on continued acceleration in U.S. payrolls in April following March’s impressive numbers received an unwelcome reminder of just how choppy the
Joseph Mazzucco | May 12, 2021
Measuring Inflation and the Fed’s Reaction to Higher Prices
Inflation is one of the primary risks to bondholders. Rising consumer prices erode the “real” value of principal and interest payments making them worth less
Joseph Mazzucco | May 6, 2021
5 Investment Considerations for Small Business Owners
If you're a small business owner, many of the best practices employed by individual investors are also available to you (of course!), but you also have some
Joseph Mazzucco | Apr 26, 2021
Three Key Components of Financial Literacy
Financial feats that were once unheard of—from investing in cryptocurrency to instantly paying someone through an online payment system—have now become
Joseph Mazzucco | Apr 23, 2021
How to Increase Your Financial Literacy
Unlike verbal literacy, financial literacy isn't often taught in schools—which means that many people may enter adulthood without having all the tools they need
Joseph Mazzucco | Jul 25, 2019
Time to Create a Budget
At the end of the month, do you often find yourself with a lot less money than you expected? Do you have a hard time determining exactly what you spent your
Joseph Mazzucco | Jul 25, 2019
Top 15 Money Management Tips
We all have our own unique relationship with money. We certainly have our own unique way of both spending and saving money.
However, if you’re ready to start
Joseph Mazzucco | Jul 25, 2019
Why Should I Think About Retirement Planning?
If you’ve only just begun your career and are starting to collect a decent paycheck, the last thing on your mind is probably retirement planning. When you’re in
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