Understanding Today’s Financial Environment
Welcome to The Monitor Group! We are an independent financial services and wealth management firm serving families and business owners seeking financial confidence. Financial planning is a tool that aims to pursue freedom and empowerment. We believe education, collaborative planning solutions and excellent customer service help you work towards your financial goals. In an ever-changing economic environment, we are the team of advisors you can trust.
Helpful Content
Is a Variable Annuity Right for Me?
Pundits go on and on about how “terrible” or “wonderful” annuities are, but they never talk about whether annuities are right
To Catch a Thief
Having your identity stolen may result in financial loss plus the cost of trying to restore your good name.
The Facts About Income Tax
Millions faithfully file their 1040 forms each April. But some things about federal income taxes may surprise you.
Investing with Your Heart
For some, the social impact of investing is just as important as the return, perhaps more important.
Do Your Kids Know The Value of a Silver Spoon?
You taught them how to read and how to ride a bike, but have you taught your children how to manage money?
Estimating the Cost of College
This worksheet can help you estimate the costs of a four-year college program.
Best-Performing Asset Classes
Bonds may outperform stocks one year only to have stocks rebound the next.
Three Key Questions to Answer Before Taking Social Security
When to start? Should I continue to work? How can I maximize my benefit?
Life and Death of a Twenty Dollar Bill
How long does a $20 bill last?
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Disability Income
This calculator estimates your chances of becoming disabled and your potential need for disability insurance.
My Retirement Savings
Estimate how long your retirement savings may last using various monthly cash flow rates.
Federal Income Tax
Use this calculator to estimate your income tax liability along with average and marginal tax rates.
Self-Employed Retirement Plans
Estimate the maximum contribution amount for a Self-Employed 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, or SEP.
A Look at Systematic Withdrawals
This calculator may help you estimate how long funds may last given regular withdrawals.
Annuity Comparison
This calculator compares a hypothetical fixed annuity with an account where the interest is taxed each year.
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Managing Your Lifestyle
Using smart management to get more of what you want and free up assets to invest.
Your Cash Flow Statement
A presentation about managing money: using it, saving it, and even getting credit.
5 Smart Investing Strategies
There are some smart strategies that may help you pursue your investment objectives
An Inside Look at Retirement Living
A number of questions and concerns need to be addressed to help you better prepare for retirement living.
5 Smart Investing Principles
Principles that can help create a portfolio designed to pursue investment goals.
Protecting Those Who Matter Most
The importance of life insurance, how it works, and how much coverage you need.
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Keeping Up with the Joneses
Lifestyle inflation can be the enemy of wealth building. What could happen if you invested instead of buying more stuff?
Can Election Results Predict the Market?
How do the markets usually react to elections? Was the 2016 election any different?
Inflation and Your Portfolio
Even low inflation rates can pose a threat to investment returns.
What Our Kids Can Teach us About Saving Money
Would you guess that Millennials are effectively saving for retirement? Well, they are.
Events on Wall Street
Can successful investors predict changes in the markets? Some can but others miss the market’s signals.
Bridging the Confidence Gap
In the world of finance, the effects of the "confidence gap" can be especially apparent.