Blog
Stay informed with us by reading about what is happening in the market, the industry and our office.
The Value of Multigenerational Family Meetings
If you’ve amassed sizable wealth, or are on the right path and getting there, it may be time to consider how to pass on some of that money to children and grandchildren—without creating big problems that could harm their...
Read MoreValis and Manis Receive Five Star Wealth Manager Award for the 7th Year
Blackstone Valley Wealth Management’s two advisors, James A. Valis, CFP® and Gregg R.Manis, CFP® will be recognized with the 2021 Five Star Wealth Manager Award in the February edition of Boston Magazine. This award comes...
Read MoreLPL Financial Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward
LPL Financial Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward LPL Research Outlook 2021: Powering Forward is designed to help you navigate a year in which economic conditions may continue to improve dramatically. Like the markets, Outlook 2021...
Read MorePreparing Heirs for Their Inheritance
Inheriting money comes with plenty of benefits. From being less worried about paying for life’s necessities to enjoying the luxuries affluence can bring, inheritors often find that many of life’s key stumbling blocks are no...
Read MoreElection 2020: Managing Your Emotions
It’s a startling statistic.45% of consumers with $100,000 or more investable assets expect to make changes to their investments due to the upcoming 2020 presidential election.1Second-guessing your investment strategy is natural,...
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Estate Planning Documents Needed for the College-Bound
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for Estate Planning considerations for your college-bound kids. Estate Planning isn't just for the wealthy and aging, it is useful for the living in the event that they become ill and...
Read MoreLPL Research Midyear Outlook 2020: The Trail to Recovery
The Trail Ahead At the midpoint of 2020, we’re mindful that it’s been an extremely challenging year so far in the United States and around the globe. We’re in the midst of a pandemic that continues to impact all of us...
Read MoreSECURE and CARES Act Changes to RMD's in 2020
At the end of last year (2019), Congress passed the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the SECURE Act) to encourage businesses to sponsor retirement plans and workers to save for retirement, which...
Read MoreValis and Manis Receive FIVE STAR Wealth Manager Award for the 6th Year in a Row
Blackstone Valley Wealth Management’s two advisors, James A. Valis, CFP® and Gregg R. Manis, CFP® will be recognized for the sixth year in a row with the 2020 Five Star Wealth Manager Award in the February edition of...
Read MoreWhen Should You Collect Social Security?
A growing number of Americans have been forced to delay their planned retirement date due to job and savings losses suffered during the past recession. Postponing retirement not only means working longer but also delaying when you...
Read MoreCharitable Giving, the Tax-Wise Way
Americans—especially the affluent—are some of the most charitable people in the world.* Chances are, you use some of your wealth to support favorite causes or organizations that are important to you. But those contributions...
Read MoreOutlook 2020: Bringing Markets into Focus
Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. AT LPL RESEARCH, as we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some key trends and market signals will be important to watch, including progress on U.S...
Read MoreLower Your Tax Bill With Year-End Planning
As the end of the year draws near, the last thing anyone wants to think about is taxes. But if you are looking for ways to minimize your tax bill, there's no better time for tax planning than before year-end. That's because there are a...
Read MoreEstate Planning Checklist
Because you've worked hard to create a secure and comfortable lifestyle for your family and loved ones, you'll want to ensure that you have a sound financial plan that includes trust and estate planning. With some forethought, you may...
Read MoreLPL Research Midyear Outlook 2019: Fundamental - How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets
When we released our Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets in December 2018, financial markets were in disarray. Global investors were scared by uncertain monetary policy, fiscal and legislative...
Read MoreShould You Convert to a Roth IRA?
Should you convert all or a portion of your traditional IRA assets to a Roth account? The answer may depend on the amount of time you plan to leave the assets invested, your estate planning strategies, and your willingness to pay the...
Read MoreBring Charitable Giving Into Your Estate Plan
In addition to the altruistic and goodwill benefits any charitable contribution brings, it can also have significant tax advantages. When deciding your estate-planning strategies, consider a charitable contribution to help the charity...
Read MoreRetirement Account Distributions After Age 70½
If you have assets in a qualified retirement plan, such as a company-sponsored 401(k) plan or a traditional individual retirement account (IRA), you'll want to be aware of several rules that may apply to you when you take a...
Read More2019 Contribution Limits
The IRS has updated the contribution limits for 2019. Taxpayers will now be able to contribute $6,000 to their traditional individual retirement accounts in 2019, up from $5,500 that has been in place since 2013. Participants in 401(k)...
Read MoreFive Star Wealth Manager Award Received for Fifth Year in a Row
Blackstone Valley Wealth Management’s two advisors, James A. Valis, CFP® and Gregg R. Manis, CFP® will be recognized for the fifth year in a row with the 2019 Five Star Wealth Manager Award in the February edition of...
Read MoreLPL Research Outlook 2019: FUNDAMENTAL: How to Focus on What Really Matters in the Markets
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. LPL Research believes the following three themes will be key to the...
Read MoreRetiring? Take Control of Your Assets
After years of saving and investing, you can finally see the big day -- retirement. But before kicking back, you still need to address a few matters. Decisions made now could make the difference between your money outlasting you or...
Read MoreMidyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens
Presenting the LPL Research Midyear Outlook 2018: The Plot Thickens, packed with investment insights and market analysis to guide you through all the action we may see in the year ahead. When we as investors began 2018, we were tuned...
Read MoreWealthVision Security Enhancements
We utilize a fully integrated financial planning software system (WealthVision) that allows our clients to visualize their overall net worth on one page and link all online accounts to be visible in one, convenient location. This type...
Read MoreFifth Circuit Vacates the Fiduciary Rule
In March, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision to vacate the DOL Fiduciary Rule. This decision rejected the regulation that re-defined "fiduciary investment advice",prohibited transactional exemptions and modifications...
Read MoreValis and Manis Named to LPL Financial Directors Club
Blackstone Valley Wealth Management’s two advisors, James A. Valis, CFP® and Gregg R. Manis, CFP® have been recognized as a top financial advisors and named to LPL Financial’s Director's Club, a distinction given to...
Read More2018 Five Star Wealth Manager Award
Blackstone Valley Wealth Management’s two advisors, James A. Valis, CFP® and Gregg R. Manis, CFP® will be recognized for the fourth year in a row with the 2018 Five Star Wealth Manager Award in the February edition of...
Read MoreInvestment Implications of the New Tax Law
After more than a year of political posturing and investor anticipation, Congress finally approved a $1.5 trillion tax cut. On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed the 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Acts into law. Although the depth of...
Read MoreOutlook 2018: Return of the Business Cycle
The LPL Research Outlook 2018: Return of the Business Cycle is packed with investment insights and market analysis to guide you through all the action we may see in the year ahead. “Return of the business cycle” refers to...
Read MoreValis Named to LPL Financial Directors Club
James A. Valis, CFP® has been recognized as a top financial advisor and named to LPL Financial’s Director's Club. This distinction is is given to the top advisors based on their business success compared to the more than 14...
Read MoreValis Receives 40 Under Forty Award
James Valis has been chosen as a recipient of the 2016 Worcester Business Journal 40 Under Forty Award! This award is a celebration of young business leaders who are making a big impact in the community through business, volunteering...
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