Across local and national platforms, we value sharing financial knowledge to help you prepare for retirement.
As Seen On
Debt-Free New Year | FOX 50
Many people are starting the year off still struggling to manage their debt due to the pandemic. Alex spoke with FOX 50 about ways to become debt-free in 2021! Access the Debt Worksheet | Access the Budget Worksheet |
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Marking Financial Dates on Your Calendar | FOX 50
From anniversaries to vacations, we all have certain dates we like circling on our calendars. Alex talked with FOX 50 about four key dates to pay attention to in 2021. Access the IRS Required Minimum Distribution Sheet |
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Financial Resolution Reboot | FOX 50
How are your New Year’s resolutions going? Alex joined FOX 50 to discuss the mistakes we make when setting money resolutions and how to create an action plan to stay on track. Access the Goal Setting Worksheet |
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When Can You Expect Your 2nd Stimulus Check? | FOX 50
Many Americans are still waiting for their second stimulus check. Alex talked with FOX 50 about when you can expect to receive your check. Access the Stimulus Check Locator |
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Spending Your Stimulus Check | WRAL
A second round of stimulus checks is on the way to millions of Americans. Alex joined WRAL to share how you can spend this money wisely. Access the Retirement Calculator |
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Spending Your Stimulus Check | News 14
After months of negotiations, lawmakers have agreed on a second COVID-19 relief bill. Alex talked with News 14 about what the measure entails and who will be getting another stimulus check. Access the Retirement Calculator |
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Coronavirus Vaccines & the Stock Market
Hopes of a COVID-19 vaccine are boosting stocks. Alex joined Spectrum News to discuss how the markets impact the economy and why a plan is key to making your dreams a reality.
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College COVID Checklist | Spectrum News
College can be a stressful time. Alex joined News 14 with a financial checklist for students and parents to prepare for the school year.
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Enhanced Unemployment Benefits & A Possible 2nd Stimulus Check | News 14
The coronavirus pandemic is leaving many households with financial uncertainty, and a budget is more important than ever. Alex will talk with News 14 about how to plan for the unexpected. Access our budget worksheet |
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Easing Your Tax Burden for 2020 & Beyond | News 14
Tax season is over but our work isn’t done! Alex spoke with News 14 about tax planning tips for the future on July 20! Access the IRS Witholding Calculator |
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College Financial Crisis | News 14
Planning for the cost of college isn’t always easy, and it’s especially difficult during a pandemic. Alex spoke with News 14 about ways parents and students can prepare for the semester ahead.
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The US Economy & Coronavirus | News 14
Many consumers are nervous about their financial future as the Coronavirus continues to pose a serious threat to the community. Alex talked with News 14 about how the economy is impacting our finances and what steps we can take to protect our money.
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Credit Card Debt & Stimulus Checks | News 14
Stimulus checks are hitting the bank accounts of millions of Americans. Alex chatted with Caroline Blair at News 14 about four ways you can use this money wisely during the coronavirus pandemic. Access the credit card calculator here |
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Coronavirus Stimulus Checks | FOX 50
Millions of Americans are receiving their stimulus checks. Alex talked with FOX 50 about what you need to know and how to protect your money. Click here to calculate your stimulus check.
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Coronavirus Impact on Retirement Plans | FOX 50
The Coronavirus could impact your retirement plans. Alex spoke with FOX 50 about how to take the first step toward a secure financial future.
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Stock Market Drop & Coronavirus | News 14
With all of the volatility we've seen on Wall Street, emotions are driving the market. Alex talked with News 14 about why a plan can ease fear and greed.
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Money Summit | News 14
It’s crucial for couples to be on the same page when it comes to money. Alex talked with News 14 about how to get the conversation started and what important topics you should be discussing. |
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Couples & Money | FOX 50
Love and money go hand-in-hand. Alex stopped by FOX 50 to discuss how couples can find common ground when discussing their finances. | Access the Goal Setting Worksheet |
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Stock Market Investing | ABC 11
Investing in the stock market doesn’t have to be complicated. Alex shared some helpful tips with ABC 11 about how to start investing and why it’s important for your financial future.
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Important Financial Dates | WRAL
Four important financial dates could put more cash in your pocket! Alex stopped by WRAL to share which days to pencil in and how they impact your finances! Access the IRS Minimum Distribution Worksheets |
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Money Mindset 2020 | ABC 11
What’s your money mindset for 2020? Alex talked with ABC 11 about how you can shift your thinking and improve your finances! Check Out Mint.com |
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Holiday Headaches | News 14
If you got carried away with your holiday shopping, now is the time to get back on track. Alex sat down with News 14 to discuss how to tackle debt. | Access the Budget Worksheet |
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Financial Lessons From Our Favorite Holiday Films | FOX 50
Our favorite holiday films provide more than entertainment - We can also learn lessons about our finances! Alex talked with FOX 50 about four money lessons we can learn from some of the most popular holiday flicks! Check out the budget worksheet to stay on top of your holiday finances! | Access the Budget Worksheet |
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How Social Security & Medicare Work Together | US News & World Report
Alex was recently quoted in an article about how Social Security and Medicare work together on US News and World Report. Check it out! |
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Turkey Talk | FOX 50
Many families are uncomfortable talking about money. Alex sat down with FOX 50 to share ways to get the conversation started and what topics families should be discussing.
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The Nickel Challenge | ABC 11
A new year gives us new opportunities to improve our financial situation. Alex sat down with ABC 11 to discuss how you can achieve financial growth with the "Nickel Challenge."
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401k Matching | ABC 11
Saving for retirement is something we all know we should be doing, but there’s one mistake you could be making! Alex Sutherland talked with ABC 11 about what to be mindful of when it comes to your 401k plan.
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Holiday Spending with Budget Resource | Spectrum News
Holiday spending could be putting your finances in danger all year round. Alex talked with ABC 11 about four ways to keep our holiday splurging in check! Access the Holiday Budget Worksheet | Access Information on 529 Plans |
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Scary Financial Habits | FOX 50
This Halloween the scariest thing you see may not be a witch or a ghost! It could be your savings account. Financial professional Alex Sutherland stopped by FOX 50 to share how you can overcome the worst habits haunting our finances.
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Saving Up for College | ABC 11
Paying for college isn’t easy. Alex sat down with ABC 11 to share ways parents and students can save money and stay out of debt!
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Paying Off Credit Card Debt | ABC 11
Access the debt worksheet | Credit cards are easy to swipe, but hard to pay off. Financial professional Alex Sutherland sat down with ABC 11 to discuss ways to get out of debt!
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Medicare Open Enrollment | News 14
Enrolling in Medicare can be a confusing time for retirees. Alex Sutherland sat down with News 14 to discuss common Medicare misconceptions and how to avoid making costly mistakes.
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Holiday Spending | ABC 11
Make a list and check it twice! Alex sits down with ABC 11 to discuss ways to stay within your budget this coming holiday season.
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Baby Bump Budgeting with Life Insurance Calculator Resource | FOX 50
Access the Life Insurance Calculator | If you’re thinking of starting a family, you may be in for some sticker shock! On average, parents are spending over $230,000 from birth to age 18! Alex stopped by FOX 50 to share their financial tips for soon-to-be moms and dads.
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Make-A-Will Month with Estate Planning Resource | News 14
Access our Estate Planning Checklist | Celebrities are guilty of making mistakes just like the rest of us. Since we often know the details of their bad decisions, let’s learn something! Financial professional Alex Sutherland stopped by News 14 to talk about what we can learn from celebrities who died without updating or writing a will.
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Summer Spending Hangover with Budget Tool | FOX 50
Access the Budget Tool | Lazy days and fun getaways are the hallmarks of summer. But unfortunately, our summer spending often leaves our wallets empty come fall. Financial professional Alex Sutherland stopped by FOX 50 to share four quick ways to detox your spending and reboot your budget.
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Financial Vows | WRAL
Alex Sutherland of the Lifeplan Group joined the newscast at WRAL Channel 5 to talk about important financial vows that couples should make.
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National Splurge Day | WRAL
We all deserve to treat ourselves once in a while. June 18th is National Splurge Day, a day set aside to satisfy your urge to splurge. Financial professional Alex Sutherland talked with WRAL about the questions to ask yourself before considering a spending splurge.
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Breaking Financial Rules
There are financial rules we’ve all heard - Save 10% of your income or pay off your mortgage before saving for retirement. But these rules might not work for everyone. Alex Sutherland sat down with News 14 to discuss rules we might want to consider breaking.
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Refund Refresh 2019
Do you know how you’re going to spend your tax refund this year? Financial professional Alex Sutherland stopped by News 14 with four ways to give your refund a refresh.
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How to Close a Retirement Age Gap With Investing
Alex Sutherland, says one mistake age-difference couples make is approaching retirement planning like everyone else. “They invest the same way and follow the same rules of thumb,” Sutherland says. “The reality is each spouse needs a customized plan.” He says these individual plans should accommodate both partners’ risk tolerance, time horizon and income needs when they retire.
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Being Mindful of Our Money in the New Year
The new year is here and many of us are making resolutions to get in shape, sleep a little more, eat healthier or maybe even save some extra cash. Financial planners say being mindful with our money, can easily help other aspects of our daily lives. Alex Sutherland, Investment Advisor and President of LifePlan Group, breaks down the four easy ways we can stay “Mindful with our Money in 2019”.
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Open Enrollment 2018
Open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act is underway and the questions are rolling in. We sit down with LifePlan Group President and Investment Advisory Alex Sutherland to discuss details around open enrollment.
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Financial Cramming for College
Alex Sutherland sits down with Tar Heel Talk to cover the importance of financial discussions for families as students transition to college to make sure students graduate off to a good financial start.
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Anyone Who Owns Anything Needs a Will
Death is a hard subject to not only think about, but plan for. And when it comes to writing a will, we tend to use every excuse in the book to put it off. But we're throwing those excuses out the window right now because August is "Make a Will" month. Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair sat down with investment adviser and LifePlan Group President Alex Sutherland, for some useful tips on how to wisely plan for the future.
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How to Create a Legacy Plan
“Legacy planning” may sound like something reserved for the very wealthy, but Sutherland says that’s not necessarily true. “Everyone should consider legacy planning. It’s not just for those with high net worth. It’s for anyone who wants their resources to have a purpose when they are gone,” he says. “The question to be asking yourself is: When things are all said and done, what about your money is important to you?”
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What is the Future of Social Security?
The long term future of social security is up in the air and is sure to impact your retirement. Spectrum News anchor Caroline Blair sat down with Ken Sutherland, the founder and investment adviser for LifePlan Group. According to Sutherland, the Social Security Administration said, if nothing is done, money in our country will run out by 2034. However, he said at that time, the fund will collect enough in taxes to earn just under 80 percent of benefits. That’s why Sutherland tells his clients it’s important to have a solid financial plan.
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Retirement Planning
A generation ago, retirement was fairly predictable; but today, not so much. We take a look at how planning for our future has changed and how important it is that we take control to prepare for retirement with financial professional Alex Sutherland.
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College Graduate Financial Tips
Receiving a college degree is the first major step in entering the professional world, but the cost of attaining that degree can set back new grads considerably. LifePlan President and Advisor Alex Sutherland joins us to discuss what new graduates can do to breakdown obstacles.
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Tips for Last-Minute Tax Filers as Deadline Looms
A lot of tax experts recommended waiting to file this year because of so much tax reform in play, but it is now officially last minute. Alex Sutherland, with Raleigh financial planner Lifeplan Group, said there are two ways people can get in trouble. "The first is if you don't file or if you're late to file," Sutherland said. "So, even if you're not ready to file your taxes by April 17, at least file an extension, and that gives you all the way to Oct. 15 to complete your tax return.
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Equal Pay Day
The gender pay gap is something we hear about all the time and it's important issue. LifePlan President and Advisor Alex Sutherland discusses this issue and the bigger impact it has.
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The "Great Transition" Into Retirement
For many people looking to retire, they've been in the workforce for 30, 40, or maybe even 50 years. During that time, they've received paychecks and have saved a portion of that pay for retirement. For their entire adult life, they've been practicing a very successful habit - saving! Now, for the first time - maybe ever - retirement calls for them to spend their savings. We're breaking what we've always known to be a good habit and that is scary!
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