Finance
Watch Out for ‘Retirement Derailers’
If you have ever seen a train derailment, even if it was just one in a movie that was created by special effects, you know how destructive it can be. The sponsor of a recent survey that was designed to gauge the retirement readiness of Americans used the term “retirement derailers” to describe the destructive effect that unexpected financial emergencies can have on Americans in the critical pre-retirement years.
These retirement derailers include things like job losses and long-term unemployment or underemployment, divorce, large medical bills, the loss of a home due to foreclosure, underperforming investments, caring for aging parents, college tuition for children, and adult children needing financial support and/or moving back home due to long-term unemployment.
“Situations like these may force individuals and couples in their 50s and 60s to re-examine assumptions they’ve made about retirement and re-adjust their retirement plans on the fly,” says David Lerner Associates Branch Manager Anthony F. Meere. According to the survey, which was recently conducted by Ameriprise Financial who questioned individuals between 50 and 70 years of age who had at least $100,000 in investable assets, most Americans are hit by at least one unexpected retirement derailer at some point in their lives.
“If anything, this survey emphasizes the importance of expecting the unexpected,” says Meere. “If you factor the possibility that you could be hit by some sort of retirement derailer into your planning process, you will be better prepared to withstand it and make adjustments to help keep your retirement plans on track if and when you are hit.”
Three Options for Dealing With Derailment
According to Meere, individuals and couples hit by a retirement derailer during their pre-retirement years — generally defined as between the ages of 50 and 65 — have three main options for getting their retirement plan back on track:
1. Work longer.“This isn’t what most people want to hear, but unfortunately, it’s what they may be facing if they haven’t reached their retirement savings goal by the time they reach their originally planned retirement date,” says Meere.
But this option isn’t necessarily the worst-case scenario, as it’s not uncommon for individuals and couples to grow bored and restless soon after retiring. “Assuming their health allows it, continuing to work can sometimes be a blessing in disguise,” says Meere. “Perhaps you can cut back to part-time hours for a few additional years in order to boost your retirement savings account balance a little higher and help ensure that you don’t run out of money later.”
2. Save more money.The pre-retirement years often represent the peak earning years for many individuals and couples. In addition, their children have often left home and finished college, so these expenses may be lower as well. “In these situations, it may be a little easier to set aside some extra money for retirement to help make up for the derailment,” says Meere.
The federal government has made it easier for pre-retirees to contribute more to their retirement accounts via special “catch-up contributions.” Individuals age 50 and over can contribute an additional $1,000 per year to their IRA (for a total annual contribution of $6,500 in 2013) and an additional $5,500 to their 401(k) (for a total annual contribution of $23,000 in 2013).
3. Spend less money.“Here, we’re just talking about good old-fashioned belt-tightening,” says Meere. “Take a close look at your monthly budget for areas where you can cut back your expenses — whether this is going out to eat less, cutting back on your cable TV or cell phone bill or not going on vacation — and put this money directly into your retirement account.”
Material contained in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not intended to be used in connection with the evaluation of any investments offered by David Lerner Associates, Inc. This material does not constitute an offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities and should not be considered in connection with the purchase or sale of securities. Member FINRA & SIPC
Finance
AI and the Future of LinkedIn: How Technology is Redefining Professional Networking

The tech industry has always been a proving ground for new tools and ideas, and right now one of the most powerful forces reshaping the way professionals connect is artificial intelligence. From the way companies recruit talent to how thought leaders build influence, AI is changing the rules of the game on LinkedIn and beyond.
Smarter Recruiting
Hiring managers no longer sift through stacks of résumés. AI-powered systems can analyze skills, career paths, and even cultural fit to recommend candidates. On LinkedIn, predictive recruiting tools help companies identify prospects before they start looking for a new role. The result is faster hiring and better matches between employers and employees.
Personalized Content Feeds
LinkedIn’s algorithm has grown into more than just a filter. It now functions as a learning engine that studies professional interests and behavior. For tech companies, this means employees and executives can reach the audiences that matter most. A thought leadership article, a product update, or even a short post can now land in the feeds of potential clients, investors, or collaborators with remarkable accuracy.
The Rise of Automated Outreach
Sales and business development teams are experimenting with AI-assisted outreach. Instead of sending hundreds of generic messages, companies can use tools that analyze profiles, identify key talking points, and create personalized introductions. While this raises questions about authenticity, it also makes networking more efficient and effective.
Data as a Strategic Asset
LinkedIn’s real strength lies in its data. Millions of profiles, skills, and career shifts create a powerful resource. With AI, companies can analyze that information at scale, spotting workforce trends, predicting which industries are about to grow, and even identifying where the next wave of innovation might emerge. For tech leaders, this kind of intelligence can shape everything from hiring strategies to market expansion.
Balancing Human and Machine
The challenge is keeping professional networking personal. AI can accelerate connections and refine the process, but relationships still depend on authenticity, trust, and shared experience. The tech industry, more than most, will need to find the right balance between automation and genuine human interaction.
As AI becomes part of the digital networking fabric, LinkedIn is evolving into more than a résumé platform. It is becoming a predictive, personalized ecosystem that reflects the future of work. For tech companies, learning how to use this shift to their advantage may be just as important as the innovations they are building.
Finance
PR and SEO Best Practices for Law Firms, Dentists, Wellness Companies, and Chiropractic Offices

These days, your reputation often begins online before a client ever walks through your door. Whether you run a law office, a dental practice, a wellness brand, or a chiropractic clinic, people are searching the web to find answers, compare options, and decide who they can trust. That is where public relations and search engine optimization come together.
PR shapes your story and builds credibility. SEO makes sure the right people actually see it. When the two are aligned, they create a cycle of trust and visibility that fuels growth.
Why PR Matters for Professional Services
Public relations is not just about getting your name in print. It is about shaping perception. A thoughtful media mention, a quote in an article, or a published expert opinion can position you as someone worth listening to. For a lawyer, this might mean explaining a high-profile case in plain language for the public. For a dentist, it could be offering preventative care tips during National Dental Health Month. Chiropractors might focus on wellness and posture awareness, while wellness companies can shine by connecting their products to lifestyle conversations.
“PR is about storytelling,” says Mike Falkow, CEO at Meritus Media. “For industries like law and healthcare, it is often the difference between being just another listing online and being recognized as a trusted voice.”
How SEO Brings People to You
PR helps you look credible. SEO makes you visible. If you want new clients to find you when they type into Google, you need smart SEO strategies. That includes clear keywords, easy-to-navigate websites, local business listings, and reviews.
A law firm in Los Angeles that wants more personal injury clients has to show up when someone searches for “Los Angeles personal injury attorney.” A Tampa chiropractor has to be easy to find when someone types in “back pain relief near me.” It is not just about ranking higher, it is about meeting people right at the moment they need you.
Blending PR and SEO
Here is where the magic happens. When you land a feature in a credible publication, that mention often includes a link back to your website. Google sees that link as a vote of confidence, which boosts your search rankings. On the flip side, a blog post that is written with SEO in mind can get picked up and shared if it is timely and tied to bigger conversations in the media.
According to Meritus Media, “The mistake many professionals make is treating PR and SEO as separate projects. The truth is they amplify each other. Press mentions bring credibility and backlinks, and optimized content helps that coverage travel further.”
Best Practices for Each Industry
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Law Firms: Build authority through thought leadership. Comment on relevant legal issues and create content around the cases and topics people are searching for.
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Dentists: Focus on education. Share preventative care tips, encourage reviews, and make sure your practice shows up in local searches like “dentist near me.”
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Wellness Companies: Lean into education-driven PR. Announce new research, highlight expert voices, and optimize for lifestyle searches such as “natural ways to boost energy.”
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Chiropractic Offices: Become the go-to local expert. Host workshops, engage with local press, and use SEO to highlight treatments tied to specific conditions and locations.
The Takeaway
A strong digital presence requires more than just a website. It requires being seen, being trusted, and being remembered. For law firms, dentists, wellness companies, and chiropractic offices, the smartest approach is one where PR and SEO are not competing, but working together.
As Meritus Media puts it, “It is not enough to have an online presence. You need to be discoverable, credible, and memorable. That is the sweet spot where PR and SEO intersect.”
Finance
A Smarter Way to Save: Real Strategies That Actually Work

Saving money often feels like something we should be doing, but somehow never quite master. Not because we lack discipline or financial know-how, but because most of us were never taught to approach saving in a way that feels organic and sustainable.
Forget the lectures about willpower. Think of saving more like tending a garden. You don’t expect a harvest overnight. You plant, water, and trust that something is growing under the surface.
Why Saving Feels Difficult
At its core, saving is about delayed gratification. You put money aside today for something you won’t enjoy until tomorrow. That can feel abstract and unsatisfying in a world where we’re used to quick wins.
Add to that the wear and tear of everyday decision-making. By the time you’re deciding whether to stash a hundred dollars or buy something impulsively, your mental energy is already spent. The easier option usually wins.
It’s not a character flaw. It’s a missing system.
Common Pitfalls That Derail Saving
One of the biggest traps is not knowing where your money is actually going. Subscription services, late-night shopping, and small indulgences add up fast.
Then there’s the issue of unclear goals. If you’re just “trying to save more,” it’s too vague to build momentum. Without a target, it’s hard to feel like you’re making progress.
Finally, many people treat saving as something they do only when it feels convenient. And as we all know, those moments rarely come around.
Simple Strategies That Actually Work
Start by making saving automatic. Set up recurring transfers to a separate account, even if it’s just fifty dollars a month. According to David Lerner Associates, automating your savings creates consistency without requiring daily effort. You don’t have to think about it—it just happens.
Next, tie your savings to something that matters to you. A trip. A safety net. A home project. As Martin Walcoe, CEO of David Lerner Associates, explains: “Saving works best when it’s connected to a goal you care about. Whether it’s building financial security or planning for something joyful, people are more likely to stick with it when it feels personal and meaningful.”
Small wins also build momentum. Consider using a round-up app that sweeps change from purchases into savings. Or throw spare change into a jar. These little actions remind you that progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful.
Make Budgeting Feel Less Like a Chore
Instead of thinking of budgeting as a restriction, think of it as guidance. Look at your spending once a month. Track where your money goes. Treat savings like a bill—something you pay no matter what. Then adjust as needed.
Financial planning, like nutrition or exercise, is more effective when it fits into your natural rhythm rather than disrupting it.
Think Long-Term, Even in Small Steps
If you’re carrying debt, make a plan that works without pressure. Focus on understanding your terms and building a slow but steady path out. Saving and repaying can happen side by side. As Martin Walcoe puts it, “Finding the balance between repaying student loans, saving for the future, and investing is possible. With a proactive approach and the right strategies, you can tackle your loans while laying a strong foundation for financial growth.”
Even modest investing can pay off if you start early. Time does a lot of the heavy lifting. You don’t have to do it all—you just have to start.
Your Environment Shapes Your Habits
Surround yourself with people who share your mindset. Having a spouse, friend, or coworker on a similar journey can make saving feel more like teamwork and less like sacrifice.
And don’t overlook the importance of rituals. A monthly money check-in. A progress tracker. A celebration when you hit a milestone. These things help make saving part of your lifestyle rather than something separate from it.
Final Thought
Saving doesn’t have to feel like denial or discipline. When it’s tied to your values and built into your everyday life, it becomes a natural act of self-respect. Like nourishing your body, saving is an investment in the kind of life you want to live—not someday, but starting now.
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