Three Reasons Why the Dow Doesn’t Really Matter
For decades, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) has been considered a bellwether of the U.S. stock market and a barometer of economic health. However, I want to shed light on the fact that the Dow doesn’t really matter as much as it is perceived to. In this article, I will discuss three compelling reasons […]
Thinking Beyond the Spreadsheet: Making Your Budget Work for You
For something that is so foundational to every solid financial plan, “budget” can often feel like a four-letter word. To many, the word “budget” evokes thoughts of what you can’t afford rather than what you can. Our job as advisors is to help our clients identify the goals and priorities that matter most, and to […]
Financial Planning Considerations for a Divorce – Planning with a Chartered Divorce Financial Analyst
Individuals are encouraged to plan early and often for goals like homebuying, raising kids, funding education savings accounts, and saving for retirement. People rarely anticipate planning for a divorce, yet careful consideration and advice of the associated financial planning implications are critical to ensure those goals can still be achieved in a reimagined post-divorce future. […]
Pitfalls of “Buy Now, Pay Later”
As the world becomes more digitized, the way we shop and spend money is evolving. One of the latest trends is “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) services, which allow customers to purchase items and pay for them in installments over time. According to a LendingTree survey in 2022, 43% of Americans reported using a BNPL […]
The College Funding Question – “What if they don’t go to college?”
529 plans often stir up a major question with parents, “What if my kid doesn’t want to go to college?”. It’s a valid question, but the hesitation it causes can lead to missing out on big tax savings. 529 plans have two major advantages: First, all earnings in the account are tax-deferred until withdrawn. Second, […]
Steps to Financially Empower Your Kids
As summer break approaches, there are opportunities to teach your children valuable financial skills. Maybe they plan to work a summer job, need their own source of money, or both. Now is a great time to consider opening a secured credit card and Roth IRA for them. Secured Credit Card If your child has turned […]
Facebook Tax Free Retirement Account (TFRA) Ad Debunked
We recently ran across a Facebook ad maligning 401(k)s as a “switcheroo” and a product of “evil Wall Street guys” and that a TFRA can recreate the old Pensions and do it tax-free for the everyday investor. This made the subject a perfect candidate for our Myth Debunking series. When it comes to saving for […]
ESG Investing: Aligning Investments and Values
Of the many acronyms that pepper the world of finance, ESG is one that is likely already on your radar. Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is a growing trend in the investment world that appeals to socially conscious investors looking for ways to better align their investments with their values. What is ESG Investing? […]
You Still Have Time! 2022 IRA Contributions
2022 IRA Contributions Deadline April 18, 2023, is the deadline to make your 2022 IRA contributions. The 2022 limit is $6,000 per individual for Traditional or Roth IRA. If you are age 50 or older, you can add a further $1,000 “catch-up” contribution bringing the total to $7,000. If you are interested in learning more […]
Tax Time – Everything You Need to Know about 1099s
I would rather comment on how it is almost springtime instead of tax time, but the reality is that tax season is upon us and we need to prepare. Being an investor comes with additional tax reporting that is often not as straightforward or timely as a W-2. We are talking about Form-1099, which deals […]