Get helpful tips for managing your money, financial planning information, tax savings, and financial news in these blog posts.
We enjoy making the complicated financial world simple for our clients. From short blog posts to full articles and even videos, financial professionals Sheryl Rowling and Steve Doster explain the topics that are important to you. There are also blog posts by our younger team members addressing the financial issues the X and Y Generations are dealing with now.
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An asset allocation is designed to produce long term results, within an acceptable level of risk. Such strategy should remain consistent whether the market is relatively stable, volatile, increasing or decreasing. Asset allocation strategy should not be changed due to market circumstances, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t times when it is both appropriate and advisable to update your strategy. A change to your risk tolerance or return needs would indicate that it is worth revisiting whether an update to the asset allocation of your portfolio is needed.
4 June 2018
Boosting Your Charitable Giving
There is no wrong way to give. However, applying tax saving strategies can save you money on your charitable dollars. The new tax code will force many more people to take the standard deduction (90% vs. 70%). Those who are used to itemizing might now think there is no longer a tax incentive for charitable giving. We want you to know there are still ways to reduce your taxes by giving to the charities you care about.
13 April 2018
Can’t sleep at night, try Insurance!
Throughout your life, insurance coverage should be an integral part of your financial picture. We will look at a few types of coverage that will help you sleep easy at night knowing that you and your loved ones are protected against financial ruin.
23 March 2018
Why a Fiduciary Matters?
The US court of Appeals recently struck down the Department of Labor’s fiduciary rule, which required all financial professionals to manage retirement accounts with their clients’ interests ahead of their own. Now that this consumer protection has been vacated, it is important to educate yourself on the ins and outs of what makes a financial professional a fiduciary and why you should engage in a fiduciary’s services.
9 March 2018
Buying vs Renting – A never ending battle!
You have some extra cash sitting in the bank and are wondering what to do with it. You have heard about how home ownership is better than renting because you will accumulate equity as you pay off the mortgage. And so, you think, “I’ll make a down payment and buy my own house.” But, you could pay down your debts with that cash instead. So, what do you do? It’s never a simple answer.
7 February 2018
Considering Rental Property Investments
A rental property can be a great way to achieve a steady income stream and long-term capital appreciation, but as with any investment there are many considerations to weigh before you jump into the unknown.
23 January 2018
Preparing for the Unexpected with Emergency Funds
No one ever expects to lose their job, have an accident or have their primary source of income suddenly disappear. Unfortunately, without proper planning a small speed bump could turn into a major road block. Setting up an emergency fund can ensure that you cruise over the speed bump as smoothly as possible.
10 January 2018
Helping Loved Ones Maintain Suitable Living Arrangements
Helping an aging adult move out of a current home is both emotionally and practically complex. We all want our loved ones to maintain suitable living arrangements. To help, you need to first evaluate their situation, know the available options in their community, and then enable your loved one to make a responsible and informed decision.
17 November 2017
Considering Marriage
With the demise of DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act), now all couples can ask "Should we get married?" If you are considering marriage, your main consideration should obviously be whether or not you want to get married! Assuming the answer is yes, you will need to weigh the importance of the financial impacts vs. your personal preferences.
23 October 2017
Will you be hit by IRMAA in 2018?
Are you turning 65 next year and about to start Medicare? Will you have high income while you are on Medicare? If yes, you are most likely going to be a victim of IRMAA – Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts. Much like the storm, this too will put a dent in your pocket, in terms of higher Medicare premium amounts every month. But unlike the storm from which there was no escape, a few planning techniques can go a long way in saving you some of that hard-earned money.
