
Personal Finance
Social Security: The Past, Present, and Future
Social Security: What is it, how did it start, and will it last? by Emily Lucero Key Takeaways: The Past: The Social Security program was introduced in 1935 during the Great Depression to help retired workers support themselves. The Present: Since then, Social Security has been expanded to help more and more people– in 2022,…
READ MORE >Strategies to reduce taxes from Required Minimum Distributions
Strategies to reduce taxes from Required Minimum Distributions Tax planning is a key part of being a successful investor and consideration should be paid when planning around IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) in retirement. RMDs are minimum amounts that you must withdraw annually from your IRA once you have reached the mandatory age, which is…
READ MORE >Is Travel Insurance a Good Idea?
To Buy or Not to Buy Travel Insurance One of the most popular goals our clients have for both pre and post-retirement is to travel. Recent shakeups in the travel industry due to Covid and problems with flights have made the decision to buy or not to buy travel insurance of greater consequence when planning…
READ MORE >Megan Miller, CFP®, CDFA® discusses “Women, Divorce and Retirement”
Megan recently contributed to an article published on ‘The Street’ website discussing women, divorce, and retirement. She offered 3 practical pieces of advice to women facing divorce. Read the full article here. Let’s face it, divorce is a confusing time, emotionally, mentally, and financially. Megan is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst as well as a…
READ MORE >Talking to Your Children About College Costs
Thinking back to my high school days, I knew I wanted to go to college after graduation. My considerations for college were location, campus life and what I wanted to study. Cost was not at the top of my list. Now that I’m a parent, that priority list has shifted, and I feel it is…
READ MORE >How to Manage Your Finances When Interest Rates Increase
The Fed’s strategy to tame inflation by increasing interest rates has had widespread effects on the economy so far. The Fed began raising interest rates in March 2022, with the goal of slowing down an overheated economy by making it more expensive to buy goods and services, discouraging consumer spending and business expansion. There are…
READ MORE >Constructing a Home Inventory
Growing up with a mother who loved antique furniture meant that over the years of her life I ended up with several antique pieces of which I dutifully took pictures and then stashed the pictures in our safe deposit box years ago. Recently, when forced to evacuate our home due to a wildfire, it became…
READ MORE >Saving for the Unexpected
According to a July 2021 Bankrate study, 25% of Americans surveyed have no emergency fund. An emergency fund acts as a buffer that you can use without relying on credit cards or high-interest loans in the event of an unexpected expense or life event. If there is anything that the last 2 years have taught…
READ MORE >Changes to Child Tax Credits in 2021
Effective July 15, the IRS will start issuing child tax credits on a monthly basis to eligible families as part of the American Rescue Plan. This enhanced Child Tax Credit expands the benefit from a $2,000 credit up to $3,600 per child. Who is eligible? Qualifications for this increased credit is based on your income…
READ MORE >Health Care Costs and the American Rescue Plan
On March 11, 2021 the American Rescue Plan (ARP) was signed into law to offer financial assistance and economic stimulus for those effected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the many elements of the plan address health care costs for 2021 and 2022. Following is a summary of some of the health care cost savings…
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