Year: 2015

10 Tips for Jump-Starting Your Finances for 2016

Yep, the holidays are a busy time of year full of distractions that can easily draw you away from your financial game plan.  You do have one, right?  Here is a basket of tips from my colleagues at Rhinosure to give you a head start on your finances for 2016.  There’s even an opportunity for […]

The Good, Bad and the Ugly of Fed Rate Hike

It’s been almost ten years since the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates.  As the Fed cut rates in the aftermath of the Great Recession, retirees have suffered through historically low interest rates on savings instruments such as CDs, money market accounts and savings accounts. What does this one-quarter percent rate hike mean for investors […]

Year-End Tax Saving Strategies – Part II

In last week’s column, I began with a list of strategies to help you save money on this year’s tax return.  Here is the rest of my list of the best ideas: Get a State Income Tax Credit and Give a Scholarship. You may be aware of the benefits under the Alabama Accountability Act but […]

Year-End Tax Saving Strategies

As 2015 quickly comes to a close, now is the time to sit down and consider what you might do to reduce your April 15 tax bill. Tax Loss Harvesting. The stock market is relatively flat for the year but most investors will find both winners and losers within their investments.  Take a moment before […]

Avoid This 50% Tax Penalty in 2015

This is one penalty you’ll want to avoid.  If you (or someone you know!) are age 70½ or older this year, don’t forget that you must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your retirement accounts before December 31st of this year.  The federal penalty for failing to do so is 50% of the amount […]

Holiday Giving without Breaking the Bank!

It’s easy to spend a small fortune giving gifts over the upcoming holidays even if you find great deals on sale.  Last week, I challenged our readers to share their best low-cost gift giving ideas: Bake and Freeze. My mom always made biscuits at least 2-3 times per week. Several years ago she made the […]

The Holiday Money-Saving Idea Contest

This past weekend, I dropped in at a retailer and they were playing Christmas music!  The holiday season seems to begin just a bit earlier each year but it is a good reminder of how important it is to have a holiday spending plan in place so that you don’t start the new year in […]

Earn a 50% Return in 1 Month…Guaranteed

Would you be wary of someone promising you a 50% return on a twelve month investment?  How about a one month investment?  I assume (hope) your early warning antennas are blaring in your head as well they should be.  But there might be a way to actually make this happen for a number of really […]

Support our Veterans!

When you live every day in a free society, there is a tendency to take those freedoms for granted.  The truth is that the freedoms we enjoy have come at a great cost and sacrifice by the legions of men and women who serve, and have served, in our armed forces. As a financial advisor, […]

Alabama Property Tax Exemption – Do You Qualify?

Reader Question:  My mother-in-law is 87 years old.  My wife was told at work that there was as exemption for property tax in Alabama for senior citizens once you reach the age of 65.  Is this correct and is it automatic or do you have to file for this exemption? Answer:  The timing of your […]