So far, in this series, we’ve covered Investments, Taxes, and Insurance. Now let’s look at estate planning with an emphasis on digital assets. Most people understand the importance of having a basic estate plan in place. Unfortunately, at least one-third of American adults don’t have one. The reasons vary, but the most dominant is procrastination. […]
So far, in this series, we’ve covered Investments and Taxes. Now let’s explore four ways to cut the costs of commonly owned insurance: Homeowners and Auto Insurance– No doubt, we need this coverage, and we need it in adequate amounts. The trick to slashing premiums 20% or more is through judicial use of deductibles. Often, […]
In part one of this series ‘Investments,’ I discussed investment to-dos between now and yearend. Today, I’d like to cover some tax-related strategies that can save you money or avoid tax penalties. File on time. Ok, this is not exactly a 2019 year-end strategy but a reminder of the importance of filing by April 15, […]
With interest rates trending lower in 2019, many companies are once again looking to offload pension liabilities by offering lump-sum pension payouts to employees and former employees. If you, or someone you know, are being given the option to take a lump-sum pension, it can be one of the most important financial decisions of your […]
As we head towards 2019 year-end, what are the most important financial planning tips and tasks for you to consider to ‘finish well’ and set yourself up for a successful new year? In this series, we’ll tackle areas such as: Investing Cutting taxes Cutting insurance costs Completing an estate plan review INVESTING Grab the match. […]
Everybody knows bank CD’s are safe, right? Not so fast… In today’s financial environment, CD’s face some unexpected risks that you should consider before automatically renewing your CD when it matures. An internet search of current rates from two of our largest banks (Birmingham, AL) for a 1-year CD revealed rates of 0.10% (APR). Investing […]
If you are on Medicare, it is that time of the year again! It is time to review plans to ensure you are on the best plan and making changes could save you thousands of dollars. Deadline for making changes for 2020: Medicare open enrollment begins on October 15th and ends on December 7th. Options […]
There is something very comforting about receiving paychecks. What I’ve observed is that many workers are less concerned with the ups and downs of the stock and bond markets as long as they have the security of a steady paycheck. All of that changes once they retire. No more paycheck and the thought of a […]
My partner, Stewart Welch, wrote an article recently about how retirement can be hazardous to your health, and how people should develop what he calls a “4th Quarter Plan.” For most, developing this plan can be difficult as it is hard even to know where to begin. My team deals with hundreds of client families […]
Policyholders are getting notifications from Genworth and other Long-Term Care providers that their insurance premiums will be increasing by as much as 60%. These are not new policies; these are policies that have been in force for more than a decade. The question is often, “What am I to do?” First, let’s understand what got […]