Update, with the Patriots' win yesterday the indicator says the markets should have a down year in 2019. As I mention below, the indicator has been wrong for three years running, as investors let's hope for a fourth year. It’s Super Bowl time and … [Continue reading]
Will my Social Security be Taxed?
January 28, 2019 by 2 Comments
Contrary to what some politicians might say, your Social Security benefits are not an entitlement. You’ve paid Social Security taxes over the course of your working life and you’ve earned these benefits. Many retirees and others collecting Social … [Continue reading]
Why Should I Care if My Financial Advisor is a Fiduciary?
January 7, 2019 by 15 Comments
The Department of Labor released its final draft of their fiduciary rules mandating that financial advisors place their client's best interests first when offering advice on their retirement accounts in 2016. Here is a post I wrote just before the … [Continue reading]
My Top 10 Most Read Posts of 2018
January 1, 2019 by Leave a Comment
I hope that 2018 was a good year for you and your families and that you’ve had a wonderful holiday season. For us it was great to have our three adult children home and to be able to spend time together as a family. We all ate way too much good … [Continue reading]
Retirement Plan Contribution Rates and Limits – 2019
December 30, 2018 by Leave a Comment
With the new year upon us, it’s a good time to be sure you understand the contribution rates and limits for various retirement plan options, so you can contribute as much as possible. As you look at your financial planning for 2019, you will want to … [Continue reading]
Charitable Giving and Tax Reform
December 14, 2018 by 2 Comments
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in December of 2017 marks the biggest overhaul in the tax code in many years. One area that will be impacted under tax reform is charitable giving. While charitable contributions remain eligible as an itemized … [Continue reading]
Small Business Retirement Plans – SEP-IRA vs. Solo 401(k)
December 6, 2018 by 41 Comments
One of the best tax deductions for a small business owner is funding a retirement plan. Beyond any tax deduction you are saving for your own retirement. As a fellow small business person, I know how hard you work. You deserve a comfortable … [Continue reading]
4 Things To Do When The Stock Market Drops
December 4, 2018 by 10 Comments
Today the stock market took another hit. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 799 points or about 3.1%. The S&P 500 lost over 3.2%. An inverted yield curve, often a precursor to a recession, continued concerns about a trade war with China … [Continue reading]
Health Savings Accounts – The Other Retirement Plan
October 21, 2018 by 14 Comments
Saving for retirement is a major undertaking for most of us. Increasing healthcare costs and longer life expectancies make the hill a bit steeper to climb each year. Health savings accounts (HSA) provide another vehicle to save for … [Continue reading]
6 Investment Expenses You Need to Understand
October 1, 2018 by 5 Comments
Investment expenses reduce your investment returns. While nobody should expect investment managers, financial advisors or other service providers to offer their services for free, investors should understand all costs and fees involved and work to … [Continue reading]
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