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Dear Client, Since we opened our doors in April of 2017, you have embraced our firm and thoughtfully offered us the opportunity to serve your friends, co-workers, and loved ones. We have been amazed by your energetic support for our firm. As I think about all that we…
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The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 – the SECURE Act – passed the House of Representatives earlier this year and was approved by the Senate and signed by President Trump on the days leading up to Christmas. Incorporated into a broader 2020 fiscal year appropriations…
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Parents looking to take advantage of the many benefits of a 529 plan will want to know the full details on which educational expenses qualify for tax-free distribution status — and which do not.1 In Publication 970, the IRS gives detailed guidance on qualified expenses. Here are a few important…
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Since we opened our doors almost three years ago, you have embraced our firm and thoughtfully offered us the opportunity serve your friends, co-workers, and loved ones. The growth of our business is a win for everyone, as it enables us to invest in our client family in ways that…
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As a small business owner confronted with spiraling medical insurance costs, you may well be wondering how you can provide health care benefits for your employees and yourself. Fortunately, the Health Savings Account (HSA), which was created as part of the 2003 Medicare Act, is a relatively affordable—and tax efficient—alternative…
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New Year’s Financial Resolutions For many people, the New Year is a time for personal reflection, a time to consider commitments and resolutions for the coming year. This year, why not resolve to make your finances a priority? With proper planning and appropriate guidance, you can begin to build financial…
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- In Outlook 2020
Hindsight is 20/20, but finding clarity in future uncertainty can be fuzzy. AT LPL RESEARCH, as we look forward to the year 2020 and a new decade, some key trends and market signals will be important to watch, including progress on U.S.-China trade discussions, an encouraging outlook from corporate America,…
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Maybe your charitable donations should stay in your zip code? For many of us, buying locally matters. We’ve all heard the term and seen the signs: Shop Locally. Eat Locally. But let’s extend that thought for a minute: do you consider giving to your local charities? The fact is we…
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529 savings plans are tax-advantaged education savings vehicles and one of the most popular ways to save for college today. They can also be used to save for K-12 tuition. Much like the way 401(k) plans changed the world of retirement savings a few decades ago, 529 savings plans have…
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The Roth 401(k) resembles the Roth IRA in that contributions are made with after-tax dollars and qualified withdrawals can be made tax free. But, as the name implies, it also is subject to many of the rules affecting traditional 401(k) plans. If your employer offers a Roth 401(k), there are…
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The odds of winning the lottery are astronomically long. Yet, the allure of pocketing hundreds of millions of dollars can tempt even the staunchest penny pincher. While there’s no harm in playing your lucky numbers every now and again, coming down with a serious case of lottery fever can prove…
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Bonds may not be as glamorous as stocks or commodities, but they are a significant component of most investment portfolios. Bonds are traded in huge volumes every day, but their full usefulness is often underappreciated and underestimated. Why invest in bonds? Bonds can help diversify your investment portfolio. Interest payments…
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As just about every investor knows, it’s not what your investments earn, but what they earn after taxes that counts. After factoring in federal income and capital gains taxes, the alternative minimum tax, and any applicable state and local taxes, your investments’ returns in any given year may be reduced…
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If you are age 70½ or older and charitably minded, you may wish to consider tapping your individual retirement account (IRA). The qualified charitable distribution (QCD), also known as an IRA charitable rollover, allows you to donate up to $100,000 per year to qualified charities. A QCD can be made…
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Growth and value are two fundamental approaches in stock and stock mutual fund investing. Growth stock mutual fund managers look for companies that they believe offer strong earnings growth potential. Value fund managers look for stocks that appear undervalued by the marketplace. Some managers combine the two approaches.1 Growth and…
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A business will is far more than a legal document designed to transfer assets upon the death of an owner or partner. It is a comprehensive estate planning tool that can include everything from management plans, and other documents necessary for a company’s continued operation and future health, to shareholder…
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Asset allocation is a common strategy that you can use to construct an investment portfolio. Asset allocation isn’t about picking individual securities. Instead, you focus on broad categories of investments, mixing them together in the right proportion to match your financial goals, the amount of time you have to invest,…
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Diversification is a basic concept that’s critical to building a portfolio able to withstand the test of time. It is the process of spreading your money among a variety of securities to reduce exposure to any one investment or asset class. The premise behind diversification is easy to grasp: When…
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Protect Your Personal Information Don’t carry your social security card. The key to identity theft is your social security number. Don’t provide your social security number to anyone unless there is a legitimate reason, which includes occasions when you are: applying for employment; opening a financial account; getting a credit…
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Every year, millions of Americans celebrate the holidays with traditions such as throwing parties and buying gifts for family and friends. Unfortunately, many also participate in a tradition that lands them in debt — spending more than they can afford. This year, break the buy-now, worry-later habit by creating —…
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There is a good possibility that you or your spouse will eventually require some form of long-term care (LTC). According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, at least 70% of people aged 65 or older will require some form of long-term care services and support during their lives.1…
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Dear Valued Investor: The Dog Days of Summer were on full display this past month, as a variety of concerns pushed stocks and bond yields lower. After reaching new record highs in late July, the S&P 500 Index dropped approximately 1.8% in August as trade concerns pressured investor sentiment around…
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If you’re a small business owner, you’ve invested a great deal of time and effort into building your company. With day-to-day demands, it may be difficult to imagine your eventual transition into retirement. Yet, if you want to build personal financial security and ensure business continuation, it is important to…
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Tax planning can be more advantageous when done during the year and well in advance of year’s end. Opportunities may exist for you to minimize tax liability, which could leave more income for you and/or your family. Generally, people put off tax planning because paying income taxes is an obligation.…
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There are no great secrets where tax planning and tax cutting are concerned. The principles around which all tax-cutting strategies revolve can be reduced to six basics: Income splitting. Taxes are reduced for the total family unit by shifting income among several family members or legal entities in order to…
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