Ed Slott’s 10 Questions to Ask Your Financial Advisor
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I think the intent of this list is to make advisors feel under-prepared and thus more likely to sign up for one of the paid newsletters Ed Slott provides. Regardless, here are my answers.

2024 Market Outlook for Global Stock
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We agree with Kleintop’s assessment that valuations suggest that international equities are poised for more gains.

CFP Board Cannot Be Expected To Discriminate Based on Fee-Only
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The CFP Board is compensation neutral, but it is only because of how they are paid.

#TBT How to Change a 529 Plan Account Owner
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When a 529 plan is set up, there are two important people associated with the account. The first is the account owner. The second is the beneficiary. Both can be changed.

#TBT Open a Roth IRA Today or Regret It Later
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Roth IRAs have one weakness, but the remedy is to have opened and funded your Roth more than 5 years ago. So do it today!

Biden Sets Aim on Specific Taxpayers
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Biden’s state of the union address makes clear who he wants to tax.

#TBT How to Pay Off Student Loans While Building Wealth
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With many of us saddled in student loan debt well into our late thirties, our retirement cannot wait for us to be debt free. This 2016 rewrite of a 2007 article teaches you how to get started with savings while repaying your loans.

Less Economic Growth & More Taxes Without Congressional Action
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Alas, there is only one thing we can do to help dictate which kind of tax system we face and that is vote.

Marotta’s Gone-Fishing Portfolio: Review of 2023 Returns
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Last year, our 2023 Marotta’s Gone-Fishing Portfolio was a recommendation of 12 stock investments. This article is to report on the 2023 performance of those twelve stocks.

College Saving Strategies: One-Time Gift or Monthly Contribution?
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Once you have calculated the funding requirements for your college savings goals, there are three strategies for funding the accounts.

Inherited RMD Update: IRS Waives 2024 Penalties and Delays to 2025
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Taxpayers waiting for final guidance, have seen penalties waived for 2021 or 2022 RMDs, for 2023 RMDs, and now for 2024 RMDs.

Freedom Investing in Review (March 2024)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending March 31, 2024, Developed Freedom Investing had a -5.8% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +3.83% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -2.89% disadvantage.

Implement a Savings Waterfall for 2024
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With a savings waterfall, you immediately know which buckets to fill when there is excess and which should remain dry if there isn’t enough for all your goals.

#TBT Can a 529 Reimburse for Last Year’s Expenses?
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This article offers an overview of what we know about 529 reimbursement timing.

#TBT States with Tax-Exempt Interest from U.S. Debt Obligations
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As of 2021, here is an overview of how the states and jurisdictions handle interest on certain U.S. government obligations.

#TBT How to Keep Your Identity Safe Online
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This 2015 article has five rules for safely handling your digital security which you can’t afford not to implement.

In Roth Conversions, Reducing Political Risk May Be One of the Benefits
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Converting early can avoid your exposure to tax changes going forward as a Roth IRA is never taxed again.

2024 Index of Economic Freedom Update
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Last year, eleven countries made our cut-off. This year, twelve do.

Updates to Our Emerging Markets Strategy (March 2024)
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Because of Mexico’s current valuation, we believe that it has the possibility to perform well regardless of how this potential conflict resolves.

#TBT The Benefits of Free Trade Agreements
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Regardless of which way the balance of trade says the surplus falls, we and our trading allies benefit from the exchange.

#TBT The Delirious Happiness of Free Market Choice
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This 2015 article details one of the most brilliant breakthroughs in all of food science and how it relates to almost every aspect of life.

In Roth Conversions, Reducing Your Taxable Income is One of the Benefits
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Roth conversions can decrease your taxable income and increase your tax savings over the long haul.

A Closer Look at Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT)
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The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) is a Medicare contribution tax on investment income.

#TBT Three Reasons To Engage In Gift Giving
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The holiday cliché is to complain about hyper-materialism, but according to anthropologists, gifts and gift giving help shape our identities.

Freedom Investing in Review (December 2023)
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This quarter, we saw that in 1-year returns ending December 31, 2023, Developed Freedom Investing had a -3.97% disadvantage, Emerging Market Freedom Investing had a +4.9% advantage, and Overall Freedom Investing had a -1.27% disadvantage.

The Complete Guide to IRA Contributions and Withdrawals
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Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) are one of the most important account types, and understanding the difference between Roth and traditional contributions and withdrawals is foundational to tax planning.

#TBT Diversify and Rebalance More Than Just Your Investments
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Life is volatile, risky, and on average rewarding. Diversification and rebalancing help to protect yourself from the volatility.

Q&A: What Happens to an Inherited IRA RMD After a Multi-Beneficiary Trust Dissolution?
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While not the most favorable RMD rules imaginable, I’m sure it is still a relief to know that you don’t need to navigate the new SECURE Act rules just because you dissolved the trust.

Investment News You Maybe Missed (2022 Bear Market)
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Hopefully, you didn’t bother looking, and I can be the first to tell you.

IRS Guidance on Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Account (PLESA)
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What procedure can you put in place to prevent employer match churning? That is still unclear.

#BestOf2023 How to Use Form SSA-44 To Save Money
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If the form is accepted, the Social Security Administration will generally not only change your current IRMAA, but they will also use your Projected MAGI for the next several years. Here’s why.

Today Was An Intraday Recovery (January 2024)
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While we still cannot call the end of the Bear Market from this performance, today’s returns strongly suggest that 15 months ago, October 12, 2022 was the end of this bear market.

#BestOf2023 At 65, Does the 5-Year Roth Rule Matter?
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For those over age 59 1/2, you would need to withdraw all funds attributable to basis before your withdrawal would be sourced from Roth IRA earnings and the age of your Roth IRA would matter for taxation.

Account Funding Priorities for 2024
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A savings waterfall helps investors navigate the financial complexity available to them.

How to Correct Excess Backdoor Roth Contributions
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While an excess or failed backdoor Roth can feel very stressful to solve, it is a normal and quick fix for your qualified financial custodian.

#BestOf2023 Changes to RMDs for Those Born in 1951 or Later
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Later required beginning dates are generally advantageous to seniors, although the complexity surrounding RMD rules is nothing to celebrate.

Tax Savings Opportunity for Charlottesville City Seniors This February
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Seniors over age 65 may receive relief on their real estate taxes limited by AGI but regardless of net worth.

New IRS Notice Moves SECURE 2.0 Act Implementation Closer
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The IRS authors make clear that the purpose of the notice is to “provide guidance on discreet issues to assist in commencing implementation of these provisions” not to provide comprehensive guidance.

#TBT High Wages Limit Catch-Up Options to Only Roth in 2026
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The Internal Revenue Service announced an administrative transition period that extends until 2026 the new requirement that any catch-up contributions made by higher‑income participants in 401(k) and similar retirement plans must be designated as after-tax Roth contributions.

#TBT The Happy Habits of Appreciation and Gratitude
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This 2016 article reminds us that “there is a very simple place to start the process of changing our destiny: Each day notice the things that make you happy and try experiencing more of them.”

Dwindling Savings Highlights Need for Tax Reforms
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The Tax Foundation recently published the article “Dwindling Savings and Increasing Financial Stress Highlights Need for Tax Reforms” suggesting that tax reform could improve the current state of American personal finances.

In Roth Conversions, Reducing Your RMD is One of the Benefits
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Required minimum distributions are taxed as taxable income, the same as other types of traditional IRA withdrawals and Roth conversions.

Pension-Linked Emergency Savings Account (ESA) Available in 2024 (Secure 2.0)
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While the initial details sound promising, the downsides are many.

Don’t Increase Your Bond Allocation In Bear Markets
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There is an artistry to a bond allocation, and while the historical analysis can only be suggestive, they do tell a strong narrative.

#TBT The Economics of a Thanksgiving Turkey
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This article should give you something fun to discuss this year.

Today, We Celebrate Saving Tuesday
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Saving Tuesday is the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. It is a day to squirrel some savings away for your future self.

How to Uncap Your 529 Plan Virginia State Tax Deduction
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You can have an effectively uncapped state tax deduction if you have a high tolerance for paperwork.

#TBT Six Reasons to Sell for a Loss
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Here are six reasons you may want to sell for a loss.

#TBT How Can We Make Medical Insurance Affordable?
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We have written on the topic of healthcare reform multiple times, including our 2014 economics of healthcare series which culminates in this article.

2024 Contribution Limits
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Twelve-month inflation for all items ending in September 2023 has been 4.1%, so the 2024 contribution limits increased significantly but less than last year.

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