Throwback

Learn about how to budget for emergencies through Megan’s story of getting punched in the face.

This 2008 article has wisdom for our current downturn, “As a response to the recent market correction, you can enrich your life in three healthy ways: Cut back your spending, increase your savings, and give more generously to charities of your choice.”

The average worker will have a dozen employers and work at each job for less than four years. Your career is now your responsibility, and so is your retirement plan. Allow this 2010 article to be your lifetime Human Resources Department guide to being financially prepared.

This 2008 article reminds us that anyone who spends more than 4% of their rebate will actually lose ground saving toward their retirement.

The 25 lines are so simplified, they end up being difficult to follow what exactly they do. So, for those of you who are curious, here’s what they do.

Form ADJ of the 760 lines 8a – 8c are where you report miscellaneous deductions.

Don’t let stress about tax filing requirements keep you or your child from a powerful opportunity to provide for their future.

In retrospect, it is clear that it was a good time to rebalance your portfolio, selling some of the bonds that you were so glad you had and buying more of the very stocks you were so worried about.

This 2001 post from George Marotta reminds us that “If prices are determined by the market place, there is never a ‘shortage’ of anything. There is an excess of demand because energy prices are too low.”

The given numbers on a 1099-R are insufficient to be able to fill out your tax return correctly. Knowledge of what was actually done is required in order to file your taxes accurately.

This 2020 article is for tax preparers of the world. If you did a backdoor Roth this year, send it to yours.

Following this guide, you should be able to easily download any account documents you want.

Financial planning can be romantic. As this 2011 article reminds us, “nothing is more romantic than planning how to realize your shared hopes and dreams for the future.”

As of 2021, here is an overview of how the states and jurisdictions handle interest on certain U.S. government obligations.

Our first article posted online is a wonder to behold. This 1998 beauty is written by George Marotta, founder of Marotta Money Management. In the article, he reminds us that, “Anyone of us could design a better system, but 500 congress people cannot resist the pressure groups who want to twist the code to benefit their particular constituencies.” Decades old, this post still rings true today.

Perhaps one day Schwab will write their own tutorials, but until then, I’m glad we can help so many people.

Fidelity is now our primary recommendation for an HSA custodian, so we’ve started a series on how to accomplish tasks at Fidelity.

If you want to take our word for it, you can schedule your monthly RMD for the 8th. If you are curious as to the calendar math that suggests this date, read on.

A 2007 article that stands the test of time. This is the year you should keep your financial resolutions. Getting help from an objective advisor can provide both a powerful catalyst for action and real peace of mind.

Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol is one of the best stories for talking about economics. This 2003 – 2012 series uses the classic tale to illustrate different financial personalities, principles, and philosophies.

This 2011 article reminds us that there will never be another you in the history of the universe. Sometimes that is just the reminder we need.

Hopefully, some of these ideas inspire you to reuse various treasures you didn’t know you had.

The worst financial problems stem from trying to live a champagne and caviar lifestyle on a beer and chips budget.

As the season of holiday shopping approaches, this 2018 article reminds us, “Before you throw your money at various companies, squirrel some savings away for your future self.”

As advertisers have found it harder and harder to reach consumers, they are continually seeking ways to gain your attention.

Be sure to remember to tell your tax preparer that you did a QCD.

If you have recently lost your health insurance or recently signed up for a new one, you may want to watch out for these rules.

When you get out of the markets, you have made a huge gamble with your retirement money, and now the stakes are high.

Don’t let your political emotions cause you to be fearful about the economy. Those misplaced fears may impoverish your financial well-being.

If you ever wondered how the stock market works, this 2006 article is for you. It is both the personal story of David Marotta’s maternal grandfather, Donald Mortlock, and an explanation of how the market of the stock market is made.

This 2006 article shares the personal story of David Marotta’s maternal grandmother who lived to age 99 1/2.

“Parental Reminder #42” reminds us that goodness is something bigger than we can articulate but, even though we cannot express it fully, it is very important.

In this video, David used examples from our tax planning service to demonstrate what a Roth conversion plan might look like and how systematic Roth conversions can create a higher after-tax net worth in the future.

It is always a good time to be reminded that an immediate fixed annuity is not an investment; it is an insurance product. This 2015 article by David John Marotta is a methodical unraveling of annuities and a description of the far superior alternatives.

Using the analogy of a peach orchard farmer compared to a doomsday weather watcher, David Marotta reminds us in this 2004 article that “For the speculator, speed is everything. Not so, for the investor.”

An overwhelming number of failed marriages cite financial troubles as a major factor in their breakup. See if this 2006 article can help make finances a place of union rather than separation.

Tax planning is very different than tax return preparation. The goal of tax preparation is to minimize your tax owed this year. The goal of tax planning is to maximize your after-tax net worth by minimizing your taxes owed over your lifetime.

Unfortunately, neither “yes” nor “no” is a correct answer to this question.

Three generations explain this family saying which teaches one method of mitigating risk.

Yes, but housing is one of many expenses that are subject to a reimbursement limit. Here’s how to do it.

For domestic tasks like babysitting there are often two options: independent contractor or household employee. Taking the time to educate yourself on the difference may be worth your while.

Punishing people for inflation is neither fair nor good economic policy.

With a thorough understanding of the IRS rules, performing a Roth Conversion even after your so-called Required Beginning Date (RBD) can be both easy and profitable. This 2016 article teaches how.

Everyone needs some fun in their life, and sometimes fun costs a little money. This 2004 article shares six guidelines for dealing with purchases that might be considered frivolous.

This post reminds us that there are at least four reasons to rebalance where the benefit can be demonstrated or measured.

For most families, the largest purchase they make will be their house. This 2011 post reminds us that the house you and your family live in is not an investment, but real estate can be.

This 2017 article reminds us that there is not one best Roth conversion plan that you can apply to everyone.

Each spouse has different spending habits and values different things in life. It’s okay for your budget to reflect that.

Whenever the IRS challenges you, the burden of producing evidence that your claims are true rests entirely with you.

The selection of what products we purchase or avoid for clients is based solely on what we believe gives our clients the best chance to meet their goals.