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.
The addition of stable investments can help dampen the risk and increase the chances of meeting your spending goals.
The IRS very clearly says, “Yes, you can set up a SEP for your self-employed business even if you participate in your employer’s retirement plan at a second job.”
I have enjoyed rereading the journal of my maternal grandfather, Donald Mortlock. He started writing it on his 75th birthday.
Rebalancing from stocks into bonds reduces your returns on average since bonds have a lower average return. But, as this 2015 article reminds us, there are decades of very choppy markets where even rebalancing an allocation of stocks and bonds can boost returns.
It is possible to be prepared for financial emergencies by living 10% more frugally and saving for the inevitable eventuality.
This 2007 post offers us a bit of timeless advice. Funding a Health Savings Account can be as much about your present medical bills as it is about your end of life care.
Questions regarding spending are often best solved by determining the safe withdrawal rate.
93 years ago there was only one mutual fund. Today, there are thousands. This 2003 article tells the story of how this staple of the financial services world got its start.
Even the most brilliantly crafted investment plan has to be given time to work.
There are at least four different capital gains tax rates. This 2017 article has how to minimize your tax owed at each one.
Only recently has Main Street been so fully invested. This 2007 article chronicles how it all got started.
The capital gains tax is economically senseless. This 2014 post has fourteen of the loopholes the government’s gain tax unintentionally incentivizes.
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.”
Did you know David wrote a Christmas novel? This 2020 book by David John Marotta and Brendon Marotta makes you rethink what is happening in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
This 2008 article is an uplifting, timeless sermon.
Starting in 2025, this amendment permits those between the ages of 60 and 63 (as measured on December 31) to contribute up to 150% of the catch-up amount rather than the usual 100%.
In “A Christmas Carol,” Ebenezer Scrooge calls Christmas a “humbug” because of the foolish way people celebrate it. This 2008 article reminds us that it is sometimes wise to simplify Christmas.
This article should give you something fun to discuss this year.
The IRS is clear, “If both spouses are 55 or older and not enrolled in Medicare, each spouse’s contribution limit is increased by the additional contribution. Each spouse must make the additional contribution to his or her own HSA.”
You deserve an advisor who will help you with these five and more.
Don’t let your political emotions impoverish your financial well-being.
Wealth management is in your control and there are actions you can take regardless of who wins today.
There is an artistry to a bond allocation, and while historical analysis can only be suggestive, it does tell a strong narrative.
This 2017 article reminds us, “Stock market returns have little to do with which party holds the White House.”
Voting early is as easy as voting in-person. You can vote whenever is convenient for you including right now.
On a smart phone, you can prevent the phone from ringing unless the person calling you is listed in your phone.
A short quote from this 2004 inspiration, “Time is so much more than money. If you have time, you can acquire more money. But money can’t buy you more time. Time is a great equalizer. You can’t go into time debt. Every day the rich and the poor alike are given twenty-four hours to spend.”
This 2015 article reminds us of the benefits of umbrella insurance. We recommend $2 to $5 million of umbrella coverage for typical families with assets over $300,000.
This 2014 article is a good reminder of how interest rates work in our country.
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.
While the appreciation allocation helps you achieve your financial goals, introducing a stability allocation into your portfolio can prevent your portfolio from running out of money.
Here are three lies you must stop telling yourself in order to build a solid financial foundation.
If you are close to either side of 60, this 2020 article will outline the ideal scenario to help you make your own financial assessment.