Estate planning is the proactive process of arranging your financial affairs to ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes. It's not just for the wealthy; everyone can benefit from a well-thought-out estate plan. It allows us to protect our loved ones, provide for future generations, and maintain control over our assets, especially in times of transition.
This year, I want to talk about tax planning. Tax laws change all the time and tax planning can be a crucial aspect of optimizing your financial strategy. As tax laws evolve and personal situations change, staying ahead of the game can lead to significant savings. In this post, we'll explore tax planning tips to help you navigate the year ahead with confidence.
In Charles Dickens's timeless classic, "A Christmas Carol," Ebenezer Scrooge transforms from a miserly old man to a generous and empathetic soul. Along the way, he encounters the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come, who reveal important lessons about life and, surprisingly, financial planning. Join us on a journey through Scrooge's experiences to learn valuable financial lessons regarding the past, present, and future.
Did you know that the way you grew up impacted your relationship with money? Everyone has subconscious beliefs regarding it and most of them stem from childhood. Personal experiences and family values also impact our understanding of money, often in ways we don’t even realize. Whether you’re a financial aficionado or barely aware of what you have in your checking account, understanding your money script can be a game-changer.
There are only 24 hours of separation between the last day of the year and the first day of the new year. Nevertheless, choosing the official calendar date of your retirement to be in one calendar year over another is not a trivial decision. The date you choose for retirement may mess with your retirement money, may cost you more (or less) in taxes, and might cause you to lose bonuses or benefits. Before you make a bad decision, here are some tips to help you figure it out.
The holiday season is a time of joy and headaches, celebration, fatigue, and togetherness mixed with a few knock-down drag-out fights. On top of the emotional rollercoaster ride can come a big wallop of financial stress. From buying gifts to hosting parties and traveling to see loved ones, plus filling up a cabinet with booze, expenses can quickly add up, leaving many overwhelmed.
Herd mentality doesn’t just apply to politics. It can seep into various aspects of our lives, including investing. But why do we succumb to it? Herd behavior involves individuals mimicking the actions of a larger group. In the world of investing, this behavior often stems from a desire for safety and the belief that collective decision-making reduces the risk of making an incorrect choice.
Thanksgiving is a holiday for spending time with loved ones, being grateful, and perhaps enjoying a bit of overindulgence. There are many financial lessons to be had in planning, preparing, and celebrating this annual feast.1 Here are four Thanksgiving lessons that might help your household's financial plan year-round.
Financial enmeshment bias occurs when the finances of parents and children are inappropriately commingled. This tends to happen most often with adult children. As parents, our natural inclination is to help our kids, but it’s crucial to understand the fine line between lending a hand and enabling dependency. I’ve been thinking about this more and more as my girls get older. Especially with Ella being so close to getting her driver’s license. If she can drive, how much should she pay for things like gas, insurance, and car payments and how much should I pay? I want her to learn to become independent, but I also want to help her because she works hard at school and cheer and doesn’t have a ton of free time to work a lot of hours.
Businesses generally are illiquid, which can create problems if a business owner requires care in a long-term care facility. LTC is ongoing care in a care facility, nursing home, or at home for those unable to perform a certain number of activities of daily living (ADL) without assistance. ADLs include eating, bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring in and out of bed, continence, or when physical, mental, or cognitive function is impaired or a doctor has ordered specific care.
