The Affordable Care Act (also known as “Obamacare”) was signed into law in 2010, but many of the provisions do not commence until 2013 and beyond. So, what does that mean for you? In this article, we will explore the new health insurance mandate and specifically, how it may impact your income taxes.
Managing Taxes During Retirement: An Ongoing Concern
When taking withdrawals from your investment portfolio during retirement, making tax-efficient decisions can save you thousands. Find out how…
Retirement Planning and the Cost of Long Term Care
When planning for retirement, it is important to consider the possibility of an extended need for long term care. Can your assets withstand the cost of long term care? Under what circumstances should long term care insurance be considered?
What are the benefits of tax planning?
This video discusses several important reasons why tax planning is such an integral component of the financial planning process.
Be Proactive When Helping Aging Parents with Their Finances
Let’s face it, in today’s world, managing your personal financial affairs can be complex. There are many decisions that need to be made on a weekly or even daily basis. For a large and growing segment of the population, who are trying to help (often unwilling) aging parents with their finances, this can be incredibly frustrating, stressful and burdensome.
Education Saving: Know Your Options
With nationwide college costs continuing to rise, it has never been more important for parents to develop a savings strategy to help cover these costs.
Highlights of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012
For the last several weeks, the media spent a great deal of time covering the fiscal cliff and the upcoming changes in the tax code. At the eleventh hour, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that seeks to solve some of the tax questions that have been hanging over our heads for the last several months.
Seven Essential Elements of a Sound Estate Plan
An adequately planned and properly executed estate plan can ensure that your assets will pass directly to your intended heirs with the least amount of cost and hassle. Here are seven essential elements when establishing a sound estate plan:
2013 Contribution Limits for IRAs, 401(k) Plans and Other Retirement Plans
Contribution limits to IRAs and other employer-sponsored retirement plans have changed for 2013. Here are the most recent deferral limitations:
Chip Hymiller Interviewed by N&O About Fiscal Cliff
The News & Observer recently interviewed Chip Hymiller, CFP® to ask his opinion about the Fiscal Cliff and what it could mean for investors. Click here to read his response.
Confidently Confronting Uncertainty
Do you want to take control of your finances? If so, find out what you need to do now to begin making progress toward your financial goals.
Retirement Plans for Small Business Owners
Small business owners have a number of alternatives to choose from when it comes to establishing retirement plans for their business. Each plan type can vary in their contribution level and matching requirements, as well as their ongoing regulatory and administrative burden.
Economic Indicators – What do they tell us?
As investment advisers it is important to have an understanding of the economy and its direction. Here are descriptions of several common economic indicators and what they can tell us about the economy.
Which Portfolio Accounting Method is Best?
How do you track the cost basis on investments held in your taxable portfolio? What portfolio accounting method does your broker, custodian or advisor report to you or your CPA? This is a decision that, for some investors, can save thousands of dollars in taxes and ultimately make a significant difference in a portfolio’s after-tax rate of return.
Mutual Fund Share Classes Defined
Many investors are confused by the myriad of choices when it comes to mutual fund “share classes.” This article explains key differences in the various mutual fund shares classes.
Is Your Financial Advisor a Butcher or Dietician?
This whiteboard sketch video from HighTower Advisors is a great video that beautifully illustrates the difference between fiduciary advisors and brokers.
The Importance of Beneficiary Designations
When we begin new client engagements, one of the first things we review is whom our clients have chosen as their primary and contingent beneficiaries on life insurance policies, qualified plans and IRAs. There have been many occasions that we discover a serious mistake or oversight during this process.
Should You Payoff Your Mortgage?
One of the major goals that most people have is to, at some point, be debt free. This is a goal that we (Chip and Erin) strive for in our personal lives and we highly encourage our clients to prudently consider as well. In fact, research has consistently shown that people with manageable debt levels tend to be happier than …
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts vs. 529 Plans
Parents have many different options when it comes to saving for their children’s educations. There are UTMAs, savings bonds, Roth IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings accounts and 529 Plans, just to name a few. Each person’s savings strategy is different depending on how the money will be used, the income of the parents, the future cost of the education and the …
Financial Planning for Children with Special Needs
Parents with special needs children can face a unique set of financial challenges. However, like all financial challenges, it is important to take measures early to financially prepare for the future. Here are a number of financial planning ideas and considerations for those parents who have special needs children: