Do Headlines Cause You to Take Action?
Category: Financial Planning
Takeaways from a smattering of the headlines across a wide range of news sources in 2022 and early 2023.
Hiking Through the Financial Wilderness
Category: Financial Planning
I used to laugh at the TV commercial years ago that stated, “Most people spend more time planning their vacation than their retirement.” It’s funny how your perspective can change with time. Now, I gladly note all details of a personal trip, perhaps as a parallel of my work.
Financial Mechanic’s Toolbox: DIY or Expert Help?
Category: Financial Planning
I’d love to be the person who can tell you why a car squeaks when you drive it and who could fix it. But as time goes by and I haven’t developed those skills, I’m coming to grips with the fact that it probably just isn’t in my wheelhouse. It’s not that I couldn’t learn, it’s that I’d rather focus on and learn about other things. There comes a point with your personal finances when you need to decide what you’ll do and what you’ll pay someone else to do.
What do you need to know about Property & Casualty Insurance?
Category: Financial Planning
Insurance is one of the few things you buy which you never hope to benefit from, because that typically means something bad has happened. I encourage you to take a few minutes to confirm items that could make a massive impact on your financial situation if an accident were to happen.
What is your Legacy?
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
We create a legacy through a long series of intentional choices. Discussing things that are more important than investment returns and account allocations, leaning into the heart of things that really matter and put together a plan to achieve those things.
Prioritize Your Financial Goals
Category: Financial Planning
The best way to accomplish your financial goals is by being intentional with the money that comes in. Identify the priorities you have for your money. You could break those priorities into four categories: Due, Extend, Gift, and Spend.
The Gift of Financial Success
Category: Financial Planning
Time is the greatest money-making asset you can possess. The earlier you start investing, the easier it is to ensure a lifetime of financial success. Parents and grandparents, there may be an opportunity to give the gift of financial success to your young adult family members while also enjoying estate and tax planning benefits for yourselves.
Embrace Uncertainty and Teamwork – Insights from the Men’s College World Series
Category: Financial Planning
Expect uncertainty and embrace the power of teamwork. We counsel clients to focus on the things they can control, like how much they are spending, saving, and investing rather than letting uncertainty shred their peace of mind.
Fantasy Football and Financial Planning: What is your strategy?
Category: Financial Planning
Making good decisions and ultimately avoiding costly mistakes can be life-changing. Note that it does not start and end with picking the best player or hot stock but rather goals and a plan.
Setting the Stage for Financial Health Early In Your Career
Category: Financial Planning
Earning your first paycheck is an undeniably exciting time. But do you know what to do with your pay? With three key steps, you can build good financial habits early.
2022 In Review: What Did We Learn? | Financial Perspectives
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
2022 was one of those years many would like to forget – but before we put it completely in the rear-view mirror, what are the lessons that we can take forward to help us in 2023?
8 Changes from SECURE Act 2.0
Category: Financial Planning
On December 29th, 2022, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act 2.0 was officially signed into law. The act includes 90+ provisions designed to help savers and people in or near retirement. Here are 8 key changes from the act.
How to Plan a Business Exit
Category: Financial Planning
Do I keep or do I sell? Business owners planning an exit should examine this question every 90 days. Here are five stages to building value in a business.
Year-End Opportunities & Cautions | Financial Perspectives
It's that time of year – what's left on your list for 2022? This week, Kent Kramer discusses three possible ways to save on taxes, one possible way to increase the return on your cash, and one cautionary tale as a reminder as we think about investing in 2023.
How to Plan Your Digital Legacy
Category: Financial Planning
Currently, a single solution to preserve or pass on ownership of digital assets doesn’t exist. This is where it becomes important to think about all of your digital assets and develop a plan for each. Here’s how to go about it.
Every Investor’s Real Question: “Am I Going to Be Okay?”
Category: Financial Planning » Behavioral Finance
In my time working with clients, there is one question asked more than any other, “Am I going to be okay?”
Let’s Make 2023 a Year of Savings Inflation
Category: Financial Planning
The rising cost of living recently has led the IRS to raise the 2023 contribution limits for employees with 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan.
Building a Framework for Family and Charitable Gifts
Category: Financial Planning
Recently, a colleague and I sat down with a married couple who is on the cusp of making significant wealth transfer and philanthropic decisions that will impact their family for generations to come. Naturally, their first question was, “Where do we start?”
2022 Year-End Financial Checklist – Have You Reviewed Your Tax Situation?
Category: Financial Planning
Since we are close to flipping the calendar to 2023, this is a great time to sit down and reflect on the past financial year and anticipate what might be ahead.
Financial Risks That Are Not in the News
Stock market risk is the primary focus of the financial news. The reason is simple. The scarier the headline, the more eyes are attracted to it.
Pay Me Now or Pay Me Later | Financial Perspectives (In a Minute)
While this year has had its share of negative financial news, there might be one opportunity to pay some taxes now in order to save some money on taxes later. This week, Kent Kramer walks us through Roth IRA conversions.