Have you ever run a marathon? Every year, around 1.1 million people run a marathon; inevitably, spectators and even some runners ask why people choose to run a grueling 26.2 miles. 11-time-marathon-runner and State University of New York at New Paltz psychology professor Glenn Geher says that though the reasons for racing are different for […]
As a child, I was given the opportunity to work on a friend’s family farm and learn a couple of important lessons about money. On my first day on the job, my childhood best friend (Peter) and I were hired at his family farm in Stanchfield, MN, to bale hay for a whopping $4.25 / […]
Recent headlines have some people worried about the dominance of the U.S. dollar and where the U.S. dollar stands as a reserve currency. A variety of economic factors can contribute to depreciating the U.S. dollar. These include monetary policy, rising prices or inflation, demand for currency, economic growth, and export prices. Since one of our […]
2022 was a year of inflation, stock market volatility, and rising interest rates. Rising costs have prompted IRS updates, which could affect investors’ retirement savings and taxes. Recent legislation may present further options for you in the new year. Here are five key tax changes you should know about for 2023. #1: Higher contribution limits […]
Roth conversions are strategies investors can use to help minimize their future tax bill and give them more potential control over their tax bracket. Click here to learn more about Roth conversions. Lower-income years tied to a job loss, income reduction, significant income tax deductions, high levels of depreciation, business losses, or charitable giving could […]
Will you need to do any last-minute shopping this holiday season? I do! If you need last-minute tax strategies, we have those for you. Below are five last-minute strategies that could reduce your 2022 tax bill; these are ideas that could reduce your tax bill or increase your tax return. DISCLAIMER – Before you read […]
A Roth IRA conversion typically involves transferring retirement funds from a traditional-type IRA, a 401(k) or 403(b), into a Roth account. This strategy can make sense and potentially save you money in taxes if you believe you will be in a higher tax bracket in the future. As the account holder, you pay taxes on […]
Differences in Required Minimum Distributions In my last post, I introduced you to the required minimum distribution (RMD) requirements Uncle Sam places on your tax-deferred retirement accounts (i.e. 401(k), 403(b), Traditional IRA, etc.). Basically, at age 72 1/2, Uncle Sam says, “pay me.” He wants to get paid and starts forcing you to take money […]
I run into many people who wonder how much cash they should have in the bank. It’s not uncommon to work with good savers and high-net-worth clients who discover they have about 2-3X more than they need in the bank! Many people don’t realize that holding too much cash in the bank (i.e., checking, savings, […]
Since the beginning of 2022, the markets have been experiencing volatility over concerns about rising inflation and interest rates. The S&P 500 appears close to a bear market, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average recently hit a 52-week low. Looking at retirement or investment statements in a down market can feel frustrating for many people. […]