Plain-language articles on investing, taxes, retirement income, market context, and planning updates from our CFP® team.
The wisdom in choosing Patience Over Prowess Every market cycle seems to produce a handful of companies that capture the imagination of the public. Today, those names are hard to miss: SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic — three of the most anticipated mega-IPOs in market history. These aren’t merely businesses. They are reshaping industries, redefining technology, […]
For years, one of the most common questions clients asked me was: “Will Social Security even be there for me?” My answer was usually some variation of: “The actuarial fixes themselves are relatively straightforward. The challenge is deciding who absorbs the cost politically.” That answer is starting to evolve. Not because I believe Social Security […]
I vividly remember a question a prospective client asked me back in the day. It was 1984, and I was just beginning my career as a financial planner. He asked, “So, how does it feel to be replaced by the internet?” That not-so-subtle dig has not aged well. Far from replacing advisors, the internet has […]
Picture this: Society has collapsed. The US financial system, once the envy of the world, has crumbled, and global markets are in chaos. The dollar is worthless; food is scarce, and finding fresh water and safe shelter are your most urgent priorities. You have banded together with family and friends in an attempt to survive […]
Washington lawmakers have passed a series of tax increases to address projected budget shortfalls. Bills passed and taxes include: House Bill 2081 increases B&O (business and operation) taxes on businesses. Businesses pay B&O tax on gross revenue, not profits, and depending on the type of business and revenue, the increases will range from 0.03% to […]
The sweeping tariff announcements by the Trump administration have pushed markets into a rapid selloff and added fuel to what was simmering volatility. At Financial Plan, we don’t pretend to know what the final resolution will be or where it will take us. However, we strongly believe that humans will continue to work through our […]
Time flies when you are charitably inclined! In 2013 I wrote the article “Should You be Making Charitable Contributions From Your IRA?” highlighting the benefits of utilizing QCDs. Since that time, we have processed thousands of QCDs for clients, helping them optimize their charitable giving while controlling tax and Medicare IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) […]
In addition to hourly wages or salary, employers often incentivize their employees with compensation in the form of company stock. Company stock can be awarded to employees without restriction or can be awarded through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or purchased through an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). These plans can have various goals; […]
As every business owner knows, the day will come when it’s time to step away. Whether prompted by retirement, a desire for a new venture, or unforeseen circumstances, a well-thought-out business exit plan is essential for making the transition as smooth as possible. Furthermore, this transition will likely come with a significant boost in financial […]
Anyone old enough to have been paying attention to the economy in the early 1980s remembers the Fed Chairman Paul Volcker and his iconic cigar, and what came to be known as the “Volcker Shock”. To combat increasing inflation throughout the 1970s, Volcker began to raise the discount rate when he assumed office in 1979, […]
