As the end of another year approaches, most altruist investors are considering their year-end charitable giving. When focusing on the goal of bestowing a meaningful gift to another person or charity, some careful planning can go a long way to ensure the maximum amount goes to the intended recipient. This planning should take place on […]
How Does a Government Shutdown Affect the Stock Market? Impact and Analysis
Another day, another crisis of leadership in our government. Fears of a looming government shutdown might have you wondering if it’s time to “shut down” your stock investments until this is all fully resolved. Currently, the government is only funded until November 17, 2023, igniting discussions about the financial implications of a shutdown. While the […]
Your Future Income Tax Brackets May Be Higher Than You Assume
Future assumed income tax brackets are a major consideration when making current decisions, such as the decision to convert a traditional retirement plan to a Roth plan and often, the assumptions we make are too low. When making assumptions about your future tax bracket, there are a few factors that often get overlooked. Below are […]
The SECURE ACT 2.0: Three Good features
On December 29th, 2022, the SECURE 2.0 ACT was signed into law. It includes a few provisions that are beneficial for taxpayers. I have outlined three of them here: New IRA Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) Age The act raises the age at which RMDs are required to age 73 (previously 72). For taxpayers who were […]
Recency Bias in Investing
As I watched footage of hurricane Ian wreaking havoc on the Florida coast, my four-year-old daughter asked what was going on. I gave her a brief explanation about what a hurricane is and was sure to include the point that, fortunately, they aren’t something that happens in our area. Later that day, however, when we […]
How to survive a zombie apocalypse
For over a decade, a dramatic television series called “The Walking Dead” has aired on AMC. The show follows an eclectic group of survivors as they navigate the perils of a zombie apocalypse. As time goes on, the ragtag team of unlikely heroes gains more experience in their new reality while their bag of tricks […]
How Inflation Affects Asset Values
In 1980, the inflation rate peaked at 13.5%; higher than it had been in 60 years. The miserable economic conditions of 1980 caused by inflation are lodged into the collective American memory, and we have heard admonitions ever since that excessive money printing would result in the return of hyper- inflation. Those warnings turned out […]
Generational Wealth Transfer Strategies to Minimize Taxes and Fees
Four Simple Gifting Strategies How do you transfer your wealth and property to the next generation before you pass on? While the question may be unappealing to consider, gift and trust planning is a critical part of your long-term financial plan. By planning ahead, you can better direct exactly where your hard-earned wealth ends up […]
Now is the time for a Steady Hand
Like many of you, this week I watched in horror and shock as Russia invaded Ukraine. Years of rhetoric and posturing had made many of us numb to Putin’s antics, and an actual invasion seemed a distant possibility just a few weeks ago. My heart goes out to the Ukrainian and Russian people, who are […]
Updated: What to Know and How to Plan for Washington State’s “LTSS” Trust Act
Article updated on February 7, 2022 On January 27th, Washington State Governor, Jay Inslee, announced a delay in the implementation of the WA Cares Fund payroll tax until July 1, 2023. The delay is the result of concerns brought forward by Washington State lawmakers and the general public over specific components of the law. As […]