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 […]
Out of the Mouths of Babes
A few weeks ago, I was invited to teach an introduction to personal finance class to a group of local 8th graders. Two of the concepts we covered were compounding and why you need to have a real return (return above inflation). During the class, we reviewed charts of investment returns since 1926 and the […]
Just When You Thought You Were Out of Debt
American households are drowning in consumer debt, with the Federal Reserve Bank reporting a new record of over $1.13 Trillion in Credit Card debt in 2024.[1] Total consumer debt, including the largest category, mortgage debt, is also standing at an all-time high of $17.5 Trillion.[2] In our new high interest rate environment, the interest payments […]
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 […]
In a Most Delightful Way Series: Part 8
Our Spring blog series includes excerpts and basic financial lessons from the book In A Most Delightful Way, by our founder and CEO, James Twining, CFP®. The book aims to explore and simplify concepts based on the author’s own recollection of his early life and storied career path. The formula includes a story or anecdote […]
In a Most Delightful Way Blog Series: Part 4
Our Spring blog series includes excerpts and basic financial lessons from the book In A Most Delightful Way, by our founder and CEO, James Twining, CFP®. The book aims to explore and simplify concepts based on the author’s own recollection of his early life and storied career path. The formula includes a story or anecdote […]
The SECURE Act: Summary and Implications for Retirement Savers
The final weeks of 2019 brought a relatively large piece of retirement legislation into law known as the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” or SECURE Act. The act, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, includes multiple provisions that are sure to effect retirement savers. Here, we have outlined those that could […]
The Tax Code is Changing. Should your Retirement Plan?
Keep your retirement plan on track by determining if a Roth is right for you. If you have been following tax reform, you know the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) lowered the marginal tax rate of five brackets. You also know if nothing is done to make these tax brackets permanent, there […]
The Risk Illusion
As emotional beings, we are susceptible to illusions and phobias. Never mind that the snake under the bed turned out to be a sock, or that the monster in the closet was a hat and overcoat. At times our irrational fears seem so real that no amount of reason can calm us. At the same […]