Why Save to a Dependent Care Flexible Spend Account (DCFSA)?
Among the list of savings accounts offered by an employer (FSA, HSA, 401(k), etc.), the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) can be a powerful tool for parents. It is a tax-advantaged account designed to pay for childcare expenses. The DCFSA allows you to save up to $5,000 pre-tax money in 2024. You can then […]
Medicare’s Secret Form – Which Could Come in Handy for You
As most people know, Medicare eligibility begins at age 65. And once you are enrolled in Medicare, your premiums are determined based on your level of income (the idea being that those with higher income pay higher premiums). But here is the catch – it is not your most recent tax year that determines your […]
An Investment Adviser’s Value Proposition: When and Why Do I Really Need a Financial Adviser?
At what point should you hire a financial adviser? People often assume the answer to this question is largely based on the size of their portfolio. Once your portfolio has reached a certain size, either the job becomes too daunting or complex or the risks of making a wrong move carry too much weight. In […]
Preparing for the 2023 Tax Season
The new year is here and tax season is almost upon us. And that brings with it a new tax filing season and trepidation for many about filing their tax return. To help reduce some of that anxiety, here are a few suggestions on how to best prepare to file your return for 2023. Organize […]
Maximizing Returns: How Active Investing in Bonds Triumphs Over Passive Strategies
Welcome to the elaborate world of bond investments, where strategic decisions define future returns. At the core of bond investment strategies lies the iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF, commonly referred to as the Agg. This ETF forms the foundation of passive bond investing, mirroring the vast landscape of the US investment grade bond market. […]
ROBS – A Unique Alternative for Starting or Buying a Business
One of the key decisions when starting or buying a new business is how to fund the purchase or start-up. There are a lot of alternative ways to accomplish this task including: Using your own after-tax funds to provide the necessary capital Getting a loan through a traditional bank Applying for a loan through the […]
Should I Put Cash Into a Money Market Fund?
As the Federal Reserve has raised the targeted federal funds rate, money market funds have been gaining attraction from investors. Since the beginning of 2022, interest rates have been on the rise which has resulted in some horrific returns in the bond market. With some money market funds yielding over 5% today, is it a […]
2023 Year End Tax Planning
As with every year, it makes sense to consider income tax planning moves that can help lower your tax bill this year. The general strategy of deferring income into next year and accelerating deductions into this year still makes sense for most people – although the ability of many people to benefit from accelerating deductions […]
Why the S&P 500 May Not Be the Best Benchmark
The goal of any active investment manager is to generate “alpha” for their clients. Alpha is defined as the excess return in relation to a benchmark (aka “beating the market”). Benchmarks are essential in investing because they give the investor a comparison for how their portfolio is doing relative to the market. A vast majority […]
What Are My Options for My Old Employer Retirement Plan?
Have you changed jobs in the past and now find yourself trying to manage multiple employer retirement plans, i.e., 401(k) or 403(b) accounts? If you answered yes, there are a few different options for what you can do with those old employer accounts. You will need to analyze a few factors which should help you […]