The financial planning and investment landscape changes at a dizzying speed – and often with conflicting messages. Read our team of experts’ advice on saving, spending, investing, retirement, taxes, giving and more to help you enjoy a full life.
The financial planning and investment landscape changes at a dizzying speed – and often with conflicting messages. Read our team of experts’ advice on saving, spending, investing, retirement, taxes, giving and more to help you enjoy a full life.
March 19, 2019
During the Great Depression, 9,000 banks failed and that gave rise to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, which served to instill confidence in the banking system. On January 1, 1934, the first deposits were insured with a limit of $2,500. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the US […]
March 12, 2019
When a loved one dies, it’s always too soon. The grieving process is difficult, and when you factor in that loved ones now need to sort through finances, it can be very stressful. This is the time when many are vulnerable to cybersecurity attacks. You would think that after someone dies, their identity cannot be […]
March 5, 2019
With tax time finally here, you’re probably starting to load everything into your tax preparation software or send documents to your CPA. Below are a few items that may be tougher to keep track of during the year but are certainly important pieces of information to pass along to your tax preparer. 529 Contributions/Distributions – […]
February 26, 2019
I took my daughter ice skating recently. Ever since she caught the skiing bug, she has been determined to try ice skating. Having played hockey nearly my entire childhood and through college, I was thrilled she wanted to try something I thought I knew a lot about. However, I quickly learned that knowing a lot […]
February 19, 2019
As we get settled into 2019, we’re faced with fresh changes to the tax code, brought about by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. One of the biggest changes that became effective as of January 1 is how alimony is treated in divorces finalized in 2019 and beyond. Before January 1, 2019, […]
February 12, 2019
I recently sat down with “John” a thirty-year-old insurance professional who just received a large year-end bonus. This is the fourth year in a row he received a six-figure bonus from his agency. John was feeling good about his income and his potential to become wealthy but is very concerned and frustrated as to how […]
February 5, 2019
Most New Year’s resolutions are busted by now. There are a million reasons why the ambition of late December drains so hastily with the turn of the calendar. Maybe people really don’t have time to spend an hour at the gym every day and lay out calculated meals seven days in advance. Perhaps a child […]
January 29, 2019
A critical input to understanding an operating company’s current health and growth potential is the balance sheet. The balance sheet is a great tool that can provide insight into the foundation of a firm. Financial professionals, including investment bankers and private equity professionals, spend countless hours advising companies on how to achieve their next goal […]
January 22, 2019
It’s human nature to wonder what other successful people are doing. This is especially true of lawyers where precedent is such a powerful concept. With that in mind, here are some key habits of the most financially savvy lawyers I’ve known. 1. Focus on what you can control So much of our lives, especially our […]
January 15, 2019
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 made the federal estate tax less relevant from a planning perspective, since it raised each person’s exemption from the tax to over $11 million. So, estate taxes are nothing to worry about, right? Not so fast, since thirteen states levy their version of the tax. That is […]
January 8, 2019
Protecting your personal identity has been increasingly important in recent years, as concerns of hackers, data breaches and email scams all potentially expose your most sensitive information to online users. However, what most families do not realize is that Mom and Dad’s account numbers and social security numbers aren’t the only ones at risk anymore. […]
December 25, 2018
The days are shorter and, depending upon where you live, the temperature is most likely much colder. It’s almost year-end, and in the world of personal financial planning, we’re focusing on helping our clients take stock of all they’ve accomplished over the past year. But here’s the thing—many of us don’t take the time to […]