The scurrying around of tax season is mostly done and we’re all left to make new resolutions for the good habits we’ll create in 2019. You’ll never magically fall into a tax organization process. Get ahead of next year and determine what you need to save. What stressed you out at tax time last year? … Continue reading Do Yourself a Favor: 2019 Tax Planning
Category: Financial Planning
It’s already that exciting time of the year when every weekend is packed full of graduation parties and weddings. During this season, clients frequently reach out to discuss their gifting plans for the year. Here are a few FAQ’s on the topic: How much can I gift tax-free in 2019? Each donor can gift up … Continue reading Graduate & Wedding Gifting
“My company just started offering a Roth 401(k). What should I do?” This is a question I receive at least monthly from clients. Since their invention in 2006, Roth 401(k)s have become more prevalent in employer plans. Having the flexibility to decide whether to contribute to a traditional, pre-tax 401(k) plan or the after-tax option … Continue reading All About Roth 401(k)s
It’s human nature to want to exert control over our stressors, and who among us has never felt fear when it comes to retirement planning? While we have no control over market performance, a good financial advisor can often suggest strategies you’ve never heard of that can give you more control and potentially boost your retirement … Continue reading A Little-Known 401(k) Strategy Lets you Have your Cake and Eat it Too
A financially savvy client of mine was surprised last week when I mentioned that her 401(k) plan was not free. “But I checked with my company,” she said. “I asked what the plan costs, and they said it’s a free employee benefit.” On the surface this may appear true, but, in fact, 401(k) plans are … Continue reading The Myth of a Free 401(k)
Valentine’s Day always makes me think of love, romance -- and prenups. Preparing an agreement about how to split assets upon divorce, before you are even married, may not really be the most romantic idea to have on February 14, or ever, but I consider prenups a true act of love that can impact the … Continue reading A Romantic Idea for Valentine’s Day
A growing portion of Relevé Financial's client base is comprised of female breadwinners, defined as women who bring in at least half of their family earnings. A study based on data from 2015 found that nearly half of these mothers (42%) were sole or primary breadwinners. Another quarter (22.4%) were co-breadwinners, bringing home 25 - … Continue reading 5 Things Female Breadwinners Need from Their Financial Advisor
Financial advisors need to pay more attention to strategic tax planning. In my experience, too many clients are leaving money on the table because their advisor is overlooking opportunities to maximize tax savings in clients’ portfolios. How do I know this? I see it more often than I’d like when reviewing a potential new client’s … Continue reading Inadequate tax planning can mean lost income for investors
If you are one of the fortunate ones who has stashed away pre-tax savings in an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) over the years, the IRS will be taking note of your 70th birthday. That’s when the government wants you to start paying taxes on the money you have accumulated. (IRAs are tax-deferred, not tax-free.) When … Continue reading 6 Things to Know About Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs)
It’s possible that history’s longest running bull market may soon see a correction. Some of my clients are beginning to ask what they should be doing differently with their investments in light of this possibility. First, let me remind you that “correction” is not a four-letter word. I don’t blame you for thinking it is … Continue reading Is This Bull About to Leave the Ring? A Message for Retirees