Insights, Ideas and News

Spring Cleaning for a Better Financial Life

Spring Cleaning for a Better Financial Life

Clutter is a common annoyance, especially in a busy household. But did you know it sneaks up in your financial life as well? And that it can also cost you money?

“Financial clutter” is distracting and it makes it hard to see the progress you’re making toward your financial goals. It can even hide problems until they become big and urgent.

Clutter doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It grows over time, adding another layer of stress to our already busy lives.

The solution is simple: Get rid of the clutter.

While it may not sound glamorous, it doesn’t have to be tedious or painstaking.

But it does need to be done from time to time because clutter won’t go away by itself. And the results are well worth the effort.

read more…
Tax Cuts: 3 Secret Strategies You Need To Know

Tax Cuts: 3 Secret Strategies You Need To Know

How much longer will you enjoy the tax benefits from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the 2019 SECURE Act? It’s anyone’s guess, and it’s critical to squeeze out as much upside as possible before the new Biden administration raises taxes for high-net-worth taxpayers as planned.

Without careful planning, the current tax laws might work against you. These three time-sensitive tax tactics help you avoid creeping into a higher tax bracket — and could result in your lowest taxes for years to come.

read more…
How To Align Your Personal Values With Your Financial Goals

How To Align Your Personal Values With Your Financial Goals

By Ember E. Martin, CFP®

Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it sure does free you to pursue opportunities that bring you true joy and fulfillment. And in fact, accumulating more money shouldn’t be an end goal in and of itself. Instead, it’s what you do with your money that will bring you the greatest pleasure and contentment in your life. 

read more…
Important Financial Actions To Take Before The End Of The Year

Important Financial Actions To Take Before The End Of The Year

By Ember E. Martin, CFP®

If you feel like someone tossed 2020 in a blender, pressed start, and threw everything in an uproar, you’re not alone. Most, if not all of us, have experienced canceled plans, work stoppages or adjustments, complicated family decisions, and (as if that weren’t enough) financial challenges. To add to the uncertainty, we don’t know what the near future will bring in regards to COVID-19, political turmoil, and our markets. How do you prepare when there is so much unknown? How can you look ahead to 2021 when you don’t even know what next week will bring? You go back to the basics. Here are 7 financial actions that could make all the difference as we near the end of 2020.

read more…

FEATURED

Top Read and Featured Articles

Spring Cleaning for a Better Financial Life

Clutter is a common annoyance, especially in a busy household. But did you know it sneaks up in your financial life as well? And that it can also cost you money? “Financial clutter” is distracting and it makes it hard to see the progress you’re making toward your...

Tax Cuts: 3 Secret Strategies You Need To Know

How much longer will you enjoy the tax benefits from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the 2019 SECURE Act? It's anyone's guess, and it's critical to squeeze out as much upside as possible before the new Biden administration raises taxes for high-net-worth...

How To Align Your Personal Values With Your Financial Goals

By Ember E. Martin, CFP® Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it sure does free you to pursue opportunities that bring you true joy and fulfillment. And in fact, accumulating more money shouldn’t be an end goal in and of itself. Instead, it’s what you do...

Important Financial Actions To Take Before The End Of The Year

By Ember E. Martin, CFP® If you feel like someone tossed 2020 in a blender, pressed start, and threw everything in an uproar, you’re not alone. Most, if not all of us, have experienced canceled plans, work stoppages or adjustments, complicated family decisions, and...

The Elusive Perfect Portfolio: Designing A Portfolio Unique To You

By Ember E. Martin, CFP® It seems that every investor is looking for the perfect portfolio and every financial advisor claims to have it. But is there a perfect portfolio? Sadly there is not. Just as there is no perfect house or perfect car, there is no one perfect...