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Unknown Credit Card Perks
Credit cards have been touting cash back rewards and sky miles for years. With most cash back rewards between 1% to as high as 8% on qualifying purchases. And free travel on future flights. But there are so many other benefits that...
Read MoreOil Over $100 A Barrel
As the conflict with Iran continues, the markets are getting shaken up a bit. Oil prices are surging over $100 a barrel. With ships under the threat of attack if they pass through the Strait of Hormuz, this conflict has dramatically...
Read MoreThe Dreaded Budget
For this month's Financial Tip of the Month, I wanted to talk a little about the Dreaded Budget. In the 25+ years that I have been in this business, the process of creating a budget is probably the BIGGEST stumbling block for most...
Read MoreThe AI Boom
Artificial Intelligence has been all over the news this past year as companies ramp up investment into this transformative technology. The AI Boom is most often compared to the late 1990's dot-com bubble, sharing themes of rapid...
Read MorePractical Tips for Holiday Spending
The holidays can be both overwhelming and financially stressful. Here are a few tips that may make your holiday shopping a little easier. Start with a Realistic Budget. Don't only take gifts into account, but be sure to budget for...
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Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Social Security
As I am sure you are already aware of, the Social Security program is under lots of pressure. In fact, the most recent trustees report suggested the Social Security Trust fund would be depleted by the year 2034 leaving only 75% of the...
Read MorePreparation for the Holiday's
Here we are, it is the end of the third quarter and guess what is right around the corner? Yep, the holidays and all the stress and last-minute shopping that comes with it. Well, this is a great time to get ahead of the game and do a...
Read MoreSeptember Fed Rate Cuts
A weak August jobs report showing a significant drop in job growth and a rising unemployment rate, strengthens the case for a rate cut at the September 16-17 meeting. Financial markets anticipate this move to provide an economic boost...
Read MoreWhat is the One Big Beautiful Bill?
What has become the infamous One Big Beautiful Bill has recently been signed into law on July 4th, 2025. But what does that mean for you? Here are some of the most notable changes that may create strategic financial planning...
Read MoreCelebrate your Financial Independence Day
July 4th commemorates our Nation's Independence from Great Britain. The day we adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, free to choose our own destiny. It's a celebration of American freedom, democracy and the birth of our...
Read MoreTIME is Your Most Finite Asset
We as Americans seem to have this driving need to achieve and succeed. But have you ever thought, "at what cost?" Have you missed out on the early years of your kid's lives, trying to earn enough to pay for that BMW in the driveway...
Read MoreTrump's Tariffs and What It Means for the Economy
Tariffs - essentially taxes on imported goods - are typically imposed to protect domestic industries or to gain leverage in trade negotiations. In recent months, we have seen a resurgence of tariffs, particularly targeting sectors...
Read More529 Plan Just Laying Around Not Doing Anything?
Most of you have heard of the 529 college savings plans to help pay the astronomically rising costs of college today. Maybe you set up a 529 plan for your kids or grandkids when they were first born and as they get older, they may...
Read MoreSpring Cleaning For Your Finances
As you are eagerly preparing for tax season, March is the perfect time of year to do a financial deep clean. Here are some suggestions to refresh your finances and get on track. Declutter Financial Accounts - Do you have savings but...
Read MoreNew Year Means New Opportunities
With the new year, comes new opportunities to save and invest. This is a great time to take a fresh look at your 401(k) or 403(b) and see if you are taking full advantage of the tax laws. In 2025, the contribution limits for both...
Read MoreA Structured Payout
So, you've been diligent about updating all of your beneficiaries. You have made sure to re-register your accounts with a POD (payable on death) or TOD (transfer on death). Doing all of this to avoid the dreaded "PROBATE". The legal...
Read MoreCapitalize on End of the Year Strategies
As the year winds down, you should consider some of these strategies before your opportunity is lost. Here are a few suggestions that I have: FSA Funds (Flexible Spending Accounts) - If you have an FSA account, you'll need to use it...
Read MoreStart Your Year End Planning NOW!
As we enter the month of October, the end of the year is quickly approaching. The fourth quarter usually brings with it holiday expenses, tax considerations, and year-end financial planning opportunities. So, this is the time of the...
Read MoreThe Ease of Mobile Check Deposits
I love to share ideas that help you simplify your life. In this busy world, between doctor's appointments, grocery shopping, dropping the grandkids off at dance class, etc. The last thing you need to do is run into a bank. Today, you...
Read MoreIs It Wise To Start Social Security Early?
You just turned 62 and you're all amped up to start receiving that social security check you've been waiting your whole work life for. Well, before you take the plunge and submit the application to start your benefits, here are a few...
Read MoreInterest Rates Can Work FOR You or AGAINST You
Last year the Federal Reserve raised interest rates a historic 11 times in a cycle curbed to tame high inflation. In fact, benchmark rates set by the Fed are at their highest level since 2002, only 2 years after I started my career in...
Read MoreSummer is Here!
The Dog Days are here. June 20th, the longest day of the year is the official start of Summer. I always get a kick out of looking up what holidays occur in the upcoming month. This month, I thought I would share some more obscure...
Read MoreTo Roth or Not to Roth?
If you're making payroll deducted contributions to a retirement plan, such as a 401k or 403b, you may be able to elect whether you want some of that to be invested in a Roth. Normally a traditional contribution will reduce your...
Read More5 Retirement Strategies for Small Business Owners
As a business owner you wear many different hats. From the head of marketing, sales, service, and all the way to the chief financial officer. Trust me, I know. The buck stops with you! Too many times, small business owners spend all...
Read MoreTax Season Is Upon Us
Here we are smack dab in the middle of tax season. The best financial tip I could think of, for the month of March, is to be sure you've taken advantage of any IRA, Roth IRA or HSA (Health Savings...
Read MoreHomeowner's Insurance Dragging Down Your Retirement Plan?
Over the past few years, Homeowner's Insurance rates in Florida have skyrocketed, consuming a huge percentage of your retirement income. I have had clients call me who were shocked by their renewal...
Read MoreThe Underutilized Step Up in Basis
The Underutilized Step Up in Basis If you have a mutual fund or brokerage account (not inside of an IRA or 401k) with a long-term capital gain (assets held over 1 year) a sale may trigger...
Read MoreTrust or Lady Bird Deed?
Lately, I've been having more conversations with clients about their estate planning goals. One common theme is whether or not they should get a revocable living trust or not. The biggest concern that...
Read MoreWhat is Risk Tolerance?
What is Risk Tolerance? We've all heard that term thrown around when talking about investing, but what does it REALLY mean? Well, if you're investing in a 403b or the FRS Investment Plan,...
Read MoreRoth Conversions
Here we are in the last quarter of the year, already. Time to start thinking about end of the year planning opportunities. One thing on my mind, when talking with clients, is a Roth IRA Conversion....
Read MoreWhat is a Second Election?
Each month, I try to bring some tidbit of valuable information that may or may not directly impact your planning. This month, I'd like to talk about the "second election". For those participating in...
Read MoreFlorida Retirement System Updates
Well, it's that time of the year once again. Back to School! I know, Summer just went by way too fast once again. Well, before you get neck deep in lesson plans, try to devote a little time to your...
Read MoreWhat is a Retirement Plan?
Have you ever taken a long road trip and just hopped in the car without ever looking at a roadmap? Well, that's how most people go about retirement planning today. Too bad there aren't GPS's for...
Read MoreQuick Budget Tips
June is finally here and summer vacation has started! No more screaming kids or rowdy teens making your job even tougher than it already is. Well, remember, the financial decisions you make in June...
Read MoreYour Worst Performer Last Year May Just Be Your BEST Performer This Year
Yep, 2022 was a tough year for the stock market, in general. With the Fed raising interest rates over 8 times now, it's brough valuations down. Especially in those high-flying growth companies. Though...
Read MoreQuick Tips on Contributions
With the tax deadline approaching quickly, even if you have a 403b at work, you still may be eligible to make a tax-deductible contribution to a Traditional IRA or a Non-deductible contribution to a...
Read MoreNaming a Trust as Beneficiary
Trusts have become very popular tools to facilitate the distribution of assets to your beneficiaries. A few great reasons to use a trust for estate planning are: If your beneficiary is a minor....
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
With February 14th being Valentine's Day, a contribution to your Spouse's IRA or Roth IRA may be a great way to show your love! Even if your spouse has no income...
Read MoreA Return To "Normal"???
With a new year comes new possibilities. 2022 was a challenging year for investors, to say the least. An exuberantly robust economy and low unemployment rate, couple with years of quantitative easing...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
If Christmas sneaks up on you unexpectedly, like it does so for so many people and you find yourself racking up your credit cards paying for gifts, consider setting up a Christmas Club Account. I...
Read MoreLifetime Income May Give You The Peace of Mind You're Looking For
These days pensions have become a thing of the past. For most retirees they need to carefully plan out their income, so they don't outlive their resources. Times like this, with all the market...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
This month, our Tip of the Month is more of a reality check, than a tip. In April 2021, there was a press release that the Florida Senate passed senate Bill 84, Retirement, modernizing the FRS Pension...
Read MoreIs the Stock Market Going to Crash?
Is the Fed sending us into a recession with their promise to raise interest rates? Maybe. But why are they so committed to raising rates, if it could send the economy and the stock market into a...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
Before the school year kicks off, this is a great time to get your financial house in order before the chaos erupts. Here are a few tips to make sure you don't let another year slip by without gaining...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
Here's a sticky situation. Let's say, you're in the FRS Investment Plan and recently remarried. Normally, you would want to list your spouse as the primary beneficiary of all of your accounts, right?...
Read MoreThe Yield Curve is Inverting
You may have been hearing some chatter about the yield curve and have no clue what the significance of it may be. Typically, the yield curve represents the difference in interest rates (or yields) on...
Read MoreInflation may be coming?
Rising inflation is talk on the street these days. For the past 30 years, inflation has run at a modest 2.4% average annualized rate. At least that's what our financial planning software estimates when we are considering the long-term...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
Has the battling between the Federal government and the State over mask wearing, the CDC protocols, the ongoing Covid pandemic and the Vaxxers versus the Anti-Vaxxers got you sick and tired of the rat race? Ready to throw in the towel...
Read MoreThe Case of an Imaginary Client
Recently, I was working on a Retirement Plan Update for a client and pulled up the last several years of case notes that I had, and I thought, how interesting it would be to part the curtains and share the inner workings and thought...
Read MoreDon't wait, get your 403(b) started today!
Summer's over and you're back in the grind. As overwhelming as work may seem, don't forget to take care of yourself too. Retirement will be here before you know it. So before you let another year slip by without taking proactive steps...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
With the tech sector of the market on fire, remember, don’t get caught up chasing investment returns. As the saying goes, buy low and sell high, right? Then, why do so many investors look at past performance and pick their...
Read MoreUpcoming changes for Florida teachers
Big changes could be coming for future teachers in Florida, but it’s not surprising to me. Senate Bill 84 has made its way through the Florida Senate and was approved on April 8th and is now set to be voted on in the House. The...
Read MoreHave you heard about Health Insurance Subsidy?
Retiring early is great, but don't forget, you may be entitled to the HIS (Health Insurance Subsidy). It's your responsibility to sign up once you reach the pension plan's normal retirement requirements. The HIS is a monthly...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
If you've reached FRA (Full Retirement Age) and decided to go into DROP at the end of the school year in July but aren't sure you made the right decision, you have only one month after your DROP participation begins to cancel your...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
The Investment Plan, also known as a defined contribution plan, is made up of 19 investment choices. But did you know, you have the option to have even more investment choices than what are solely available in the investment plan?...
Read MoreReady to Jump Into Retirement
I’m not a skydiver, but doesn’t it just make sense, that before you jump out of a perfectly good airplane, you make sure you’ve packed your parachute really, really well? You’ve finally decided to pull the...
Read MoreFRS Tip of the Month
FRS Tip of the Month If you’re thinking about making that leap of faith into retirement this July, it may be a good idea to re-check your cash flow needs. For those in the investment plan, a distribution cannot be issued until...
Read MoreCreating a Budget for Retirement
It only makes sense – yet many retirees live without one.
Read MoreSocial Security in 2014
Next year’s small COLA isn’t the only adjustment related to the program.
Read MoreIRS Announces New IRA Rollover Limitation
A tax court ruling raises eyebrows & leads to a decision that may affect you.
Read MoreThe Major Retirement Planning Mistakes
Why are they made again and again?
Read MoreDebunking a Few Popular Retirement Myths
Certain misconceptions ignore the realities of retirement.
Read MoreFall Financial Reminders
The year is coming to a close. Have you thought about these financial ideas yet?
Read MoreShould you apply for Social Security NOW.....or LATER?
When should you apply for benefits? Consider a few factors first.
Read MoreWhat is an independent financial advisor?
These past several years have really thrown people for a loop.
Read MoreTaking Advantage of the Provisions of Health Care Reform
Politics aside, how could coverage improve for you & your loved ones?
Read MoreBad Money Habits To Break In 2013
Behaviors worth changing for the New Year.
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